A few years ago I was forced to change jobs due to a consolidating marketplace and gross mismanagement; I had to rely on my own advice to find a job. After years of research and writing I realized I had a much better idea of where I did not want to work versus where I did want to work. But that turned out to be helpful…sometimes it’s easier to realize what you don’t want. It can be a valuable insight, so here are some things to avoid during your next job search.
Don’t work for a company that defines “workplace” as an office.
The boundary lines between “workplace” and “world” are blurring. Companies embrace that fact when it means working around the clock to manage international project teams and to support critical systems. Working at home is fine as long as it means extra hours, but off-site work during a regular business day is prohibited or made difficult to obtain.
Seek a firm that has flexible schedules to allow for different arrival and departure times. Also look for a firm that offers telecommuting. Even though (in my opinion) telecommuting is not something a project manager can do regularly, firms that allow telecommuting understand that work can occur anywhere, not just in the office. That is important to a project manager who may need a morning or an entire day at home to compile the notes from a risk planning session.
Don’t work for a place that says there is one way to do something…or that says “anything goes”.
Project managers need some room to challenge the status quo. Look for an environment somewhere between “complete control” and “utter chaos” that allows some ability to maneuver toward bureaucracy to throttle an outrageous customer--and toward flexibility to enable some change.
Look for the existence and use of a methodology, and when it’s your turn in the interview to ask questions, ask “how”--not “if”--it can be customized. If you don’t get a good answer, network around to find a project manager that is already employed and get an inside opinion about their approach.
Don’t work for a company that tells you how to organize your stuff.
No one’s office should pose a fire hazard, but I’ve seen extremely productive people with unbelievably messy offices. I’ve also seen pristine and orderly offices of people who presented a beautiful façade of productivity but did nothing.
There are different personalities and styles out there, and “clean desk” policies directly conflict with the “careers” section of the website that claims “we seek out-of-the box thinkers who challenge the status quo.”
This policy leads to a workforce that tends to have one personality and style. Managing projects against a gang of one-dimensional people means you better do it their way--and even if you do, you’ll be blamed for it in the lessons learned exercise (if you last that long).
Don’t work for a company that doesn’t include “aging” as part of its diversity program.
Everybody gets old and everybody is getting old. Smart companies are starting to recognize this and are seizing the opportunity by offering phased retirements and rehiring retirees as consultants.
With downsizings and flatter organizations, it’s getting harder to find a veteran employee. But those folks can be valuable to a project manager because they can tell you the history of what happened before: what was tried and failed, who doesn’t like project management, etc.
Not seeing any older folks around can mean a high turnover rate or a cost-cutting culture, and neither one is good. Find a place to work where you can stick around for awhile. Besides, you don’t want to have to go through all this interviewing again anytime soon, do you?
Posts
