Since I’m already half-way through the week I thought I’d stick with the Party Monster theme.
So as I said, I’ve applied for a new position at work. I had my interview yesterday. I feel it went well, but from what I understand of the interviewer, that means absolutely nothing. She has no problem making you feel all warm and fuzzy, while knowing full well that she has no intentions of hiring you. She’s done this to at least two other people I work with so far. (Yes, there’s been quite a bit of turnover in her department lately – none of it her fault – it’s a long story). One might think that knowing some of what I know of her, I might not want to work with her. My current situation is worse – there’s no need to go there. I honestly think the current issues in her department stem from the dramatic change in management styles as a result of the last few months of tumultuous turnovers. The previous supervisor was every employees dream. She didn’t take anyone’s shit, but at the same time she was someone you could easily talk to and she would have your back, or let you know why otherwise. Anyway, the new manager is far more structured, and the whole department is having trouble adjusting.
Today I’ve been in several meetings with my current boss who made it very clear to me today, that while she won’t do anything to prevent me from taking advantage of an opportunity, she’s not fond of the idea of me leaving. I can understand that. But there’s not a whole lot she can really do to keep me. She can offer me new and exciting projects. But she can’t promote me (nowhere to promote me to), and with the current budget/raise/hiring freeze, she can’t offer me a raise either. This new position would consist of both a raise and a promotion. However, I must admit the new project that was proposed today, could be exciting and interesting – something new to keep me busy. We had lunch today with one of the consultants while discussing how best to sell the idea to the upper echelon, and the consultant and I got hung up on one phrase. We were trying to emphasize the importance of knowledge retention and training in relation to the issues of an aging workforce. There’s a very specific phrase that describes it perfectly. I just could not bring it to mind. Neither could the consultant. We spent half of lunch coming back to this one phrase. Two words. Finally we both got out our blackberries to try and find out what it was. I finally found it on a blog about planning for an aging workforce.
Succession Planning. It’s a great phrase, and big wigs love it. They know it’s an issue because the bigwigs are the aging workforce and they’ve got to find someone to take their place if they want to retire soon.
Today made me miss being a consultant. I loved the constant change. I’m not the type that likes to do the same job day in and day out. I actually like sleeping in hotels, and I love sharing my specific knowledge on a topic, now that I have the experience and knowledge to share. When I was a consultant I was an entry level peon who just put all the knowledge together. Now I actually have something to contribute. Today has been a good day. I’ve been complimented on my current work, been told by my boss she doesn’t want to lose me, and contributed greatly to the brainstorming of a new big project.
Today it’s been good to be me – and that’s better than a ten-inch dick and you know it!