Police - Force Intelligence Researcher

AHarvey · 20 Oct 2016 at 02:47

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone is in the force that may know about this position, what it's really like etc.

I'm currently in an IT role, supposed to be doing SEO, web dev and programming as well but get no time or support with training etc. £16k a year but the only perk is I can walk there in 12 minutes so have no travel costs. That salary is what some of our sales guys make in a month and they wouldn't if I wasn't constantly sorting their IT stuff out. Finish at 5:30pm and home by 5:45pm for family time. If I had a team/apprentice helping out with the mundane stuff and I had time to concentrate on SEO, procedures, development I'd be much happier and could see myself earning more (although on sales are rewarded in this company).

Now there is a grade E (£20-24k) Force Intelligence officer researcher position being advertised around 23 miles from here. I'd need a new car to get me there and back as our car is used for the school run now. so that extra £4k a year would go on getting there and back and the hours are 37 a week between 7am and 7pm which if I'm working late means I don't see the kids. But making a difference is important to me.

I've read the description and I would be great in the role and it would allow me to progress into higher positions or side step into more technical ones but I was hoping for an insider opinion on the role.

Housey · 20 Oct 2016 at 09:37

I assume this is the role in Staffs yes?

I've a few friends who work in the Staffs force (top to bottom) and I spotted this crop up on one of their LinkedIn updates a couple of weeks back, pure coincidence. I could ask one of them for more details if that helps, I think one of those friends is recruiting the roll actually, but would need to check and I have not idea who you are so it would be purely a tell me more, not "I know this good bloke", but happy to ask.

One small point too. If 25K a month is appealing move into sales. When you are there and earning that you will quickly realise that it's not as easy as so many people who have never done it think and that your role in their day to day world has value, it's nowhere near what you think it is. Companies pay for value, it's the way it works and though many just don't see the value, the company does. Your wage is pinned on your value, if you think you're not valued enough then move to a place you are.

Not a dig, just the voice of experience.

Ayahuasca · 20 Oct 2016 at 09:43

Yep anyone making 16k a month in sales is extremely valuable and talented, it's very difficult to get to that level.

No offence, but you'd likely be easily replaceable in your role compared to those sales guys on 16k/m

AHarvey · 20 Oct 2016 at 09:55

Housey said:
I assume this is the role in Staffs yes?

I've a few friends who work in the Staffs force (top to bottom) and I spotted this crop up on one of their LinkedIn updates a couple of weeks back, pure coincidence. I could ask one of them for more details if that helps, I think one of those friends is recruiting the roll actually, but would need to check and I have not idea who you are so it would be purely a tell me more, not "I know this good bloke", but happy to ask.

One small point too. If 25K a month is appealing move into sales. When you are there and earning that you will quickly realise that it's not as easy as so many people who have never done it think and that your role in their day to day world has value, it's nowhere near what you think it is. Companies pay for value, it's the way it works and though many just don't see the value, the company does. Your wage is pinned on your value if you think you're not valued enough then move to a place you are.

Not a dig, just the voice of experience.

It is yes and any info you could get would be a great help

thank you.

£25k a month is appealing, but I would never do sales, I am not a salesman, I'd rather make that by creating something that sells, that helps, that fulfils a need. I am more of a thinker/problem solver than a talker.

I am fully aware the IT guy isn't the most valuable person in the company, but there is no chance of progression, there is nowhere to go.

Ayahuasca said:
Yep anyone making 16k a month in sales is extremely valuable and talented, it's very difficult to get to that level.

No offence, but you'd likely be easily replaceable in your role compared to those sales guys on 16k/m

no offence taken, I know exactly what you are saying, but hard work of any kind should be valued even if that is a "simple thanks for sorting that". I'd be happy being acknowledged for what I do with a thank you, but it's a stereotypical IT roles (I really get the IT crowd now) where I could live in the basement and no one would speak to me unless they needed something

Logging on from home unpaid and remotely fixing a laptop and our custom software so a sales person could upload a £4k order should get a thank you.

Housey · 20 Oct 2016 at 10:01

Sadly it sounds like you are working for an organisation with a bad culture and bad ethics. I am not naive enough to ignore the fact many are out there and boiler rooms are something common in the IT world, sadly. However that is usually a transition stage for most people as it burns you out and that is why some companies throw money at it, it's a short term commitment and usually revolves around crap product sold as good product and done for a period of time to get the owners to a point where they can sell and move on. In such circumstance you are a pure commodity to be used. A truly horrible culture and business.

However, really good sales people don't lie, trust underpins what they do and that is why they maintain their success. Quick buck artists are usually young and burnt out at 30, good ones move on and become excellent and it's when you get to 6 figure months, which are rarely a month on month thing, you know you're doing well.

I'll ask the question for you.

AHarvey · 20 Oct 2016 at 10:05

Housey said:
I'll ask the question for you.

Thank you

it's the appeal of doing something positive that I find more attractive, I'm too unfit for a constable role

I've worked 7 years in online gambling, taking money from people that really can't afford it and now selling products to people that are overpriced, aren't legally required like we tell them and in fact, may not stand up in court like we tell them has left me feeling rather unfulfilled.

it sounds morbid but when I am lying there on my death bed, I'd like to think I did something that left the world a slightly better place

Housey · 20 Oct 2016 at 10:11

AHarvey said:
I'd be happy being acknowledged for what I do with a thank you, but it's a stereotypical IT roles (I really get the IT crowd now) where I could live in the basement and no one would speak to me unless they needed something Logging on from home unpaid and remotely fixing a laptop and our custom software so a sales person could upload a £4k order should get a thank you.

It should get a thank you, good sales people build a team around them, they make people want to work with them, not simply do so because they have to. The key to being good is surrounding yourself with people who can help you be good, working with them, appreciating their value in your day and saying thanks and rewarding them. To my point above, cocky idiots who think they've made it aren't those people, but if they want to continue earning big and bigger they will have to become them.

A good team is an equal team, maybe not in pay but certainly in listening to them and appreciating them. In the same way (not aimed at you) this should be the mindset of the IT support people, not sneery commentary we have seen so many times on here about stupid sales people, but a mindset of how can I better align with these people, assuming of course these people are the right sorts. Most are, just take time to get to know them which for IT people is often a big part of the problem because they are less outgoing.

AHarvey · 2 Nov 2016 at 21:57

Well, after every department but mine (it's only me) being entered into a company race track day competition with over 40 people attending, being missed out on the company email for the Christmas party, and having to deal with a large amount of idiocy from IT users I finally filled out the application and sent it off this morning.

At least i had some recognition and thanks from 2 of the 4 directors for working an extra 12 hours in my own time so that we could meet a deadline set by our partner and allowing us to sell their products!

Ayahuasca · 2 Nov 2016 at 22:05

Good luck, hope you get the new job as that place sounds tragic.

Holst1981 · 2 Nov 2016 at 22:05

Sounds like you need a new job. They sound like a awful place to work. Better start looking for other jobs if there are any you can apply for. Anything sounds better than that lot.

Haggisman · 3 Nov 2016 at 17:48

AHarvey said:
Well, after every department but mine (it's only me) being entered into a company race track day competition with over 40 people attending, being missed out on the company email for the Christmas party, and having to deal with a large amount of idiocy from IT users I finally filled out the application and sent it off this morning.

Ouch, sounds like they really don't appreciate you, and you're making the right move by getting out!

Also, £16k sounds on the low side for what you're doing! That's more like entry level first line tech support, not the only IT guy in the company doing everything from infrastructure to development!

AHarvey · 4 Nov 2016 at 12:04

Haggisman said:
Ouch, sounds like they really don't appreciate you, and you're making the right move by getting out!

Also, £16k sounds on the low side for what you're doing! That's more like entry level first line tech support, not the only IT guy in the company doing everything from infrastructure to development!

yeah but considering I have no travel costs and no car to run it doesn't bother me too much, it was supposed to be £18k, at least that's what I was told. To travel out of town i'd need another car + petrol so looking at £3k more a year on running costs.

HungryHippos · 4 Nov 2016 at 12:22

AHarvey said:
yeah but considering I have no travel costs and no car to run it doesn't bother me too much, it was supposed to be £18k, at least that's what I was told. To travel out of town i'd need another car + petrol so looking at £3k more a year on running costs.

Still sounds bad, unless houses in your area are like 50k or something!