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.