Right now, I work part-time at one of my jobs. However, when I graduate, I plan on applying as a Director full time in the company. I have been working there for about two years, and for some time now I’ve decided I would like to work there full-time. The requirements for the Director position are a Bachelor’s degree and several years experience in the field (education/tutoring, in this case). When I am eligible for the job, I will have several years relevant experience (working there as a coach) and a Bachelor’s degree. While many Directors show off their stellar academic records (Honors Awards, scholarships, etc) I in turn don’t have much to show, in part because I devoted a lot of passion and effort into working for them while going to school.
Thus, I really want to make a good impression on both the members (parents and kids at the tutoring center), coworkers, and Directors. I feel it is really important that they see my reliability, ambition, and passion for the job. A big reason for this is because beyond that, I don’t have much to brag about accomplishment-wise. So I always try to go in to work as much as possible, put in as many hours as they will allow, come in early to help set up before we open, or stay late to help clean up. As of late they have had to crack down on people who were late/absent, and while I have never been late or absent it made me hyperaware of the possibility that a slip-up could complicate my future goals.
So when ever I’m not sure when I’m supposed to come in (because of scheduling rearrangements/covering for someone) I always call and confirm. The Center Director appreciates this, but I do it a lot…
Basically, I am worried that I am going overboard about this- that I am trying too hard, and that perhaps my efforts to be helpful are counterproductive. When I got my schedule this month, I noticed I had a ton of days off. When I asked one Director about it (pointing out that now that summer vacation started I am super-available) he told me that he knows I come in whenever I can, but he didn’t want me to get too burnt out, and was just trying to give me a break. Maybe I’m being a little paranoid about this, but its just that I have more determination about this than anything else; I really enjoy the job and would love to become a Director there but I am constantly worried that there will be some irreversable problem along the way.
Why dont you try setting up a meeting with your Boss or another Director telling them what your plans are? That way they would realise that your very interested in the job, and therefore you may get extra hours and maybe responsibilities. They might even be able to give you pointers on what to do to get the position that your looking for.
Alternatively, why not use the free time that youve been given to work on something that you could use to your advantage when you apply for the Director job. I get the impression your working with kids, so why not look up any help centres fo kids, and offer to do some volunteer work…
Good luck with it anyway, whatever you decide to do.
Your story does smell like something could be wrong, something you don’t know about. I doubt that the problem is that you’re trying too hard. A couple things:
a. (if you don’t already know), find out exactly who decides whether a candidate becomes a Director. Is it the Center Director? Is it a committee? Who’s on that committee?
b. Make sure that each of the people who will be involved in that decision are aware of your interest in being a Director there.
c. Ask each of those people what sort of hurdles you’ll need to get past to become a Director. Ask them where you could improve your current performance.
d. (if you don’t already know), find out who defines the schedules. You said that you talked to “one Director” about your shortened hours, implying that perhaps this wasn’t the same person who did. Talk to whoever set the schedule, and find out why they cut your hours. Honestly, “not wanting you to get burnt out” is more than likely a white-lie. Perhaps it’s a bad thing, like someone is unhappy with your performance. Or perhaps it’s not so bad, like there was reduced need this month, or someone else had extra hours available, or other. Or perhaps it was just the luck of the draw for this month. At any rate, you should find out for certain.
Do most of the Directors have other full-time experience in the field of education? Sometimes minimum requirements don’t tell the whole story.
I think it’s great that you are very excited about this future opportunity, and that you’ve found a field and company you feel good about. I second the advice to have a serious talk or two about how they see your path to Director. Is there an intermediate step between coach and Director (Assistant Director…)? Would you be able to apply at multiple locations, or competitors?
Keep your options open and don’t put all your eggs in one basket. The politics of the workplace take some time to understand.
This is a very important point, and indirectly what I was driving at: Incubus, there are things to be aware of in your work environment that are beyond the actual job responsibilities, namely the inner-relationships and responsibilities of the people, and especially the people in charge. It’s important to understand who’s really in charge, and where they derive their information from.
Knowing those sorts of political things (and utilizing that information appropriately) is just as important as having the right requirements for a job.
Delly’s advice sounds very wise to me. Subtlties within work situations are notoriously tricky, but simply talking with your supervisor might serve both of you best. Your supervisor already showed he’s aware–and concerned–to the point of adjusting your work schedule. It’s a good sign that he’s monitoring against burnout. Clods don’t notice or care.
The fact that there was something for him to notice at all needs to be addressed, though. Right now it’s probably pretty value-neutral, but you need to put your behavior into context for him. It isn’t exactly a red flag, but a flag is flapping nonetheless.
If you think he’d be receptive, and from your outline it sounds like he would be, just describe your aspirations and ask his advice. In business jargon, give him a fair chance to be your mentor. There’s not a thing wrong with eagerness for work. (In fact, it’s rather rare, IME. Lust for promotion is dead common; zest for acutal work is sumpin’ else.)
He’s the one in the best position to guide you toward where you want to go. He knows the work politics and environment, i.e. the street. Talking with him would explain your Energizer Bunny zeal. If you need to refocus, learn new things or simply adapt, he can give you directions how. Then listen to his advice.
Otherwise, observe other Directors closely. They’ve found a workable formula. If it’s feasible, ask them about their experiences with their jobs. The might be flattered, or at least willing to give their nitty gritty perspective. They can offer great info about doing the job you want, day-to-day. That’s pure gold. Besides, if everything works out the way you hope, they’ll be your colleagues.
Any way it shakes down, Incubus, best of luck to you.
I have communicated my interest in being a director to all three of the Directors that work there, particularly the Center Director (the highest one). I have also mentioned my interest in the matter to the Reigional manager, who manages all the centers in a geographic area (in my case, our reigonal manager is in charge of all the tutoring centers in the Bay Area). I have also asked the directors if I could meet with one of them to discuss it further. Unfortunately the center director is too busy this summer (busiest time of the year), but I should be able to get a meeting with another one of the directors, and I want to use it as an opportunity to discuss the matter further.
So far I have taken some of your suggestions in advance I have communicated interest in the matter to the higher ups, told them when I plan on graduating (this December) and often ask pointers on what makes a good Director. The individual who would be hiring me into this position is the local recruiter, who was recently promoted to the position, formerly a Director herself of all people, and not only that, but the former Center Director at the center I work at! That means the woman who would be hiring me worked with me for a year.
The Director I will be meeting with has also been a great source of advice and I kind of see him as a mentor. He’s actually a year younger than I am (I’m 23) but very capable, mature, and level headed. He was the one who told me not to be intimidated by the academic exploits of other Directors, rather, I should try to focus on my own strengths.
In the meantime I am polishing my resume. I want to first show it to the Directors in my center, then talk to the recruiter about the matter. I feel it would be ideal if I could at least get the ball rolling now- whether this potential job pans out or not, at least I’ll be more on-track with finding a job than if I waited until I graduated to look for one. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement I am very enthusiastic about this, but I also know nothing is definite, and anything can happen in the future. I know that one tendency about the Directors is to make sure an applicant has a right ‘fit’ for the job; in other words, they might qualify just fine, but burn out/lose interest quickly and quit. They look for people who are dedicated, and won’t hire someone they don’t think will enjoy working there. They might tell me this- and it would be disappointing to hear it. However, I’ll just have to move on in that case, and better it happen sooner than later.
I have communicated interest in the matter to the higher ups, told them when I plan on graduating (this December) and often ask pointers on what makes a good Director. The individual who would be hiring me into this position is the local recruiter, who was recently promoted to the position, formerly a Director herself of all people, and not only that, but the former Center Director at the center I work at! That means the woman who would be hiring me worked with me for a year.