July 8, 2010
-
Eggs
It’s always the way. You wait for a bus for ages, and then two or three come at the same time. You look for a new job, and nothing comes for quite some time, then when you finally accept a position, there’s another one wanting you as soon as you start.
I had interviewed with a company 3 times, and been asked to go back for a 4th interview. It went seriously pear-shaped, as I bollocksed this one up. Having received a mail from the guy who wanted to be my new boss, telling me what my responsibilities at the company would be. Essentially, he wanted me there, but I had to go and see the big boss. No worries, I thought.
The big boss got me sitting down, comfortable, no tea though. I noticed that right away. Small talk preceded the meaty part of the discussion. Then he asked me, what will be the responsibilities when you join us? Oh, I know this one. I listed them off as they had been sent to me in the mail from my potential boss.
“No, you’re wrong.”
WHAT???? Are you having a proverbial laugh me old mucker?
He went on to talk to me about the most un-humble stuff ever, his experience inside the company (ok, that was impressive) and the fact that he is MBA. I’m sorry, what? Why is this relevant? Is this supposed to make me cower with fear, the fact that you are MBA? And not just once - the focus of his point from this moment on was how his MBA made him far superior to me, and that I should bow in unworthiness to his godlike status.
But from this point on, all I wanted to do was get out of there, so it was down to damage limitation. He tells me he wanted to offer me the job that day, but I have not impressed him. I asked what can I do to reassure him that I am indeed the right man for the job, and he told me to come back with the guy who would be my boss, and make the proposal together.
I sent a mail to that guy when I was home, but personal reasons meant he did not get in touch, and so when I got interviewed by another company, with an offer coming immediately, that was it. Done deal. Sorted.
And then they come back to me, 7 weeks in to the new position. The guy who would be my boss wants to talk with me, and calls me up.
“But I have a job now”
Yes… but we should talk. There are some things he wanted to know about that awful meeting, so we arranged to have a coffee in the Starcraps close to my present office. Cool – no worries. I was there early, he was there on time. Good.
So he told me that his boss was no longer a problem, and he wanted me on board. The situation was explained to me, and he agreed with me that the mention of the MBA was weird. The internal conflicts, I was assured, have been resolved. Everything is smooth for me to come on board.
The next day I received the offer letter, with the pay rise that I need to support my family. The resignation then followed, but I let the company save face by offering them the opportunity to match the deal. As the pay rise was substantial, I knew they would not counter, but face was saved, and I am out of here.
And seriously looking forward to the new job. Out of sales, back in to pure marketing, where I started my career in IT over a decade ago! Less stress, less pressure. More money. Sunny side up. And that’s the way I like it.
