WP: Need help talking to a guy

[somebabiesmom]

In 2 hours, I'm going to chat with someone about a position they have open on their team. Mostly I need to see if they would be open to someone working offsite, if it would be a lateral move or a step up, possibly their policies with regard to flexible hours (I work a 4/10 schedule and have a lot of flexibility in when I come and go), and the possibility of advancement (without relocating). I also want to sell myself a little bit, b/c I just started working on the team in a PT, temp position. I'm a couple hairs shy of their qualifications, but I won't be by the time the rotation is done.

Of the issues I mentioned above, is there anything I shouldn't mention right off the bat? Should I discuss with him if it would be an issue for me to go FT, permanent and leave the PT, temp position behind (if it's replaced, it wouldn't be replaced until October). Is there anything else I should ask? I've been training with him, so we've covered a lot of questions about the position.

Anyhoo. I have just under 2 hours. If you have any advice, I'm all ears.

[CoverGirl82]

I would definitely ask about FT permanent status and if it's lateral or a step up. If the work site and flexibility are something you would decline a job offer over, then I would ask about those as well.

Good luck!!

[frozenpeas]

If he's the manager & decisions don't need to be made during this conversation, I wouldn't push my needs at this point (remote work, flexibility). Maybe just ask if anyone is currently doing that, assuming you don't know. Instead, use this time to get any remaining questions about the work answered and to showcase yourself as the ideal candidate. If he really wants you on the team, he may put in effort to make your requirements work. If you bring them up before he knows he wants you, you run the risk of him saying no without giving them any thought.

The more info you get on the position, the better chance you'll have of showing him how being offsite/flexing hours/whatever will fit well with the role.

[saraml13]

So I think you want to sell him on you and get him hooked before you have too many "asks", but you also want to figure out if this is worth your time pursuing or if it just won't work out.

I'd start the discussion around the role, what he's looking for, and what you bring to it. Then I'd bring up the job level and advancement path. If the discussion goes well I'd ask about location/remote and maybe general flexibility. I would probably wait until a later discussion to bring up specific schedules (4/10) and logistics of the PT role.

[2chatter]

Make this all about him and his role. Ask general questions about the team and structure but don't start any sentences with I that aren't about your experience. In other words, don't ask for things today. Find out information. Ask things like how many team
Members, their backgrounds, how long they have been on the team, prospects of promotion and to where from within the team, site locations...And ask about the role - what are the key needs, gaps in the role in the past, expected challenges, possible stretch assignments, cross collaboration across teams....

[somebabiesmom]

Quick update: it went well. I followed your (collectively) advice to focus on him and the team and keep talk about the logistics to a minimum (except for whether they were open to an offsite person). I was definitely more direct than I needed to be, but he seemed to appreciate it. I got a lot of info and it sounds like being offsite is going to be a big hurdle. :\

Either way, I applied.

[somebabiesmom]

One more question: do I notify my current boss that I applied for another position within the same company? And if not, is there any point (short of being hired) when I would tell him?

[mommyatty]

I think it depends on your company culture, but I always tell. Best case your boss advocates for you, worst case your boss is pissy about the prospect of losing you.

[somebabiesmom]

The culture here is that we're the redheaded stepchild of our company - meaning that it's exceedingly rare that anyone from here ever applies for a position "on the main island" and my chances of being hired are pretty slim. I'm inclined not to unless I get some exceedingly positive vibes that I'm being considered.