Update on job

[Crankin]

A few weeks ago I posted that i had applied for a job as a lifestyle management counselor at a medically supervised weight loss company. Well, they called me this week and today I am going for a 3 hour informational meeting at the sight where I would be working, with all of the candidates. I had a phone screen with the HR person; she was a little concerned that I would flip out over having to take a cut in pay, but I explained that since i was changing careers, I knew i would not be making what i did teaching last year. The salary range is about what I had targeted for any new field. Anyway, I am not nervous at all, since I feel like I am in a good position of not really needing the job! However, I am having little "thoughts" that I might not be able to ride my bike as much. One good thing is that a couple of days a week i wouldn't have to go in until late morning or noon, so i could ride then. But, driving home at normal end of day time is probably going to mean serious traffic for me and little light left, except in summer.
Of course, it's way too early to think about this, but after today, I probably will be called into the corporate office in Boston for more traditional interviews. I decided that if I am offered the job, i am going to ask about 3 things:
1) lunch time bike rides OK?
2) the possibility of a 4 day work week? It says full time, but maybe I could convince them
3) If #2 isn't possible, then maybe coming in really early 2 days a week so I could leave by 4.
The actual job is exactly what I want to do, so that's not a problem. It seems like the bike is running my life and maybe thatis not healthy?????

[maryellen]

sounds to me as if you would be an amazing example of lifestyle management for clients.

[SheFly]

You need to embody what you would be doing, and it's all about work/life (or in my case, work/bike) balance. If you set the expectations up front, you will be better off later on.

I am VERY lucky. I work in high-tech, but have a boss who is supportive of my cycling/racing, and we work my schedule around that. I did set the expectation early, however, so I think that really helped me as I became more serious about the cycling.

In fact, at my last performance review, he told me that I was very good at work/life balance. I wasn't sure if that was a positive or a negative, but I didn't change my ways :D .

Good luck, Robyn! Let us know how it works out.

SheFly

[Zen]

Some jobs consider 32 hours a week full time. It is doubtful that coming in early/leaving early would be an option since this is sort of a "personal service" and you have to be there at the times when you are needed by clients. You will have to be truly motivated by a desire to help others make lifestyle changes and that might entail making some of your own.

[Crankin]

You are right Cathy, you have to set the expectations early on. My husband did that when he started his last job about 6 years ago. Although his company is super supportive of this kind of stuff, it helps to let people know what your work/life balance is.
Zen, I don't think this job sees full time as 32 hours a week! However, you are not meeting with clients individually; you teach 4 support group classes a week on a set schedule and do phone support, do planning for clients based on their data, and have a couple of meetings. Of course I would be there to help people, but, on the other hand, I wouldn't be much help if I couldn't ride and do other exercise. Yes, I could make adjustments in my schedule for sure, but it will be awhile until I bring this up.
I just got back from the seminar. There were about 15 people there, all from varying backgrounds. Everyone had some kind of connection to the health and/or fitness field, though. We spent about 2 hours just listening to an explanation of the program, the job, etc. and then they broke us into 2 groups and we had to answer questions int he group setting. If they like you, you get called back for a "walking" interview (sounds cool) and then you have 2 more interviews, one of which is teaching and observing a class, and finally, with the president. I have no idea if I will get called back, but I know I answered the questions as well as the others. In retrospect, this job is a little more than I was looking for, but I will go through the process if i get asked back and then make a decision, because the culture of the company seems fantastic and it is doing the type of work where my skills directly translate.

[LBTC]

Robyn, that sounds very exciting! If it is meant to be, all of those details will fall into place so easily it will surprise you! (of course, you still have to bring the subject up).

Sending loads of helpful patient butterflies that you'll be ready when the right thing happens!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Pedal Wench]

Maybe instead of saying you want the early hours to help you get more bike time, suggest that they have you there at those hours because there might be clients who also need to come in for those earlier hours too. Some people might not do sign up because they need to work traditional hours. Make it seem like something good for them, not just for you.

[Crankin]

PW, that is exactly how i would say it! I would suggest that they start a "before work" group. After 30 years of getting to work at 7:00 or 7:30, 9 AM seems slothful to me! And I know that this may be a better option for some people than coming to a class after a day of work.
BTW, right after I wrote my last post, they called me to invite me back for the "walking" interview. It will be interesting to see what we discuss when we are walking. It's funny, my husband always brings the people he interviews up the stairs as he is bringing them to the next person. That way he can see if they can walk and talk at the same time, without getting out of breath.

[Crankin]

OK, I just got back from the second interview. The walk part was cut short since one of the interviewers was in a cast! We walked around the building a couple of times and then went inside. It was about an hour and a half. The first part was sort of checking to see if i remembered a lot of the information I learned about the company on Friday, along with relating more information about exactly how the job meshes with these things. The second part of the interview was more of me just going through my resume. They really took a lot of time and seemed genuinely interested in me as a person. So, we will see. I believe I will be asked back to observe a class and will know soon. The hours of the job are quite flexible, so that is covered. I do have one other issue that regards vacation time, but I will bring that up and negotiate only when and if I am offered the job. I feel pretty good that despite all of my years in teaching, I have some clue how to deal with the corporate world.

[maryellen]

great. this sounds wonderful. and you are correct about the vacation issue. wait until they make an offer and you are negotiating a total compensation package. good luck.

[LBTC]

Fantastic, Robyn! This is all so good! YAY for you! Lots of butterflies headed your way to keep you calm and patient while you wait, and to twinkle just enough that nobody could miss how amazingly special and perfect you are for the job.

H&B
~T~