Nothing daft this time.

This morning I had a phone call asking me if I was interested in a role of engineering consultant.
I don’t know if you remember a post a while back and I asked the question do I or don’t I, regarding a project in Egypt which in the end fell through.

Well, I was asked again this morning only this time could I look at pricing the removal and re installation of new and old equipment.
I met with the M.D and Chairman this afternoon and was left pretty unsure.
For a start they offered me a paltry £120 per day when it should be £300 and then suggested the first part of the project pricing would take only 1 week but spread over 2 weeks and they were willing to pay for 1 week.
After I regained some control and explained the task ahead they quickly changed tack and asked if I was willing to go to India to oversee production and Egypt to oversee the installation.

A little history behind this if you’re interested or not is:
The process is particularly specialised and to do with the calcination of bone.
Which just happens to be my specialist subject apart from engineering, so you can imagine it’s not the sort of thing that is easily advertised on a job description.
They had obviously been out to try and get some sort of quote and found it too expensive (around 1.5million, let that slip) and decided on plan B.
Because they know I’m still unemployed I think they think I can be used for pittance.

I’ve made my mind up and know what I’ll be telling them tomorrow.

I’m quite happy to sit in the sun at home with no pressure thank you.

What do you think??????

I wouldn’t normally post something like this but realise,
There aren’t many CH sufferers looking to employ an engineering calcine bone consultant.
Bit of reassurance would be nice.
Ssshhh don’t tell anyone you’ll get me in trouble.
Colin

Colin,

If you have the option to refuse being exploited, then by all means, refuse.

-Shawn

Unless you really need the money, and I think they are worrying too much about saving money, then I would tell them no unless they are prepared to pay the 300 per day going rate.

I think you made the right decision.

Quote:

engineering calcine bone consultant.

I really tried to google this, and came up with nothing.    So, I have to agree with Shawn and Jimi and what you, yourself said.  

 
Quote:

I’m quite happy to sit in the sun at home with no pressure thank you.

 

Don't forget the sunblock, Colin.

(anytime you FEEL like you are being taken advantage of, you probably are. Trust your gut.)

You must of corse do as you see fit,
however i feel you have an obligation to
work for the going rate. Don't lower the rate.

Not every one has the alternative of staying sat in the sun.
Andrew.

My simply reply would be.
Thanks but no thanks.

If your good at what you do the monetary return should be equal to your ability, dont sell your self short.

Good Luck
Barry

He's a bone burner.

Only YOU know you're worth, don't let them change your opinion! ;)

Joe

Quote:

For a start they offered me ...

How about a counter-offer before refusal, attempt to negotiate in case they have second thoughts?

Without burning bridges behind yourself give them a counter proposal for what it is worth to you to do the job.  He who sets the price sets the controls.  

You know what the value of the job is, don't demean yourself.  Now for instance, if you were to go into a line of work totally away from your expertise you could work for less, but to discount your expertise is to devalue yourself.

Jerry

Thanks for the comments folks and I, as originally thought spoke to them this morning and turned the job down.
With the current climate of unemployment up and down the country, I suppose people will think of me as been completely barking.
But the truth is they were willing to use (exploit) me because of circumstance and that seems to be the nature of things at the moment.
Lots of employers seem to be jumping on the bandwagon of reducing pay rates because of the competitive market and I’m not sure if that’s always genuine
I’m not living off the State but using my savings and do have an alternative plan.
Although!! it seems my skills will be consigned to the dustbin along with many others from all sorts of differing industry.
And quite right! The Calcining process is effectively the burning of bone, although not quite as straightforward as that.
And it does end up in your bone china cups and saucers amongst many other applications including medical joint replacements.
Hip, Hip Hoorah, if you get my drift.
Colin..

Quote:

But the truth is they were willing to use (exploit) me because of circumstance and that seems to be the nature of things at the moment.

This is the nature of he employment market.  Be it in the US or the UK.

It's called low-balling.  Trouble with accepting a position under these circumstances is that when the market recovers, your work history shows you have lowered your standards, and a position worthy of your skills views that as you will lower your performance for them as well.  

Just the way it is...

Wait till you get faces with the Bait and Switch...

You are called in to interview for a position you actually qualify for, then when you get there, are told the job is filled, but they want to talk to you about a minimum wage entry level position you didn't apply for.

They want the talent, the training (that they don't have to provide) and the experience, but don't want to pay for it.

Many say that any job is better than no job...but one has to consider their career path, and the ramifications of accepting under-employment.  It can lead not only to career disaster, but financial disaster over the long term.  

Redd wrote on Jun 11^th, 2009 at 9:58pm:

Many say that any job is better than no job...but one has to consider their career path, and the ramifications of accepting under-employment.  It can lead not only to career disaster, but financial disaster over the long term.

The only thing that bothers me about this, is when those who choose this path are also collecting unemployment at the same time.  

Colin, you're a pretty cool guy. :)

Rats. I was hoping for something really dumb. Alas, you know exactly what you're doing. Nice going.

It's great to be able to say no now and then.

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Charlie

Quote:

and the ramifications of accepting under-employment.

I respectively disagree.  I know someone who has not worked at his chosen field for more than a year now.  In the meant-time he has done nothing except put out applications to companys in his chosen field.  When an employer looks at his application and see's a year-long gap, the first question is what have you been doing all this time?  Why haven't you been taking any position you can while also looking?

A gap like that does not bode well to an employer.  it suggests arrogance and a " I'm beneath working at a lowly job"  

Many professionals and experienced technicians have taken 'out of career path' jobs to put food on the table until they can secure a position back in their field when the economy turned.  It shows initiative and and a 'I'll work ethic'.  Employers want workers that are not afraid to work and get the job done - sometimes that is just putting food on the table.

In Colins case....taking less salery than the job is worth and THEN having to go to India or Egypt, it is a whole different thing, as they are asking a LOT from him/using him etc.

and no, I have never been an employer but Jim has.  For 40 years with the Red Cross, as well as owning and running salons across  So. Calif.  part time.  When I told him of this person who hasn't worked in over a year...he just shook his head and explained this to me as from an employers point of view.  

Linda_Howell wrote on Jun 12^th, 2009 at 12:03am:

A gap like that does not bode well to an employer.   Many ... have taken 'out of career path' jobs... ... this to me as from an employers point of view.

Gaps at this time can be hard to resolve, but yeah, definitely a hard reality.  Career changes have happened several times due to many factors in the past - an entire industry restructuring the way they do business, obsolescence due to the Internet arrival, maybe outsourcing.  Jim's input bears consideration.