My Jobs, An Interesting Transition

Last week I shared some of my career history and left off when my company had a big downturn. Today I continue this series by giving details on the next position I held (which is also the current job I hold.)

As you recall, the company was doing poorly at a key time period and the blame was being placed on my shoulders. At the same time, a few other things were going on:

• As I mentioned in the last post, this job was less than ideal. So I had been looking for other opportunities for a while but I simply couldn't find anything suitable. Though tough to do, I bit the bullet and followed my own advice on what to do when you have a job you don't like.

• The president had brought in a good friend of his (a "consultant") that was looking at company "strategy." She had a background very similar to mine and was focusing a lot of attention on my department. Could I see the hand-writing on the wall?

• During the last eight months or so in this job, I started a volunteer position for a charity that would play a big role in my career. More on that in a minute.

As the smoke cleared from the business disaster, a few things became perfectly clear:

• Someone was going to be the fall guy for the poor performance.

• It wasn't going to be the company president or his buddies.

• It was going to be me.

How could I be so sure? Check out this story -- it's almost unbelievable to me even to this day.

I wasn't sure what was going to happen. Would I be fired (if so, I had my one-year employment contract to fall back on)? Demoted? Reprimanded but retained? The company president had met with me and said he was disappointed with "my" plan (if you wonder why I'm putting that in quotes, see my last post.) In addition, he was frequently mentioning the skill and experience of the consultant to everyone.

As I was trying to decide what to do, I walked towards the office of the Human Resources VP one day (I had something to discuss with him -- I can't remember what it was.) FYI, we had an open office plan -- everyone was in cubicles. As I turned the corner and walked into his cube a bit, I realized he was not there. But what was there, and staring me straight in the face, was his big computer screen. On it was an open document and I could see the heading had something to do with "marketing" (my department.) I wanted to see what it said, but was hesitant because 1. I wasn't sure if it was ethical and 2. I was in the open and visible to everyone -- my head was above the cube's walls. I could be spotted in an instant. 

I inched in a bit closer (not much, but I did want to see it). The 5 to 10 seconds I was there was enough to get the gist of the document -- it was an offer letter to the consultant for my job. Yikes!

I beat it out of there quickly, knowing now that I was going to be replaced, and soon, one way or the other. Either I was going to be fired or demoted. Again, I had my contract so I knew my salary wasn't going to go down if I was kept, but still my job would be different -- certainly less responsibility and likely more difficult.

I can't remember how the next few days unfolded, quite honestly. They were a blur. But here's what I think happened.

At some point, the president shared with me his plan. The consultant was to take my position and I was to take the job of my #2 guy -- after I fired him! Yikes!!! This was NOT going to work for me.

As I mentioned above, I had been working on a volunteer project. I've previously detailed what happened, but here's the short version:

• A couple that owned a company were volunteers on the project as well.

• They saw me in action as the leader of the effort.

• They saw what a success it was.

• They liked what they saw and asked me to join their company.

Not only was this offer a better position with a good company working for people I liked and admired, but the pay was higher, the bonus bigger, and the other benefits better. It was a win all the way around.

A few days after seeing the letter and hearing what my boss wanted to do, I went into his office and resigned. He was surprised and shocked to say the least and it was sweet revenge just to tell him I was leaving. But I did so with grace and left on a good note. While I wanted to tell him what an egotistical, lying, deceptive person he was and how I wished he would fail in a spectacular fashion, I instead thanked him for the job opportunity and I wished him the best. As I've said before, there's no need to burn bridges -- the only person you hurt when you do is yourself.

I learned a great deal from this situation and the resulting transition, but here are highlights:

• You need to be constantly networking. This specific instance is one reason I regularly encourage readers here to develop, grow, and work their networks. Doing so helps you out in so many ways and is a big part of making the most of your career. And for me in this case, my network was a lifesaver.

• An employment contract is a great thing. I said this last time as well, but it bears repeating. Even in what was probably the worst crisis of my career, the fact that I had a document guaranteeing me a year's pay was quite a comfort. Of course I had worked for that contract and managed my career appropriately to get it -- it wasn't just handed to me.

• You never know what can happen. A few months earlier, I was the guy that had listened to the company president, used his marketing company to develop a plan, and executed a plan that he signed off on. Now I was the fall guy to deflect blame from him. My, how things can change quickly. It speaks to the fact that you always need to keep your options as open as possible.

Since the move to my current job, I've been in the position for almost six years. It was and is everything I thought it was and I couldn't be happier. Out of the toughest of times came my greatest blessing (work-wise.)

As for my former company, the consultant did take over my spot, but she only lasted a year before she fell out of favor with the president and left the company. Their business has continued to struggle and most of the people that worked there when I did have left. The president has backed off his time commitment to the business. He now just serves on the board and his #2 guy runs the show.

This post concludes the "My Jobs" series. I hope you've enjoyed it and learned a bit as well.

Before I sign off for good, I'd like to make one last point. When I give suggestions here at Free Money Finance, in most cases they are backed up by real-life experiences. I'm not making up my suggestions on career principles, how to manage your finances, etc. on what I think will work. I'm making them based on what I've learned over time does and doesn't work. Hopefully you can see the value in this real-world experience and it serves to help you grow your net worth. Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't reasons why you shouldn't listen to me. :-)

BTW, if you want to read the series from the beginning, start here.

Comments

[MC]

Interesting story, and you make an excellent point. You really have to keep your head up and be aware of change in the air.

I am willing to bet that it was all on purpose that the HR guy left the document open on the computer and conveniently left just when he knew you were coming by. Most people aren't comfortable being party to underhanded behavior, and this may be how he resolved the conflict in his own mind.

I had a similar situation once long ago---I had already made it clear I was leaving one job to apply to another opportunity. One of the reasons I was leaving was an inability to see eye-to-eye with the head of the department.

One day the department head's secretary, with whom I had had only "nice day, how are you" type of interactions, came and found me, insisting that I help her fix her jammed laser printer. I was kind of exasperated, because I had important things to do and it was far from my job description. But she insisted that there was no one else around to help her and she "knew" I could fix it fast, so wouldn't I please...?" So I relented mainly to get her off my back.

Guess what was "stuck" in the printer? My boss' recommendation letter about me! And it was pretty much a trash job.

I was shocked--I'd never thought he'd stoop to that! But apparently he was more annoyed that I thought at my leaving. Of course I couldn't change the letter, but now I knew that I needed to mention to future employers the personality conflict that was the source of my leaving my current position, and I also knew that I needed to get other letters of recommendation in addition to my boss's.

This was over 15 yrs ago...I don't think his bad letter did much harm to my career, but possibly it helped to have a chance to defuse it.

So always, ALWAYS, be super nice to the admin assistants! They usually know everything.

[PC]

FMF, thanks for the career pieces. Your resume and career pieces are what keep me coming to your site over the other popular PF blogs. I know you just ended the jobs series, but I know you'll still post some tidbits from time to time.

[FMF]

PC --

Certainly. I'll keep writing career tips as long as I have this blog.

[Jim]

Nice series of articles. It was very interesting to read about your career history.

Seeing that document open at the HR guys desk is incredible. MC's theory that it was on purpose does make sense and that might very well be the case. Or they could have just been simply negligent.

[spivey]

FMF, again, thank you very much for sharing your career experiences. As someone just starting a career, it has been great to see the personal experiences you have had (lots of ups and downs!). This story reminds me of the one thing I dread once I start my job at a large corporation - office politics, pettiness, and selfish interests. Other than the slight apprehension that comes with that thought, I am very much looking forward to starting down my career path.

[Eric]

I'm crying imaginary tears at this series ending. :-)

I picked up a lot so thank you so much for sharing your career experiences. They're definitely the most enjoyable posts I've read on this site.

[Mike Hunt]

FMF,

Nice series. I liked how you picked up on the signs and knew what was going to happen. It's important to trust you instincts.

What I realize that when times are good vs times are bad, circumstances can change dramatically. It's interesting to see the way it pans out and when things get ugly the power politics come out.

I do have to say that I'm a bit like you in the regard that when things get really dirty (like firing your #2 and taking his job) I usually follow taking the high road, usually means getting out of there and finding something better. However it depends on how much breathing room you have financially and also the timing of another opportunity. But I think by taking the high road you can attract a better work situation for your future- I really do.

-Mike

[Financial Samurai]

Fascinating stuff! Man, you have a lot of drama in your life FMF! Guess you learn from it and get better.

Here's hoping you don't have to write another post in this in this series about your current employer!