OT Assessing a new job opportunity

[ECFENCING]

I recently received an offer to work for a major consulting firm with a substantial pay increase and of course it goes without saying a serious commitment to more hours.

It's such a tough decision since I've been accustomed to the flexibility afforded to me during my 8 year tenure with my current employer.

During the interview process we're on our best behavior and often times it's difficult to determine how the work environment will be like i.e. how do people respond under pressure, will you be made a scapegoat for a mistake etc...

Has anyone after they have received an offer asked for additional interviews with members of the team you have not interviewed with or for that matter asked to discuss the position in greater detail in a more casual environment?

Furthermore do you think it's a good idea to even mention it to your boss to see what the reaction would be?

Ultimately it comes down to a "gut" decision.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[inkblue]

...i usuaLLy check out vault.com and see what their empLoyees are sayiNg about them :happysad::smoker::shhh:

 

[ECFENCING]

ink:

Thx bro. I forgot about that site. I think though you have to have a subscription if you want to view comments made in the past. Otherwise you can only view recent comments or a selection of comments the site chooses to display to whet your appetite.

I'll check it out.

 

[House of Laughter]

E,

The appropriate answer to your questions is "it depends".

It is mostly going to depend on what level job you are being offered and typically there are other non-meeting indicators that show how people relate to their job and the people they work for. I always observe what people are doing as I walk in and walk out, the rooms, cubes etc and how people take ownership of them etc. this is a small indicator, but one nonetheless.

If this is a more senior position, who gives a $hit, cause if you are not happy with people on your team, dump them and bring in somene you can rely on. If it is not as much a senior level position, I think asking the staff for an interview would be a mistep. Key here is to not burn bridges cause in the time you take to assess what the new work environment is, your old position will stillm be available and you cna go back with a "what was I thinking" position.

JMO

House

 

[ECFENCING]

House

Thx for your response. The position is at the Manager level. I'd be responsible for managing the staff but wouldn't have much say as to whether they stay or go. Plus in a way I'd be second guessing my potential boss if I did that.

I don't think it's a wise move to discuss the opportunity with my boss since it could backfire and cause resentment amongst others in the group if the word got out I was looking.

Nonetheless one always has a confidant (sp?) at work and I've been discussing this opportunity with him. He's been around the block for many years and his advice was to "kick" it up the chain to see if they would match. I have reservations about that but due to the recent turnover in our department it could work to my advantage.

Real question is whether it's worth the extra dollars and sacrifice of travelling and missing family. Tough to gauge. I think I have to get out of the city. Quality of life is more important than dollars at this point.

 

[ezee]

ECFENCING,

It almost seems as if you answered you own question. Sounds like part of you is telling you to stay put or use the offer as leverage to get a better package at your current position, as opposed to seriously considering the offer. If you do decide to "kick it up" I would carefully evaluate the probabilty of a match situation. If you don't think it is highly likely, I would not mention it and either stay put or give standard notice.

BTW, the Vault is a great site (love it!) but sometimes it weighs a little heavier on the negative side.

E

 

[alrha]

shouldnt someone move this to the nudibar?

 

[ezee]

Albert,

shouldnt someone move this to the nudibar?

Good point!

E

 

[Missy Johnson]

EC - IMHO - never good to accept a counter...period (I assume that's what you mean by 'kick it up a notch.') I do not have any personal experience - however it only makes sense that even if your current employer (reluctantly) offered to match or meet your new offer halfway - he's going to feel like you strong-armed him into it and obviously question your loyalty.

As for guaging the workplace environment of your potential new employer - I have in the past asked for a 'lunch interview' to meet with a few people that I would be working with and that preferably worked together - just to see the dynamics. I think employees are more likely to 'let their hair down' in a more casual setting such as this - and you can get a better feel as to how they interact and feel about each other. You could certainly request this as 'a chance to get a better understanding of the culture' to see if you would fit in. Firms LOVE to boast about their culture and again IMHO they would be flattered that you want to see if it is a good fit for you.

M

 

[Doc]

There is an article in this month's Money magazine about just this and how to play it. You could accept the offer of a counter, but know that more will be expected of you.

Doc