Ok, so earlier this week I hinted about a job change. Here's the skinny. It's a bit of a long post so settle in with your favorite beverage (it might reach novel-length!)
So earlier this year I was working at 2 gas stations, one full time as evening shift manager, and part time just as a regular pump attendant at another station. Corporate shut down the place I was working at full time (reasons aren't really important) but my full-time boss highly recommended me to my boss (named Lorne) at my part time job - said to do whatever he could to get me on board full time. That didn't pan out, because I took a position (where I have been since) at a local pharmaceutical manufacturing plant (Valeant Pharmaceuticals). I still worked part time pumping gas for Lorne though.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing was ok, but I was initially hired as a temp worker - meaning slightly lower wage, no holiday pay, no benefits package until they decide to hire me as permanent staff. Some people are hired in 3-6 months, others have waited over 2 years. And the best way to get put on the slow track to permanent status is to ask about it. Or to ask about benefits or anything like that during a performance review.
Anyway, a couple weeks back at one of my shifts working for Lorne, I really impressed him. There was a fairly large build-up of packed snow and ice (yep, winter in Canada) that no one else had taken the initiative to clear away. I was dressed warm enough and the shift was pretty quiet, so I started on clearing it away. Overall I probably spent 2+hours on it over the course of my 6 hour shift.
My boss noticed and asked what I was making an hour at Valeant (he'd asked when I first started there, and was disappointed he couldn't compete with the wage they were giving me). He said "Would you consider working here full time?" I said we would need to sit down and talk. I figured he'd offer me full time, benefits, and maybe a bit of a wage increase.
What Lorne offered me is full time, at a slightly lower wage then what I'm making at Valeant Pharmaceuticals, with benefits package. He also knew I was working part time because I'm trying to provide for my family, so he also lined up a part time job for a small trucking company that he is part owner of (the dude is a very smart business man, and smart enough to be diversified). The part time job will be paying me more then my current full-time job with Valeant, and due to my new schedule - I'll have great oppertunites to pick up extra hours, and from the sounds of things there will be plenty of extra hours to work!
Bonus: I'll be in a management position, but he said because of what I'll be doing, and my leadership that I've shown, it will be a "Team Leader" title rather then "Manager" title. I don't mind telling people what to do, but you'd better believe I'll be working harder then everyone doing the same job (plus my manager duties on the side). I'm not standing back just giving orders - I'm going to be leading by example (as a good leader should!).
So as of December 22, I will be Pump Attendant Team Leader. Yes, we are a full-service gas station. We pump fuel for you, wash your windows, check your oil if needed, and I'm hoping it won't be long before we have a kick-*** group of people who will do it all with a smile on their face and make you feel welcome and valued as a customer.
Here's the website:
Timber Falls – Store & Auto Spa in Steinbach Personally I think the site could be better designed but that's just me.
I've already submitted a list of ideas and changes I'd like to bring to the rest of the management team, and have had some positive feedback already. I'm really looking forward to it.
Oh yeah - I wake up dreading going to Valeant. I don't jump out of bed grinning on days I work at Timber Falls, but that's mostly because my alarm goes off at 4:40am! The smile is almost always there after a cup of coffee and a short ride to work.
Another thing: The day Lorne discussed all this with me, 2 other staff members made very positive comments about me (well, one was to me and the other was to another staff member about me). Both were very similar and pretty much "That's Andrew, our best pump attendant. He's fast, he works hard, he gets all the tasks done (and more besides), and he's almost always happy. You notice the days he's here, and you'll notice the difference on days he's not!"
Ok, I think that's about it... I think I covered the necessary parts without actually turning into a full-blown novel. And if you by some remote chance happen to be in my town, I hope you'll stop in and say hi!
Happy Sunday ChatterHeads
haha
haha
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram