Last night was my first night back to work after having 16 days off. Between work itself and the fact that I was up since 3pm yesterday, I’m pretty tired. I had planned to gradually adjust my sleeping schedule over a few days, but decided to go out drinking with some friends instead – so that ended up with me passing out earlier than I had planned, and no adjustment until the last minute :) Oh well, I don’t mind that so much, I find it easy to switch over just a couple of days.
Now, for the “decisions” part. There’s a job posting at work for Department Manager. The Dept. Manager for the area I work in (Chemicals) put in her notice yesterday. I knew she had plans to leave, but I didn’t know exactly when. Now, for a while I was thinking that I might apply for her job if she ever decided to leave, but I wasn’t expecting it so soon. I think I’d have a pretty good chance of getting the job, but I’m not really sure I want it. Despite the insanely busy nights and stupid stuff happening, I enjoy working nights. It’s relatively quiet in the store, and we (well, I do at least) get a fair bit of creative freedom in some things, and I mostly just get left alone to do my work (I guess that depends more on the department and person, than just in general). And, there are no customers to deal with :) Plus, I’ve always been a night owl – doing my best work at night.
So, I don’t know if I want to apply for that job or not. I don’t really have any plans to go higher in management, at least not at Wal-Mart. And I’d only want this Department Manager position because of the department. I’m going to have to think about this a lot over the next couple of days.
Hey Sey,
I see what you mean about the change in your schedule and the effect it would obviously have on your mental states – what with being forced to be awake during the days and sleep at night :) but I’d say go for it. A position like that would allow for the affecting of change in the organization. In so far as thats possible in Wal-Mart (they’re probably pretty structured as it is). Having been on the other side of the managerial fence will give you perspective on what it’s like to work under different types of managers. Also, the kind of experience you would gain will be very valuable if you want to go on and work in a managerial capacity in practically any other field. Chances are that if you are offered the job you won’t have to do it forever (you don’t sign in blood do you?) allowing you to move on if thats what you want to do – only with a stronger list of experiences and the evidence that you have the ambition to move up. This is super valuable in practically all jobs you’ll apply for and ambition tempered with compassion gained from actually being there is what makes the best manager (from my experiences working under many different managers throughout the years).
I’ve said manager enough times now so thats it :)
Well, the manager I’d be working under if I applied for and got this job is one of my previous managers on nights ;) But I guess I would have to deal more with some of the other managers as well. Changing things there doesn’t really seem like a plan worth bothering with – especially in that department. I already decide what to do with most things myself, the current department manager trusts my judgement on such things (she was trying to encourage me to apply when she asked if I was thinking about it).
Another reason I’d apply for it, is so I wouldn’t have to deal with some new department manager that didn’t have a clue, or was annoying, or something like that.
I’m leaning more towards applying than not, but I’m not totally sure yet.
take the job! you deserve it, and you won’t feel like a peon after you get it.
words
Well, I’d have to apply for it, and then get it, before I could take it :P
I’d still be a peon, just a slightly higher level one.