I made a huge life change, decided to work for UPS. Talked to everyone, read everything I could find, understood practically everyone works up from the bottom.
"Ah the pay isn't great, but the benefits are fantastic". Next person I hear that from is gonna get strangled. I just finished my 3rd 3:30am - 8:30am shift.
First off, I'm in my early 40s. Good shape. Hours don't bother me, labor does not bother me. Here is what I have learned from the hiring process & 3 days of work;
1. The interview - I was very prepared, resume, work history, everything, which was a waste of my time. HR manager did the mirror test - he held a mirror up to my mouth to see if it would fog up. Obviously, it did. He scheduled a second interview.
2. 2nd interview, 4:30am - General manager had me come in to office. While he was on cell phone AND conference call AND radio, he asked if I had transportation. I answered yes, he said ok, start Monday.
3. Sucking Up - I want to move up with UPS as fast as humanly possible. In my 40+ years, I've never kissed anyone's ass, but I've tried to make up for it in the last 3 days. It has become clear that will get me nowhere.
4. Intelligence - I have 25 years experience in management, running businesses, a college degree, and an IQ WELL over 100. The people who see what I do, do not (not that I care how smart/experienced they are, just that they won't have the ability to see my capabilities)
5. Training - My training consisted of 7 words - "Here's a truck. Unload it. Labels up"
6. Side note - I'm paid $8.50 an hour. Our local fast food joint pays $9.50.
7. Advancement - On speaking with other employees, I've been told the time frame to advance to a driver is anywhere from 6-10 years to when the earth crashes back into the sun.
Somebody - Anybody - lie to me if you have to - tell me I did not make a huge, huge mistake.