Career check in & questions

[winnieandwine]

With 2/3 most recent posts relating to this topic, it looks like we are in for another thread.

Me:
Still settling into my new job. Started over a month ago. There are some good things and some things I'm not crazy about. Hours are flexible which is nice, but the commute remains awful and I don't feel like I'm practicing to the best of my ability. I've always been a live to work type person, but I'm definitely just working to live here. things could be worse.

I have an interview today at one of my top 2 employers in NYC in my favorite care setting. I have actual butterflies and woke myself up four times last night. I have to keep it together and not fan-girl the interviewer after listening to her podcasts. She is who I want to be in 10 years. I know this job is a long shot, but please think good thoughts for me!!!

If this doesn't work out, I might slow my roll on applications until after the holiday. I've been too busy with interviews and applications and follow ups that I have been pushing off some medical stuff. As it is, I'm actually getting my remicade infusion this morning with plans to down a quad latte afterwards to counteract the Benadryl they give me before my afternoon interview. Interviewing will be much easier when I can use PTO.

Any updates, questions, or vents?

[steph96]

Good luck!

I'm having terrible luck even getting interviews. I haven't had a single interview since I started back applying for jobs. I don't know what's up. I saw some new openings that look cool, so I'm going to apply for those. My goal is to have a new job lined up by the end of the year.

[Deleted]

Good luck!

I'm coming to decision time for what path I want to take and I have no clue. I can stay where I am and pursue my Master's for a discounted price, or I can look for another job in about a year and move forward. I'm ready to leave this town and I'd love to move to Texas, or somewhere closer to my sister. I know I "should" work on my masters, but I honestly love all my free time right now, so I don't really want to. Being a grown up is hard.

[sfy]

A small amount of fangirling might be a good thing. Good luck !

[v]

Good luck -- always chase the butterflies!

[hamster]

Good luck!

My coworkers and I are all going to get headshots taken. My LinkedIn page could really use it!

[msmerymac]

I'm applying for a job that's probably 2 steps above where I need to be applying, but it's at a company I'd LOVE to work for (and my commute would be... walking there). Hopefully they will like my gumption and still want me on the team? I'm trying to lean in, here!

I'm also trying not to peg all my hopes on it and really ramp up the applications in general. My company is not doing great. My job is fine, and will be around, but only as long as the company exists, which isn't certain, you know? Plus, I'd love a good salary bump and to work somewhere I can get benefits again.

[msmerymac]

Nov 4, 2015 10:23:48 GMT -5 hamster said:

Good luck!

My coworkers and I are all going to get headshots taken. My LinkedIn page could really use it!

This is something I have very much considered! Are you paying out of pocket, or is this something you are all going in on, like a package, or is your company paying?

[winnieandwine]

Thanks everyone!

[winnieandwine]

Nov 4, 2015 9:36:27 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Good luck!

I'm having terrible luck even getting interviews. I haven't had a single interview since I started back applying for jobs. I don't know what's up. I saw some new openings that look cool, so I'm going to apply for those. My goal is to have a new job lined up by the end of the year.

I liked for the good luck wishes, not the interview woes. 

Sometimes a fresh set of eyes on your resume can help bring to light something that could give a recruiter pause. Do you have anyone IRL who would be helpful? I've also turned to a couple of trusted posters in the past -- SJ once edited my resume when a last minute externship popped up in grad school. Her advice was spot on, and I ended up landing the position.  

[hamster]

Nov 4, 2015 10:43:01 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Nov 4, 2015 10:23:48 GMT -5 hamster said:

Good luck!

My coworkers and I are all going to get headshots taken. My LinkedIn page could really use it!

This is something I have very much considered! Are you paying out of pocket, or is this something you are all going in on, like a package, or is your company paying?

Our company has a photographer that takes photos of all new doctors and the like, so we're just going to roll it in to her schedule.

[steph96]

I applied for 2 jobs an hour ago. The recruiter just called me. That's scary fast.

ETA: we set up an interview for next week!

[SJ]

So exciting! Good luck on the interview!

[MNH2013]

Good luck!

Well I posted yesterday in randoms but I did not get laid off like I was expecting. I was sort of ready for it but obviously would rather get full pay vs UE and having to worry about finding a job. I am taking on new tasks as a result and am waiting to see exactly how much and if it creates issues.

I am still attending my night classes for my program. I have 4 more months until completion, and my first test tonight/tomorrow. I can now agree with those who say torts are terrible and not my favorite. Contracts is next and I am nerdy excited about that.

It's a KOKO post for me at the moment.

[stretchad]

I did 2 phone interviews with a company that reached out with an interesting role. They asked me to do an on-site interview (full day) and I turned them down. Professionally, I've got some other interesting opportunities at my current company that might be a better fit for me down the road. I turned them down for personal reasons because I've got major concerns over work/life balance, and the fact that I'd have to pull my son out of current daycare (because he's on site here at current company).

Just came from a town hall meeting w/ leaders at my current company and they've got me jazzed up about how great this place really is, and what we're trying to accomplish in this world. Makes me feel really good about my decision to stop interviewing for this job with the other company that doesn't have the same great reputation.

ETA: I continue to have 'networking' discussions internally w/ different teams to help me get into the next right role. Had a good discussion yesterday!

[bostonmichelle]

Good luck to everyone!!

I had 2 interviews last week and should be hearing back late this week on that job.
I had a phone interview almost 2 weeks ago that I thought I bombed, but I didn't and was asked yesterday to come in for an in person interview today. I should hear back mid to late next week.
I have an interview tomorrow for a 3rd job.
I also have a bunch of jobs I applied for and haven't heard back on either.

I've been enjoying my unemployment/SAHW but I'd love to get back into a real schedule/get situated into a routine down here.

[steph96]

Ok I have some questions...

During the interview, is there a way to basically ask if they are a terrible manager who has a toxic department with an abnormally high turnover rate?

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2015 13:25:47 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Ok I have some questions...

During the interview, is there a way to basically ask if they are a terrible manager who has a toxic department with an abnormally high turnover rate?

You can ask questions about recent turnover, management style, etc. maybe that will help?

[bostonmichelle]

Nov 4, 2015 13:25:47 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Ok I have some questions...

During the interview, is there a way to basically ask if they are a terrible manager who has a toxic department with an abnormally high turnover rate?

Ask about the management style, i.e. delegator, micromanager, etc. and then ask about how long people have been with their department/company.

[steph96]

@kcpokergal and bostonmichelle Are managers usually honest about their management style? I would probably run screaming if a manager told me that they were a micromanager. I think a lot of micromanagers don't know that they are one.

In my mind, the perfect manager wouldn't be a micromanager and they would let me work independently, but at the same time they would be involved enough to know what is going on. I don't really know a good term for that.

[dcn]

Nov 4, 2015 13:25:47 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Ok I have some questions...

During the interview, is there a way to basically ask if they are a terrible manager who has a toxic department with an abnormally high turnover rate?

I usually ask what type of employee will excel in this position. You can usually glean what type of management style exists from the answer and discussion after.

I ask about turnover too, and if it is short follow up with why.

[spunkarella]

steph96 I doubt they are going to come out and say "I'm a horrible micromanager." But they might say things like, "I take a very active, hands on approach."

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2015 14:14:55 GMT -5 steph96 said:

@kcpokergal and bostonmichelle Are managers usually honest about their management style? I would probably run screaming if a manager told me that they were a micromanager. I think a lot of micromanagers don't know that they are one.

In my mind, the perfect manager wouldn't be a micromanager and they would let me work independently, but at the same time they would be involved enough to know what is going on. I don't really know a good term for that.

So that's the thing, terrible managers are not self aware. The hope is you can ask questions where the response lets you read between the line.

It's tricky. It's the same trouble one has when interviewing someone for the job of manager.

I find in general, good employees convey a sense of honesty and integrity. It is hard to fake. If the manager seems genuine--cares for people, recognizes some strengths and weaknesses in the team, etc, they will probably be fine.

Maybe someone else has some really well worded questions to ask.

I think this is where people rarely do interviews right--they try to ask interviewers questions to impress them or because they feel obliged instead of asking what they really want to know.

Maybe ask what the manager would expect from you in your first 90 days. I think that would give some good insight too.

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2015 14:22:28 GMT -5 dcn said:

Nov 4, 2015 13:25:47 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Ok I have some questions...

During the interview, is there a way to basically ask if they are a terrible manager who has a toxic department with an abnormally high turnover rate?

I usually ask what type of employee will excel in this position. You can usually glean what type of management style exists from the answer and discussion after.

I ask about turnover too, and if it is short follow up with why.

I think that is a good question--who excels

[Deleted]

Nov 4, 2015 14:16:38 GMT -5 @meepmeep said:

Nov 4, 2015 13:25:47 GMT -5 steph96 said:

Ok I have some questions...

During the interview, is there a way to basically ask if they are a terrible manager who has a toxic department with an abnormally high turnover rate?

To whom would I report? How would you describe his/her/your management style? What qualities does [manager] value in team members? etc.
What is this unit's turnover rate? How does that compare to the turnover rate company-wide? (And you'll be able to compare to industry-wide afterward.)

The rate comparisons may or may not help. I think asking why turnover occurs is better. High turnover might be because the manager is excellent at hiring and developing people.

[winnieandwine]

Ok, I nailed my interview. It felt like such a solid give and take and I really, really want this woman to be my boss.

If I don't get the job I'll be super bummed but at least I'll know I did everything I could.

When I asked about next steps, she said she's wrapping things up and has two more interviews. She'd like me to meet with HR and plans to make a decision within a week or two. She also gave me an unsolicited tour of the building which seemed like a good sign.

Meeting with HR is good, right?

[steph96]

One more question for now. How do I handle the "may we contact your current supervisor" question? I know for a fact that she doesn't keep it professional. I have heard her badmouthing a previous employee (who was the perfect employee up until the day she gave her notice and then she was suddenly the worst employee ever) when someone called to verify her employment. She also has a way of implying things with her tone. I am pretty sure that since I "ran off" her current favorite employee, she would not say anything good about me. The lady is once again giving me the silent treatment FFS. This is my one and only professional position so I feel like I'm in quite the conundrum.

[womet]

I've been in my new position for 3 weeks now. It's going well. Everyone here seems really nice, and it's a laid back environment. I've finally gotten the main software that I'll need for my job, so now I get to dive into actual work. The biggest irritation is that I am in a cubicle right now (that's not the bad part) and the people around me are incredibly loud. They work in a different group and they tend to have loud discussions out in the hallway. Yesterday, I had to listen to a conference call that a woman near me was on. She has an office but had her door open the entire time. And she wasn't very nice to the person on the other end. My boss is working on getting me out of the cube and into an office.

[bostonmichelle]

steph96 I would say you would prefer that they hold off contacting until you are a finalist or something like that. Someone probably has a better way of saying it.

I have another phone interview tomorrow!! Hopefully I hear from the job I interviewed for last week soon. That makes an interview 5 out of the 10 business days I've been down here so far.

[ssmjlm]

Found out the other week, I didn't even get an interview for the internal promotion. WTF? My boss was pissed when she found out. Our new director is something, and it's not something nice.