The Bookworm (or Truman) Show

Bookworm55

Alternative title: The East Anglian Candidate (cf the Manchurian Candidate)

I've been having some odd experiences lately with application forms and interviews. There are always competancy-based questions in these (example: "Describe a time where you inititated change? What did you do? Did you succeed?"), and some of them are much harder to answer than others.

Of course I would never lie on these forms, but the truth is I've been a little too fond of reading (especially on my course, see username), movies and other hobbies that are generally pursued alone (no sniggering back there), or are so esoteric that the interview then becomes about the activity. The result being that I don't have the kind of experiences in management or leadership style activities in or out of work, which leaves me at something of a disadvantage.

The honest way around this is either to own up or try and manufacture these experiences. Not make them up, but force myself into an appropriate situation (see Truman Show reference in thread title). Deliberately trying to engineer my own life into a position where I'll have to get something useful to talk about. Much as I hate the expression, I'm trying to "think outside the box". Where can you go to get management or leadership type experiences outside the work environment? Those of you with children could probably draw on your experiences as a parent in this way. I don't have kids, and don't plan on getting any just for this purpose! (even I'm not that cynical)

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Some of the things I'm thinking about where to develop experience:

Conflict resolution
Guiding/coaching others
Initiating change
Reacting to change
Failing to meet deadlines
Communicating with superiors (not line managers, very senior personnel)
Communicating with nonspecialists
Taking charge

farmergiles

"Initiating change" is always a difficult one to answer.

Maybe you weren't sure of something at work, had no-one with the relevant experience to guide you therefore you had to research the item yourself. The resulting information may result in a change to the method of handling that particular problem at work.

If you want to look for or gain experience outside of work, ther are the normal routes...charities, child groups(Brownies, scouts etc) PTA(You don't necessarily have to be a parent, your accounting skills may be needed.or

You could join your local Parish Council. Most Councils have the odd vacancy or two and are always looking to "co-opt" new members on board. If you like it then you could stand for election at the next elections. That way you could accept responsibilty for something outside of work, something that would benefit your local community and give you additional experience.
Don't worry if you are in a non-parished area, as long as you live within 3 miles of the boundary of a Parish Council, you can apply to join.( Be aware that these are voluntary posts and do not normally receive remuneration)
Parish Councils are not aligned with the Church, as a lot of people think but are the lowest level of Local Goverment and, as such, assist in the Democratic running of the local community.

Being a local Parish/Town Councillor is a bit like a drug, you either get well and truly hooked or you walk away, breathing a sigh of relief!

blobbyh

No disrespect but good management and leadership skills are usually qualities that are naturally deep within a person and cannot be obtained solely through qualification. I saw a TV programme a few months ago where a student who'd just left uni in his mid-20's went to a department store and asked for a quite senior management position amongst the shop floor staff. The person interviewing him - around the same age but been there since leaving school, having worked his way to his position of authority - all but laughed on camera at the mere suggestion. The Grad, who couldn't understand this, clearly thought he could be a manager through entitlement rather than through experience.

Thus there's a huge difference between being a good manager and simply having a good management qualification, excelling at what you are rather than just 'being' what you are. No-one can ever truly say they are a good manager as it's only their staff that can decide that.

Bookworm55

If you want to look for or gain experience outside of work, ther are the normal routes...charities, child groups(Brownies, scouts etc) PTA(You don't necessarily have to be a parent, your accounting skills may be needed.

I'm not really sure what 'the normal routes' are? I think I see what you're getting at, but it can be hard to find an "in".

No disrespect but good management and leadership skills are usually qualities that are naturally deep within a person and cannot be obtained solely through qualification.

So what are you saying? Because I have only had junior positions I can only ever have junior positions? That it is not possible to develop leadership or management skills?

My original post implicitly accepts that my qualifications outstrip my experience, especially of management and leadership. It is about finding opportunties to show and develop management qualities outside the workplace.

Perhaps I wasn't clear, I meant management in the full widest possible sense of the word, of managing anything, not waltzing into a Senior Manager position. Also, recognising that I'm not getting the experience (again in the full widest possible sense of the word) I need at work, and looking outside of it.

blobbyh

Bookworm55 wrote: »

So what are you saying? Because I have only had junior positions I can only ever have junior positions? That it is not possible to develop leadership or management skills?

Not at all, but everyone knows the best managers have got there through a combination of experience and qualification - not simply through the latter alone - and experience takes time. You also need to show that you're doing it for the benefit of the company not just for the benefit of yourself which is often reflected by the longest serving people being duly rewarded for their people skills and loyalty. As the advert says, good things come to those who wait.

Bookworm55

and experience takes time. You also need to show that you're doing it for the benefit of the company not just for the benefit of yourself which is often reflected by the longest serving people being duly rewarded for their people skills and loyalty. As the advert says, good things come to those who wait.

I think I see what you're getting at, but I don't see why I should meekly wait patiently for the company to deign to give me some near-mythical reward rather than be proactive about it. I've been patient and loyal and it earned me nothing but contempt.

What is so wrong for looking for things that will help your career outside the company you work for, if your company wants you to keep doing the same thing forever? At some point, loyalty can be seen as merely a lack of ambition and initiative.

Cullen

How about reflecting on when you had to organise a party/stag/hen weekend.

Conflict resolution: when different people wanted differing things from the experience and pasionately expressed their wishes and disagreed with others? How you resolved their differences by suggesting a middle ground.

Guiding/coaching others: Perhaps you organised an activity, whitewater rafting, water colouring etc and using your own skills enabled or enhanced other participants experience.

Initiating change: when an outing or event began to go wrong and you had to organise everyone involved in a different direction.

Reacting to change: How you were able to define your new objective, assess what different skills were required, and lead the project to a new direction.

Failing to meet deadlines: assessing the progress made and raising the output in order to meet the agreed deadlines or negotiating new realistic deadlines. How about a sporting event here?

Communicating with Superiors. Um this can apply to so many social situations as well as business. I would reflect on the most appropriate style. Usually a superior needs a general overview rather than the reporting of minutiae. They need to know if they are required to influence events or just require confirmation that there are no snafus.

Communicating with non specialists. I would imagine that this requires clear non technical vocabulary, no jargon and specific instructions being thoroughly discussed.

Taking charge: Leading a team, each team member needs to know what the objective is, what role they play, how what they do affects the other team members (either positively or negatively) and what the time frame is. The team leader should understand each team members strengths and weaknesses and appoint the tasks accordingly. The team leader should manage their team so everyone receives feedback on their performance and motivate accordingly. A professional kitchen is a good example of this, the diner makes an order, the Chef appoints the sous chefs to prepare and cook the meat, veg, pastry etc. The head chef oversees that everyone is working to bring the dish together at the same time. The completed dish is assembled and the waiter takes it out to the diner after an appropriate time.

I don't know if any of this has helped. Good luck anyway!

farmergiles

Bookworm55 wrote: »

I'm not really sure what 'the normal routes' are? I think I see what you're getting at, but it can be hard to find an "in".

It can sometimes be hard to find an "in" but quite often these organisations are looking for volunteers with accounting skills.

As regards "good things come to those who wait", I'm sorry, Robert, but I have to disagree with you. If you want to get on in this life you have to be a bit pushy. Maybe time to do a "SWOT" analysis on yourself, find your strengths and weaknesses and brush up on your weaknesses. Ask your line manager to give you work out of your "safety zone" to see if you can complete it. Ask for a little responsibility to see if you can handle it.
I know some bosses run scared at this because they are sitting in their own comfort zone and may feel threatened by you but don't be put off by it. If they won't play ball, ask to speak to either HR or your senior line manager to formulate a training plan that will enable you to gain more experience and develop leadership skills.
Above all, stay positive and don't let anyone put you down.

blobbyh

farmergiles wrote: »

As regards "good things come to those who wait", I'm sorry, Robert, but I have to disagree with you. If you want to get on in this life you have to be a bit pushy.

You misunderstand me FG. I appreciate the marked difference between biding your time and learning the ropes contrasted against those without any ambition whatsoever but will say that successful enterprises need both types while often the latter are the happiest.

Bookworm55

It can sometimes be hard to find an "in" but quite often these organisations are looking for volunteers with accounting skills.

That's very true and is something I'm looking into. I'm looking at small local museums in the East Herts/West Essex area for ways to put my historical nerdery somewhere acceptable ;-). I don't actually know any of the people who run/volunteer at these places, as my local contacts have all either moved away or can't help. I think I'll have to be brave and send a barrage of speculative letters.

How about reflecting on when you had to organise a party/stag/hen weekend.

That's a good suggestion, but I haven't done anything like that recently. I've kind of missed the boat on the late October/early November party opportunities (Halloween, Bonfire night etc); but maybe I should just organise a party and worry about what it's for later!

Bookworm55

Conflict resolution

A very childish example of this is about to occur. I work in an open plan office, and the person opposite me keeps singing at me. Very loudly, very unmusically[1], very distracting when you're trying to concentrate or talk to customers on the 'phone. He think's he's hilarious, I think it's childish, unprofessional and irritating and I just told him to shut up.

I'd been trying to put up with it, but during a particularly galling rendition of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up", I snapped. The exact words I used were "X, could you stop singing please?". He just stared at me for a few seconds and asked "Are you serious?". I told him I was, and that I was sorry if it sounded harsh, but I'd appreciate it if he could stop.

He's now sulking and has reported it up (via email) to the head of sales for our division. (actually not my line manager, but her immediate manager and the first person directly over both me and him)

I wonder what'll happen next?
Knowing my luck, a summary dismissal, but at least I'll get some quiet!


[1] To my ears. I'm tone deaf- he could be fantastic. It doesn't matter. I wouldn't appreciate Rafael Nadal playing tennis in the middle of an office, and it would be about as distracting.

sharonj

What about neighbourhood watch or most borough's have what's called a local panel meeting. These are usually only held a few times a year. I used to be a member of our local panel and I think you could use this as an example. You would liaise with local police as well as residents You are often trying to initiate change, you need to be able to have your opinions heard so not afraid of coming forwards. You also need to be assertive and devise a good plan of action for ways of progressing towards a goal. Deadlines would be determined by the local police as to when new initiatives need to be implemented by and you need to rally the troups, ie the local community to be aware of local neighbourhood issues.

Not sure if it would be your thing but think it would work.