March 2011

It’s time for short answer Sunday once again — eight short answers to eight short questions. Here we go…

Weird interview question

I was recently asked in an interview if I thought I was smarter than my current boss. I ended up saying that I think I am equally intelligent but we sometimes have differing opinions on the best course of action or recommendation, which is largely accurate.  How do you respond to this question? I don’t want to throw my current supervisor under the bus OR be perceived as unsure of my own skills/intelligence by saying she is much smarter than me, whether true or not.

This is a really weird interview question, and I can’t figure out what they hoped to accomplish with it. I suspect that they have no idea what they hoped to accomplish with it, or how it would help them evaluate you for the job, and instead they’re just throwing out random questions because they don’t really know how to interview.

Anyway, I think your answer was fine.

Asking for comp time

I just started a new job two weeks ago!  So far, everything is going great and there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon.  The problem is that I have significantly less time off than what I had been getting at my old job and it’s not negotiable at this point.  That doesn’t bother me necessarily, but I found out that I will be working at events on the weekend — at least five over the next four months in other cities.  Is it okay to ask for an extra day here and there for personal affairs?  I have a summer full of weddings that require traveling, graduations and a big trip that had been planned way before I started. I think it’s only fair but would love to get your thoughts.

If you’re being required to work at events over the weekend, it’s completely reasonable to say to your boss, “Hey, since I’m working all day Saturday, can I take my ‘Saturday’ on Tuesday instead, without it pulling from my accrued vacation time? Or do we do any other kind of comp time?”  However, your manager’s answer will depend on the culture and practices at your new company; some do this as a matter of routine and others don’t. It’s a perfectly reasonable question though, and you should ask it.

By the way, I’m hoping that you’ve already told them about that big trip and aren’t just planning to spring it on them!

Applying for a teaching job at a Catholic school as an agnostic

I have a question about religion in the workplace. It’s not typically a subject I discuss with others, and I’m not a religious person. However, I’m looking for a teaching job, and found a local school hiring in my content area for the upcoming school year. I checked out their website, and their teaching philosophy and attitude towards students and staff fits me to a tee. The only catch is that it’s a Catholic school, and I identify as agnostic/atheist. I respect the diversity of others, and get along well with people of all faiths. I don’t push my beliefs on others, and expect to be treated with the same respect. Should I apply for this position even though I’m not Catholic? If I do apply, and get an interview, should I mention that I’m not religious? What should I do if they bring it up?

You should absolutely apply for the position. There are lots of schools run by religious organizations where religion doesn’t play a significant role in their teaching, and that’s particularly true if you happen to teach, say, math. There are others, of course, where a non-religious teacher might not feel as comfortable, and if you get an interview, that’s when you can learn more about that. If you get an interview, ask them what role religion plays in their curriculum and what duties related to religion you might have, if any. I don’t think you need to volunteer that you’re not religious unless you want to; their answers to those questions will probably let that conversation unfold (or not) naturally.

Am I obligated to help another department?

Several months ago, I was hired in one department of a medium-sized nonprofit organization through a temp agency to fill in while they sought someone new for their department. I ended up working in this department for about six months, including about a month after they had hired the new employee to help her transition into her new role. During that six months, I went from being trusted to answer the phones while everyone was out of the office (I spent a lot of time reading) to compiling documents for committee meetings and taking minutes and organizing projects. Needless to say, there was a lot for me to show the new hire when she started. (By the way, I have no resentment at her for getting the job, I REALLY didn’t want it).

Now I’m back at the same organization in a different department getting ready to take over for someone going on maternity leave. I’m learning the ropes in my new job, but I have quite a lot of down time, and for the time being, I’m sitting at my old desk, which means my old boss notices quite frequently that I’m not busy. The problem arises when she assigns me little tasks because I know what I’m doing, but I feel like that’s not my job anymore. Am I obligated to help her? Should I just wait until my desk moves (two weeks) and hope that I’ll be out of sight, out of mind?

You have a lot of time with nothing to do, your old boss is asking for your help, and you don’t want to help her because it’s not your job? That’s pretty much the opposite of the way people get better jobs and good references. Particularly in a temp job, if the organization is paying for your time, it’s reasonable for them to ask you to help out in other areas when your primary area doesn’t need you.

But you report to someone else now, so check with your new manager. Explain that the old boss has been asking for your help, that you do have time to help her, and ask what she’d like you to do.

Explaining why I turned down a position

I recently interviewed for a managerial position. In the interview, I mentioned that I was offered a supervisory position by the person who recommended me for the job I was interviewing for, but turned it down. They asked why I turned it down and I told them that I did not feel as though what I would have to bring to the table to make the changes necessary would be valued. I told them I was looking for a position with true group cohesion and communication so that everyone would be free to not only express their ideas but to have them taken seriously. Was this okay to say? Do managers frown on those who pass up positions?

Hmmm. It’s totally fine to turn down a position, but — depending on the way you worded it — the specific reason you gave might sound a little grumpy/prima donna-ish/negative. So I don’t love that particular answer, frankly.

How to resign when my boss is away

I have 3 bosses. One is currently in town and working, one will be gone on vacation until Tuesday, and the third will be on vacation for 1 1/2 weeks.  I would like to give my official 2 weeks notice tomorrow (Friday), but only one boss will be present. I am concerned that my one boss will panic and call the other two bosses, interrupting their vacations – which will not help me as I attempt to leave without burning any bridges.  What would you do? I could wait until Tuesday when there will be two bosses present, but I cannot wait 1 1/2 weeks for all three to be back at work.  Do you have any resignation etiquette advice for this situation?

Resign now. It’s not your fault that two of your three bosses are away, and if your boss who’s there freaks out and calls the others, that’s really not your fault or your problem. You know you’re leaving; you owe it to them to share that information with them.

Is 8 months long enough to stay at a first job?

After graduating in May with a Master’s degree in administration from an ivy league university, I struggled to find a job for a couple of months.  Despite several excellent interviews (and second and third interviews), hiring managers told me that I ultimately lacked experience and that they decided to go with another candidate.  I was ultimately hired in my chosen profession, but the pay was about 10K less than I’d hope to make (i.e. 33K instead of 43K).  Now, with 8 months of work under my belt, I’m hoping to leverage my experience into another full-time position.  Does this seem like enough time?  Do I need to wait a full year?

I’d love to stay in my current role, but with loans and other expenses (I live in an expensive northeastern city), it’s difficult to sit tight as I increasingly need to cut costs to make ends meet.  Additionally, how can I answer potential employers’ questions about why I’m leaving my current role?  Should I say it’s because of the money?

Ideally you’d wait a full year, at least, so that you look like someone who keeps commitments and isn’t a job hopper — especially with a low level of experience in this job market, when you’re competing against people with more experience and solid work histories. When you do start looking, it’s better to explain that you’re looking for new responsibilities and challenges rather than just more money.

Should I bother pursuing this job?

This week 3 recruiters contacted me for job opportunities. They just found me on LinkedIn. One of them asked my expected salary and i said I’m making x. She said, “oh, I can work with that.”  I explained I’ll need more to consider changing jobs. She said she can negotiate for more after the probation period is over.

Should I even bother going for the interview and skill test? Its software position and it may be good practice. I may say no later. Or its just a waste of time? I never applied for this job but might do it for $5-10k more. I didn’t get any promotion or raise in my current job for 3 years, and at times received warnings about my performance.

If you’re getting performance warnings at your current job, I’d seriously consider these other opportunities, unless you have explicitly been told by your manager that you’ve turned your performance around and are now performing at a high level. So yes, I think it’s certainly worth your time to learn more about these other positions; you’re not obligated to accept them if offered, but having options is always a good thing.

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