OT: More work-related stuff - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: More work-related stuff

Maya

Veteran

You're all so good at this that I keep coming back for more...

Here is the latest scoop:

Yesterday I had absolutely nothing to do at work. Nothing at all. I asked a few people if there was anything I could help with and even sent out an email, but no one had anything for me to work on. I passed some time organizing my desk and my files on my computer. Someone needed some help finding images in Google but that took all of 20 minutes. By 4:00 I was feeling really awkward, realizing I spent most of the day doing nothing. I approached one of the art directors and asked if I could just take off as long as there was no work for me, and she said sure. I went to another one of the art directors to confirm that she didn't need any help, and she said there was nothing due. So I just left. There just didn't seem to be any point in my wasting my time and their money. Am I wrong? And I did ask REPEATEDLY, but I had nothing to put on my time sheet and that made me uncomfortable. The distribution of work here is really frustrating. Sometimes I'm given impossible deadlines, other times I have nothing to do. I'm sure tomorrow I'll get something that's due by the end of the day, which I could have, in theory, worked on yesterday and today (which is also shaping up to be an uneventful day).

Sigh.

Anyway, when I got in I found an email asking "Can we talk?" from the Big Boss (owner of the company). I hope it's not related to this! It's making me so nervous. He isn't here now because he and half the office are away at a photo shoot. I hope I'm not in trouble...

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Frances

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Omg emails like that are so stressful!! But I strongly suspect it has nothing to do with your early departure yesterday. You actively sought work and have the paper trail to prove it. In future, though, maybe just hang out until the clock runs out, even if it just means you're on here or checking email. You absolutely made an effort to stay busy, though, which is the main thing.
Maybe big boss man wants to offer you a job instead!
Either way, keep us posted.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I have a very uneventful job. Mondays and Tuesdays can be busy, but by Friday there really is nothing for me to do but wait and be available in case there ever IS.
And that's what I'm here for. Fortunately my boss allows me to do personal things during down times or otherwise I'd go batty.
But the idea is that I am paid for X amount of hours (and if you're paid through a payroll department, making changes to your hours is a huge hassle) to be available to do certain tasks.
Hopefully things will iron out for you!

anne

Veteran

Hope it is okay Maya. I agree with the others that you have covered yourself - but also that is probably better to hang out til the clock runs out (something could have turned up in that last hour, perhaps?).

Looking forward to find out what happened when I wake up tomorrow!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Ugh there should be a law against sending emails like that without giving you an idea of what they want to talk about. It could be about something totally unrelated, but who knows? Since you asked if you could take off, and were told sure, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you're paid a salary rather than by the hour, probably not best to do it all the time, but I'm sure you don't anyway.

Try not to worry about the email though - it could be about something completely different, and you haven't done anything wrong regardless!

Maya

Veteran

Ok, so it ended up being about a big project coming up that they want me to work on, and thus extend my stay for an additional two weeks, and possibly more if the client approves of the final result. I'm feeling a combination of immense stress and relief: Stress because it's more wireframing and information architecture and web design....

Oh well, good experience and I'll be paid handsomely so hooray.

anne

Veteran

Hooray Hooray!

Congratulations!!!!!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

YAAAAAAY!!! *happy dancing with Reva in tow* That's great news! See? I knew it was something positive! But now it'll be imperative to get some feedback on the last web architecture project you did. Any chance you can do that?

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Wooohoo! You go girl!!!

agrace

I always think the 'can we talk' to be so unnecessarily vague. It's like phone messages that say 'Call me'. It's nice when people give even the slightest clue such as: Can we talk about an upcoming project?

But I'm glad it ended up to be a good thing. Having nothing to do at a job is very frustrating.

MNsara

Veteran

Oh my, I'm a worrier and I would be fretting too. But like yublocka said - those vague emails should be outlawed!

When you have been around a bit longer and see the work climate (do people arrive late ever? do they take long lunches ever? do they leave early ever? or do those things never happen!) then you'll feel more confident. In the meantime, if they prefer you stay around be sure to bring puzzles, a book, check YLF, etc.(?)

Maya

Veteran

People leave early and go in late all the time, so I wasn't too concerned. I had a lot of other things to do and it just seemed like a waste, both for them and for me.

Michelle, they loved my work on the wireframes and IA. In fact they loved it so much that I have been getting all of the wireframe-related projects that come in since then. If they did hire me, I would not be surprised if they hired me as an information architect instead of a designer. I guess all the time I waste on the internet is finally paying off...

I also just got done with a conference call with the programmers who were evidently duped into thinking a professional worked on it, as opposed to me :p

Queen Mum

Veteran

whew, big sigh of relief here! I'm glad to hear you're going to be more occupied on another project. I would go batty not having anything to do too.
next time put the word out to us and I'm sure we can all send you some of our tasks to do during your down times

MNsara

Veteran

Congrats! Isn't that the way it usually goes - we worry for nothing

But that type of email is still lazy and way too open for interpretation.

Just like I dislike when someone asks me 'Can you do me a favor?" WHO KNOWS what they might ask if I answer 'yes'!! So I usually answer equally vague with "What is it?"

Rosie

Veteran

Maya! You had us stressed and worried for you! I was thinking that it sounded like you had covered all your bases and did all you could to get work, particularly since you aren't an employee as of yet... but now all that doesn't matter any more.

Congratulations!! I have a feeling this will turn into a project after project after project position until they really do hire you. Wonderful!

Maya

Veteran

Well if you guys were worried, how do you think I felt...:p

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, my heart would be racing and my hands shaking. So relieved!

Maya

Veteran

Glad I'm not the only neurotic one here! I am always a bundle of nerves. The ONLY time I am ever calm is when I am spending time with my kitty. Without her, I would surely be on blood pressure meds by now.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Oh I can relate, Maya. After my accident in February, driving has been incredibly stressful for me. And I do get worked up a lot of silly things. And yes, kitties are the best therapy out there.
So what does it say about me that I have FIVE??

Maya

Veteran

What does it say about me that I am jealous of you and your 5 kitties?

Sarah, I am so stressed about driving that I simply don't do it. I managed to get my license but I have scarcely driven since then. You were in an accident and increased awareness of the risks is understandable. Me, I have no excuse! I am just a worrier and have a phobia.

Rosie

Veteran

Oh Maya, I would have been a mess, too, so you aren't neurotic!!

Well, you also live by NYC and have very little reason to drive. My grandma never learned to drive living there, which only really became a problem later in life in California, yet she always managed. My cousin, who is older than you, I think, doesn't drive either, I think because it all makes her nervous.

Maya

Veteran

Rosie, I don't need to drive in NY where I work, but I do in NJ where I live. I have found ways around it but the reality is that it isn't efficient at all. Michelle knows firsthand how crippling it is...sigh.

Rosie

Veteran

Ack...sounds like it's time to bite the bullet!! I know my cousin has the same feelings, though. She doesn't even have her license.

Kristine

Veteran

I'm glad it was good news Maya! You did the right thing. I would NOT do crossword puzzles or surf the internet. If you ask and there's nothing, do your best to come up with your own project (and let someone know what you're working on). You could research the competition's ad campaigns, compile a list of helpful image links, learn advanced techniques on the software, read through old projects, clean up common files, organize the copy room, etc.. Show them how creative you are by suggesting your own project. If it makes their lives easier in some small way, even better.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

All is well that ends well. Good news, Maya! An extra 2 weeks to stay on a project is brilliant - especially since they were so impressed with your work.

It's good that the big boss called you in. That means you matter enough to him.

JennyK (NC)

I am so pleased for you Maya! It sucks to be a contractor/intern etc., always sort of feeling like your days might be numbered. I really hope this turns into a full-time gig for you.

AJ

Veteran

Yay! More office kudos for your hard work!

Sihaya

Veteran

Yay Maya - congrats on the new project. As for ebbs and flows in work - that is very, very common. I'm glad you decided not to waste everyone's time. I'm sure there will be other days where they'll want you to work extra hours instead. As for bosses, that is totally common too - a boss, and then a big boss, has a lot of control over your life and finances so it's understandable why that would make you nervous. When I coach big bosses I always remind them of this as they seem relatively unaware and remind them to state the reason why they're leaving a note so it's not that cryptic and people don't lose sleep over it.

Kari

Veteran

That is awesome news - I'm so glad that it turned out well! (But I wish that some managers knew how stressful vague subject lines can be... ack!)

My sister, who is in your field, said that often you market yourself as a graphic designer but really end up getting hired mainly because of your technical skills (or ability to pick them up quickly.)
She had a similar experience to what you had with your last project on one of her design jobs - she was told to do a project using a program she had no experience with, and neither did anyone else at the company. It turned out well, and I reminded her too that it's one more thing to add to your resume - being able to learn new, complex technologies on the job, while completing a deliverable within a tight timeline, is definitely a skill to emphasize!

(I can totally relate to those of you who hate driving. I would prefer to live in a city where I'll never have to drive again, and I get more stressed out about being on the road every day. There are too many hurried, distracted people who do stupid, dangerous things while driving, and I get really stressed out and claustrophobic driving in heavy traffic. In the Seattle area, we're still stuck in the "car entitlement culture" and most local people are completely baffled about why I'm reluctant to get behind the wheel when I could take a bus for free instead.)

Tanya

Veteran

Those are great news Maya! I am so happy for you. Good luck with the next 2 weeks, and who knows, there might be quite a few more.

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