Things that make you go "Ohhhh crap...."

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

So, I was interviewed for a new helpdesk job yesterday [w00t!] with a $verybigcompany.

Anyway, part of the interview process involved the standard "sit next to one of our employees and listen in while we sneakily watch you."... and I noticed that:
a] they're using the same database program for accounts as my last job.
b] the agent doesn't know some of the more useful keyboard shortcuts.

So I showed her them, being a helpful sort and she was ever-so grateful. Apparently they never covered those in training and no-one there knew about them, not even the supervisors/floor walkers. A fact confirmed independently by the interviewer later.

It's only after I've accepted the job offer, left the building and I'm on my way home that it occurs to me to think. The training for this position is over 2 months long, and it's a simple help-desk operation....
and that agent was one of their most experienced ones...
and somehow in the entire X years they'd been using this program, no-one there had picked up on the more basic tricks?!

Oh. dear... this is going to be painful isn't it?!

Comments

[ptstech.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes it is.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Oh dearie me...

[medusa-nw.livejournal.com]

Is it a lot more money?

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Not really, about the same as before, but any money is better than no money... and I can always work to get promoted or find a better job.

[canray.livejournal.com]

Except that you're not inept.

You're only promoted when you're inept. After all, if you're so important at a position because you're so good at it, they can't spare to let you go.

[the-s-guy.livejournal.com]

But if you have a better offer from elsewhere, they can often find more money which didn't exist five minutes ago.

Or, in my experience, if you've made it clear that you will not be returning to the previous job, higher-level "temporary" positions mysteriously open up on the last day.

[canray.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[inahandbasket]

*nods*

sorry.

[cumaeansibyl.livejournal.com]

Yes, but look on the bright side: you'll have no trouble establishing yourself as the smartest agent they've got. Whether that'll get you anything beyond personal gratification, I'm not sure, but at least it's something.

[cjkline83.livejournal.com]

"I'M THE BIGGEST MOTHERF--KER IN HERE!"

[superbus.livejournal.com]

I'm picturing Denzel Washington wearing a headset going "KING KONG 'AINT GOT SHIT ON ME!"

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Did that at my last place.... obviously it didn't do me any good. In fact, one of the reasons they decided not to renew my temp contract is because I knew more than the boss.

Which made him look bad.

[the-s-guy.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose they considered upgrading to a smarter boss?

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

but then the CEO would need to find a new golfing buddy!!

[geekgrrl-ca.livejournal.com]

All help desk is painful.

[kukla-red.livejournal.com]

Nah, not painful. You are going to be an effing superstar there and you won't even have to break a sweat.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Not so sure on the superstar thing... one skill I lack is butt-kissing.

[kizayaen.livejournal.com]

Your user icon seems particularly appropriate.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I get to use that far too often actually.

[arabwel.livejournal.com]

Expect to run the place within a month. With no raise obviously.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

of course..

[mynameisnotreal.livejournal.com]

OR you could be running the place by the end of your 'training'...

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

Given the implications about the quality of the staff... I am not at all sure that's a good thing!

Yes, it is...

[kenbrody.livejournal.com]

Not only is it going to be painful, but you are now the "expert" on this program, and you will be supporting the entire support staff on all these "new" features that only you know about.

Sorry to be the one to break the news.

[superbus.livejournal.com]

Plain and simply...

[geekgrrl-ca.livejournal.com]

keep your mouth shut, your head down and your eyes open, volunteering only gets you in trouble and no one likes a know it all, specially other know it alls.

[jimbojones.livejournal.com]

This is only going to be win for you if tech_support suddenly becomes some kind of money-making endeavor where people pay you for your posts. IOW,YF.