Blood out of a stone

I may have my first contract. I expect to hear any time now….. The job sounds very exciting, and the owner/ director I met at the first interview seemed to be the sort of person I could work with.

I was invited to a second interview - a good sign. Only this time, the MD invites his HR person. The HR person starts asking odd questions like - “supposing this company quadruples in size in the next six months - how will you cope if the work starts to take over your life?” I explained that I would not let it take over my life. The job spec had stated that they needed 3 days a week for six months, and that is what they would get. “Yes, but what if after six months we’re a multi-national organisation and we need you to spend two months in India setting up a new branch?” Let me think. I know - I won’t do it. I thought that was an honest enough answer. I wouldn’t want to get the job based on the false premise that although I had responded to a request for part-time help, I had a secret urge to work 80 hours a week. However, he went on, as if there was really some other question he wanted to ask but couldn’t, or as if he thought if he asked often enough I’d eventually give in and say “Of course, what I really want is to sleep in the office, give up my home life, and work myself into an early grave.” I’ve read all those articles on stress in HSW (see March 08, June 08(1), June 08 (2) and September 08) and I know I won’t be doing myself or my employer any good if I allow myself to be pressured into taking on more than is reasonable.

Feeling that the discussion with Mr HR Workaholic was fruitless and heading towards frosty, I took the decision to ignore him and talk to the more sensible MD about what he actually wanted done in the job. I’ll let you know when I find out if that was a smart move or not.