This Business and Moment...

[Freefaller]

Agreed, just run with the large company until the public sector seems leas familiar.
There’s still going to be politics etc but worth it.

Well looks like I'm starting at the big telco in the new year. Contract which is now in writing is better than I expected to be honest, lots of benefits (28 days leave + BHs as well) with good bonus targets, good pension, healthcare etc, hybrid working with a strong remote policy (they send you a "home office kit"). Also no probationary period either! Straight into a 3 month notice period. I've already been allocated a buddy - and we're meeting for a coffee in a couple of weeks.

I've just done my budgets and although I'll be taking a not insignificant pay cut, I feel okay about it, the numbers work, just have to be less frivolous. I think losing myself in a large £bn corporate (I've worked in those environments before) will be just what I need. A bit of structure and size to make things happen. That said it's also a global company and if I can get stuff done, I'll feel more job satisfaction, and telco is a vital element in modern society that has a lot of avenues - can link to banking, construction, transport, FMCG, smart cities and all sorts of things, so there's a lot of opportunity, just need to work for it, but I think I will feel more secure. I hope!

Sure it was nice being at the relative top table, but also I've never been so frustrated in my life at actually not being able to get anything done, and having to work with sociopaths that you can't slap (I don't condone violence... ). I've been in and out of public and private sector, but I think I'm done with central gov for now - it could be so interesting and make a difference, but there's just too much BS and jazz hands to make it worthwhile.

 

[Freefaller]

Anyone on the chase for partner - but queue ahead seems unfathomable - so they offer you more base i.e. more salary without the opportunity to get *actually wealthy* (proper equity/business owner/profit share)? It's a really big turn off - I'm worried I'll get paid enough to be comfortable and the chase will be over. On one hand I should be thankful I'm employed; on the other hand, I'm not particularly motivated if some other partner is going to eat my spoils.

What is it about being partner (is this for a legal or accountancy firm or something else?) that makes it the accolade for you? Does it offer more job security? Does it open more doors in the future? More decision making? Something else altogether?

What are the downsides of chasing partner or being made partner?

 

[dlockers]

What is it about being partner (is this for a legal or accountancy firm or something else?) that makes it the accolade for you? Does it offer more job security? Does it open more doors in the future? More decision making? Something else altogether?

What are the downsides of chasing partner or being made partner?

Pure wealth. I want security for me and my family (1st gen of my family not on free school meals). I'm good at what I do and I've built an effective and loyal team. Right now I'm convenient for other partners as they hoover up what I do and give me back very little.

Job security will be worse but even if I get fired after 2 years I'll have taken 5 out of the overall plan and have stronger exit opportunities.

Edit: alternative is I drop out of the race for a bit, and take a 1k/day outside ir35 role. This could reset my clock however I'm not clear where I am in the list anyway. Heading into London to have the difficult convo just now

 

[NickK]

So this week is the orientation week for the course. There's a full class worth of students across the global in attendance (Brazil, India, Cyprus, EU, US, UK etc). I suspect that 7-10 hours/week claimed in attention is likely to be more if you're to read around the subject and excel. Not a biggie for me and I intend to make the most out of it. Saïd Business School support seems to be far beyond what I've experienced over my time working and in my undergraduate time too. It's also interesting that each module is locked so you can't jump ahead and get out of step with the other students.

 

[dlockers]

So this week is the orientation week for the course. There's a full class worth of students across the global in attendance (Brazil, India, Cyprus, EU, US, UK etc). I suspect that 7-10 hours/week claimed in attention is likely to be more if you're to read around the subject and excel. Not a biggie for me and I intend to make the most out of it. Saïd Business School support seems to be far beyond what I've experienced over my time working and in my undergraduate time too. It's also interesting that each module is locked so you can't jump ahead and get out of step with the other students.

I did a similar thing with INSEAD - it was really really good. Well worth the effort.

 

[NickK]

Partnership is eat what you kill. It's no different to being your own CEO with access to shared resources of legal, HR etc.

It'll predominately be risky if you have a single client in the event that they're affected by economic downturn (if selling into). If it's a service such as accountancy, you'll have some base revenue from the normal cycle but you will be expected to bring in a load more from those clients.

Partners are typically those that will hop around target companies, serving inside and building relationships then coming back to the firm for a period bring those customer's into the business. With enough it becomes a lower risk and you can play the game well enough then you'll have more than enough income to remain a partner until the board ups your numbers. At that point you hop company and start again.

 

[MrRockliffe]

I know I shouldn't laugh because it's a pretty crap situation, but have to say I found this very funny.

Seems like you're hitting all the double whammys with moving home as well.

Do you have enough to cover you? Are you going to be ok?

Yeah should be okay thanks.


It turns out that the person issuing the redundancy documents wasn’t aware of the enhanced rates they’re doing, so back up to the original amount.



It’s poor timing but then there’s never good timing with this kind of thing - I don’t think it’s personal.




Overall I’m actually quite looking forward to an extended break, as I’ve been working overtime for a long while now and my energy levels are pretty low.



I’m thankfully pretty lucky that the role was well paid, which has meant I can build a good buffer for covering my finances for a while, especially with the car sale.

 

[malachi]

It’s poor timing but then there’s never good timing with this kind of thing - I don’t think it’s personal.

Yeah, I got told this a few weeks back. Doesn't help the fact its happening to you. Regardless if its personal or not.

You are the one being effected, not them.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Yeah, I got told this a few weeks back. Doesn't help the fact its happening to you. Regardless if its personal or not.

You are the one being effected, not them.

You are absolutely right, but the way I’m trying to think of it is that, it isn’t because of my capability or lack of performance.


Plus, there are people in the team that have kids and mortgages to pay - I’m not one of them, and I’m extremely thankful they’re not affected

 

[NickK]

You are absolutely right, but the way I’m trying to think of it is that, it isn’t because of my capability or lack of performance.

That's precisely the way to look at it.

The company performance (and often it's the customer's performance that has a knock on effect) is such that it is adjusting its structure to support a specific focus. Most of the time what happens is the new stuff is put on hold and there's focus on sales, the result is less builders, pressure on operational status quo to loose some and initially the sales teams ramp up with additional people until it's clear it's not working at which point they take a hit as the companies start looking at battening down everything.

I would say that people are saying the worst is over (in terms of the last year to two). However there is still a considerable focus on costs whilst going the way of the AI as the investment that the majority of companies are making.

If I was you - rather than take a back seat for the next year, I'd enroll in a part time course. It will help you get back into business (and a lot of universities offering them also have direct lines into job market opportunities) and it will also make you move on from the redundancy faster.

 

[Freefaller]

Yeah should be okay thanks.


It turns out that the person issuing the redundancy documents wasn’t aware of the enhanced rates they’re doing, so back up to the original amount.



It’s poor timing but then there’s never good timing with this kind of thing - I don’t think it’s personal.




Overall I’m actually quite looking forward to an extended break, as I’ve been working overtime for a long while now and my energy levels are pretty low.



I’m thankfully pretty lucky that the role was well paid, which has meant I can build a good buffer for covering my finances for a while, especially with the car sale.

Are you going to start job hunting or focus on the house move and then get on with it in the new year?

 

[MrRockliffe]

Are you going to start job hunting or focus on the house move and then get on with it in the new year?

I actually really enjoy job hunting and working with recruiters, so I’ve already started.


I said to my manager before that it’s like a playground for me - I know, I’m a bit weird.



In the meantime though, I’m going to sign up to a new gym local to where I’m moving, and use it as a base for work and exercise.

If I was you - rather than take a back seat for the next year, I'd enroll in a part time course. It will help you get back into business (and a lot of universities offering them also have direct lines into job market opportunities) and it will also make you move on from the redundancy faster.

I’m definitely not intending to use the time to put my feet up, but I will take a break from the corporate world for a little while to recover my energy.


Instead, I’m looking to start doing some car detailing as a side project. I’ve been wanting to do it as a side hustle for a while, and I think this is the perfect excuse. Added bonus is that it gets me out and about



I also recognise that I’m being well looked after, and have a good savings pot to tie me over. It does push me back for buying a house, but it’s not end of the world.


There will be people that aren’t as fortunate, and I feel for them a lot - it’s a rough experience, even though it isn’t personal.

 

[dlockers]

I actually really enjoy job hunting and working with recruiters, so I’ve already started.


I said to my manager before that it’s like a playground for me - I know, I’m a bit weird.



In the meantime though, I’m going to sign up to a new gym local to where I’m moving, and use it as a base for work and exercise.





I’m definitely not intending to use the time to put my feet up, but I will take a break from the corporate world for a little while to recover my energy.


Instead, I’m looking to start doing some car detailing as a side project. I’ve been wanting to do it as a side hustle for a while, and I think this is the perfect excuse. Added bonus is that it gets me out and about



I also recognise that I’m being well looked after, and have a good savings pot to tie me over. It does push me back for buying a house, but it’s not end of the world.


There will be people that aren’t as fortunate, and I feel for them a lot - it’s a rough experience, even though it isn’t personal.

I have an e43 and a Peugeot you're welcome to both with challenges...

 

[MrRockliffe]

I have an e43 and a Peugeot you're welcome to both with challenges...

My monthly costs are projected at £1800 so shall we call it £3600 for both?

 

[HangTime]

The other one is for a mega Telco company and a more junior role on paper,

Catching up on some posts, I see you took this role. In 2020 I was part of the Great Resignation(TM) and have done 'more junior' roles since then (although they have paid more). From my perspective:

Positives:

• Less to focus on so you can focus on doing a good job of a smaller number of things instead of an average job of a huge number of things
• Less relentless pressure
• Easier to coast if you are having a 'bad week' inside or outside work
• Less people depending on me so less stress about letting others down / supporting my team etc.

Negatives:

• Some people just judge you on what your latest role is. Like if Bill Gates took up a job a bin man some people just think of him as a bin man (no disrespect to bin men, point is they dismiss them out of hand for tech / leadership roles). I had a message this week from a recruiter about a job paying less than I earned over 10 years ago.
• Occasionally (as may come across in some of my threads) I feel a bit unfulfilled or like I know I can do way more than I am.
• It can be really frustrating seeing others in more senior roles making naive missteps and (as per the first point) not even being on their radar as someone who could offer experience and expertise to help in an area that is new to them. It must be like being a former PM sat on the backbenches wondering what the current clown is up to.... as per the positives above you kind of welcome the fact you are below the radar and not your problem, but your professional pride also gnaws away at you. I force my way in sometimes but you also don't want to come across as some sort of know-it-all that is treading on toes and telling the leadership team how to do their jobs.

I'm so fed up with rec-cons.

You know what must be really depressing? Being a genuinely good recruitment consultant. They do exist, but they all get tarred with the same brush because so many are muppets.

 

[NickK]

The only as good as the last role seems epidemic in recruiters to be honest. The same as having the skills to move into a new role - it seems many places simply want the perfect match for people that have done precisely the same job before (and may have sucked at it!). I know skills do tail off between 3-7 years after use but at the same time there's experiences and the ability to adapt change too, often for the better. A good example was at a bank when I switched on the hustle and people were surprised of the difference!

 

[dlockers]

Have my partner-path discussion this evening at 8pm with the senior partner. Need to try and balance immediate issues (I'm not building wealth) against where I want to be in 2-3 years time. They can't guarantee anything though, which makes this difficult remotely as it's just a case of how much do I trust this guy.

 

[Freefaller]

Catching up on some posts, I see you took this role. In 2020 I was part of the Great Resignation(TM) and have done 'more junior' roles since then (although they have paid more). From my perspective:

Positives:

• Less to focus on so you can focus on doing a good job of a smaller number of things instead of an average job of a huge number of things
• Less relentless pressure
• Easier to coast if you are having a 'bad week' inside or outside work
• Less people depending on me so less stress about letting others down / supporting my team etc.

Negatives:

• Some people just judge you on what your latest role is. Like if Bill Gates took up a job a bin man some people just think of him as a bin man (no disrespect to bin men, point is they dismiss them out of hand for tech / leadership roles). I had a message this week from a recruiter about a job paying less than I earned over 10 years ago.
• Occasionally (as may come across in some of my threads) I feel a bit unfulfilled or like I know I can do way more than I am.
• It can be really frustrating seeing others in more senior roles making naive missteps and (as per the first point) not even being on their radar as someone who could offer experience and expertise to help in an area that is new to them. It must be like being a former PM sat on the backbenches wondering what the current clown is up to.... as per the positives above you kind of welcome the fact you are below the radar and not your problem, but your professional pride also gnaws away at you. I force my way in sometimes but you also don't want to come across as some sort of know-it-all that is treading on toes and telling the leadership team how to do their jobs.

You know what must be really depressing? Being a genuinely good recruitment consultant. They do exist, but they all get tarred with the same brush because so many are muppets.

All very fair and valid points. The positives are exactly what I need right now in my life. I can address the negatives (which shouldn't be ignored) in due time.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts it's always good to hear another perspective even if similar to your own.

 

[IC3]

- How many red flags in the job ad/app form do you want?
- Yes.

"competitive compensation", "Ah", "fun and hardworking team", "Remote/Hybrid" (What does that even mean lol)

So is it optional, or not? lol

They're listing competitive salary, I want competitive salary, makes sense, right?

 

[NickK]

- How many red flags in the job ad/app form do you want?
- Yes.

"competitive compensation", "Ah", "fun and hardworking team", "Remote/Hybrid" (What does that even mean lol)

So is it optional, or not? lol

They're listing competitive salary, I want competitive salary, makes sense, right?

Should have put in a CV.. Chief Strategist at Norfolk Idea..

Going to super tailor a CV today for a role.. for a head of engineering but.. “Understand the benefits of BDD and TDD and ensure engineers write upfront tests..” does seem to ring alarm bells in the specific nature of the tole description..