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Am I presumptuous? Contacting manager before interview. Options · View
goodinthestacks
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:20:40 AM
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Joined: 4/29/2009
Posts: 5
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I currently work for an urban public library system that has a large number of branches. I recently applied for an assistant manager position at a different branch than where I am working now and have an interview coming up soon.

I told my current manager about this and she was helpful in giving me tips. One of the things she said was that I should contact the manager of the branch that I have applied to as a courtesy and to see if I could set up a meeting. The manager of this library is not interviewing me for the position and as far as I know, they do not have any role in the hiring decision.

At first I thought this was a good idea, but then thought that I might be overstepping my bounds. I do plan to visit this branch and have a look around, but I'm not sure if setting up this meeting would be a good idea.

I'm hoping that someone has some thoughts on this. Thank you for your help.
Hollis
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:36:00 PM
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Joined: 3/3/2008
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Location: kansas
You say that you work in the system and your current boss said this was a good idea. Given that, I would certainly stop by and introduce yourself, with the clear understanding that you have applied and wanted to meet face to face. Don't be sneaky about it as that could backfire. Don't assume that the manager has no input, even if he/she is not directly involved in the hiring process. It could be that there is a very good underground communications system at work. As long as you get along with your current boss well, I would trust this person to give you decent advice.
goodinthestacks
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4:31:00 PM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 4/29/2009
Posts: 5
Points: 15
Thanks for the feedback!

My current manager thinks very highly of me, so I don't think she would be steering me in the wrong direction.

However, my current manager also said that the managers don't have a say as to who gets hired at their branches since it is handled entirely by the human resources department. The library system I work at has nearly a thousand employees and over 50 branches and is very bureacratic when it comes to things like this.

So, meeting my possible new boss does not seem to have a great upside but could backfire if things don't go well, like you said. I don't think it is a terrible idea to maybe just stop by a meet with them, but I don't want it to seem sneaky.

I'll probably stop by that branch this weekend when I am off, and if the manager is there, I'll introduce myself. Checking out the branch will help and I was going to do that anyway, and since I'm there, it wouldn't be wrong to say hello.
bcgray
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11:43:26 PM

Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator , Member

Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Even if a manager does not have the power to make the decision, everyone has the ability to make recommendations and suggestions.

Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8
bcg8@case.edu
jori
Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:28:05 PM
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Joined: 5/14/2009
Posts: 1
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See if your manager could make an introduction. That might be a good way to not look like you're overstepping your bounds and it won't look sneaky if your manager is setting up the introduction. Good luck.

http://www.managerjobopenings.com
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