Interview Advice

[Dante84]

Hey, my dogs.

So, I've currently got a good job, though I'm pretty sick of it after 2.5 years, and I'm ready for more opportunity (see - bigger title, more $, and more happiness). My current company doesn't offer me any of these in the near future.

In early January, a buddy hit me up (former coworker at current company) to tell me that his new company has an open spot. New company is a bad-****ing ass, young company, and they don't **** around with their interview process.

It would more than double my salary, and essentially be the new income floor for any job beyond this. Fantastic resume builder, but also a place I could see myself working in for years. If it knocks, an absolutely cannot pass it up.

That being said, in order to do these interviews, they've got me jumping through hoops. Just part of the process with a busy, growing company in a market where they have candidates lined up out the door.

I've taken 2 and half sick days already this month, with one day or less notice each time. They told me to come in tomorrow and meet with one of their Exec. higher ups, and I've got to fake sick AGAIN.

And then next week, I have one final meeting (hopefully!) with another higher up, and that should be a wrap. I've been told I'm the leading candidate, and the finish line is in sight.

My issue is that my current boss, who I'm cool with, has to think I'm dying of AIDS or something. I feel like a dick lying, and if for some reason I don't get this new job, I'll have a black mark by my name for being a sketchy POS. If I do get it, it will be pretty obvious I've been lying.

Anyone been through this? Advice for how to not burn a bridge or how to navigate carefully in this situation?

[Cheater5]

Seems like they're pursuing you for a reason, and sometimes when swinging for the next vine you gotta let go before there's a firm grasp. By that I mean regardless you will survive, even if it goes to shite.

Take the shot, and ask to speak with your boss. Let him know that you are pursuing an opportunity that is a definite step up in responsibility and pay. Humility and honesty goes a long way; if he's a good man he will understand that good people desire to move upward. Explain that the situation arose suddenly, and it gained momentum rapidly.

I don't know all the facts, but don't quibble any longer with the current employer. You sound like this new position is just about hemmed up, so be the dude they're hoping to get and crush the interviews and be confident.

[greatgooglymoogly]

Do what Spud did in Trainspotting - drink a milkshake, do a couple lines of cocaine and knock it out of the park.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

What kind of work do you do?

Sales, Market Growth and Strategic Partnerships

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Yo dog, " and they don't **** around with their interview process." WTF did you just describe?

Well, since this is football message board where we typically dick around, and since this isn't a formal interview with you all, I am seeking serious advice through assimilation and mirroring.

I make jokes, to earn trust, so that it breaks down barriers and people tell me their genuine thoughts while we all have a good time and share laughs.

If you must know.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Cheater5

Seems like they're pursuing you for a reason, and sometimes when swinging for the next vine you gotta let go before there's a firm grasp. By that I mean regardless you will survive, even if it goes to shite.

Take the shot, and ask to speak with your boss. Let him know that you are pursuing an opportunity that is a definite step up in responsibility and pay. Humility and honesty goes a long way; if he's a good man he will understand that good people desire to move upward. Explain that the situation arose suddenly, and it gained momentum rapidly.

I don't know all the facts, but don't quibble any longer with the current employer. You sound like this new position is just about hemmed up, so be the dude they're hoping to get and crush the interviews and be confident.

Yeah, that's that real shit.

Thanks man.

[Rain Man]

If you don't normally call in sick and you're doing it a lot, and then you come in fine in the intervening times, they probably already know that you're interviewing. Been there, observed that.

Anyway, there's not much you can do about it. If possible, you should be taking vacation days instead of sick days, because as an employer that's what would tick me off the most and cause my bridge to start burning. I recognize that you can't take vacation days impromptu in some jobs, though, and I don't know your situation.

If you get hired, you might mention this to them after a year or so of proving yourself, so it doesn't cause problems for future candidates. Your new company probably isn't thinking about it.

And as a final note, your friend can probably tell you about the culture, but as a job candidate I would make a negative note of this from a culture perspective. If they can't figure out that you have a job and are making you come in repeatedly during the middle of the day, that's really kind of rude and indicates that they aren't empathetic.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Sales, Market Growth and Strategic Partnerships

I don't know what that means. I have a fake job.

Is this the sort of field where these opportunities come up a lot? Are these sort of start up companies common? Does this new job have less stability than your current one?

What is the trade off, here?

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If you don't normally call in sick and you're doing it a lot, and then you come in fine in the intervening times, they probably already know that you're interviewing. Been there, observed that.

Anyway, there's not much you can do about it. If possible, you should be taking vacation days instead of sick days, because as an employer that's what would tick me off the most and cause my bridge to start burning. I recognize that you can't take vacation days impromptu in some jobs, though, and I don't know your situation.

If you get hired, you might mention this to them after a year or so of proving yourself, so it doesn't cause problems for future candidates. Your new company probably isn't thinking about it.

And as a final note, your friend can probably tell you about the culture, but as a job candidate I would make a negative note of this from a culture perspective. If they can't figure out that you have a job and are making you come in repeatedly during the middle of the day, that's really kind of rude and indicates that they aren't empathetic.

I wish I could use the Vacation, but too short of notice unfortunately. Either sick or no-show, so sick it is.

The culture is pretty awesome from all other angles. Yeah, this sucks, but some of it is brought on by me being extremely accommodating. I can't really say "no, lets reschedule" when this guy is flying to Europe next week; there's probably 10 of me's he could meet with, and when he asks, I will be there.

I just feel like a dick to my current job, and am pretty scared of ****ing myself should the offer not come.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Hey man, your word, not mine.













But yes, Ostrich.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Has SR sent you shoes yet?

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If they can't figure out that you have a job and are making you come in repeatedly during the middle of the day, that's really kind of rude and indicates that they aren't empathetic.

This
I was hired away from a rival company a few years ago and the first thing
I said when they contacted me was I am not doing this on my current company's time.
And don't say anything to current employer until you have offer. That is career suicide. I can't believe someone here would suggest such a thing.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

This
I was hired away from a rival company a few years ago and the first thing
I said when they contacted me was I am not doing this on my current company's time.
And don't say anything to current employer until you have offer. That is career suicide. I can't believe someone here would suggest such a thing.

me as well.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

I don't know what that means. I have a fake job.

Is this the sort of field where these opportunities come up a lot? Are these sort of start up companies common? Does this new job have less stability than your current one?

What is the trade off, here?

Its a wide, wide field, my friend. The floor is sitting in a phone farm asking people to renew their phone service, and the ceiling is major mergers and acquisitions.

Yes, opportunities come up a lot. No, not at this level, or for this type of company. It will likely be bought out within the next two years, which would mean a whole lot of money, if I have options. It also might mean i get shit-canned, but I'd land on my feet.

The trade off is that I would leave a job that pays my bills and leaves a little for fun on the weekend, where I would be comfortable yet unfulfilled and would certainly be settling. I would take a job that more than doubles my salary, would get me out of debt on the very first paycheck (only a little left!) and would allow me to save for my first house, the ring if and when, etc.... Also, perks and benefits are insane.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

This
I was hired away from a rival company a few years ago and the first thing
I said when they contacted me was I am not doing this on my current company's time.
And don't say anything to current employer until you have offer. That is career suicide. I can't believe someone here would suggest such a thing.

Yeah, wouldn't ever.

I dont really have the negotiating power to flex and say "lets deal on my time." I'm hopping the **** to.

[Dayze]

mention something like you have a responsibility at your current job, and while you're seriously interested in the position, you'd rather meet after work hours if at all possible because you have respect for your current employer. Or something like that. They might like that you take your current job seriously.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Yeah, wouldn't ever.

I dont really have the negotiating power to flex and say "lets deal on my time." I'm hopping the **** to.

Good I was worried. Good luck and just be yourself and you'll nail it.