Imminent threat of being "let Go"..

[wu56Shoozz]

So, you take a job, knowing that it was a dead end job and a possible black mark on your CV - but after a long spell (18 months) unemployed it was the only job offered to you. At the Interview you ask "What happened to your predecessor?" You are informed that "he wasn't performing so we bumped him!" this was stated 3 times during the proceedings (Alarm Bell 1).. you accept the job and give it your best shot. You are handed a list of KPI's and on more than one occasion you notice the comment "Judgment will be taken end your contract of employment if you fail to perform.." another alarm bell (2)
You attempt the job and right away you notice the database of customers is dead, Lifeless and will take time to rebuild (alarm bell 3)..you're given 3 months probation.
You're off over the Christmas period and you receive an "anonymous phone call" from a co worker that you're going to be "Let Go" in February "2018" What would you do aside from the obvious get looking..

Would You:

1/ Ride The Storm, say nothing and keep looking for another job..

2/ Confront you're employer asking him for help, that citing that the area id dead, contacts are burnt out, you are to expensive and most of all the customer thinks your crap and has said so. Baring in mind that it could fall both ways for/against you..

The Role is a Sales Engineer. (You're also under the 24 month ruling)

Advice please?

 

[Red C220]

Keep your head down and start looking elsewhere immediately.

Nothing about the situation above reads long term, probably better to go as soon as you can and on your terms if possible.

 

[kianok]

Both of the above!

Are you selling in a market you are already familiar with?

LinkedIn is a great tool to start your search as well as making yourself known to any recruiters who specialise in your market.

I may be able to help!

 

[AMGeed]

Bad luck.
I agree with the above. Give no hint you know of impending dismissal.
Knowing what you already know, I'd be looking elsewhere before now.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

@AM Geed

I have been, but there's nothing out there trust me.. 640 job applications and only 6 interviews for the whole year... I had one last one before Christmas and really thought I was in, here. It was a last ditch attempt.. I traveled to Warrington and stayed over in order to be fresh for the Interview. Had a really good interview or so I thought, we talked terms, company car, holidays, T's & C's - I was in for 3 hours and came out feeling really good about it.. then before Christmas I got the reply I was unsuccessful. He felt I had experience by the bucket load and more than adequate than my competitors..except not in his exact field. Worse still "He couldn't make up his mind" therefore has left the job open and no one has filled his position... what was all that about??? What a waste of time... NEXT!!!!

 

[Deleted member 6183]

@AM Geed

I have been, but there's nothing out there trust me.. 640 job applications and only 6 interviews for the whole year... I had one last one before Christmas and really thought I was in, here. It was a last ditch attempt.. I traveled to Warrington and stayed over in order to be fresh for the Interview. Had a really good interview or so I thought, we talked terms, company car, holidays, T's & C's - I was in for 3 hours and came out feeling really good about it.. then before Christmas I got the reply I was unsuccessful. He felt I had experience by the bucket load and more than adequate than my competitors..except not in his exact field. Worse still "He couldn't make up his mind" therefore has left the job open and no one has filled his position... what was all that about??? What a waste of time... NEXT!!!!

Assuming it was a sales job you might benefit from following up this particular hot lead with some clever objection handling.

 

[PXW]

@AM Geed

I have been, but there's nothing out there trust me.. 640 job applications and only 6 interviews for the whole year... I had one last one before Christmas and really thought I was in, here. It was a last ditch attempt.. I traveled to Warrington and stayed over in order to be fresh for the Interview. Had a really good interview or so I thought, we talked terms, company car, holidays, T's & C's - I was in for 3 hours and came out feeling really good about it.. then before Christmas I got the reply I was unsuccessful. He felt I had experience by the bucket load and more than adequate than my competitors..except not in his exact field. Worse still "He couldn't make up his mind" therefore has left the job open and no one has filled his position... what was all that about??? What a waste of time... NEXT!!!!

Might be worth getting back in touch on that one - offer to do it on an interim basis while he finds his ideal candidate. “Temp-to-perm” is a wonderful thing.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Might be worth getting back in touch on that one - offer to do it on an interim basis while he finds his ideal candidate. “Temp-to-perm” is a wonderful thing.

^^ Good idea, especially if he really thinks your good but your experience isn't directly relevant ^^

 

[markjay]

So, you take a job, knowing that it was a dead end job and a possible black mark on your CV - but after a long spell (18 months) unemployed it was the only job offered to you. At the Interview you ask "What happened to your predecessor?" You are informed that "he wasn't performing so we bumped him!" this was stated 3 times during the proceedings (Alarm Bell 1).. you accept the job and give it your best shot. You are handed a list of KPI's and on more than one occasion you notice the comment "Judgment will be taken end your contract of employment if you fail to perform.." another alarm bell (2)
You attempt the job and right away you notice the database of customers is dead, Lifeless and will take time to rebuild (alarm bell 3)..you're given 3 months probation.
You're off over the Christmas period and you receive an "anonymous phone call" from a co worker that you're going to be "Let Go" in February "2018" What would you do aside from the obvious get looking..

Would You:

1/ Ride The Storm, say nothing and keep looking for another job..

2/ Confront you're employer asking him for help, that citing that the area id dead, contacts are burnt out, you are to expensive and most of all the customer thinks your crap and has said so. Baring in mind that it could fall both ways for/against you..

The Role is a Sales Engineer. (You're also under the 24 month ruling)

Advice please?

I would go with option no. 2.

On the premise that no one else performs better anyway, your employer will want to know why they are repeatedly spending money on sales staff that generate no sales.

(If this is a small business, than the address should be the proprietor, and not some sort of paid sales manager who you may be reporting to)

 

[markjay]

Also, see if you can introduce these people to your employer:

Sandler Training

 

[Alfie]

I would check up on the employment law especially if you have any form of disability and dependents. Or if you feel you are being discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation etc. Good luck looking for another position.

 

[TheFoX]

In previous years I have attended three job applications where there was no job, just a bored manager wanting to fill his day. It's no laughing matter when you waste valuable time for a nonexistent job.

I ended up joining an employment agency then transferring to a full time job. Many genuine companies use this method to determine if the candidate is suitable for the job.

 

[Brian k]

Hmmm that sucks.
I'd say nothing and see if I could get a job elsewhere. I guess you never know for sure if you are being fed a line by anonymous coworker, but I'd start looking anyway. They say it's easier to find work when you are in work so put it to the test. In truth it seems you have little to lose looking and if you do find an alternative position then shove it to them.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Definitely a) keep working professionally, staying positive and optimistic about the current role;
b) Under no circumstances raise concerns about your own performance, so drawing the spotlight in your direction; and
c) "Hedge" your situation by discreetly starting to search for other opportunities.

Negativity and a feeling of lack of self worth scuppers many a career for no good reason. Keep labouring away.

Don't underestimate the complete incompetence of your line manager, the management change process and HR. Vague threats that "things must be done" often result in nothing, and you don't know if the real casualty will be your boss or your colleagues.

Yes, you may well be the last man in, but you don't know how over-priced your colleagues may be, what is going on with their performance and potential resignations, or what is going on with the organisation as a whole. "It's not all about you."

Stay professional, keep working, do a good job, stay cool, but keep an eye on the market.