Job search and work hours

I recently had an informal interview in an internal dept.

I met with 2 male managers who were at least 10-12 years younger than me. I work in a non profit health care industry, however the dept was administration, so more of a corp male-dominated environment.

One of them mentioned how they do not come in at 9 (implying this is not a 9-5 job). The position is a administrative coordinator-type position (not management). From doing a little research it seems a lot of these roles are filled with young interns/fellows and they move up quickly (assuming after they put a lot of work and long hours in).

So, my personal background is that I'm a single mom, late 30s. I just cannot put in long hours in the office right now. I can be efficient during my work day, not take lunch, and turn on the computer for an hour at night. But not more than that.

What is your opinion about taking a position where they may expect more time from me and I cannot give it (assuming I was offered the position). Would you accept the offer and then tell them you have to leave at 5 everyday but you can work at home at night? One of my friend's said if that is what they expect of you than you just don't take the position.

The meeting was very intimidating for me as a single mom and a female (is it still a man's world)?

Also, I'm wondering from these 2 managers perspective, even though they don't know my personal stuff, by looking at my resume do they wonder if I'm the right fit and would they not consider me (I haven't had a lot of progressive growth due to my personal circumstances). Again, it seems like the natural trend is for the position to be filled by a young person right out of grad school and then they work hard and get promoted and they refill it. I am wondering why someone (like me) can't just stay in a coordinator role for a longer period of time.

I guess I'm frustrated, confused, and trying to figure out if I should be settling for less responsibility right now and not have high expectations on growth and higher level positions. And, I'm wondering what hiring managers must think of me and my resume at this stage in my life!

Message edited 2/24/2014 9:57:46 AM.

Re: Job search and work hours

I think you need to firmly decide what you're willing to do and not do for work while also thinking of your family.

If it were me (I have a 5m old at home), and I currently had a job, I wouldn't take a position that could take me away from my family on a regular schedule. Here and there I'm fine with but not 5 days out of the week.
Now, if you weren't currently employed, if the pay was right I'd say yes, accept the position if it's offerred and work out the other stuff afterwards. For me, in that scenario you're not risking anything.

HTH

Re: Job search and work hours

Re: Job search and work hours

I think it is hard to expect to be in a growth position and not have to put in extra time. Often times getting more money comes with putting in more time and getting more responsibility.
Not to say it is impossible but there is often a trade off.

As for it being a mans world I don't know why you think that. Did you get the impression they wouldn't consider you because you are a woman?

Re: Job search and work hours

Re: Job search and work hours

Re: Job search and work hours

I agree with the previously expressed views. If I were in your shoes, I would not take the position. It just doesn't sound like a good fit for you.

It's not just about whether longer hours in the office are strictly required (or whether you could fulfill your responsibilities by working at home at night). To me, the bigger issue is the office culture that encourages being there from more than 9 to 5. It sounds like that is the expectation, and working from home in the evening (versus putting in face time in the office, whether necessary or not) would be frowned upon.

They are being upfront that the job requires more than a 9-to-5 commitment. I always view a job interview as a two-way street --- they are evaluating you but you are also evaluating them to see if the job would be suitable for your needs. So if I were you, I would be thankful that they were upfront about the commitment and be honest with yourself about whether that's a good fit for you at this time in your life.

I also think there may be a general culture clash there between the work environment of that job and what you'd be comfortable with. It's probably not a gender/it's a man's world thing, but more of an age gap, this is a post-college job work environment where people will be less flexible and accommodating about a more mature person's family needs (and maybe overall work style).

I agree that every career choice comes with trade offs. If right now, you have job security and the ability to provide for your family while controlling your hours and having the time you desire with your kids, I would stay put. You may be trading off growth potential, but you can always look for a different position when your children are older and need you at home less. Being a working mom is so hard, no matter what the job is.

I switched from a very high stress corporate legal job that required long hours and lots of travel to real estate because I wanted more flexibility and time at home. But even with the flexibility which I love, it can still be challenging to balance work/life and I have one child, and help from my parents who live nearby (as well as DH who works full-time in the city, but is very hands-on and helpful). So I really admire you for doing it all and even striving for more! But while a job may sound good on paper, you really have to think about whether it will make you happy in reality, all things considered.