Next stop: Emperor :-)

[morsla]

I was compared to Napoleon by my work supervisor today. It kept me grinning for the rest of the afternoon.

We were discussing a job that I planned to apply for, but (on the advice of 2/3 of my Referees...) have decided not to apply for. I fill their Job Description pretty damn close to perfectly, but their Selection Criteria cut me off at the knees - and include required experience that is virtually impossible to get, outside of the job itself. I smell a legal-requirement-to-advertise, for a position they already have filled. A shame, as it's the job that I've dreamed of doing...

I was describing the pattern in my CV, whenever I've been involved in clubs/societies/organisations. I help wherever I can, promote it as best I can, and make it grow with everything effort I can manage. I learn the rules it operates in, and push the group as far as I can take them - it's where that aggressive streak has been hiding all these years. Do whatever you like to me, but obstruct something that I'm pouring my heart and soul into and I'll do whatever I can to push straight through. I've had a bit of practice in Getting Things Done, now. With a perfectly straight face, my supervisor remarked, "Yes, I can see that. Once you get in, you're basically Napoleon, organising the hell out of things and leading them onwards."

I'm a little worried, in case I have an inevitable defeat looming on the horizon - but taken as a compliment, it was nice to hear. They've been thin on the ground in too many areas, lately - it was really nice to hear a frank opinion from someone "outside" all those other areas of my life. He had plenty to say that wasn't great, but all the criticism was constructive - and I had the chance to defend anything that he saw as a shortcoming. We talked for a couple of hours, and I learned a lot more about myself & the people I work with than I have in years.

So, I have a stronger place to stand as I deal with jobs and employers. They can pick out whatever flaws they might find - I know my own shortcomings better than they will ever have the chance to, and I know where I stand. It's been a long journey, getting here - but I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Comments

[fasangel.livejournal.com]

All Hail Emperor morsla!

[submystical.livejournal.com]

Well even though it does smell of legal-requirement-to-advertise do you lose anything by applying? I mean if they are looking for experience that you can't get then probably everyone can't get that experience. Why not just send the application in. Sure it may be already filled but you never know. You have nothing to lose by sending it but if you don't do it because you *think* that there is no point then you may lose a good opportunity. That's what I think anyway.

[morsla.livejournal.com]

I was planning to apply, in the hope that I could make some contacts via whatever feedback (rejection letter, etc) that I get. Work supervisor pointed out the possibility of the opposite effect, though - not being forgotten after the application, but being remembered as the one who applied despite not meeting half the criteria.

I have a few plans up my sleeve... I'll be doing more background research on their organisation, and I'll be writing to the contact person for this job. Planning to be quite upfront, explaining how much I'm interested in that type of work (and telling them all the things that I can do), but explaining why I haven't applied for that particular job (lacking the specific experience that they are after). I'll try to find out how frequently jobs open in that area, and demonstrating that I have enthusiasm for the work :)