Company phrase
By education, I am a technologist and economist in the agricultural sector. I got to a gas station purely by accident and tried working in many gas station networks. I have been working here for more than five years.
Officially, the position of a gas tanker is called the "Junior Operator of the gas station." There is, accordingly, the “senior operator” - this is the cashier.
We, refuellers, are the first to meet the client, and it depends on us in many ways what opinion the guest will have about the network as a whole. Therefore, everyone needs to find an approach, and for this it is very important to be patient and balanced. With technology, everything is easier than with people.
“Welcome to SOCAR” - our traditional obligatory greeting of customers. After it, we suggest refueling in a car. We also offer to wash the glass, then we say the column number, and the client goes to pay for the purchase at the cash desk. Further - the technical part - we fill in gasoline.
Attention gasoline!
On the hatch of the fuel tank of the car it is always written which engine it has - diesel or gasoline. It is necessary to pay attention to this. It happens that a client has two cars using different types of fuel, he confuses and orders gasoline when a diesel is needed. If you fill in the wrong type of fuel and start the car, the breakdown is guaranteed, repairs will be expensive, and the responsibility will be on the junior operator.
A shift employs 4 people. Each is responsible for its row with three fuel dispensers. If one needs to leave for a minute, the other controls its flow of cars. Two operators work at night.
Sometimes customers are completely not attentive: the gun has not yet been removed from the neck of the tank, and the driver is sharply moved away, the hose is stretched to the limit and can even come off. Such cases occurred often, even twice per shift. Customer is responsible for obvious reasons.
My schedule: two working days, a night shift and three days off. The shift is 12 hours.
Fire safety
We are forbidden to use mobile phones near the column. This is not just a rule of discipline, but a fire safety standard. Theoretically, radio waves or a spark from a telephone can create a fire hazard. If you need to call, we’ll leave or do it during the lunch break. By and large, customers also have to comply with this.
According to the rules, it is forbidden to fill fuel in plastic and glass containers, only in a car tank or metal canisters.
The gas tank in cars is about five liters more than indicated in the data sheet. If you pour gasoline at the very neck, and then hand the check to the client, some say that they were deceived. There were cases when it was necessary to drain the fuel and measure its volume with a certified measuring device, in order to prove to the client how many liters of fuel the fuel tank of his car really contains. Although, according to safety rules and internal instructions, pistols are forbidden to refuel a full tank just below the neck - this is dangerous, especially in hot weather, when the fuel expands in volume under the influence of high temperature.
Charter
Younger operators are not accepted during working hours to be in the territory of the store and cafe refueling. For us, there is a separate room where you can change clothes, make a five-minute break or drink coffee. It turns out that we spend 12 hours on our feet. Perhaps this is the most difficult thing in the profession. Winter is even harder because of the weather.
About the corporate form. In the heat, the jacket is simply taken off, in winter the trousers are changed to warm ones, and a jacket is given to the jacket. Regardless of the season, it is imperative to work with gloves - gasoline contact with the skin is very undesirable. Some customers do not allow to refuel their car, insist that they do it themselves, they say, supposedly pimples of our gloves leave marks on their car.
Hatches are visible on the pavement near the columns. These are the exits from the underground tank where the fuel is located. When you need to do a cleaning so that there is no rust in the tank, or measure the remaining fuel - you can’t do without a respirator.
We encounter drunk drivers mainly on night shifts, in the morning. We have no right to refuel them, we can even call the police. Two young guys drove in a Mercedes coupe last month. The driver seemed to be sober, but the passenger was tipsy. They flew “whistling” to a gas station and also flew out, but at the nearest traffic intersection they did not fit into the turn and drove into a pole at high speed.
"Refueling" is not born
No special training is required for this work. Suitable for any sane adult. Upon admission to work, he is instructed, there are a couple of days of internship. Since I have been working for a long time, a novice can be attached to me to help him master all the nuances. The selection criterion is everything related to security: to be a citizen of Ukraine, not have a criminal record and life-threatening medical contraindications, for example, problems with the lungs or respiratory system. Smoking does not matter.
Wednesday, 20 November 2019
An example of just doing good
Work.ua could not get past the story read on Bright Side. A cool example of how easy it is to do good deeds for free, how to set an example and change this world for the better yourself. The story is simple, which is easy to repeat in different interpretations and as many times as you like.
Railway inspector Josh Saiganik heard two teenagers making fun of the 75-year-old’s house: “Just look at this stupid house! It’s time to burn it! ”
He decided that he could not leave it like that.
Josh posted on Facebook a call for volunteers to help him redecorate his home. The post looked like this:
“A couple of weeks ago, while working, I heard what two teenagers were saying as they walked past an elderly man’s house. They spoke loudly enough, and I could hear: “Just look at this stupid house! It’s time to burn it! ”
Therefore, I ask everyone who is ready to help to devote some of their time this Saturday and paint this gentleman’s house. ”
The reaction of people exceeded all expectations. People came from all over the country - even from California and Texas.
Railway inspector Josh Saiganik heard two teenagers making fun of the 75-year-old’s house: “Just look at this stupid house! It’s time to burn it! ”
He decided that he could not leave it like that.
Josh posted on Facebook a call for volunteers to help him redecorate his home. The post looked like this:
“A couple of weeks ago, while working, I heard what two teenagers were saying as they walked past an elderly man’s house. They spoke loudly enough, and I could hear: “Just look at this stupid house! It’s time to burn it! ”
Therefore, I ask everyone who is ready to help to devote some of their time this Saturday and paint this gentleman’s house. ”
The reaction of people exceeded all expectations. People came from all over the country - even from California and Texas.
How to learn for the benefit of a career
If you really want to “build a career”, you cannot do without constant self-education and a career strategy. Moreover, often a career strategy comes down to getting the right education and, of course, the manifestation of will and determination.
The more detailed your own training plan is developed, the more carefully thought out, the better the result.
“If you want education to really help build a career, it is advisable to take into account several important aspects when planning,” said Natalya Storozhevaya, whose advice on how to study in order to grow professionally is published by Work.ua.
Natalya identifies seven such aspects. To follow them means to prepare in advance for those moments in the process of work, when the accumulated experience, knowledge, connections, influence allow you to make a “career breakthrough” and go to the next step in terms of responsibility, position level, and company status.
1. The educational process should be logical and consistent.
If your resume in the “education” section indicates: a building technical school, an economics faculty of a technical university, sales training, video editing courses and a certificate in Turkish, then it’s not clear to the employer which career you’d like to build for 15 years.
2. For a vertical career (growth in position), combine industry and management education
That is, consciously prepare yourself for leadership. For example, if you plan to be a HR director, you would like to have the following “set”:
higher education in the field of psychology;
higher management education;
additional education in the field of labor law;
It is advisable to receive training in business communications and negotiations.
3. For a horizontal career (achievement of industry expertise), expand the range of industry knowledge
Suppose you want to become an expert in finance. In this case, it is necessary to consistently and comprehensively study all industry aspects:
financial planning;
Ukrainian and international reporting;
Management Accounting;
budgeting;
investment models.
4. Combine theoretical and practical blocks of education
A balanced combination of theory and practice in the learning process allows you to absorb information more fully. When choosing short-term courses or trainings, pay attention to whether there are practical tasks, case studies, business games in the curriculum.
Choosing trainings, do not exchange for "simpler and cheaper", let him be one, but the best, from a recognized specialist and master in his field. When planning management or industry education, consider certified business schools with high ratings and good references.
5. The educational process should be continuous
Try to keep yourself in an “intellectual tone” all the time, do not take long breaks in your studies. This does not mean that you need to be an “eternal student” and constantly move from one university to another. It is important to keep fit, discipline yourself, develop a habit of self-education. Plan your education annually, “send yourself” to study every fall and spring.
6. Use different formats
Alternate academic education and short-term courses, online programs and on-site training, participate in conferences and round tables, attend long language courses and one-day master classes by foreign lecturers. In addition to new knowledge, this will sharpen perception, train reactions, actualize various skills: working with large volumes of information, sociability, presentation skills, analytical skills.
7. Build business contacts
In the learning process, people constantly communicate, contact increases, and many new faces appear around: lecturers, trainers, teachers, fellow students. Meet and chat with people, share experiences. Remember, next to you are the same as you, that is, active, ambitious, hardworking people. Perhaps one of them is your future employer, colleague or business partner. New business connections are very useful for career development and achieving high results in the profession, because every new person is a new experience and new opportunities.
To set such "points" in a career can be very arbitrary. After all, life always makes adjustments to our plans, but it is simply necessary to plan and schedule them. Education is an investment in your own future, and you need to do it very correctly. Work.ua wishes you new achievements.
The more detailed your own training plan is developed, the more carefully thought out, the better the result.
“If you want education to really help build a career, it is advisable to take into account several important aspects when planning,” said Natalya Storozhevaya, whose advice on how to study in order to grow professionally is published by Work.ua.
Natalya identifies seven such aspects. To follow them means to prepare in advance for those moments in the process of work, when the accumulated experience, knowledge, connections, influence allow you to make a “career breakthrough” and go to the next step in terms of responsibility, position level, and company status.
1. The educational process should be logical and consistent.
If your resume in the “education” section indicates: a building technical school, an economics faculty of a technical university, sales training, video editing courses and a certificate in Turkish, then it’s not clear to the employer which career you’d like to build for 15 years.
2. For a vertical career (growth in position), combine industry and management education
That is, consciously prepare yourself for leadership. For example, if you plan to be a HR director, you would like to have the following “set”:
higher education in the field of psychology;
higher management education;
additional education in the field of labor law;
It is advisable to receive training in business communications and negotiations.
3. For a horizontal career (achievement of industry expertise), expand the range of industry knowledge
Suppose you want to become an expert in finance. In this case, it is necessary to consistently and comprehensively study all industry aspects:
financial planning;
Ukrainian and international reporting;
Management Accounting;
budgeting;
investment models.
4. Combine theoretical and practical blocks of education
A balanced combination of theory and practice in the learning process allows you to absorb information more fully. When choosing short-term courses or trainings, pay attention to whether there are practical tasks, case studies, business games in the curriculum.
Choosing trainings, do not exchange for "simpler and cheaper", let him be one, but the best, from a recognized specialist and master in his field. When planning management or industry education, consider certified business schools with high ratings and good references.
5. The educational process should be continuous
Try to keep yourself in an “intellectual tone” all the time, do not take long breaks in your studies. This does not mean that you need to be an “eternal student” and constantly move from one university to another. It is important to keep fit, discipline yourself, develop a habit of self-education. Plan your education annually, “send yourself” to study every fall and spring.
6. Use different formats
Alternate academic education and short-term courses, online programs and on-site training, participate in conferences and round tables, attend long language courses and one-day master classes by foreign lecturers. In addition to new knowledge, this will sharpen perception, train reactions, actualize various skills: working with large volumes of information, sociability, presentation skills, analytical skills.
7. Build business contacts
In the learning process, people constantly communicate, contact increases, and many new faces appear around: lecturers, trainers, teachers, fellow students. Meet and chat with people, share experiences. Remember, next to you are the same as you, that is, active, ambitious, hardworking people. Perhaps one of them is your future employer, colleague or business partner. New business connections are very useful for career development and achieving high results in the profession, because every new person is a new experience and new opportunities.
To set such "points" in a career can be very arbitrary. After all, life always makes adjustments to our plans, but it is simply necessary to plan and schedule them. Education is an investment in your own future, and you need to do it very correctly. Work.ua wishes you new achievements.
How best to discuss salary at the interview
Who should start talking about wages
No one can start a conversation with a financial issue. An interview is a negotiation, as a result of which a transaction will either be concluded or not. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to interest the interlocutor, to "sell" their professional qualities - in the case for the applicant. And do not scare away a potential employee from discussions of remuneration about which he does not have a clear understanding - in the case for the employer.
It is for this reason that the conversation about wages is postponed to the end of the interview. If you feel that the employer was interested in the interview process, do not ask yourself about the amount of wages. With your impatience to find out how much they will pay, you may not put yourself in the best light. Be sure you will be asked about salary expectations.
If you have doubts that you are going to be interviewed in a dream company, and the interviewer is not particularly enthusiastic, then it is very appropriate to ask about a potential salary.
How to ask about salary level
If they still don’t ask about salaries, and the interview is coming to an end, then it’s worth asking about salaries. But here there are different approaches to success.
Bad option:
“How much do you pay?”;
“What are you offering?”;
“What kind of income?”
A good option: contact by name and politely ask what kind of motivation system is provided for a person in the position that you are applying for. So you are kind of worried about yourself, and generally ask. This wording does not exactly alienate the employer, and you will learn not only about salary, but also about the bonus program and corporate culture.
If you are told about this about all possible methods of motivation, but not about money, then you should definitely clarify: “What is the financial component?”
How to answer about your desired salary level
1. Start discussing salary at the last stage of the interview
Work.ua advises you to learn in detail about your future responsibilities, all kinds of bonuses and expenses that the company plans for you: a work car, a work laptop, medical insurance, paid meals, a social package, a flexible schedule, a career growth guarantee, conditions for reviewing wages, and so on. Further. And only at the last stage of the negotiations substantively discuss the salary.
2. Carefully overstate or lower salary expectations
The main thing to remember during wage negotiations is that one cannot either extremely raise salary expectations or lower them. Too high and, oddly enough, understated salary expectations can put an end to a successful interview.
If you underestimate the value of your work too much, you can show incompetence or the fact that you yourself do not value your work. Yes, and remember that the employer will not pay you more than what you ask. Therefore, do not call a modest amount.
If you ask for a salary much higher than the average in the industry in similar positions, then you need to be sure of the specifics of your situation:
the company came to you through a "head hunter", that is, specialists who seek out the best candidates and lure them into a customer company;
you have experience in a large company, foreign cooperation, know several foreign languages, have outstanding diplomatic skills, etc .;
Have additional education, prestigious certificate;
the position involves irregular work schedules, frequent business trips, work with hazardous materials.
Psychologists recommend calling the employer a figure 10-20% higher than the one you are really counting on. It is at this percentage that your interlocutor will try to reduce your salary appetites. As a result, you will receive the required salary, and the employer will not assume that he has overpaid you.
3. If no reference points are set in the vacancy
Then you have to do a little analytical work. Use open sources, similar salary vacancies, professional websites and social networks to understand what income level corresponds to similar positions in companies in the industry. As a result, you can get an idea of the situation on the labor market and evaluate your future income level.
If the analysis did not really help in determining the salary, then you can build on the previous job + bonus.
4. If you know the reference points of the RFP
If you are asked about the desired level of salary, and you know the approximate guidelines of the employer and agree with them, give a specific figure (adding 10-20%, of course, to leave room for maneuver).
But it happens when during a conversation it is obviously clear that the bidding must be continued. And either downward or upward (yes, fortunately, it happens).
If you need to reduce the level of salary, you can add: "__ thousand, taking into account the premium."
If you need to raise rates, there are much more options here: “__ thousand is a fixed part / without bonuses / without taxes / for and
No one can start a conversation with a financial issue. An interview is a negotiation, as a result of which a transaction will either be concluded or not. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to interest the interlocutor, to "sell" their professional qualities - in the case for the applicant. And do not scare away a potential employee from discussions of remuneration about which he does not have a clear understanding - in the case for the employer.
It is for this reason that the conversation about wages is postponed to the end of the interview. If you feel that the employer was interested in the interview process, do not ask yourself about the amount of wages. With your impatience to find out how much they will pay, you may not put yourself in the best light. Be sure you will be asked about salary expectations.
If you have doubts that you are going to be interviewed in a dream company, and the interviewer is not particularly enthusiastic, then it is very appropriate to ask about a potential salary.
How to ask about salary level
If they still don’t ask about salaries, and the interview is coming to an end, then it’s worth asking about salaries. But here there are different approaches to success.
Bad option:
“How much do you pay?”;
“What are you offering?”;
“What kind of income?”
A good option: contact by name and politely ask what kind of motivation system is provided for a person in the position that you are applying for. So you are kind of worried about yourself, and generally ask. This wording does not exactly alienate the employer, and you will learn not only about salary, but also about the bonus program and corporate culture.
If you are told about this about all possible methods of motivation, but not about money, then you should definitely clarify: “What is the financial component?”
How to answer about your desired salary level
1. Start discussing salary at the last stage of the interview
Work.ua advises you to learn in detail about your future responsibilities, all kinds of bonuses and expenses that the company plans for you: a work car, a work laptop, medical insurance, paid meals, a social package, a flexible schedule, a career growth guarantee, conditions for reviewing wages, and so on. Further. And only at the last stage of the negotiations substantively discuss the salary.
2. Carefully overstate or lower salary expectations
The main thing to remember during wage negotiations is that one cannot either extremely raise salary expectations or lower them. Too high and, oddly enough, understated salary expectations can put an end to a successful interview.
If you underestimate the value of your work too much, you can show incompetence or the fact that you yourself do not value your work. Yes, and remember that the employer will not pay you more than what you ask. Therefore, do not call a modest amount.
If you ask for a salary much higher than the average in the industry in similar positions, then you need to be sure of the specifics of your situation:
the company came to you through a "head hunter", that is, specialists who seek out the best candidates and lure them into a customer company;
you have experience in a large company, foreign cooperation, know several foreign languages, have outstanding diplomatic skills, etc .;
Have additional education, prestigious certificate;
the position involves irregular work schedules, frequent business trips, work with hazardous materials.
Psychologists recommend calling the employer a figure 10-20% higher than the one you are really counting on. It is at this percentage that your interlocutor will try to reduce your salary appetites. As a result, you will receive the required salary, and the employer will not assume that he has overpaid you.
3. If no reference points are set in the vacancy
Then you have to do a little analytical work. Use open sources, similar salary vacancies, professional websites and social networks to understand what income level corresponds to similar positions in companies in the industry. As a result, you can get an idea of the situation on the labor market and evaluate your future income level.
If the analysis did not really help in determining the salary, then you can build on the previous job + bonus.
4. If you know the reference points of the RFP
If you are asked about the desired level of salary, and you know the approximate guidelines of the employer and agree with them, give a specific figure (adding 10-20%, of course, to leave room for maneuver).
But it happens when during a conversation it is obviously clear that the bidding must be continued. And either downward or upward (yes, fortunately, it happens).
If you need to reduce the level of salary, you can add: "__ thousand, taking into account the premium."
If you need to raise rates, there are much more options here: “__ thousand is a fixed part / without bonuses / without taxes / for and
How to consider the corporate culture of the company already at the interview
What is a corporate culture?
The first rules of behavior, both written and unwritten, developed within professional communities in the medieval guilds of Europe. Moreover, violations of these rules could lead to the exclusion of their members from the community.
The term “corporate culture” itself appeared in the 19th century. It was formulated by the German field marshal Moltke, thus characterizing the special rules in the relationship between officers of that time. The fact is that various issues and disputes were then resolved not only by charters, courts of honor, but also by duels. And a saber scar was a mandatory attribute of belonging to an officer "corporation", a kind of pass to a closed club. Much later, the term "corporate culture" was introduced in management, and meant all the rules, traditions, values and rituals that employees of any company and organization "live" and are guided by.
How corporate culture is formed
The corporate culture of the company is a reflection of the life positions and values of the business owner or CEO. Moreover, over time, its values may change, and this is quite normal. Indeed, when a person develops himself, then his point of view on various issues changes.
What to look for in employment to draw conclusions about corporate culture
We respond to many important signs that can tell about the corporate culture of the company intuitively. This is when a situation arises during an interview, for example, and we mentally put a “+” or “-” in our head.
1. The frequency of the vacancy
If you see that the same vacancy appears every two months, then know that for some reason no one is delayed for a long time at the workplace. And the company has a constant staff turnover. Of course, there are exceptions when a company goes through a booming stage of growth. However, exceptions only confirm the rule.
2. Wording of the vacancy
Companies that are interested in finding a unique employee will do this with particular care and place a vacancy not only where the average candidate has stepped, but also where the people he needs live. Recruiting and finding good employees is a profession, art, and in general a special part of the company's work. So think before sending your resume to a company where the vacancy says “PC skills, organizational skills, etc.”. Details and descriptions of company values will be a wonderful indicator.
3. An offer to do additional tasks
Immediately negotiate with the employer the deadline for completing tasks, their number (a lot of unscrupulous companies that profit from the ideas of candidates, especially in the field of journalism / cinema, etc.), the announcement of the results. In general, companies with real discipline and mutual respect will always remind you when the next stage of the interview will take place, since they value their time and yours.
4. Location of the company
It’s not even how close the office is to your home. Pay attention to the office center, the convenience of access for customers, just convenience. Of course, the office does not have to be expensive and overlook the central area of the city, but this is one of the signs of the company’s submission (depending on the area, including). We do not claim that everyone should have a beautiful and stylish office, but we know how great this affects the work of the team. A kitchen, a place to relax - are provided?
5. Attitude towards you
How did you meet and spend, how long did you wait (oh, these stress interviews), did you offer anything, did you show respect for you or did your best to show your incompetence?
6. The atmosphere in the team
Take a look at the work of the entire team, if possible, and how people communicate with each other:
Do they turn to each other on you or on you?
How do they look at you in the corridors when they see that you have come for an interview?
How many people talked to you?
Have you been comfortable?
If possible, ask a question about joint activity (but already at the final interview), about how internal activity, sports, charity are encouraged - all this is about corporate culture. And if you don’t have such an opportunity, then just try to find information on the Internet. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, VK group - all this can and should be studied.
The first rules of behavior, both written and unwritten, developed within professional communities in the medieval guilds of Europe. Moreover, violations of these rules could lead to the exclusion of their members from the community.
The term “corporate culture” itself appeared in the 19th century. It was formulated by the German field marshal Moltke, thus characterizing the special rules in the relationship between officers of that time. The fact is that various issues and disputes were then resolved not only by charters, courts of honor, but also by duels. And a saber scar was a mandatory attribute of belonging to an officer "corporation", a kind of pass to a closed club. Much later, the term "corporate culture" was introduced in management, and meant all the rules, traditions, values and rituals that employees of any company and organization "live" and are guided by.
How corporate culture is formed
The corporate culture of the company is a reflection of the life positions and values of the business owner or CEO. Moreover, over time, its values may change, and this is quite normal. Indeed, when a person develops himself, then his point of view on various issues changes.
What to look for in employment to draw conclusions about corporate culture
We respond to many important signs that can tell about the corporate culture of the company intuitively. This is when a situation arises during an interview, for example, and we mentally put a “+” or “-” in our head.
1. The frequency of the vacancy
If you see that the same vacancy appears every two months, then know that for some reason no one is delayed for a long time at the workplace. And the company has a constant staff turnover. Of course, there are exceptions when a company goes through a booming stage of growth. However, exceptions only confirm the rule.
2. Wording of the vacancy
Companies that are interested in finding a unique employee will do this with particular care and place a vacancy not only where the average candidate has stepped, but also where the people he needs live. Recruiting and finding good employees is a profession, art, and in general a special part of the company's work. So think before sending your resume to a company where the vacancy says “PC skills, organizational skills, etc.”. Details and descriptions of company values will be a wonderful indicator.
3. An offer to do additional tasks
Immediately negotiate with the employer the deadline for completing tasks, their number (a lot of unscrupulous companies that profit from the ideas of candidates, especially in the field of journalism / cinema, etc.), the announcement of the results. In general, companies with real discipline and mutual respect will always remind you when the next stage of the interview will take place, since they value their time and yours.
4. Location of the company
It’s not even how close the office is to your home. Pay attention to the office center, the convenience of access for customers, just convenience. Of course, the office does not have to be expensive and overlook the central area of the city, but this is one of the signs of the company’s submission (depending on the area, including). We do not claim that everyone should have a beautiful and stylish office, but we know how great this affects the work of the team. A kitchen, a place to relax - are provided?
5. Attitude towards you
How did you meet and spend, how long did you wait (oh, these stress interviews), did you offer anything, did you show respect for you or did your best to show your incompetence?
6. The atmosphere in the team
Take a look at the work of the entire team, if possible, and how people communicate with each other:
Do they turn to each other on you or on you?
How do they look at you in the corridors when they see that you have come for an interview?
How many people talked to you?
Have you been comfortable?
If possible, ask a question about joint activity (but already at the final interview), about how internal activity, sports, charity are encouraged - all this is about corporate culture. And if you don’t have such an opportunity, then just try to find information on the Internet. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, VK group - all this can and should be studied.
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