What is the best way to respond to this? (Job search related).
Asked by
Haleth (
18947
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December 12th, 2015
I’ve written previously about trying to change careers. I’m a retail manager at a wine store and this fall I went back to school as a nursing student. In October my grandmother got very sick and died. The combination of family responsibilities and long work hours didn’t leave me much time to study, and I withdrew from all of my classes.
About three months ago I also started going to AA meetings and quit drinking. I’ve poured a LOT of time and effort into learning about wine, and it is still one of my strongest job skills. Weirdly, I don’t feel all that tempted to drink, even being around wine all day. Wine has become more like an academic subject.
My current job has a lot of unreasonable demands, like sometimes skipping weekends or working six days a week with little notice. I’m planning to change jobs after Christmas is over, whatever else happens. No service industry job is great for work/life balance, but my boss is definitely worse than normal about it. We stay open on days when even other stores are closed, like during winter weather emergencies and on major holidays. My going plan is to find a job with better work/life balance after Christmas is over.
One of the best wine stores in the city e-mailed me this afternoon, saying they found my resume on indeed and would like to discuss an opening. The position is to be the manager of operations for both their wine shop and wine bar. This place is freaking awesome. It’s so highly regarded that I’ve seen openings there before and been afraid to apply, thinking that I didn’t stand a chance. The position is a bigger responsibility, and I don’t know if their company culture is better, but I think it’s worth going to the interview.
Typically you’d send in a resume and cover letter. If they reached out first, how do I word my e-mail to them? I’m also honestly not sure how to explain my career plans to them. But it’s such an amazing opportunity, it seems like I should at least investigate it. Thoughts?
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9 Answers
Personally I would run to that job if you hate the one you are in. If you are honest with them about your plans and the need for work-life balance then you may just get what you want. Another thing to consider is the temptation to drink again. If there is any hint that it could be a problem for you then you should find another gig.
It is a hassle to hire new people, and there is fear in hiring an inadequate person. If they are coming to you, then it is likely because they perceive that you will be a great fit and solve a sizable problem that they need solved.
Likely they are going to build a case for hiring you with very little work on your part—well, you’ve already done the work by being who you have been for the last few years. Now, you basically just need to show up and say yes.
Respond by saying (in your own words) that you are interested and that you believe the opportunity is a good fit and that you would like to talk more about it. Ask them whether they would like a copy of your resume and whether any other documents are required. It may be that you will interview with someone other than the person who contacted you, in which case I would guess you’ll need to provide the usual stuff.
Unless you plan on saying no, don’t tell them about your career plans. Present yourself well and let them fill in the blanks. If they ask, draw from your expertise and tell them how you would do a great job of running the place. That’s mostly what they care about.
You’re in a good position because they are already interested. What you can do now is make it easy for them hire you by facilitating their hiring process. Just ask them what they need and respond accordingly.
You wrote:
> About three months ago I also started going to AA meetings and quit drinking.
Are you required to taste the product?
Great jobs do not come around often but as a recovering alcoholic myself…IMHO you are playing with fire by accepting a job that puts you up close and personal with booze. One of the hardest things for me was grocery shopping and having to scoot past the wine and beer isles. You on the other hand will be in and around them for an entire work shift.
If you do take this job you have to be aware that you will need an iron clad will to resist the temptation to drink and if you feel you are up to that task after only months of sobriety then go for it.
But she is working in a wine shop now.
Yes, and she has only recently decided to go to AA. This is about the future.
Take the opportunity. It will be practice interviewing if nothing else. Ask questions about the company culture and the compensation. Who knows? It may be the answer to your dilemma.
To answer your specific question. I would say ion the email that you would be very interested in meeting with them to discuss the value you could bring to their company. Is there anything new since your resume that they found? If so, add it.
I am PMing you with something I heard that was interesting about your field.
I would email them back and attach my most current resume and would ask them to email me back the job description.
You could mention in your email that you are very interested in their corporate culture and ask if it would be possible to briefly meet a few employees who could speak to that. Or, if you prefer, you could ask to meet with a few people who report to the manager of operations so that you can get a feel from them of what some of the short-term and longer-term needs of the position are. The more people you meet with, the more accurate the representation of the company and its culture, typically.
You could also ask if you could reach out to the former employee who held that position.
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