Does anybody know what I mean/can relate to this (about my job)?

[MCS]

I had a good job back at the beginning of the year as a Software Programmer. Due to a corporate takeover my entire office lost their jobs. I tried for 3 months to get a similar job but was completely unsuccesful (annoying IT indusrty!) and eventually reached the "any job is better than nothing" stage.

I have now managed to find a hardware testing job, for a large technology company. The pay is rubbish (about half what I was on before) and it's very easy. I was completely overqualified for it but I dumbed down my CV (resume) and said all the right things at the interview to convince them to give me the job (they were desperate for staff I think). I *have* to keep this job because I need the money for bills but I have no idea yet if I can move on within the company or if I will have to wait another 3 months for something better to come along.

The problem is, a rough comparison between myself and most of the other people there and I feel WAY more intelligent and capable than them all. Don't get me wrong, I do not look down on people, and they are all pretty nice to me, but I really don't know how to "fit in". Has anybody else ever been in this situation eg been forced to do a job way below them with the kind of people they wouldnt "normally" work with/socialise with?

Edited for nik

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

First of all, paragraphs are your friend.
Second of all, if you chose to dumb yourself down for the job, can't you dumb yourself down for the people?

nik

 

[pyonir]

yeah, i worked in a Media Play when i was in college and most of the other people were high school kids. I minded my own business and did my job well.

i've also worked private security with a large corporation. All of the guys were 30+ and had nothing in common with most of them. Generally, i just minded my own business and did my job well, or found something we both could relate to (for instance, one guy was always an asshole to me, until brought up golf, then he talked to me everytime i saw him).

 

[kh3443]

I'm currently working for an IT consulting company in So. Cal. and getting rubbish pay, lets just say I can make the same amount working at starbucks. I guess my employer thinks since the market is awful I wouldn't look elsewhere. IT consulting firms=overtime, low pay, over worked, over stressed, lack of sleep, putting up with BS with my boss. The only thing that is keeping me here is the experience that I'm getting working for a consulting firm. I used to work for a corp. and got paid way more than what I'm making now. But if a better paying job comes alone I'm so out of here.

 

[hoihtah]

it sounds like all of us are in a same boat.

i currently do just about everything to keep my department floating. (database marketing)
everyone in my department knows this. just about everyone in my department is pre-internet age.
they have no real knowledge in what current database is like... nor marketing as we know it now.

so... over the last year, i've proven myself to my group and even to people at other departments.

and recently there was a job posting which i more than qualified for.
i applied for it, had my first interview
now, i'm hearing this bs about how i'm overqualified... and they are afraid that i might take the job... and leave in a few months.

if i hadn't done jack for my department... and just let it sink...
i probably would've gotten this new position.



damm. there's something seriously wrong when hardwork doesn't pay off.

 

[dirtboy]

The best way to fit in is start taking an interest in what those people do. If they watch football anfd talk about football, watch football and learn as much as you can, so you can converse with them. I think everyone's been in your place, it's just a matter of how the person adapts.

 

[MCS]

Thank you all for your comments - nice to know I am not the only one in this situation.

I have not been working there long so I will see how things turn out in a while, after all - better than nothing I suppose.

 

[Draknor]

I'm your typical anti-social computer geek (but I'm getting better ), so I'm not as much into the social scene at work either. But, I've found if I make the effort to be a part of the goings-on, they welcome me in. So, just try & do what the group is doing (assuming it doesn't conflict with your morals/ethics, etc). If you have the opportunity to go hang out for a while, vs. staying at home posting on ATOT - go hang out

Meanwhile, it wouldn't hurt to keep looking for a new job. Work this one for now, but keep searching for something better. (Just don't make it obvious to your employer/coworkers that you are searching).

 

[MCS]

Work this one for now, but keep searching for something better

I am certainly going to, but the IT job sector is practically dead around my area and I am not prepared to drive 50 miles to work.