Job interview question

I guess it also depends where you are on the corporate food chain.

 

JR,
I think that's a good point.
in a perfect world, editors shouldn't hold it against you for trying to move up to a bigger gig.
but once you start to climb that ladder, a lot of editors might see the job you're interviewing for as simply lateral movement, in which case I could understand some hard feelings.

 

You have been lucky. I was raised to be honest and forthright, and to be up front about my intentions at all times. Then I entered the newspaper business.

The paranoia exhibited by management when one of their subordinates is even looking for work is absolutely stunning. I've seen people be up front about looking and interviewing only to have the ME fly off the handle, give blathering diatribes about loyalty and then heap extra work on them. I've seen it happen more than once.

Myself, I had a boss not talk to me for a week after finding out I went on an interview during my regularly scheduled days off. When I broached the topic with him I allowed as how I felt I couldn't talk to him about this, that I wanted to make a change in my life and his reply was along the lines of, "Well, I just don't see why anybody would want to leave here."

Maybe it's a small-paper thing, too. It's odd. Small papers are stepping stones for 75 percent of the people who come through, and yet if there is even one lifer in the newsroom managing editors assume everybody should want to stay there forever and thus freak out when someone leaves or even thinks about leaving.

To the original poster, use your own judgement. You know how it is in your shop so go ahead and do the "audition" but know beforehand how you will handle it if your boss finds out. Hell, you'd better know how your boss will handle it. Good luck.

 

Serve/IJAG,

I'm sorry, but not telling your boss about an upcoming job interview is not dishonest. You haen't misled or lied to anyone.

It's actually none of their business and can only damage your working relationshiip if you don't get the job.

And any boss who tries to play the "loyalty" card hasn't been paying attention to the world around them for about twenty years.

 

I have seen both sides of this fence.

At one shop, the sports editor was a complete ass after I gave basically a month's notice so they could have ample time to find a replacement. Everything changed, from his attitude toward me in the office to the assignments and desk work.

At another, I have seen editors express disappointment because they're losing a top reporter and writer to a bigger paper. But they also praised that person for doing good work, being a good employee and they wished them well at the next stop.

What you do on your time, for your benefit, is not anyone else's business. Courtesy or not, you are not required to notify your boss of anything. If you have a good enough relationship with your editor and can tell him or her what's going on with an interview, fine. But you should know that before walking in to say you're interviewing at the Podunk Gazette.

In the situation of the magazine using a story online, I would ask they not use a byline. If they cannot, then you may be forced to tell your SE what is going on.

I don't understand why the magazine would want to use your interview story online, though. Do they want to gauge "hits" and response from readers? Are they going to pay you for it? If that is part of an interview process, which seems to be a human resources issue, why would they post it? That just seems weird. They wouldn't post the results of a copy editor's reading test. Apples and oranges, I know, but still.

Good luck.

 

See, this is where I disagree. I've told my current boss about every application I've even made (especially since he's a reference). I've been offered one, and seriously considered it. Didn't take it (timing wasn't right) but he was nothing but supportive. Even now, as I wonder if I'm really cut out for journalism, he tells me he wants me to figure it out for me, and any help he can offer, he will.

I think our working relationship is better than it ever has been.

 

Do not tell any bosses ANYthing until you have an offer.

 

Thank you.

 

IJAG, if you have that kind of working relationship then you're blessed.

Not everyone does.

 

The time I'd be sure to tell my boss I'm interviewing is if they'll be called as a reference. I'd rather that call not come out of the blue.

 

99% of the population.

Where I work now, the moment you notify senior management that you're taking a job with a competitor, they escort you out of the building immediately .You just have to make sure that you've cleaned out your desk ahead of time.

 

I stand by this rule: I tell my boss if I have an offer. I give them a chance to counter offer, unless I really want out. I did this at my last stop. At a TV station, got an offer to go work at the local university. Gave the station a chance to counter the significant pay raise the university was offering. One person asked, "If we match, will you stay?" I said, "It's going to take more than matching (because of the free education option which we had discussed earlier)." She said, "I don't think there's anything left to discuss then."