A revenge of sorts

elSicomoro · 05-12-2003, 04:59 PM

El sicómoro got a new job today, which starts on Wednesday.

It's a temp job for the moment, but is a temp-to-perm situation. And it's right up my alley--putting data in, proofreading, and trying to develop newer methods for putting in said data. And it'll be the best-paying job I've ever had--true yuppiedom here I come!!! 32% more than I made at my last assignment, and 55% more than I made the last time I worked there.

Yeah, I've worked there before.

You see, this is the infamous Radian Guaranty, for whom I temped for 7 months between June of last year and this past January. You can read about my last time around here and here. Man, that placed sucked ass. What a bunch of chumps.

But you see, the situation is different this time. It's a different department...a better department than where I was working. No customer service BS. I'm familiar with my direct supervisor...she was a pretty decent person from what I recall. And apparently, they actually WANTED me to come back...they were gushing to my current agency. And, I still have friends down there--in fact, I was just down there visiting them last Thursday. And the company is moving in August--from Independence Mall to across from City Hall, right smack in the middle of Center City.

Oh, and it's only 37 1/2 hours a week--no weekends, no weird hours--8:30-4:45. I'll drive this week, but will probably start taking the R7 again Monday. More Sycamore the Commuter stories to share, I'm sure.

But I have to tell you, I'm loving this. That damned Customer Service department tried to make me jump through hoops, treated me like shit, and was just incompetent. And my agency at the time (Stivers) was just horrible...wouldn't do jack fucking shit. Now I'm going back to a better department, with better people, they actually hire temps on compared to customer service, and I'll be making some serious jack. I won't have to get a second job as I was fearing I would have to do in June. And my current agency has got my back--they're like pitbulls.

Life is good.

That Guy · 05-12-2003, 11:19 PM

Good luck. Don't be afraid to file complaints against those cow-orkers that think they can try to sex you up just because you're a temp.

elSicomoro · 05-23-2003, 10:57 PM

Well, I'm 2 weeks into the new job (more or less), so I can give a pretty good assessment of things now.

So far, I can't complain. It's a pretty good job. In fact, it rocks. In the end, I wind up surfing Google and online phone directories, punching in names and numbers, and making phone calls to 411 and some brokers to make sure that said brokers exist. It reminds me of when I was doing collections on college students from overseas, except I'm not a bad guy this time around...and I don't have to make a lot of phone calls. And they pay me rather well, plus I can work all the OT I want. I pulled 43 this week, which is fine by me...by the first full week of June, I want to run with 45. That'll let me pay off some more debt and get Putt-putt completely fixed up. Not like it's falling apart, but it could use some TLC...I think it's jealous of my new car.

I seem to be doing well...no complaints yet. I'm curious as to when I'll be picked up permanently...I'm hoping by July 1. Benefits would be nice.

Plus, my bosses are relatively new to the company...they want to make things simpler and easier for us. It's like being on the ground floor of something big. And it helps that I already know the system as it is, having already worked for them for 7 months.

And it could DEFINITELY use some changes. I can work around it and all, but there are some relatively mild changes that could be made to make things much easier for all involved. My bosses are open to it, the company seems to be open to it, but we're talking a company with 1400 employees plus a ton of contract underwriters in 20 some-odd states and the UK. But you have to start somewhere, and I think I'm in a really good spot. For once.

Now, let's see how I'm feeling about all this in another 2 weeks...

Tobiasly · 05-23-2003, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sycamore
And it could DEFINITELY use some changes. I can work around it and all, but there are some relatively mild changes that could be made to make things much easier for all involved.

Well syc, all I can say is don't be afraid to be proactive about suggesting changes to management. It sounds like the sort of environment where that sorta thing goes over well. Don't get annoying about it, but bosses like nothing more than employees who are always trying to improve the way the company does business. It makes them think you sincerely care about the company's success and shit.

elSicomoro · 05-23-2003, 11:51 PM

Yeah, my boss is completely cool about that. He's still suffering from culture shock, having come from an imaging background (he's only been with the company a few months). We've been throwing around ideas since day one about things to do, problematic scenarios, etc.

The biggest thing that is going to help us is getting more bodies. The department in particular that I work for originally had 3 people in December, then it dropped to one, and with me there, we now have 2. We could use at least 2 more people.

The scenario this time around is SO much different than the last time I was there (June-January). My bosses actually tell me that I'm doing a good job, they thank me for going the extra mile, they value my input...and they actually LOOKED at my resume in bringing me back. Plus, the agency I work for now is so much better than the last one. I was incredibly concerned about going back to Radian...but it's like night and day.

I really feel like I'm doing some good. When I leave work at night, I'm generally tired, but I feel satisfied. I come home at night, and feel good...no need to go into a tirade about anything. And I really like what I do. I know it won't always be puppy kisses and animal balloons, but if I could feel this way more often than not, that would be fantastic.

elSicomoro · 07-03-2003, 08:56 PM

I'm supposed to be made an offer for permanent employment in the next 2-3 weeks...whoohoo!

elSicomoro · 07-11-2003, 10:00 PM

6 months ago, I was a temp at Radian doing shitty work for shitty pay. That was my lowest point career-wise in the 12 years I've been working...and I pray to God that I'm never in that situation again.

Now, I'm back at Radian as a permanent employee in a position of fair significance. I love my job and my coworkers and bosses are cool. The benefits are good, and as of Monday, I'll be making 85% more than I was making 6 months ago, 20% more than I was making today.

The last 19 months have been a long winding road that I thought would never end. Now granted, I brought this on myself to begin with (by quitting my last permanent job), but I knew that there had to be a job that was right for me. There was no way that I could have stayed at Signal, and there was no way I could make temping/contracting a real career (not at this point in my life).

And it'll be so nice to finally be able to buy some decent things and put some money away for the future. We've been fortunate enough to be able to do that during the past 2 months, but now we can do more.

And to boot, just before I was told the good news yesterday, I found $10 out in front of our office building.

Life is good. It's always been good, but now, it's even better.

xoxoxoBruce · 07-11-2003, 10:54 PM

Congrats, man. It's a lot more fun when going isn't a complete drag. Will you still come to the Cellar when you're CEO or COO?

05-12-2003, 04:59 PM	#1
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	A revenge of sorts El sicómoro got a new job today, which starts on Wednesday. It's a temp job for the moment, but is a temp-to-perm situation. And it's right up my alley--putting data in, proofreading, and trying to develop newer methods for putting in said data. And it'll be the best-paying job I've ever had--true yuppiedom here I come!!! 32% more than I made at my last assignment, and 55% more than I made the last time I worked there. Yeah, I've worked there before. You see, this is the infamous Radian Guaranty, for whom I temped for 7 months between June of last year and this past January. You can read about my last time around here and here. Man, that placed sucked ass. What a bunch of chumps. But you see, the situation is different this time. It's a different department...a better department than where I was working. No customer service BS. I'm familiar with my direct supervisor...she was a pretty decent person from what I recall. And apparently, they actually WANTED me to come back...they were gushing to my current agency. And, I still have friends down there--in fact, I was just down there visiting them last Thursday. And the company is moving in August--from Independence Mall to across from City Hall, right smack in the middle of Center City. Oh, and it's only 37 1/2 hours a week--no weekends, no weird hours--8:30-4:45. I'll drive this week, but will probably start taking the R7 again Monday. More Sycamore the Commuter stories to share, I'm sure. But I have to tell you, I'm loving this. That damned Customer Service department tried to make me jump through hoops, treated me like shit, and was just incompetent. And my agency at the time (Stivers) was just horrible...wouldn't do jack fucking shit. Now I'm going back to a better department, with better people, they actually hire temps on compared to customer service, and I'll be making some serious jack. I won't have to get a second job as I was fearing I would have to do in June. And my current agency has got my back--they're like pitbulls. Life is good.

07-11-2003, 10:54 PM	#8
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Congrats, man. It's a lot more fun when going isn't a complete drag. Will you still come to the Cellar when you're CEO or COO? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

05-12-2003, 11:19 PM	#2
That Guy He who reads, sometimes writes. Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: at the keyboard Posts: 791	Good luck. Don't be afraid to file complaints against those cow-orkers that think they can try to sex you up just because you're a temp.

05-23-2003, 10:57 PM	#3
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Well, I'm 2 weeks into the new job (more or less), so I can give a pretty good assessment of things now. So far, I can't complain. It's a pretty good job. In fact, it rocks. In the end, I wind up surfing Google and online phone directories, punching in names and numbers, and making phone calls to 411 and some brokers to make sure that said brokers exist. It reminds me of when I was doing collections on college students from overseas, except I'm not a bad guy this time around...and I don't have to make a lot of phone calls. And they pay me rather well, plus I can work all the OT I want. I pulled 43 this week, which is fine by me...by the first full week of June, I want to run with 45. That'll let me pay off some more debt and get Putt-putt completely fixed up. Not like it's falling apart, but it could use some TLC...I think it's jealous of my new car. I seem to be doing well...no complaints yet. I'm curious as to when I'll be picked up permanently...I'm hoping by July 1. Benefits would be nice. Plus, my bosses are relatively new to the company...they want to make things simpler and easier for us. It's like being on the ground floor of something big. And it helps that I already know the system as it is, having already worked for them for 7 months. And it could DEFINITELY use some changes. I can work around it and all, but there are some relatively mild changes that could be made to make things much easier for all involved. My bosses are open to it, the company seems to be open to it, but we're talking a company with 1400 employees plus a ton of contract underwriters in 20 some-odd states and the UK. But you have to start somewhere, and I think I'm in a really good spot. For once. Now, let's see how I'm feeling about all this in another 2 weeks...

05-23-2003, 11:51 PM	#5
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Yeah, my boss is completely cool about that. He's still suffering from culture shock, having come from an imaging background (he's only been with the company a few months). We've been throwing around ideas since day one about things to do, problematic scenarios, etc. The biggest thing that is going to help us is getting more bodies. The department in particular that I work for originally had 3 people in December, then it dropped to one, and with me there, we now have 2. We could use at least 2 more people. The scenario this time around is SO much different than the last time I was there (June-January). My bosses actually tell me that I'm doing a good job, they thank me for going the extra mile, they value my input...and they actually LOOKED at my resume in bringing me back. Plus, the agency I work for now is so much better than the last one. I was incredibly concerned about going back to Radian...but it's like night and day. I really feel like I'm doing some good. When I leave work at night, I'm generally tired, but I feel satisfied. I come home at night, and feel good...no need to go into a tirade about anything. And I really like what I do. I know it won't always be puppy kisses and animal balloons, but if I could feel this way more often than not, that would be fantastic.

07-03-2003, 08:56 PM	#6
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I'm supposed to be made an offer for permanent employment in the next 2-3 weeks...whoohoo!

07-11-2003, 10:00 PM	#7
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	6 months ago, I was a temp at Radian doing shitty work for shitty pay. That was my lowest point career-wise in the 12 years I've been working...and I pray to God that I'm never in that situation again. Now, I'm back at Radian as a permanent employee in a position of fair significance. I love my job and my coworkers and bosses are cool. The benefits are good, and as of Monday, I'll be making 85% more than I was making 6 months ago, 20% more than I was making today. The last 19 months have been a long winding road that I thought would never end. Now granted, I brought this on myself to begin with (by quitting my last permanent job), but I knew that there had to be a job that was right for me. There was no way that I could have stayed at Signal, and there was no way I could make temping/contracting a real career (not at this point in my life). And it'll be so nice to finally be able to buy some decent things and put some money away for the future. We've been fortunate enough to be able to do that during the past 2 months, but now we can do more. And to boot, just before I was told the good news yesterday, I found $10 out in front of our office building. Life is good. It's always been good, but now, it's even better.

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