Re: First time for everything

Subject: Re: First time for everything
From: Ned Bedinger <doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com>
To: vrfour -at- verizon -dot- net
Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 00:40:38 -0800

James Barrow wrote:

Hello All,

Hi Jim, my comments are embedded below.
<snip>
Although I received an application and disclosure form from my current
employer's HR department, and have verbally accepted my manager's offer of
full time, I have procrastinated in sending the application back to HR.
Why? Well, although the compensation that I was offered is good, last week
was the Week of Personality Conflicts. I began to wonder if I really wanted
to work in that environment.
You don't sound like you especially need this job as a career move or skill builder. I'll assume that you could opt out without undue regrets.

At the same time, I received two calls from recruiters regarding job
positions in the same industry. The pay range for both of these positions
are significantly more than what I was offered from my current employer.
Sig.nif...i.cant.ly.

Nice timing. Can I assume that you're well-qualified in your industry and that your industry snaps up qualified tech writers? Or are we proceeding on the assumption that these are 'just recruiter calls' with unknown odds that they'll take you to the next level?

To keep my options open, I authorized the recruiters that called to submit
me to the client companies.

I suppose that some recruiters or their corporate clients wouldn't appreciate you taking this step if you're not more or less interested in an offer. But of course that's the cost of doing business, and you sound like a straight shooter, so as far as I can tell you've still got your integrity.

As an FYI, I have completed the project that I was originally hired for.
That being said, here is Jim's short list of ethical dilemmas questions:


1. Since the last thing I told my manager before he left to work
off-site was that I accepted his offer of full time, I'm guessing that later
refusing that offer AND submitting my resignation would burn this bridge.
Everyone concur? Disagree?


Nope, but you know better than I how flexible or inflexible your worksite manager is--the fact that you appear a bit worried about it suggests to me that you're working with someone who occupies primarily the serious-minded axis, to whom a deal is a deal, and who might not be happy for you or accepting of your decision, especially when you reveal that your changing fortunes have caused you to rethink your commitment.

If you hold your jaw just right and google this list for phrases like "burning your bridges" I expect that you'll find some well-founded advice about how a contractor can best leave a job without creating any waves, and there may be some discussion of "Why." It is a survival skill. IIRC, advice you find in the archives will run strongly toward using diplomatic tact, to the exclusion of any explanations beyond "I've found an opportunity that I want to take."

I would advise you to leave the truth about your change of mind buried in the sub-subtext when you do this. Your instincts should be telling you the facts that you and your boss need to bridge. It is all virtually self-reconciling: " I was hired to do what I did and now I am done. I've changed my mind about staying and I know why, but I don't intend to elaborate on that, so if there are any issues, you can reach me through my agency, and now I'll be moving on." You get the idea?

2. Has anyone here refused a full time offer and opted to remain as a
contractor?

Not lately myself, but where contracting opportunities are manifold, it is common practice.

3. If I do refuse the full time offer to work for another company, have
I violated any sort of ethics? I mean, I did complete the project that I
was hired for.


4. Although I believe that honesty is the best policy, what the heck am
I going to tell my manager is the reason for declining his offer *and*
resigning? I really don't think it's appropriate to discuss the personality
conflicts I mentioned above (makes me sound like a whiner)

Diplomatic tact is your best bet. I can't offer you better advice unless you going to reveal something pretty drastic that you've withheld from the discussion so far.

5. What should I tell my current recruiter (since I actually work for
him)?

They hear it all the time: "I've found a new opportunity that I want to take." If you're on good terms, they'll want to keep it that way so you'll come work for them again. You're not screwing anyone over, are you? I'd say you're not, not based on what I think you've told us so far. So let business be business and you'll be pretty much off the hook as far as any potential interpersonal drama goes, when you resign. You're not being treacherous toward your bosses. Stay cool.

6. What should I tell the perspective employers if/when I have the
respective interviews? You know the standard question: "Why did you leave
your last employer?"

You finished the contract, and you wanted to find a position like this one you're applying for. Really? Yes, really.

Believe me when I say that I am fairly able to deal with just about anybody,
but last week was a nightmare. Imagine every
quirky/arrogant/abrasive/obnoxious co-worker you've ever had the displeasure
to work with, and that was what last week was like for me.

OK, now you've done it. One bad week is not much of a reason to bolt from a gig where they like your work and you're content with the pay. Are you saying this co-worker went off on you instead of welcoming you to the club? Like, they set up a big blaster by your desk at 6 AM (when you do your best work) and blared "A little bit of Monica in my life, a little bit of ..." all morning as if you wasn't even there? I had a co-worker who did stuff like that. Is that the magnitude of the indignity you're talking about?

Your comments are appreciated,

Oh sure, I've seen how you handle commitment.

Heh heh. :-)

Jim


***********************************************

Subveni, Domine! Habemus aliam felem!
(Lord help us! We have another cat!)



--Ned "Not a cat person."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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First time for everything: From: James Barrow

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