Feedback would be MOST appreciated!

Argh! I'm at a crossroad here.

Many of you know the stress this fricken Leo supervisor has created with his stupid ass shit. In short, I must bow down before him...

I really like my job and what I do... it's the people who are getting under my skin.

In addition, we just lost a major contract which largely funds my position - I'm soft funded, so the institution does not pay my salary, our contracts do. Under the circumstances, seeing as the Leo makes himself the principal investigator on EVERYTHING that he DOESN'T do shit on (despite the fact I have the proper credentials), regardless of what I bring in he would probably cut me short anyway regardless of what I bring in (a few things are in the works unbeknownst to him).

A position has come open within the same company (hard funded). It's quite different from mine although I should be qualified. I currently conduct research and do statistical analysis. This new position oversees/approves the research conducted within the institution. (staying with the company assures benefits I cannot get anywhere else - excellent health, dental, vision at only a $ 40/mo cost to me and a 12% contribution to my retirement plan, not to mention it is HIGHLY unlikely that they will go bankrupt).

I've emailed my contact within that unit where the job is avail and she gave me a lot of information and also encouraged me to apply. The downside is I would have to share an office with her - I've had an office to myself for so long I don't know how I feel about that, nothing to do with her personally.

So, I'm on the fence here:

I ABHOR CHANGE first and foremost!

However, I don't even know if my job is secure now that we've lost the one contract and there is no guarantee that any possible studies I have in the works will come through.

As for applying for the position... what if my current unit finds out I applied? How does that impact my current position if I don't get the other? Will I be seen as a traitor (especially IF they plan on keeping me)? This is probably my biggest fear!!!

Rather than discussing with my contact further through email about the position, I thought I'd ask her to lunch to discuss further and see if we meshed. Is that wise?

Input PLEASE!!!!

Well, I don't think that you will be seen as a traitor for applying within the same company. I don't really think you have anything to lose, especially if your current position is unstable, I think you should go for it.

As a side note, I would be above my contact (not as a superior, just in duties - she doesn't want it, I wasn't going to apply if she did).

As for being seen a traitor - my immediate supervisor, I believe, views me as being insubordinate. Before he came into play, I was on my own. Consolidation, and his promotion, resulted in current situation. I WAS FINE ON MY OWN AND DON'T NEED AND FRICKEN MICRO MANAGER TYVM! Leo's should NOT be supervisors!!! YES, I'll admit, I get a little pissy at times, who wouldn't (OK, what Cap wouldn't) under the circumstances? I just want to tell him to leave me the fuck alone, I swear he's going to start demanding I tell him every time I have to take a piss next!

The position would also entail approving my current unit's research projects.

The position would be a growth opportunity though! I really do not like public speaking and part of this job would involve conducting classes on human subjects research. I've taught in the past and not something I particularly cared for (I really like being a researcher), but was became more comfortable with time when I was teaching statistics so I can def do it again on this subject matter.

Thanks Bling and Capgirl for the support!

Thoughts on going to lunch with my contact?

Posted by everevolvingepithet
Is there any scope to progress this new job into something more in line with what you're best at? That could be another reason to do so.
I don't see why having lunch with the contact would be a bad thing either.

Not necessarily. It is a different focus - it's not research, it's assuring research meets certain guidelines. Although it could potentially put me in a better position to be a director of a research center or similar unit to which I could be working in...

I think you should go for it!! Talk to your supervisor and tell him you'd like to move forward in the company and expand your horizons/knowledge/experience/whatever would sound good to him. Explain that you're not bailing or unhappy (ok, so lie) and wanted to keep in in the loop so he doesn't find out through the office grapevine. He should respect that. Most bosses would never look down on an employee for trying to improve themselves.

Who knows, he might go to bat for you because he'll be relieved to see you report to someone else! 😛

(that last part was a joke).

Yes, lunch with the contact!!

You guys are the best!!

@truecap, not sure I quite want to go there with telling him, at least not yet - you are right about your "joke" however LOL This position would put me in a position that could make their life hell - either that or they could see it as an advantage... hard to say how they would view it. I'm not out to make things difficult though (but, yeah, I could get a good dig in if I got the job - that's sooooo bad of me to even think!).

It's a pay grade below me though... 😭

Regardless, I should be able to at min keep my current pay as the pay grades overlap.

What do you think of the titles? (I'm a Cap, what do you expect— LOL)
Associate Policy Scientist vs Senior Compliance Coordinator

Both do sound good, I like being a "scientist" though 😢

Pain-in-the-ass Leo boss-man is definitely not going to be on board with your change because it will basically put you above him, for all intents and purposes, if I understand correctly. Annnnnnnd given the Leo's ego, he'll almost certainly have a huge problem with this, so I'd suggest trying to keep the planned move under wraps until it's a done deal, if at all possible. I would share this concern with whomever is in charge of making the decision on your applied-for position, as well, if such could be done in a diplomatically acceptable manner.

Should you apply for the position? Of course! *slaps you upside the head* Why the hell wouldn't you?! *smacks you upside the head again just for good measure* Come on, girl!

You should definitely go out to lunch with the girl whose space you'll be sharing. You need to know if you'll be ok in such close quarters with her. And you can pump her for more information that might be useful 😉 Besides that, offices get rearranged all the time. It shouldn't take you too long to finagle a private office again.

Although teaching frequently involved some measure of public speaking, they are definitely not the same thing. If you're ok with doing a bit of teaching, I wouldn't let this job requirement be a detriment; just view it as a built-in break from the daily grind.

What else ya got, doll? 😛

Maybe you could put in for a different title? I've actually specified my own job title everywhere I've worked. Senior Science (or maybe Scientist?) Coordinator sounds good to me 🙂

Take it. I had a worthless Leo bosses. They are only great in their own little world anyway. Once I moved out of his vile clutches life became wonderful again. I feel like life has been poured into me again.

Also you've been ranting about this boss for years. I want you to move only so that NONE of us has to hear the same shit a year later again.

Not to mention change is good for the soul. Your's and our's. 😛

You will need to pull out some good PR and put a good twist on it for your current boss. When the time is right, convince the Leo where it will be in HIS best interest for you to have this position. Stroke his ego. They like that.

Posted by truecap
You will need to pull out some good PR and put a good twist on it for your current boss. When the time is right, convince the Leo where it will be in HIS best interest for you to have this position. Stroke his ego. They like that.

Yeah, yeah, I've been taking lessons from my Aries teenage son!! This is how he operates. lol!

Puts it in your best interest so he can get what he wants.

Aries (when he was 9): Mom, you've been working so hard and it's really hot outside. You don't need to be in here cooking. Why don't we just order a pizza so you can rest and relax. You deserve a night off.
Me: Awwww.....how sweet. *orders pizza*
Me two hours later: Dang it! He charmed me and played me to get what he wanted.

GO FOR IT ONE PICSE OF ADVICE LEARN TO EMBRACE CHANGE GET USED TO IT, IT IS THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE.
OR COME TO WALES AND HEARD SHEEP YOUR NOT READY YET TO HANDLE IT BUT I WILL TEACH YOU.

I emailed my contact about going to lunch - she didn't respond, maybe she feels it's a conflict of interest, IDK. Oh, I did find out her bday - she's a Cap/Aqua cusper w/ Moon in Sag, Merc Aqua, Venus Sag, Mars Aries. So, we should get along ok... (her Mars in Aries and mine in Scorp - together, our energy will be a force to be reckoned with 🙂).

In any case, I received a letter at work yesterday that given the recent loss of funding my contract will be reevaluated this year - I'm supposed to have my self-appraisal in by 3/22 and Susan Miller says that "Keep your schedule clear near the March 27 full moon in Libra, to light your house of career. Something is about to go very wrong and you will need to be able to attend to events quickly." Already on it! 😉

Susan Miller also goes on to say that "The seeds you plant in that new moon period (March 12 plus two weeks) may change your life for a year to come." Soooo, I think I should quit dragging my feet and definitely focus on getting as many applications out for new jobs starting next week (I already have a number of positions identified, I just need to do up cover letters and get my aps out the door) - I'm thinking maybe I should even apply for those I'm not necessarily qualified for based on their descriptions for the simple fact that I am still capable of exceeding whatever bar they put before me! Why should I sell myself short? Screw the BS crap, I'm going for the 6 figures I deserve 😄

Posted by lildol
I'm thinking maybe I should even apply for those I'm not necessarily qualified for based on their descriptions for the simple fact that I am still capable of exceeding whatever bar they put before me! Why should I sell myself short? Screw the BS crap, I'm going for the 6 figures I deserve 😄

Not too long ago I was reflecting on the comments made to me by a Fortune 100 VP I know about how he had never once in his life taken a job/position for which he was qualified. If you think about it, you don't really have much opportunity for growth in a position for which you are qualified. It's the challenges that forge.

Go for it! 😄

Posted by seraph

Posted by lildol
Leo's should NOT be supervisors!!!

C'mon lildol, you know better than that.

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HA! Only if they have peons who are willing to bow down before their "greatness" *cough*

Posted by seraph
Leo is, after all, known for leadership. Leo inspires others, and that's a very solar (Sun-dominant) thing.

Inspire, my ass... I shut right down, put up a wall and get a fuck you attitude!

I don't get that bad, but it is demeaning the way he treats me. We do actually hold the same position in title. He and the back stabbing Scorp seem to get along swell though, she needs her hand held in everything she does so is constantly "clearing" everything with him. Can't make a fucking decision herself. The Leo's a pussy himself and runs to the director constantly if something "I" do is not in line with his thinking of what, when or how it should have been done. I often wonder how he treats his wife.

Posted by seraph
My advice? If you want it, I'll say that certain opportunities that pass our way are *very* timely. Don't ignore that. An open door has been placed before you. You already *know* what you want to do, so go and do it. 😉

click to expand

TY!

On to more positive things 🙂

I've been working nearly 10 hrs a day so I have had limited time to focus on looking at other options. So I took today off! (the Leo's eyes bulged when I "asked" for his permission - not sure if he was in shock because I asked or because I have a project I'm working and how dare I take time away from that *shrugs*).

I never did get to have lunch with my contact over in the research office, BUT I did contact the former director of that unit and asked her to serve as a reference for me for the position. I though it was a stretch as she and I went a few rounds a couple of years back on a project I was working on and there was a considerable amount of tension as a result. In the end I must have proved myself as she is on board and is happy to be a reference. Of course, this could just be a friendly back stabbing "I'll get you back" kinda gesture LOL

In addition to the Sr. Compliance Coordinator position, I'm also applying for the following:

Biostatistician at a local hospital
Program and Policy Analyst for a quasi non-profit involved in children's health policies
Regulatory Specialist for a major bank
Workforce Manager for another major bank
Quality Assurance Manger for AAA (they also have an analyst position, $ 4K less, but 15 min closer and no-pay parking. I haven't decided which I should go for yet - maybe I'll toss a coin)
and...
Market Research Manager for God only knows, they have a recruiter handling it (we do have a lot of fortune 500's in my area, so that position could be a good one and reads like a slam dunk for me, not to mention it pops up constantly and I am somehow strongly drawn to it - more so than any of the others).

One down!! A few more to go...

Oh, we can scratch the biostat position, it has closed. BUT, I'm adding: "Director, Office of Sponsored Research" to the list (at the same hosp as the biostat position). I'm qualified, but my guess is that someone else will apply with more experience *sigh*

Then again, one never knows 🙂 The job market is not saturated in my area and there does seem to be a lot of jobs out there that I'm qualified for. I just really don't want to commute more than 20 min if it's not absolutely necessary, I'm already away from home enough as it is.

Oh, and let me just say: "cover letters"!!!! I HATE, HATE, HATE trying to sell myself! I spent 3 hours on the last one... I'm tackling the Program and Policy Analyst position next as it will close soon, then I'll move on to the Director position. I may skip the private sector positions, except for possibly the market research manager slot, but just out of curiosity; if it's making 6 figures and my efforts are geared toward helping cure childhood cancer, further sustainable development, provide jobs resources for the poor or feed the hungry maybe I'll think about it - if it's simply to assist a bloated, overzealous, corrupt, callous, money pilfering company make an extra buck, forget it!

Performance appraisal completed last week - job safe!

On the other hand... 1st interview for the Sr. Research Compliance Coordinator position next week 😄

Congrats on the performance appraisal and your current job being safe! Good luck on the interview next week!!!