Thoughts of moving on

[gnubler]

Here's a broad question: how many of you have voluntary left a job in the printing biz to seek another (in the same city), and for what reason? And what reason did you give to your employer for your resigning? Were you honest? Did you run into awkward snags from a new potential employer who knows your previous employer? In many cities, printers are a tight bunch. I think they all know one another somehow.

I started a new job about eight months ago, easy work, low key, high pay (in my opinion)...but it's been non-stop drama with both business financials and Bossman's personal problems, having extraneous (non-prepress related) responsibilities dumped on me, being verbally interrupted/not listened to (a personal pet peeve of mine)...really, nothing horrible, but I just feel like I'm not clicking with this particular business and the way things are operated (half-assed). Kind of like I'm not progressing. If I wanted a comfort zone where I just pushed the same buttons day after day and the same thing kept happening, I'd stay. But I don't want that, and I feel like I'm losing something, maybe wasting my time or skill without much challenge.

I try to put a lot of initiative into new ideas, ways to may things run more smoothly. I've worked in eight shops during my career so far - I've seen both good and bad. But my suggestions, initially adored, are soon disregarded, and it's mayhem again.

I realize some of you can't disclose details like this on the forum. I just wonder if I'm being too finicky, or if I should take the plunge and resign and start looking elsewhere.

[Dupple]

I moved to London just over ten years ago after leaving one of the most dreadful shops I'd ever worked at.

I was quite forthright when I left the company. I can't actually remember what I said, words and phrases like 'suck', 'BS', 'utter rubbish', 'total failure or process' and 'why the feck should I care any more' were all thrown in to good effect.

The company closed six months later, which was a shame, I really liked the pressman. We're still mates and stay in touch, but he ain't worked the print since...

Honesty is always the best policy except when a big fat lie can save your arse :wink:

[TimS]

Originally Posted by gnubler

I just wonder if I'm being too finicky, or if I should take the plunge and resign and start looking elsewhere.

An extremely bad idea. Make sure you have a new job in hand before giving up the old one. It's hard to believe but trained prepress operators are difficult to find, you shouldn't have too much problem if there are several printers in your area.

I switched last year within the same city, after 10 years at the old place, and am happy I did it. It was nice to leave all the old politics behind, and come in fresh to a new place. It's really same sh*t, different place, morale-wise but somehow it doesn't matter as much since its all new. Also learned new skills and met some new people. I was diplomatic when I left, never know if you'll have to go back in a few years, just said I was leaving for a change, even though I hated the place. Sounds like you need a change. Go for it.

[JRomano]

[quote="TimS"]

Originally Posted by gnubler

I just wonder if I'm being too finicky, or if I should take the plunge and resign and start looking elsewhere.

An extremely bad idea. Make sure you have a new job in hand before giving up the old one. It's hard to believe but trained prepress operators are difficult to find, you shouldn't have too much problem if there are several printers in your area.

Exactly.....Make sure you have a Job in hand before resigning.
The Job I had before this one, booted me right after resigning.
The owner didnt want me influencing anyone of his remaining employees.

I knew it was a possibility before I resigned and told my future employer it may happen.....and it did. I started my new Job 30 minutes after resigning from my old one


John

[gnubler]

I understand the common sense approach, and in the past I've always gone from one job almost directly into another - at the most a couple of weeks apart.

I'm in a spot now where I've saved about eight months of living expenses, my rent is only $212/monthly (I share a home), and I don't have any costs other than shelter and food. Being out of work for a while isn't really a concern of mine.

I'm thinking of hanging on until the end of summer, and then going to travel Europe until my pocketbook is empty. See you mates at the pub, maybe.

[Sparky]

I grew up in this trade in the Los Angeles Area, and at the time I was aware there were over 10,000 "graphics" shops in the LA area. For the first 25 years I don't think I held a job for a year (came close once, 11 months 3 weeks). Either I was laid off, Quit, or fired (what? me? 20 year old cocky S.O.B. who thought he knew everything) But every time I made a move it was for more money. I was always honest when I left (voluntarily) and even had a couple of bosses make counter offers.

The job I have now I'm coming up on 10 years (March 6, 2007) and I'm in the process of looking for something better, and yes I will be honest with my boss, and allow him the opportunity to keep me. My loyalties go just so far, and if you get bent over enough times you'll understand from where I speak :wink:

[jimking]

Originally Posted by Sparky

I grew up in this trade in the Los Angeles Area, and at the time I was aware there were over 10,000 "graphics" shops in the LA area. For the first 25 years I don't think I held a job for a year (came close once, 11 months 3 weeks). Either I was laid off, Quit, or fired (what? me? 20 year old cocky S.O.B. who thought he knew everything) But every time I made a move it was for more money. I was always honest when I left (voluntarily) and even had a couple of bosses make counter offers.

The job I have now I'm coming up on 10 years (March 6, 2007) and I'm in the process of looking for something better, and yes I will be honest with my boss, and allow him the opportunity to keep me. My loyalties go just so far, and if you get bent over enough times you'll understand from where I speak :wink:

I hear ya Sparky. For me it's been some what the oposite. I held a few jobs for 30 years. But the last past year has been hell for me. I'm about to call it quits.

[Dupple]

Originally Posted by jimking

I hear ya Sparky. For me it's been some what the oposite. I held a few jobs for 30 years. But the last past year has been hell for me. I'm about to call it quits.

What's happening Jim?

[jimking]

Just plain old burnout. I like working with graphics but the "pound out widgets" thing has gotten to me. I took a internet burnout test and passed with flying colors. One thing that gets under my skin (could be only my experience) is the lack of prepress knowledge of plant managers. Most seem to be ignorant relatives or exsalesmen or exestimators. They often, because of their ignorance, get a bug up their ass over prepress for one reason or another. I think more prepress people and lead pressmen should take on that role which by the way I would not do.

[Dupple]

I hear that