Wait

Monday morning means get the trash out to the curb. For the first time, I let Bruno “run free” while I gathered up the trash. We’re pretty sure that he wasn’t trained to stay in a yard so being off leash is a bit of a risk. Our neighborhood is a closed community so there aren’t racing vehicles (usually) to worry about but there are lots of other dogs and Bruno can’t resist a visit. He knows his name but he also knows when to play deaf. I got the trash out to the curb with Bruno by my side and he knew that he was free. He was giddy and full of excitement. I've been training him to the word "wait" rather than stay. He's getting pretty good about it. I use wait to signal waiting for the street to clear before crossing it and to help him calm down while I get his meal prepared. Today I reminded him to wait while I positioned the trash. When I finished, we walked to the next house and then I had to get him hooked up to the leash. Why tempt fate? We did an extended version of our Ravinia route and that meant he would get scents that he rarely smells. It was a very slow walk.

It’s Monday of the longest week ever. Last Wednesday I was selected to participate in a written interview for a VP of Marketing position in Deerfield, Ill. It isn’t unusual to interview in writing when the position has large writing demands. The email instructions were clear about how to answer the questions and to whom to reply. I did my research first and learned that the person receiving the replies is the President and CEO of the company. Nice! Generally these replies go to HR first but this was a very welcome surprise because the position reports directly to this man. Again, nice! The deadline to reply is Feb. 3 but I’ve already sent mine in. I really enjoyed the questions….tell us three things about yourself so that we may get to know you better……what about the position is most exciting……we’re passionate about what we do – are you and why? There were a few others but these kinds of questions really get my creative juices flowing. If you know me personally, you know how revved up and passionate I can be about things. It was a nice break from the waiting game. I spent most of the day Friday writing and rewriting.

My interview on Thursday went well. I drove two hours for a 45 minute interview. Being a government position, their portion was very structured. I was asked precisely five questions with a time limit to answer them. Then it was my turn. I always bring two pages of questions with me (not solid type – about 24 questions in total with plenty of space to write my notes) that help me better understand the position, the expectations, and get a clearer picture of the company and its culture. Usually half of the questions get answered through the interview process but these are questions I really do want answered so I write them down. You never know how the conversation is going to go. What I find interesting is that more than half of the time, the person(s) interviewing me are either amused or surprised by my two pages of questions. I learned that this was very important years and years ago so doesn’t everyone do this? Well, maybe not two pages but don't they bring at least six to 10 questions?

I got home from the interview just before the evening news. Doc is technologically “impaired” so he watches the 5:30pm and 6pm news. Thursday I used the time to catch up on email from the day away and to get my news fix. I find it humorous that I can give him quick snippets of the news before he sees it. He doesn’t mind. In going through my email that day, one article grabbed my attention. “The Three Questions You Should Always Ask When Interviewing for a Job.” I didn’t assume that I knew them so I looked at the article. Two were familiar and ones I use: “Why is this position open?” and “What are the next steps in the process?” But the third one is fabulous and I wish I had had it in my repertoire before now. “Can you tell me what my first day, week, and month will look like?” The question is designed to help the candidate better understand the orientation process and any training that will take place. Think of it…you’d know how well prepared the company is to welcome you and help you fit into the organization. I remember starting one position and after two hours with HR completing the necessary forms and such, I was taken to an office and told, “OK, now do what it is that you do.” Funny! Like I was a magician. But then again, sometimes in very conservative industries, marketing people look like magicians or at the very least we’re the odd man out. It was that experience that taught me to be prepared to orient myself to the organization if they don’t.

In the time I’ve been writing this post, some of my waiting is over. I received an email from one of my opportunities apologizing and saying that the position has been put on hold, they’ll let me know if/when they can go forward with the process. OK, I’ve heard this before. That left four opportunities until I read the second email saying they’re behind in the process and are re-configuring the timeline. So, I’m not in but I’m not out, either. This type of email is rare but I appreciate it. When you don’t hear from an employer after you’ve interviewed and followed up, you’re left wondering what happened? I realize that HR is swamped with the process but not knowing where you stand is frustrating. I hate to bug them but I need to continue to follow up if it’s a position I really want and if I don’t know what’s happening on the inside, my follow up can work against me.

I’d really like to see this process come to an end this week. I’d have to change my blog.