Job question

[Nikia]

I am unhappy with my current job where I have worked for two and a half years and have been for quite some time. Now that my best friend is leaving the company soon and our hours are getting cut (I'm paid hourly), I feel more determined to leave. I have had a couple of phone interviews for better job but I feel that I am getting nowhere in this pursuit at least in the current economy. Last night, I found a job that I am intersted in at a temp service that I had applied through before. It is a temp to hire position. If it is that the company that I think it is at, I would be definitely intersted in the position. The problem is that it a position of less responsibility. It might be considered a backwards move although in many ways it is lateral. I am not extremely concerned about this career wise because it would be with a much bigger company with possible advancement oppurtunities (At my current company, the one position higher than mine is filled by a guy with over 20 years of industry experience.) and an obstacle in getting better positions at other companies has been that I have not worked with a large company (Mine has less than 60 people). The job will also probably pay more. How do I address the question about why I want to leave my current position and take that position if I am asked that by the temp service and especially by my perspective new company. I am worried that if I say that I want career advancement that they will think that I would be unhappy in the position which requires less responsibility than my current one. I know that it is considered inappropriate to bash one's current company, which is the real reason that I want to leave. Can I even say that my hours are being cut and I need full time hours? Can I tell the temp agency that my current job is not what I thought it would be going into it and that is why I am coming back to them (I had been in the interview process for a different job through them when I accepted my current job.)? Can I tell either the temp agency or perspective employer that I really want to work in a structured environment with other people for a while rather than have to alone be dictated by someone who keeps on changing his mind on what needs to be done and how it should be done? Is there an appropriate way to say this?

[Nikia]

1. Maybe no one wants to think of jobs on Saturday

Oh, well. If this topic doesn't fly today maybe I'll try writing a more concise post with a better title on Monday.

[bleedingheart]

2. Don't be negative!

what ever you do...no negative points...

spin spin spin....

My favorite is to tell them that while I enjoy my current job I am looking for something where I can take my talents to the next level...

[Nikia]

3. The problem is that the job isn't the next level

I think that it will help me get to the next level because of the reasons stated in my post. I am worried that I'll tell them about everything that I do in my current job and they'll think that I am overqualified. If I were unemployed, this might not be as much of an issue considering the economy. They might not understand why I would want to leave my current job.

[bleedingheart]

4. this is what I would do

1. I am sure you know about the company you are interviewing about but do a bit more research about them and then...
2. Tailor make a story about how your current company (although wonderful and great..blah blah) doesn't have many opportunities to move up and expand your horizons.. ONLY ONLY offer this information if you are questioned about taking a job below your current station.

This argument can be reversed for small or large companies....

3.Be general about your current duties... you don't have to lie but you also don't have to be so honest that they suspect something...

[Nikia]

5. Should I change my resume then?

My industry(food/quality assurance) focused resume gives a very detailed list of duties and things that I have accomplished. The temp agency has my old resume, before I had my current job, which is more skill based. I had planned on giving them my updated resume that includes detailed descriptions of both food industry quality assrance related jobs and my educational information. The job that I am applying for is a tech position that works under a lead person along with other techs and basically does basic tests and checks, following procedures. At my current job, I do all the tests and checks, created a data base of records, rewrote the procedures, established additional tests, maintain the MSDS book, do full audits, trained multiple people, have responsibility for my equipment and supplies, and am pretty much responsible for quality assurance at the plant. I am under minimal supervision and completely responsible for my actions. If I am sick or on vacation, I am still responsible. When I apply for quality assurance management positions, I have been screened out because I do not have "real" management experience like hiring and firing and I am not responsible for that big of a plant (a concern voiced by a 800+ employee plant for an entry level management position). I have been applying for these jobs for over a year.
The perspective job pays more for less responsibility and there are intermediate positions at that company where I could be promoted to if I do a good job. I cannot be promoted at my current company and am doubtful if I will even get a raise this next year.

[bleedingheart]

6. The key is to have many different types of resumes

I have a very complex one that spans multiple pages to highlight my skills for certain types of employment. For more generic stuff I have my single page version.

I also have resumes to suit different types of employment. My speciality of engineering spans many different interests so I have a resume for each of the different types of positions I qualify for...

[leftyandproud]

7. .

"Can I even say that my hours are being cut and I need full time hours?"

Yes...This is ALL you need to say. Besides, temp agencies don't usually care why you are leaving an old job. They just care if you can perform FOR THEM.

[cally]

8. I would concur with BleedingHeart

Just say something like you would enjoy the challenges of a larger firm and give some specifics of why that company is so wonderful. I wouldn't mention much about the old job just talk about the new job. I would make a more general resume to send in.

Good luck.