So, I had to reapply for my job today

[Mysterio]

Due to some "restructuring" within my division, the job I have been doing for the last 2 years has a new name and is open for applications. Joy. So now I get to reapply for my job and defend my position. What will really stink is if someone who currently works for me gets the job.

[Tobias March]

.........this isn't the plot of Office Space you're describing is it?

[Valmore]

Didn't this happen in a Dilbert strip?

Anyway, good luck. And if it doesn't work out, you can always apply to be Johan Santana's cabana boy.

[mattx110]

Bring a table-top football.

walk in for the interview, drop it on the desk and say "I don't play office games, I'm obviously the best person for this job as I've bloody done it."

leave your card on the desk and walk out.

[Matt Algren]

Bring a table-top football.

walk in for the interview, drop it on the desk and say "I don't play office games, I'm obviously the best person for this job as I've bloody done it."

leave your card on the desk and walk out.
Make sure you pack up your stuff the night before.

[mattx110]

Don't follow my advice.

[Omega Alpha]

Just go and say "Look, I've been doing this for 2 years, why would you hire someone new now, who will have to learn everything that I already know and do the job I already proven to be pretty good?". Then, the job is yours, easily.

If they answer "But you HAVEN'T proven to be pretty good. In fact, you suck at what you do" however... well, then you're screwed. But that's life, I guess.

[Nightstar1441]

Put your resume together - any company that behaves like this does not deserve what you offer them

[Omega Alpha]

Put your resume together - any company that behaves like this does not deserve what you offer them

That's true, but he still gotta pay the bills.

Nevertheless, dude, if I were you, I would take the first reasonable offer you have to get out of it. Even if it pays you a little less. Like the poster above said, you deserve better than work in a company like that.

[Mysterio]

.........this isn't the plot of Office Space you're describing is it?

I've had many days where I've said "I'm just not going to show up. I'm going to stop coming to work."


Make sure you pack up your stuff the night before.

A former coworker did this exact thing. It was quite humorous, actually. He walked by my cube mumbling "I've invested too much of my personal self into this place" as he cleaned out his personal effects. Although he swore up and down he wasn't quitting, I knew better. Two weeks later, he was gone.

Without giving TOO much away, let me just say I work for a Top 10 company in the Fortune 500. We used to be a smaller company until the big one acquired us. And since I've been on board, they've been nothing but good to me and my family. I talked to my boss tonight and he essentially told me this is all "formal procedure" and that everything would work out alright. That takes a huge load off. But if I do lose the job to one of my employees, I'll take my stapler and go home!

[Matt Algren]

A former coworker did this exact thing. It was quite humorous, actually. He walked by my cube mumbling "I've invested too much of my personal self into this place" as he cleaned out his personal effects. Although he swore up and down he wasn't quitting, I knew better. Two weeks later, he was gone.I learned a few years ago (but have to keep relearning) that it's true what they say: Your job is not your life, and your life is not your job. Forget that and you're doomed.


Without giving TOO much away, let me just say I work for a Top 10 company in the Fortune 500. We used to be a smaller company until the big one acquired us. And since I've been on board, they've been nothing but good to me and my family. I talked to my boss tonight and he essentially told me this is all "formal procedure" and that everything would work out alright. That takes a huge load off.I'm a terrible cynic in this area, but unless you have that in writing (notarized with a huge payoff if it turns out he's lying) I wouldn't rest on that until the "formal procedure" is over.


But if I do lose the job to one of my employees, I'll take my stapler and go home!You could set fire to the place.











Don't do that, though.

[Forefinger]

My last job went through some restructuring and I had to interview for the job that I had, but I was also interviewing for a higher level position in the company. Well, the job that I had went away eventually, but I always thought it was messed up that I had to interview to keep my own job. Before my job went away, I left to work in the Department of Corrections. My old job offered me the higher level position, but I was worried about the stability of any position with them. I turned down more money to stay away from them.

[Shellhead]

This is not a great time to be looking for a job, in terms of the overall economy. Play it safe with your current employer and jump through all the required hoops without complaining. To hedge your bets, start looking for a new job on the side. If they getting rid of some people now, there may be another round of layoffs later.

[GigaLeo]

Wow, this sounds very close to the position I was in a couple of years ago. I even got to talk to the outsourced HR guy over the phone and tried not to laugh when he asked me what I did so he could write up the job advertisement. It didn't help that he sounded like the Geiko Gecko...
Anyway, best of luck to you, hopefully everything works out for the best.

[Shellhead]

I talked to my boss tonight and he essentially told me this is all "formal procedure" and that everything would work out alright. That takes a huge load off.

Your boss would probably say that even if he knew they were definitely eliminating your job or replacing you with a cheaper employee. There is no advantage in telling you outright that they are getting rid of you, until they are actually ready to get rid of you.

[Mysterio]

The more I've looked at this and taken emotion out of the equation, the more I realize I'm a lock for this. I'm the ONLY person out of the 7 that can apply for the job that has any experience managing people. I also have the strongest creative background and been doing this longer than anyone else. And as an added plus, I reread the posting and realized they're limiting it to three of our offices. That right there eliminates 5 candidates as they are in other offices around the company. I interview next week and they should have their decision by the 3rd.

[warspite1805]

Good luck, I will most likely be in a similar situation in the near future and it sucks arse

[Cthulhudrew]

Put your resume together - any company that behaves like this does not deserve what you offer them

Agreed. Still reapply for your position and interview, etc. for it, but I'd get my resume out there and start looking for something else if I were you. Even if they give you your job again, like Nightstar says, they don't really deserve your work, and this sort of behavior is just begging for them to pull more crap on you (or even restructure your job position and tack on all sorts of duties that someone else used to do, for no increase in pay).

The best time to start looking for another job is when you already have a job, and they've given you ample reason to begin looking, IMO.

[Sabrina_Fried]

Your boss would probably say that even if he knew they were definitely eliminating your job or replacing you with a cheaper employee. There is no advantage in telling you outright that they are getting rid of you, until they are actually ready to get rid of you.

Especially not if they expect you to train your replacement. (I say this from experience)

I definitley agree with others on this thread: This is not a good time to be switching jobs if you can avoid it. Do the interview, jump through the necessary hoops, accentuate your strengths and positives when you interview for your job. And on the side, every free moment you get, start looking for another job.

Sabrina

[Serik]

My coworker faces the same situation, Mysterio. He's been a "temp" hire for two years filing an important customer relations position. Now the bosses are talking about hiring someone from the outside to do the job he's already doing successfully! I told him to essentially tell management to fuck off and look for a new job.

Maybe you can try the same ;)

[Mac Danny]

I TOLD YOU!! I HAVE PEOPLE SKILLS!

http://www.luminomagazine.com/2004.03/spotlight/officespace/images/tom/tom2.jpg

[Mysterio]

And apparently I DO have people skills. Got the job! And along with it, a nice raise and more visibility within the company. Climbing the corporate ladder baby, climbing the corporate ladder!

[howyadoin]

And apparently I DO have people skills. Got the job! And along with it, a nice raise and more visibility within the company. Climbing the corporate ladder baby, climbing the corporate ladder!Hah. Remember to step on lots of the little people.

[Matt Algren]

And apparently I DO have people skills. Got the job! And along with it, a nice raise and more visibility within the company. Climbing the corporate ladder baby, climbing the corporate ladder!
It'll take your throat and your knees a few weeks to heal, but it's worth it!

[Mysterio]

Hah. Remember to step on lots of the little people.

Squish, squish.

How about that? 4 years ago I was an unemployed freelance designer. Today, I'm the Creative Director of a multi-million dollar corporation. So surreal.

[SPAfreak]

Squish, squish.

How about that? 4 years ago I was an unemployed freelance designer. Today, I'm the Creative Director of a multi-million dollar corporation. So surreal.

Huh. With the name "Mysterio" that actually makes me afraid.

Congrats.

[Deathstroke]

Congratulations on the job.

[howyadoin]

Squish, squish.

How about that? 4 years ago I was an unemployed freelance designer. Today, I'm the Creative Director of a multi-million dollar corporation. So surreal.How long did you freelance?

[Mysterio]

I did that and taught at a local art school for about a year, year-and-a-half. I had just been laid off at an agency and the job market was bleak. I still freelance to this day, I just don't actively look for it. But boy does it find me!

[howyadoin]

I did that and taught at a local art school for about a year, year-and-a-half. I had just been laid off at an agency and the job market was bleak. I still freelance to this day, I just don't actively look for it. But boy does it find me!Yeah, you can't beat word-of-mouth when you're a freelancer. I'm fortunate enough to have been doin' it for 8 years, and even now I run into dry spells sometimes.

[Omega Alpha]

Congrats for the job (and the raise), man. :)