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I just had a very odd interview experience. I applied for a part-time job that I am likely over-qualified for. The position requires a couple years of experience and a BA (MA preferred) and I have 5 years experience and a higher-level graduate degree. I am currently on a humanities fellowship, and therefore not working full-time, but I'm ready to go back.
I go into the interview (with a small business of about 8 total employees) and expect to meet with a manager-level supervisor, but instead I speak with the owner. Fine, no big deal - I'm prepared. The owner obliquely suggests that I'm not the right for the part-time position, but that he might be interested in someone who could commit to the company full-time and long term. The next hour is a conversation (mostly the owner speaking) about the merits of the business and, although how they have been somewhat financially constrained, are really set to take off (granted, the business has been around for over 2 decades). We get along well, and everything is congenial, but I keep expecting to be told "thanks, maybe next time."
At the end of the interview (which somehow lasted the entire hour) I am told to "think about it and maybe be in touch at the end of the week." I'm hesitant to go forward, as the position would seem to be an undefined apprenticeship, really, but I might want the opportunity further down the line.
Does anyone have a similar experience?
And, if I want to politely decline, what's the best way to do so and still keep the possibility of developing the professional relationship in the future?
Since he wants a potential full time, you can use that to your advantage maybe. Depending on how much longer you have in school/fellowship and all that. Sell yourself as you are still in fellowship and can only commit to part time as of now but you have X months until you are complete. At that point you could commit to full time if the part time works out for the both of you. Treat the part time as a trial period.
The fact that they are so small after 2 decades, they might not have the funds to hire a full time person (unless the pay is cut back a lot). So while you are in school, work part time to learn the company, and when it takes off, they get someone already trained and can switch to full time quickly.
That is unless you dont want to work full time there, but even if not, you can work there and take experience else where. People seem fond of using the terms over qualifed, have X higher degree, whatever. Anyone that is capable of those are also capable of learning how things are done at a company (at least surface level) just by being there and seeing how people work. If you take the apprenticeship, keep eyes open and learn what is going on. Even if you don't have direct involvement in it, you can watch how people work, what they use, what problems pop up and how they deal with it.
He knows that you are over-qualified for the position but he likes you and your credentials so he wants to hold on to you. I bet once salary comes up, this won't even be on your radar.
I've heard that line before: "think about it and maybe be in touch at the end of the week." Once you're in touch and get the big picture...
It's up to you, if you think you'll desperately need a job once you're done with school then look into it but use eyeb's strategy above. If not, I sincerely doubt this will be what you're looking for.
8 employees, 2 decades, hasn't taken off yet... either no money or they actually have less slices so the employees get a bigger piece of the pie. I'm guessing the former.
I recommend stepping away. Your interview sounds like many that have been given by smaller owner/operator types. Mostly them sharing their philosophies and hopes/expectations on that growth they convinced themselves will come.
Don't accept a position that isn't defined and a clear need for. Without those then very likely it will be a disappointment to both the company (owner) and you.
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