Work - The pros and the cons... - The Bear and Badger

Roujin

poprock wrote:

Yossarian wrote:

He does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his spare time so no.

So, like jiu-jitsu but more neatly trimmed?

Just like their football, there a lot more rolling around on the floor as well.

Tempy

Probably a dumb question, but if I want to register at an agency, do I just rock up with my unemployable self?

LivDiv

Maybe give them a call.
If just rocking up I would take a CV and ID (such as a passport), maybe a payslip or other proof of National Insurance number.

Unlikely

It never occurred to me that you weren't already registered. Do this now. Unless the system's changed it costs you nothing to do so, and some companies only use agencies for recruitment. My career started with getting a job as a receptionist/admin. assistant via an agency.

EvilRedEye

Phone, they'll want to make an induction appointment.

Tempy

I’ll do it after I get me “make better” pills tomorrow

Skerret

m&ms?

ShabbyMcCrabby

Skittles. Much more sugar.

It seemed to me, from my short time over there, that a lot of jobs were done through agencies. Much more than here in Oz where they are pretty much a scam.

Good luck Tempy!

LivDiv

Just got an email from a client with "things to look out for on some of your recent projects".

Every single one of the errors were due to piss poor brief writing. Incorrect or unclear guidelines, abbreviations requiring me to dig out the enigma machine, broken English copy/pasted from foreign clients, contradictory information and requirements. Things requested that aren't on the brief.

Seriously pissed off about it. I've gone in, fucking fed up with it.

GooberTheHat

Tear a strip off them.

Frosty

We had a guy in for a job interview today and the first thing he did when my boss went down to meet him in the reception was to toss the half eaten apple he was munching over his shoulder onto the floor. Absolute power move.

Things didn't get any better.

LivDiv

That is gold.

nick_md

LivDiv wrote:

Just got an email from a client with "things to look out for on some of your recent projects". Every single one of the errors were due to piss poor brief writing. Incorrect or unclear guidelines, abbreviations requiring me to dig out the enigma machine, broken English copy/pasted from foreign clients, contradictory information and requirements. Things requested that aren't on the brief. Seriously pissed off about it. I've gone in, fucking fed up with it.

Did you ask for clarification when you received contradictory or unclear briefs? You shouldn't have to of course, brief should be clear.

LivDiv

Yeah, well where I spot it, sometimes it seems obvious but is wrong if that makes sense.
Other times I ask for clarification and get the same thing back or pointed to the part of the brief I have issue with, like I didnt bother reading it.
At that point I can't be fucked and just do what feels right.

Trouble is the project handlers are fucking terrible at feedback times. It could literally spend an entire day waiting for answers if I didnt just press on with what feels right.

nick_md

Yeah was assuming that'd be the case, am just standing up a little for the brief-writers

I've definitely sent contradictory stuff / feedback to outsourcers before but I'm always on a chat client with them and am happy to answer as needed, which I try to get done as soon as possible, or if not, let them know it's blocked.

LivDiv

Mistakes happen, people are rushed, I'm cool with that. This has become a pattern though and if I'm getting this feedback on my work from the Schedule Designer then it will be because they are having a whinge to him.

I mean one of the project managers has admitted to me on several occasions that she hadn't read the client feedback before passing it to me. That is properly shit because that is core part of her job, why even employ her to copy/paste stuff?

pantyfire

Writing clear briefs is a skill many people don't possess.
It can be taught but it usually takes a harsh lesson like a missed deadline because you've been waiting for clarification.
In div's defence that's a risky move for freelancer.

LivDiv

Luckily my back is quite well covered there.
Creative is king, the creative director and schedule designer will side with the creative team on 90% of things.

I think standards have just slipped a bit over the past few months but I will be damned if it's put on my head.

Bottom line, I'm not an employee so deal with your own shit or don't hire me.
As is, they need me because they can't find anyone that delivers what I do on the schedule they want.

LivDiv

I need a pint

MoesTavern

Frosty wrote:

We had a guy in for a job interview today and the first thing he did when my boss went down to meet him in the reception was to toss the half eaten apple he was munching over his shoulder onto the floor. Absolute power move. Things didn't get any better.

Obviously been coached in alpha body language. Did he stand with his legs far apart and point with his thumb too?

Armitage_Shankburn

MoesTavern wrote:

Frosty wrote:

We had a guy in for a job interview today and the first thing he did when my boss went down to meet him in the reception was to toss the half eaten apple he was munching over his shoulder onto the floor. Absolute power move. Things didn't get any better.

Obviously been coached in alpha body language. Did he stand with his legs far apart and point with his thumb too?

I just tried pointing with my thumb, i looked more mong than alpha