Stupid siemens! Your opinions plz (1 Viewer)

[clairegirl]

Okay so heres the dealio,

Kelly (my other internship) offered me paid work during the holidays... and Kmart offered me a part time contract and I can't say yes or no to any of them because Siemens have barely started their recruitment process...

I rang the lady and she said that it hasn't been on the top of their priority list because they've been busy (fair enough) and they havn't touched it since reference checking, i know they checked mine, and i did tell her i was offered a few jobs that needed me to work full-time-ish during July and she said she could understand where i was coming from and asked me when i had to tell them... i told them next wednesday (even though thats not really the day, i think i can tell kmart within the next 2 weeks but i only have until tuesday/monday until i can tell Kelly) and she was like can you get an extention? And i said sure... I'll try :\

Kmart offered 22-25 hours as incentive to stay which is absolutely lovely with full time uni. They offered to work around my timetable and if i plan my holidays right... i can get "study leave" too. kmart rates for me would be higher than the crappy 14 something an hour at siemens and its about 10 minutes away from home. Note: Kmart is only offering me all this because i'm the only "youngin willin to do evenings/public holidays/weekends" thats experienced in the bookkeeping/cash control stuff.

So i would work with Kmart ( i know i have no future there nor is it related to my degree) as my normal job and do casual hours with kelly (somewhat related to HR, specialising in recruitment, i don't want to be a recruitment specailist) whilst doing full time uni?

OR

should i go for this awsome "experience" with Siemens (note: i havn't even made it to the second round yet, the lady just implied i did) get crappily paid, 4 full days a week and only do 3 subjects next semester, doing night time uni and having to goto work from the west... to north ryde in PEAK HOUR traffic?

Also, the other intern hasn't gotten anything, i don't thinks he's been offered a job there and the type of jobs she does there is not HR related.. i had a chat with mserica the girl she's training gets to do all this awsome stuff... the siemens intern gets to make travel bookings for the execs and meet and greet ppl at the door....:| and she's been working there since august last year, nor have they offered to pay for her uni i.e mserica told me that her company is paying for the HR trainee's degree), travel allowance etc.

 

[iambored]

umm, ok so what exactly would the siemen's experience be? make travel bookings and meet people, or are you still not sure?

are they going to be giving you what you want out of an internship? also, are there any other internships that you might be able to pick up next year which would give you a better experience? (rhetorical questions)

i personally think forget about siemens BUT i don't know the benefits that this internship would give you. forgetting the benefits:
firstly, you don't know if you have got in yet. if you don't get in you will have lost 2 other jobs (sort of)
secondly, next semester will be hard. working 4 days a week will be tiring enough, travelling in peak hour traffic is also tiring and then you'll have to concentrate until late in the night.
thirdly, it sounds like you're putting everything on hold and going out of your way for this when it might not be worth it.

it really depends on what the benefits are.


edit: i don't want to make another post, but this belongs after asy's post
haha so you now have two opposite opinions which i suppose is exactly what is going through your head.
i think it depends on what you want from it and what you'll get from it.
i have my normal job and another few hours that are related somewhat to my degree. both are close to home and fairly 'loyal' (atm). i have had chances to apply for jobs that are sort of related to my degree, but i am not going to give up what i do currently if i'm not sure how much i will get out of the new job, if i don't know how loyal they are going to be, if i won't have enough time to get good marks at uni, if i'm always going to be too tired and busy to spend time with friends and family.

 

[AsyLum]

Hmm, I'd go for the Siemens if I could, I'm going through the same kind of dilemmas with my mum at the moment, she wants me to get a job, any job, but I've been trying to get one which will benefit me after I finish my degree, she doesn't seem to get it.

While the hours are good with Kmart, how far will that really get you after you graduate, I guess is the key here, its not about just getting money anymore. So...*shrugs*

Good luck with whatever you choose

 

[*hopeful*]

i think just drop the siemens thing based purely on the fact that peak hour traffic into or even out of north ryde suckz hard

but seriously i think stick with kmart for the hours plus u can still do ur other internship rite ? so u sorta gettin experience neway

n who knows wether u make it in 4 siemens or not?

 

[mserica]

For what it is worth here is my view

Not everyone is going to get the break they want with the position they want, whislt there in uni - given that it is acutally quite hard to work around an individuals hours that are always changing from semester to semester.

The experience you gain may be more in the travel side and not so much in the employment contracts, employment queries, training and develop or general human resources though it is your foot in the door as a HR Administrator in a global organisation.

The fact that you will be a HR Administrator and secondly in a global organisation shows any future employer that you would have the ability to understand and carry through the tasks that your given at a high standard as the global companies would not employ a person that is not able to give their position 110% all the time everytime.

I can tell you all the good things and bad things about any HR administration position, from travel arrangements through to employee disputes, but what you need to do is decide upon what is the most beneficial for you at this time and for your career.

We can all say that the money is great and that take the one with the higher pay or that is the closest to home, but does it let you maximise your experience and expand your knowledge within the field you have chosen.....

You are extremely lucky to have many positions open to you, so it shows that what you will do now will assist with your future!!

Think about your career and what it is you want out of the position you undertake, from there I am sure that you will know which role is most suitable for you!!

Good luck!

 

[Skittled]

Simens would look awesome on your resume, AND presumably provide experience at similar "awesome" levels (noting there's a difference between the expereince you gain in a company and said experience looks on the resume). Without getting back into the whole debate, the thing I worry about in the end isn't the pay itself: I worry that such pay is reflective of the general practices within the company. That said, I have no experience with Siemens, and it might just be that they trade off good opportunities for near-minimal pay, in such positions.Ignoring that, I'd keep your options open; keep in contact with Siemens and get as much of an 'extension' as possible. BUT, in the end, you've gotta go with what you're sure of.

If siemens continue like this for a long period becuase it's a low priority, and you turn down those other options , and then don't get the position, you're worse off than if you take the positions and renege (or, the obvious, but perhaps less desirable alternative, you could turn down the eventual siemens offer)..

 

[Orange Juice]

Clairegirl its kinda obvious youve already decided against siemens. I cant believe Kmart want you because you can/want to do weekends, public holidays etc. Id love to do that, since its time and a half at least! Work doesnt pay me extra, and they close public holidays so that sucks.

How much does Kelly pay?

 

[xeuyrawp]

Hmm, I'd go for the Siemens if I could, I'm going through the same kind of dilemmas with my mum at the moment, she wants me to get a job, any job, but I've been trying to get one which will benefit me after I finish my degree, she doesn't seem to get it.

While the hours are good with Kmart, how far will that really get you after you graduate, I guess is the key here, its not about just getting money anymore. So...*shrugs*

Good luck with whatever you choose

Haha, you lazy male creature!

any job > no job, and you can quit any job when you find a better one.

 

[Skittled]

Haha, you lazy male creature!

Presumably you're just being particulary descriptive, Rob, rather than emphasising his masculinity to bolster your case regarding his laziness..?

 

[xeuyrawp]

Presumably you're just being particulary descriptive, Rob, rather than emphasising his masculinity to bolster your case regarding his laziness..?

haha, I just have this image of Mike dressed in stubbies and a singlet, slouching on his couch with a beer resting on his tummy - his mum nagging in the background. He turns up the TV to compensate.

 

[Orange Juice]

haha, I just have this image of Mike dressed in stubbies and a singlet, slouching on his couch with a beer resting on his tummy - his mum nagging in the background. He turns up the TV to compensate.

i think youve got me confused with asylum buddy

 

[clairegirl]

Yeah it is obvious i've decided against siemens, totally unimpressed by them and my gut says don't do it even if you are offered the job.

Thank you guys all so much with your input, it really has helped me make the decision.

The way i see it, is that siemens is NOT a lifetime opportunity, its a rare opportunity but as iab asked me, i think i'll come across something similar to this in the future.. i mean i still have 2.5 years to go with my degree, its not like i graduate at the end of this semester and im desperate for experience before i graduate. I've decided to do coldcalling for an entry level position during my holz when I have the time (in between working) and getting real HR experience that way.

I'm studying organisational Psychology now and the topic i've just finished going through is stress and long hours and family/study commitments etc. I don't think I'de be a very happy chappy if i took up with siemens.

I'de have to wake up at around 6am drive through peak hour traffic for about 90 minutes to get to work on time ONE WAY, so i'de be travelling in total 180 minutes a day... and in total for the four days i'de be spending 12+ hours a week in my car.

I know sacrifices have to be made for this experience, but at this point in my life im not willing to spend a 12 hours travelling a week (lol im with you there hopeful), maybe i would if i wasn't so poor and i wasn't studying full time, especially with the price of petrol these days. Because although money really isn't too much of an issue, it sort of is.. I am saving up for mexico + other places for 2 months after the 4 months of exchange.

Also as iam said I'de also be at uni some nights, up until 9pm so i'de be leaving my house at 6:45 every morning and then coming home at 10ishpm .. for those nights. In holidays I'm used to working Longgg hours 9am till 11pm shifts at a warehouse and kmart but thats when there was no uni at all and it still took a lot out of me..so I can just imagine what a 6:30 till 10pm would be like + full time uni.

Special thanx to erica for persuading me on the importance of going with my gut feeling. The best thing for me right now, at this point in time is to stay with kmart doing admin work and do Kelly casually.

I have a few companies in which I've formed positive impressions of whilst at Kelly that I think i might contact. (I know I'll get knocked back about a hundred times but one of them has to answer back right? lol) And hey I might even approach Coles Myer headquarters and ask them for an entry level or experience in HR? tacky? lol maybe but apparently cold calling works (thanx erica! )

Skittled: Lol I would look like such a fool if I didn’t accept Kmart/Kelly and then I didn’t end up getting siemens lol

Oj: Kelly Services is normal casual rates i think $18+ and Kmart has heaps of casuals "youngins" willing to work weekends/public holidays but im the only one trained in cash control/book keeping admin side of the store and my manager is too lazy and/or it cost to much to train another youngin who will probably leave within 6 months. Hence it would be more cost efficient just to lock me into a contract and give me more hours.

Oh and public holidays its double time and a half lol sorry just thought i'de rub that in

 

[clairegirl]

I can tell you that a job in a Coles Myer business won't be much of a help in the future, most employers don't even consider experience in Retail for jobs closer to the area you're studying. But what I have found to be useful is the learning experience, dealing with irate people has honed my lying ability to the point where I could tell a customer that all my iPods were lost in a shark attack on a ship in Japan. Or something like that, lol.

my job at kmart isn't essentially retail, i don't deal with customers at all :s i sit in a room twidling my thumbs doing bookwork and calculating GST, sales figures, EFT figures n finding store errors n such so that the books balance making weekly reports and stuff for the store.

I still work on the floor sometimes though, when they're desperate and i want more shifts

 

[Orange Juice]

yeh i know its 2 times and half, but sundays and nights are one and half right? i want penalty rates dammit. i wouldnt mind a frekin raise either!

 

[clairegirl]

yep it is

where do you work oj?

 

[Orange Juice]

cant say! due to confidentiality and privacy reasons. that and we sorta work with kelly thats a pretty big clue.

if you work it out, dont post it plz! if you wanna confirm pm me. cuz all i do is bad mouth my place.

 

[clairegirl]

Dear Anne

Thank you for attending our recent interview for the position of HR Internship with Siemens Australia.

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Unfortunately, the position has been placed on hold until further notice.

If you no longer wish to be considered for this role, please advise us immediately.

We will be in touch as soon as we have news on the status of this role.

Thank you again for your patience and interest in Siemens Ltd, and best wishes for the future.

Regards,

Ashna Majithia

Siemens Ltd.
Human Resources

Farrr out i just thought i didn't get it, UNIMPRESSED siemens!!! they're so friggen unorganised... it's been what? 2 months since i've attended the interview!

reflecion of heir recruimen pracices i hink so!

 

[mserica]

Dont be unimpressed... its normal.. its called a headfreeze, and nearly all organisations have it at this time of year!!!



p.s does that mean your still considering the role?

 

[MaryJane]

Fair enough if they have a "headfreeze", but surely they would have noted that this was going to happen sooner - not 2 months into the 'selection process' - rather than notifying you now? I dont think its really fair for you to say "dont be unimpressed... its normal". So what? If you were in a cafe, and waited 40 minutes for your meal, but the staff said "dont worry, its normal", would you just let it slide off your back?

I agree, it reflects attrociously on the company. Unfortunately, I've heard this happen a lot with HR departments. I guess this is what you get when most of their staff are ex-TAFE students

(not to sound like a uni snob, but Steve said you can see the differences in work ethics and productivity between those who attended uni and those who attended TAFE at his work - and this is HR again).

I agree Annie - grrr... That is just poor.

 

[clairegirl]

sorry erica,
i agree with MaryJane on this one, not the TAFE-UNI thing...(because i have no experience to compare the two in HR, ohh actually i do but you can't really see it in recruitment, everyone in biggish private recruitment firms are smarmy) but i do agree however how it is a reflection on their work practices and their HR department.

I mean seriously everyone at work are soo good with clients/customers/potential candidates especially when it comes to letting potential candidates down or in this case keeping potential candidates informed and being HONEST about it! I rang them and the lady was like "yeah it would be great if you could get that extension on that contract and I'll get back to you ASAP". So I said I would and didn't hear from her again :\ i just thought i didn't get it but i was still unimpressed that they hadn't just called to let me know "oh listen, sorry but we've decided to go on another person for this position but we wish you well with the future blah blah"...or in this case the simple truth, we should have been emailed this information 3 weeks ago! Not now...Omg how hard is that to do! its common courtesy. MORE than a month after an interview and still no answer from them. How can you think that isn't a reflection on their work ethics/professionalism/practices!

As for still considering the position. I really DON'T want it, the whole debacle has turned me off the company in general... but I would be lying if I said i still didn't want them to get back to me and say "listen can you come in for the 2nd round" but only because i want to know if i need to reanalyse where I'm at in terms of interview skills. If that makes sense? Shallow? yes probably lol

I think I'm going to do my "harder" subjects next semester so i think i'll be happy working for the two KK's until vacation period begins. Hey MJ tell Skittled that these are the times to start applying for summer vacation internships for HR especially... if he's thinking of applying for those types of things. I'm waiting until results come out to apply. Im hoping this semester will boost up my GPA.

Grrr @ siemens

Edit: my apologies if thats hard to read lol i'm tired