Some of the most difficult questions I faced in my search were questions on my preferences. What did I want from an institution? How did I want to receive support from supervisors? What ideal office environment was I looking for? Why was I interested in a specific position, institution, city, regional area? What would my previous supervisor or colleagues say about me?
It is difficult for me to answer these questions because I did not know what I wanted. Beyond this, I did not see how what I wanted would matter. The main thing I wanted was a job. Any job that would pay my bills and give me some financial security would be awesome. Next up from that would be a job at a university, either within the functional areas I was searching or at least closely related, as my current position is. Why was I interested in this position? I was interested because it met these two criteria.
What do I want in a city? I never really understood this question. I attended a medium sized university in rural Illinois, and we had many students from large cities that would come down to study. These students would always complain that they “did not have anything to do”. What does one need? We had restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, a skating rink, wineries, natural parks, malls, and any kind of bar you would want. Sure, your options may be somewhat limited, especially when compared to larger cities, but what else did you need? What do I need in a city? I need to be able to go out to eat, see a movie, and have a place to buy groceries, household goods, clothing, or anything else I would need that you cannot get on Amazon. If I were going to be picky, maybe I would say some bike lanes, a public transit system, and an airport, but none of these are essential either. I grew up in a tiny town where you had to drive several miles before you had any kind of variety in social activities, shopping centers, and restaurants. I am used to entertaining myself. I can adapt to my surroundings and make do with what I have, especially if it means having a job in my field.
When it comes to an office environment, I never understood how what I would want could be any different from what anyone else would want. I would say I wanted an office that contributed to collaboration between departments. I would want an office that provided support to each other when one functional area is hosting events. I wanted a supervisor to treat me as a competent professional, balancing his/her management against my agency and ability. I had never seen an office that did not operate in this manner, so I did not understand how this question would even come to be.
I never really know what others think about me, in part because I do not tend to dwell on these matters. I would hope people would see me as someone they can confide in, someone they can come to when they need help, someone they can trust, and someone they can count on to get a job done. Lacking any struggles between myself and friends, coworkers, supervisors, family members, and others, I assume I am successful in fulfilling these tasks. Furthermore, I have always tried to care more about doing the right thing to the best of my ability and less about what others thought of me. What do my colleagues think of me? I have no idea, but I would guess they have nothing but wonderful things to say.
I suppose my inability to formulate answers to these questions shows that I have not experienced a wide variety of environments. Then again, why should I have a list of demands that for an employer or city to meet? Why should I expect anything more than basic comradery, decency, and respect from my employers and colleagues? What more do I need from a city besides basic access to a variety of food, entertainment, and other goods or services? To say ‘No’ to a job because the town does not have a Target does not seem to make sense.
Introduction
Context for each of these posts, as well as some necessary disclaimers.
“Finding the Right Fit”: A Fallacy for First Searches
A look at how sometimes you just do not have the time and resources to find the “perfect” job.
“Trust the Process”: Efficiency v. Effectiveness in Job Applications
Searching for efficiency in creating job application materials.
“What Kind of Musical Instrument Are You?”: Fluffy Interview Questions and Wasting Time
Why I don’t mind “fluff” questions, and neither should you.
Conclusion
Final thoughts on this project.
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