I don't want to go into detail, but I'm contracted to maintain a large amount of computers. Every now and then I'll end up with 20-50 minutes of downtime where all the computers are working autonomously at the same time.
Do I stand around, look pretty?
Every now and then I'll end up with 20-50 minutes of downtime where all the computers are working autonomously at the same time.
Okay, do you realize that—for the most part—repairing a computer & just sitting around a computer looks pretty much the same, right? Welcome to everyone’s work day!
The reality of any job is—in most cases—you are not hired to be 100% busy all the time, but rather be there so if something does happen you are ready to act.
That is basically every workplace: You come in, do work, and if the work stops it’s not the end of the world. Take advantage of the slack time to wind down a bit. And if you want to feel productive engage in some kind of pro-active work. Like maybe organizing your notes or review things you have repaired.
But all work days are filled with downtime. Don’t get too hung up on it.
Catch up with your email. Coordinate with your colleagues and manager. Do a little light professional reading. Work out your tasks for the day or the week. Get yourself some coffee. Check up on tour systems from time to time. And don't forget to look pretty :)
There is really nothing you can do while the computers are doing something that takes a while? I don't believe that.
If you regularly have this down time, then arrange other tasks to take advantage of it. For example, don't check your emails first thing in the morning in such a way that it displaces other work. Get the computers cranking, then check email while you're waiting.
Even if you have no other immediate job tasks to perform, there is surely always something more to learn. There must be a manual to read about this new software you're not really up to speed on, new product announcements to look over for relevancy, forums for IT people to check out and maybe pick up a few pointers from you never thought of before, or even just cleaning up your desk. There is always something better to do than just sitting there.
The most professional thing to do is to tell your supervisor that this is the case so they can be aware of this 'problem'.
They might assign you some extra work for these situations or they might not think it is important to do so. In case they say it's OK to do whatever, the most professional thing is still to look for ways to add value in your current job (improve processes, improve yourself as it relates to your job, etc...).
