When I got to the school today for my meeting with the principal, I found out she had already filled the secretary position. Apparently she was just speaking casually when she asked me if I was interested in it and never intended to give me a shot at it. Our meeting today ended up being about my current job responsibilities, and she made some noises about maybe finding a new position for me to "utilize my talents" but I think that was mostly an effort to cover the embarrassment of having to tell me the job was taken already.
Whatever. I'm very disappointed, mostly that my new boss let me waste time this week thinking I had a chance at a better job when I didn't. I didn't expect it to be handed to me, but I did want the chance to try for it. The new school year hasn't even started yet and I'm feeling insulted and overlooked...again.
This really and truly might be my last year at this particular school. I'll continue looking elsewhere in the district for a better position. A little more respect and consideration would be nice, too.
Well excuse my swearing but for f**k's sake! Dammit!
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad and such a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteIt is, and it is.
DeleteShe shouldn't be speaking "casually" to any prospective employee about a job. Not nice.
ReplyDeleteYes, it makes me wonder about what kind of person she'll turn out to be. Not a great start.
DeleteThat bitch. I'm really pissed off for you -- where does your school get all these assholes? Well, at least you'll get another Summer vacation, and who knows? Maybe you dodged a bullet...the coming school year will tell. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteVivian! This was my favorite comment! "Where does your school get all these assholes?" LOL. Thanks for making me laugh.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear this. She should have never just spoken casually to you about it if she wasn't intending on giving you a shot for the job. Maybe looking for another job within the district might not be a bad thing to do. Again, I am sorry. Snuggle with Poppy and George.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael! Poppy and George have the BEST cuddles.
DeleteMakes me think that with her 'casual' behavior and leading you to believe you had a chance at the job.....maybe it's best not working for this broad. I think you just got a sampling of her 'style' of management. Yep, keep looking. The right door will eventually open up. It's probably best you didn't walk through this one. Good luck
ReplyDeleteand keep us posted.
Paranormal John
Thanks, Paranormal John! I think you're probably right about all this.
DeleteI know your first impressions of the new principal were positive and optimistic but the way she has dealt with the new job possibility verges on cruelty. She should at least have had the decency to apologise profusely for building up your hopes unfairly. An explanation would also be good.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know I didn't just misunderstand her, because when she first asked me if I was interested and I immediately responded, one of our guidance counselors was standing beside me. We left at the same time, and as we walked out to the parking lot, she said, "Barlow!! That's wonderful! You would be GREAT in that role. I'm so happy for you!" So she was convinced I was halfway to having the job, too.
DeleteBut it's okay. I may have dodged a bullet, or it may be fine, just a misunderstanding. I can keep looking for a better job, and at least I LIKE my current one.
I thought the offer was a bit casual. As someone who has done HR in PA, there are certain rules that need to be followed, job postings, interviews, etc. Shame she didn't give you more information at the time she mentioned it. Nice peppers. I have one so far.
ReplyDeleteThe peppers are kind of bland, just sweet banana peppers. I plan to pickle some for putting on salads and sandwiches later in the year.
Delete"I'm feeling insulted and overlooked...again."
ReplyDeleteI think you answered your own question sugar pie. Your talents will be better served elsewhere I believe. I say go spread your wings and see what's out there. Hard to be in a job you don't enjoy or get bored.
Yes, I want some new challenges and more respect than I've been shown over the last couple of years. I have friends at other schools who will be keeping an ear to the ground for better opportunities for me.
DeleteI'm so sorry Jennifer. She should know better than to start out like that with you or anyone for that matter.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this would be a good time to check with other schools for openings before the new year starts.
I have a feeling this new principal will come to regret starting out like this!
Most of the openings for next year have already been filled--at least any openings that would be a step up for me. But I plan to continue looking! Thank you.
DeleteThat's very naughty of her. Do you know who got the job? A friend of hers perhaps? This is not the best way for her to start her new position.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the person who got the job. A friend? Possibly. I did here that the woman was from outside the district, so not a transfer from another school or office.
DeleteThat's disappointing and disrespectful. Why did she even mention it all if she knew it was a done deal?
ReplyDeleteI'm really struggling to understand that, too. I suppose it doesn't matter.
DeleteWhat a highly unprofessional way she showed with you, arranging a meeting like that! If that is how the new principal works, then you will really be much better off not working for her directly, or at her school at all.
ReplyDeleteDisappointment is draining. I hope you feel a little better about it all today.
You are right, Meike. And I do feel better about it today. Thank you.
DeleteWhat a disappointment and not an auspicious start for the new principal.
ReplyDeleteYou're right.
DeleteI am sorry to hear about your disappointing encounter with the new principal. It may be lucky you aren't her secretary if she can be so unprofessional. Make the best of your old job until you find something better. Relax and enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteI only have three weeks of summer left, and I intend to focus on having fun and doing things for myself!
DeleteI'm disappointed as well. I guarantee you this principal is bringing in someone she's worked with in the past. Principals do that, particularly when they're working in a new school. I have a strong feeling something wonderful is waiting in the wings for you. Enjoy your summer and try not to let this weigh on you. Your time is coming, I know it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Melinda. I hope you're right about something wonderful coming for me! I've worked really hard over my five years there, tried really hard, and the result has been less and less respect and consideration. Hopefully a mostly new staff will change the toxic atmosphere, at least.
DeleteOh that is so disappointing, how cruel of her, do you think she lead you on deliberately? When this happened to me for a Deputy Headship, I handed in my notice right away, got a Deputy job some where else and did not stay at my old school to show the new Deputy the ropes!
ReplyDeleteI don't think she was deliberately cruel. I think she was brand new herself, with about 1000 things going on (including replacing fully half the staff who left at the end of May) and she was talking off the top of her head and not really thinking of how seriously I would take it. And then for whatever reason, went ahead and hired somewhere the following week, again probably without thinking much of me at all.
DeleteI could tell she was embarrassed yesterday, and she said a lot of things about how she was going to try to create a new position for me that would "use my talents". She also went on and on about all the "good things" she had heard about me and my relationships with parents and students and how much of an "asset" I am to the school. Most of it was probably utter bs to cover what she did. Time will tell.
Oh no. I'm sorry to hear it. What a WEIRD thing for her to do! I mean, you just don't say something like that to someone, "casually" or not, when you don't mean it or don't anticipate the message you may be sending. It doesn't give me great hope for her managerial skills, but I'll do my best to keep an open mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to keep an open mind, too. I don't want to assume the worst when it's unlikely she meant it personally. But my feelings were bruised, I'll admit it.
DeleteOh Jennifer...extremely unprofessional for her to ask something and then dismiss it without a second thought. This does not bode well, I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely less optimistic about the new school year now.
DeleteNo manners. How did she get her job, I wonder. It wasn't through people-skills.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea, Tom. And you're right, it was bad manners at the very least.
DeleteI have been thinking about this. Was the position filled internally? If it was, it was extremely unfair. If it was filled externally, perhaps she had a reason. But to fill the position internally without giving all employees a crack at it simply makes for a toxic work place, indicating favoritism. You have a whole summer to find a different position. I would do it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was internal but I'm not certain. Either way, I've decided to let it go and concentrate on having the best year with my current job as possible.
Deleteyes that is a disappointment. One would think not to get out hope so casually only to have feelings hurt. On the positive spin, if this is how she is maybe you are better off not working for such as character.
ReplyDeletewell fuck...that sucks.
ReplyDelete