It’s no secret that I’ve been on a job search lately. This job search is taking me to Richmond and parts of central Virginia as well as locally here in Baltimore and Washington. I believe I don’t have to resort to CareerBuilder or Monster to find the job I’m looking for, but it’s a challenge sometimes.
Sometimes you just seem to find the right match and everything goes perfectly. The conversations flow. The chemistry is kicking. Everything seems to work out well and when you leave, the person makes a promise, “Thanks for coming by Aaron. You’ll hear from us next week”. Believing that there is no one else in town who can do the job you do and can match the personality the way you do, you take this promise at face value and believe that, indeed, the promise made will be the promise kept.
When weeks go by and you have not heard from the party even in the form, “We don’t think you’re a fit for us”, anger and frustration begin to set in. One wonders if said party even would stand a chance if they came back and made an offer. The disrespect paid by failing to communicate and assuming that you would be available to them later is nuts, but some people are just that way.
I’ve determined that I will not hear from the folks on 33rd street despite being led to believe that I would. It’s really a shame as they really won’t find anyone else in Baltimore who can do what I can do for them. I suppose that’s arrogant. I just call it confidence and I’ll keep looking.
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Mike 04.14.06 at 9:33 am
Aaron,
Sometimes confidence does come across as being arrogant and can be a turn off to a hiring manager… You’re very good at what you do, but remember it’s not just your skills they look at… How they determine you will fit in an existing team can be a big make or break factor…
Mike 04.14.06 at 9:33 am
Aaron,
Sometimes confidence does come across as being arrogant and can be a turn off to a hiring manager… You’re very good at what you do, but remember it’s not just your skills they look at… How they determine you will fit in an existing team can be a big make or break factor…
Mike 04.14.06 at 9:33 am
Aaron,
Sometimes confidence does come across as being arrogant and can be a turn off to a hiring manager… You’re very good at what you do, but remember it’s not just your skills they look at… How they determine you will fit in an existing team can be a big make or break factor…
Mike 04.14.06 at 10:41 am
I forgot to mention… The BoSox have lost 2 to in a row to Toronto and now have the Yankees one game back… The BoSox are heading into a long and disastrous season…
Mike 04.14.06 at 10:41 am
I forgot to mention… The BoSox have lost 2 to in a row to Toronto and now have the Yankees one game back… The BoSox are heading into a long and disastrous season…
Mike 04.14.06 at 10:41 am
I forgot to mention… The BoSox have lost 2 to in a row to Toronto and now have the Yankees one game back… The BoSox are heading into a long and disastrous season…
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:43 am
Next time, try turning the tables on them and arranging that you’re going to make the follow up call instead of waiting for them. Something along the lines of “when can I call you to follow up on this” or similar. Waiting for a call that never comes is the worst, I’ve been there too.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:43 am
Next time, try turning the tables on them and arranging that you’re going to make the follow up call instead of waiting for them. Something along the lines of “when can I call you to follow up on this” or similar. Waiting for a call that never comes is the worst, I’ve been there too.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:43 am
Next time, try turning the tables on them and arranging that you’re going to make the follow up call instead of waiting for them. Something along the lines of “when can I call you to follow up on this” or similar. Waiting for a call that never comes is the worst, I’ve been there too.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:45 am
Hey I understand that, Mike… trust me. I realize that I can come across as arrogant at times. In this case, I know for a fact that they cannot find someone who has all the desired qualities in the Baltimore area. Baltimore is a blue-collar town with tech folks that are in the government service industry. Washington is like that too, but the kinds of folks that are being sought after in this case could very likely be found in Northern Virginia. But they want Baltimore and the landscape is narrow.
In this case, they wanted someone who would work hand in hand with them, not someone who would sit back and take direction. They wanted someone who could lead and be proactive, not someone who would wait to be led. A person with these qualities would have to be confident in what they were doing, in the experience they have and the job that can be done. If this is arrogant, so be it.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:45 am
Hey I understand that, Mike… trust me. I realize that I can come across as arrogant at times. In this case, I know for a fact that they cannot find someone who has all the desired qualities in the Baltimore area. Baltimore is a blue-collar town with tech folks that are in the government service industry. Washington is like that too, but the kinds of folks that are being sought after in this case could very likely be found in Northern Virginia. But they want Baltimore and the landscape is narrow.
In this case, they wanted someone who would work hand in hand with them, not someone who would sit back and take direction. They wanted someone who could lead and be proactive, not someone who would wait to be led. A person with these qualities would have to be confident in what they were doing, in the experience they have and the job that can be done. If this is arrogant, so be it.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:45 am
Hey I understand that, Mike… trust me. I realize that I can come across as arrogant at times. In this case, I know for a fact that they cannot find someone who has all the desired qualities in the Baltimore area. Baltimore is a blue-collar town with tech folks that are in the government service industry. Washington is like that too, but the kinds of folks that are being sought after in this case could very likely be found in Northern Virginia. But they want Baltimore and the landscape is narrow.
In this case, they wanted someone who would work hand in hand with them, not someone who would sit back and take direction. They wanted someone who could lead and be proactive, not someone who would wait to be led. A person with these qualities would have to be confident in what they were doing, in the experience they have and the job that can be done. If this is arrogant, so be it.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:46 am
Yeah Peter… I’ve followed up with them already.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:46 am
Yeah Peter… I’ve followed up with them already.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:46 am
Yeah Peter… I’ve followed up with them already.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:48 am
They wouldn’t even lay it out on the table when you called? That sucks.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:48 am
They wouldn’t even lay it out on the table when you called? That sucks.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:48 am
They wouldn’t even lay it out on the table when you called? That sucks.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:52 am
I sent an email after several weeks of waiting looking for a status. They came back with something about still being in the search mode. At the time I took that to be a “We are still interviewing but will be in touch.” Weeks later, I take that as “We don’t really want to hire you”.
In fairness, it could be a “We are still waiting on funding to cme through” but communication to that effect would go a long way.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:52 am
I sent an email after several weeks of waiting looking for a status. They came back with something about still being in the search mode. At the time I took that to be a “We are still interviewing but will be in touch.” Weeks later, I take that as “We don’t really want to hire you”.
In fairness, it could be a “We are still waiting on funding to cme through” but communication to that effect would go a long way.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:52 am
I sent an email after several weeks of waiting looking for a status. They came back with something about still being in the search mode. At the time I took that to be a “We are still interviewing but will be in touch.” Weeks later, I take that as “We don’t really want to hire you”.
In fairness, it could be a “We are still waiting on funding to cme through” but communication to that effect would go a long way.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:54 am
Ah, I see. Well, don’t rule out the possibility that they’re just completely disorganized and don’t realize the effect it’s having on you. But, you’re right not to wait for them, plenty of other opportunities.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:54 am
Ah, I see. Well, don’t rule out the possibility that they’re just completely disorganized and don’t realize the effect it’s having on you. But, you’re right not to wait for them, plenty of other opportunities.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:54 am
Ah, I see. Well, don’t rule out the possibility that they’re just completely disorganized and don’t realize the effect it’s having on you. But, you’re right not to wait for them, plenty of other opportunities.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:56 am
Yeah and if they are reading this (strong possibility) a simple email explaining your position would be the cordial thing to do.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:56 am
Yeah and if they are reading this (strong possibility) a simple email explaining your position would be the cordial thing to do.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 10:56 am
Yeah and if they are reading this (strong possibility) a simple email explaining your position would be the cordial thing to do.
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:57 am
Certainly would be. Yep. I was kinda wondering if that’s why you made this post. ;)
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:57 am
Certainly would be. Yep. I was kinda wondering if that’s why you made this post. ;)
Peter T Davis 04.14.06 at 10:57 am
Certainly would be. Yep. I was kinda wondering if that’s why you made this post. ;)
Mike 04.14.06 at 10:59 am
Peter has a good point regarding the organization being disorganized, or they may have set a date or a number of candidates they want to interview before making a decision… But, they most likely don’t give a Shit… I’ve been there many times… Go in and have a great interview and leave with a very positive feeling and never hear from them again…
By the way whats up with the Northrop position?
Mike 04.14.06 at 10:59 am
Peter has a good point regarding the organization being disorganized, or they may have set a date or a number of candidates they want to interview before making a decision… But, they most likely don’t give a Shit… I’ve been there many times… Go in and have a great interview and leave with a very positive feeling and never hear from them again…
By the way whats up with the Northrop position?
Mike 04.14.06 at 10:59 am
Peter has a good point regarding the organization being disorganized, or they may have set a date or a number of candidates they want to interview before making a decision… But, they most likely don’t give a Shit… I’ve been there many times… Go in and have a great interview and leave with a very positive feeling and never hear from them again…
By the way whats up with the Northrop position?
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 11:05 am
What NG position? I’m still here…
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 11:05 am
What NG position? I’m still here…
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 11:05 am
What NG position? I’m still here…
Mike 04.14.06 at 11:14 am
Yeah, I know… Things not working out or are you sick of the commute?
Mike 04.14.06 at 11:14 am
Yeah, I know… Things not working out or are you sick of the commute?
Mike 04.14.06 at 11:14 am
Yeah, I know… Things not working out or are you sick of the commute?
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 11:15 am
The commute is great. I work a minute from home. I’m just tired of doing this kind of job. Looking for something more challenging. Something smaller. Startup like.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 11:15 am
The commute is great. I work a minute from home. I’m just tired of doing this kind of job. Looking for something more challenging. Something smaller. Startup like.
Aaron Brazell 04.14.06 at 11:15 am
The commute is great. I work a minute from home. I’m just tired of doing this kind of job. Looking for something more challenging. Something smaller. Startup like.
Stacie 04.14.06 at 11:30 am
I would love to find something more challenging, but Baltimore is a gov market for web designers. Else, they want someone with JSP knowledge and Flash, both of which I have little of. I can manage, but without management in my title, sort of a hinderance. Hang in there.
Stacie
Stacie 04.14.06 at 11:30 am
I would love to find something more challenging, but Baltimore is a gov market for web designers. Else, they want someone with JSP knowledge and Flash, both of which I have little of. I can manage, but without management in my title, sort of a hinderance. Hang in there.
Stacie
Stacie 04.14.06 at 11:30 am
I would love to find something more challenging, but Baltimore is a gov market for web designers. Else, they want someone with JSP knowledge and Flash, both of which I have little of. I can manage, but without management in my title, sort of a hinderance. Hang in there.
Stacie
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