A reader writes:
I’ve been in search of a job for a yr and at last accepted a hybrid function at a medium-sized start-up. I’ve been right here for per week and a half. It’s superb however issues are fairly disorganized and my supervisor retains making feedback about me in a management function quickly, which I understand an increasing number of that I don’t want.
In the course of the time between signing and beginning, I used to be contacted by one other firm (I had despatched out over 300 purposes and was nonetheless within the mode of claiming sure to each interview; I understand the respectful factor would have been to withdraw) and saved getting invited again for extra interviews. This second firm pays 30% extra, is bigger and extra established so I’ll have a chance to be taught course of lacking from my principally freelance resume), has extra sturdy product, and is absolutely distant. No brainer! Till.
The hiring supervisor of this second firm emailed to say he wished to satisfy to debate a suggestion. About half an hour earlier than the assembly, he mentioned we’d not be discussing the provide as a result of they hadn’t accomplished my references. As a substitute we’d be discussing suggestions from the interview course of. Bizarre, proper? After a perfunctory questions, he introduced up:
1) a response of mine from the interview course of (that I really don’t keep in mind) the place it appears the notion was that I don’t deal nicely with battle and simply do no matter I need
2) a time I had a “heated political dialog” … 10 years in the past once I was at school. (An individual on the hiring committee went to highschool with me, so I assume he was the supply. The hiring supervisor did a foul job convincing me in any other case. I requested the hiring supervisor for extra particulars about this decade-old dialog and when he couldn’t present them, I requested if I might contact my former classmate to make clear. He mentioned no as a result of he had not cleared speaking to me concerning the anecdote with my former classmate.)
The interview made me uncomfortable and confused. He appeared reserved and “diplomatic”: on the finish of the decision he saved saying if there have been to be a suggestion, if you have been to affix the staff…
A couple of hours later, after they had accomplished my reference checks, (I checked with them and so they all mentioned the individual they spoke with — not the hiring supervisor — particularly requested about battle with me), he emailed saying the best way I had approached the assembly and my references had made him assured I’d be an excellent staff member and when might I meet to go over the provide?
Is that this an enormous crimson flag? I’m type of starry-eyed concerning the comp and the way good the function may very well be for my profession development. What questions ought to I ask once we “go over the provide” (actually who is aware of what this assembly could be)? I’m anxious about coming off confrontational.
As a result of I used to be out of labor for thus lengthy, I would like to remain at my subsequent job for a minimum of a pair years (additionally, I’m so sick of job looking out) however I fear that I’m shifting one thing okay for one thing … possibly dangerous?
Yeah, I’d be delay too.
Why are they even establishing a gathering to make a suggestion after they haven’t completed your reference verify?
After which, slightly than rescheduling the assembly as soon as he realized the references weren’t completed, he determined to make use of that decision to dig into his obvious reservations. To be clear, if he had reservations, he ought to speak to you about them earlier than making a choice — however then why had he already arrange the provide assembly within the first place? I believe the reservations have been someplace behind his head and he initially hadn’t deliberate to observe up on them, however then when he had a name with you and no provide to make, he figured he may as nicely ask. It comes throughout weirdly to you because the candidate, however okay, I can see how he bought there.
However asking a few “heated political dialog” from 10 years in the past?! If it was heated since you have been saying issues that have been, say, racist or homophobic or in any other case bigoted, I can see why he’d be involved about bringing you into their office. However in any other case … actually? That’s A Lot. And I’m not thrilled about you taking a job the place the supervisor may have already got a chip on his shoulder about you, and could be more likely to see each minor battle by means of an already biased lens.
As for whether or not these are enormous crimson flags … nicely, they’re not inexperienced ones, that’s for positive. I don’t suppose you’re in “run like hell” territory, however it could be good to get extra info.
One factor you possibly can do is solely ask him head-on within the subsequent dialog, “I used to be shocked while you requested a few political dialog from a decade in the past, and I questioned should you might inform me extra concerning the concern in your finish so I’m not strolling right into a scenario the place I won’t perceive all of the dynamics in play.”
However in your sneakers, I’d need to collect a lot of intel about what this supervisor is like, from sources apart from him. Can you’re employed your community to seek out individuals who have labored with him and get the low-down? If that’s unimaginable, you possibly can strive asking to satisfy a number of folks on the staff, though that’s not as dependable (since folks at present working for him usually received’t be as candid as individuals who aren’t). What you be taught from doing that’s more likely to both make you’re feeling extra snug shifting ahead or make it clear that you just shouldn’t take a suggestion from this man.