Already broke the news on chat, but I got a phone call yesterday that I was the accepted candidate for the job at the makerspace I applied to. Doing general admin work and help keeping the project running. I fucking hated the hiring process. The CV and motivation letter writing was okay - it was an exercise I haven't done in a while and got a lot out of doing that step. Interview was a bit unsettling, but it was fine. But then there was a second follow up interview, and i then had to write them a summary of what i said in the follow up since most of the board was not able to attend that one. And then they spent 20 days deciding who is the right candidate. Nevermind the fact I know all of the people involved, some of them quite closely. It made me acutely aware of the fact I really hate leaving decisions that affect me into someone else's hands. I legit thought of pulling out my candidature before getting an answer, just to get my agency back. The waiting game was torture. It also made me think about how I would handle things if I was rejected. And I don't know because it practically never happened. School applications or jobs, I only ever apply to one and get in. Which makes me wonder if it's because I only play it super safe? Or that I just know very well what I want? Or that i'm a dumbass for not playing the field and evaluating my options more broadly? Maybe it's something I need to re-evaluate and do differently in the future. But it's a little hard to change when my current strategy has generally served me well and I have no way of knowing what I might have missed out on.
Well now you know one of the first things you can do at your new job: help them improve the hiring process so it isn't so stupid. Even just a 1-page document that defines the steps and the timeline within which each step should be completed, will help keep these things on track and give your next co-worker a better experience.
From what I understand, the process was so involved and long because the board could not decide - and they kept meeting to discuss/deliberate. That's also why there was a second interview too. They have also hired a part-time accounting person, and it seems the process was a lot easier since the choice was a lot clearer. I think it's just a function of making decisions with 7 people around the table. The cool thing is that I get to re-negotiate my contract in 7 months. So I get to leave if I feel I've learned enough and am ready to move on. And also will have leverage to negociate more pay/vacations if they feel i do good work and they're too lazy to go through a hiring nightmare again.
Congratulations, e! Ugh. The story of the hiring process is frustrating. Even if it was difficult to decide on one person, I almost feel the hiring committee should have stuck to their original asks and made a decision. It is exhausting for applicants to have to go through unexpected and unplanned additional interviews/essays etc, and a bit unfair. I hope the job is satisfying. I would be honest that I do think it’s hard to play the one and done application game, mainly because if you are rejected that’s so much time you’ve lost. When you have multiple plays in the game, your risk is a bit lower. Not everything riding on one thing. Maybe that would help with your feelings of agency too. When you only had one app out you really are dependent on that one job and their decision. But when you have multiple apps out, the focus is difused and you have multiple chances to “get in the game.” Just something to consider if it might help you feel more in control of things. I hope it goes well! From another e.
For sure - diversifying the investments is the way to go. I tried, but in all honesty there are not many jobs out there interest me. The appeal of this job specifically is the people I'd be working with. Without it, I'm getting decent enough government money right now that I can keep focussing on projects/the non-profit and not worry about not getting paid. I wasn't going into it thinking I needed a job. I was loobying for part-time and/or lots of vacation time from the start (which I guess is not something you want to hear from a hire.) I can't blame them too much, since it was the first hiring process and many (most?) people there have never been part of a board. I think they know they fucked up, because they were apologetic about the process. It worries me about their future decision-making abilities a little, but fuck it. I think what I've learned from dealing with them is to avoid asking their opinions/permission for doing things, if I can reasonably justify my actions. They're terribly over-cautious and risk averse for such a young and innovative project. I guess because of the weight of responsibilities on their shoulders? Things can probably go wrong really fast in a building full of tools and equipment and no real surveillance of members.
I'm late to the pub. It's been the wildest 10 days I can remember. So much good. So much tragedy. So much everything. - My boss was fired. I still don't know why, but I now report to the CEO on an interim basis. Good for my career? sure.. until it isn't. Good for my boss who happens to be a friend? not so much. - Some amazing family time over the holiday weekend. Nothing monumental - just those unscheduled moments where kids get along and we all laugh and you wish you could just bottle the love in the room. - a friend and coworker passed away abruptly and unexpectedly. Younger than 30. No known health conditions. No hint of fowl play. She was a rare soul. One of those people who had a finger on the pulse of how people were doing and would randomly slack you and say things like "I love you, that's all". She started a gorilla movement at work called "operation happy peeps" where she teamed up with creative people and makers around the company to donate things that she would include in gift bags that she would then drive all over Denver delivering. It'd be things like 3D printed fidget cubes, artwkork, jewelry, raw honey, candy, or gag gifts from the dollar store. The idea being that it didn't have to be much to help someone have a better day. Guy on my team fighting his third round of cancer? gift bag. Lady who had foot surgery? gift bag! Random dude she just thought might need a pick-me-up? GIFT BAG. She also was the resident dog-rescue-coordinator. not an official title by any means - but she would be the first to pick up on someone's hint of wanting a pup and start putting them in touch with local shelters and rescue agencies. She was... the best of us. -the crypto rollercoaster has been a fountain of emotional cues. -I snuck my wife away for our anniversary to a historic hotel and we had spa treatments and room service and luxury and it was amazing. -I've been eating different. I'm not really doing it to lose weight... I'm doing it to feel better and holy cow... night and day. -I’m on the board for my kids school and we just made an unpopular decision to break with our school district in return to in-person learning (for now). It’s taken 80% of my day to respond to angry parents. That’s what I get. lots of highs and lows. lots of everything. I love you all hubski.
Hey man, glad to hear of the highs, and accept the lows when/on your own time. That’s a bit of a brainfuck about the coworker. And good luck with those angry parents. Remember that no matter what decision you made, people would’ve been unhappy. I’m rootin’ for ya! Talk soon.
Ever since my parents and sister got vaccinated, my stress level has gone down dramatically. I knew I was stressed about them and COVID, but I don't think I really realized how stressed I was. I'm also switching into Project Mode again around the house. Now that we get brief breaks of sunshine, I'm looking at my tools and wanted to tear into stuff... installing a pocket door for the downstairs bedroom... resurfacing the deck and building a new railing... finishing laying the pavers for the patio... tilling up the front yard and getting it ready for planter boxes... Gettin' itchy...
My custom RC car is complete. Post-covid, I am going to take it to a track. Has anyone here used Clubhouse? Obviously, it's all the hype. I keep meaning to try it, but as far as I understand it, I am not terribly motivated to. I can't really set time aside for it, and I have my doubts that jumping on at any particular moment will be time well spent.
Looks awesome! I've been waiting for an invite but frankly I'm not sure it's my thing either. I'm interested but I'm not totally sure when I'd use it over Discord - maybe it's just demographic / audience differences? Looks like I'm more likely to find SV-types in Clubhouse?
I'm feeling both fortunate and stressed lately; I've been far over-stretching myself at work because I'm stuck in this mindset that it's irresponsible to say no to work in this climate yet I think I have to. I'm barely keeping up with my social and business obligations as is. IDK how people do it - I have to work so much to stay afloat; yet by the time I'm done for the day I've no energy to actually go experience life with my fianceé outside of just chilling out leaving my feeling guilty. By the time the weekend comes I'm wanting nothing more than a day of doing nothing. But it's not all bad! I'm finally making enough to not be exhausting my savings, I'm living with the love of my life and my best friend, my work is looking like it's really going to pay off if I keep at it; I'm loving every part of it except for the actual day-to-day grind of it all.
Also I found a sticker in the wild! This was outside Dooky Chase in New Orleans while waiting in line for forever. (Actually this was 2017 but I never shared)
I ran 16 times and 50 miles in February, which is right in line with my goal. For March the goal will be ~65 miles, 19 runs. I think somebody fixed the formatting in this post for me. glares suspiciously I know it was you, mk It is funny, getting used to the south. I have a friend who really, really wants to be close friends with me and sometimes she does things which turn me off but which I believe are really just part of the hallmarks of southern hospitality — there’s a lot of offering of food and such — and I’m certainly getting my practice in saying the word s “no, thanks,” firmly but nicely. It’s good practice for just about anyone, I think. I found this podcast called Radio Rental. true stories of crazy, weird, scary experiences people have had. Most of the stories or at least some have been sourced for Reddit. There’s only 12 episodes and I was hooked right away. I have one left! I have been arting quite a bit. I finished the hobbit and now I’m rereading the Kahnemann. After that I may go to LOTR, or — the sandman graphic novels 1-3 AND swamp thing 1 are both in the free kindle library. I might have mentioned a while back I have an idea for a second issue of my Transcendental Realty comic. I think doing some research by revisiting some great comics is definitely required, right? Hope y’all are well! Spring is coming.
My big accomplishment for the week honestly. Had to make the sauce twice because I burned the first batch due to an unplanned involuntary nap. This and putting the garage in order. Now we can park in it again. Tomorrow we go up north for our first "vacation" in over a year to a friend's cabin on the lake for a few nights. Hoping for a storm to watch it roll in over the water through their picture window. My phone case smells like parmesan.
This song always evokes a visceral reaction from me, Hoodwink’d is kind of a formative album for me. I wouldn’t say I’m depressed, but I also wouldn’t say I’m doing great mentally these past few weeks. I’m not sure what triggered this yet, but I’m in a state of some level of disengagement from...almost everything. I’m managing a team of 130 or so employees and getting great results but feeling burnt out from my entirely non routine hours, each day is in and out at different hours, and have a counterpart on our day shift who does not work remotely similar to the way I work. Frustrating. Outside I’m just ready to get back to exploring the mountains, myself, and trying to do some hard and fun things. Things are more frustrating than fun right now and that’s not healthy, but spring is around the corner...despite skiing 20 days so far this season it has felt like half the amount I would have liked. Being a multi sport athlete is something I’m still figuring out. Was behind a large funeral today on the way to work. Three motorcycle cops, three limos, and a good half mile of cars. Guess somebody important must have died? Too bad we don’t all get that kind of send off.