Working in New Orleans and Cronyism (appointed, neighborhoods, live in)

[colcat]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

What's a hole company?

You know, a company with a hole in it.

[Chilly Gentilly]

Originally Posted by colcat

You know, a company with a hole in it.

Or one that makes the best friggin holes aaalllll day

[jacq63]

You guys....

So OP, what did you end up doing? I found the same thing as many have described on this thread. Admittedly, I got my job through nepotism (via hubby) at a law firm. I still had to be interviewed but it was quite informal and spent mostly with the office manager telling me what an asset my husband was. Within a week I felt quite at home there but being Australian, hubby and I were of course the office curios and people naturally wanted to talk to us. Mind you, other new-comers were also treated in a friendly manner so I don't think we were treated too differently in that regard.
The boss though, seemed very much someone who hung in the 'right' circles (third generation lawyer, member of Endymion yadda yadda) and preferred to socialize with similar folks. It didn't bother me particularly but it was noticeable and I thought typical of many people i met in similar professional situations. He ended up being spoken to by some business consultants about his unorthodox hiring practices so I think it's a little more 'normal' there now. (He'd hire bar tenders he'd been chatting to who'd happen to mention they needed extra work, without the slightest idea of whether they could do the job).

There are definitely many 'cliques' in the city and in that respect we found a similarity with our home town of Adelaide (which is the polar opposite in most other ways). People are friendly when you visit, they'll start chatting and even buy you a drink but when you go to a party, you'll have to work pretty hard to be accepted into the established circles. We have lots of lovely friends there but to be friends with THEIR friends is something else again. (This seems to be mostly the case in the FQ where we lived, in the suburbs they seem a little less cliquey). It's a smaller city with such a rich history and so many 'old' families, it's probably unavoidable. We didn't leave b/c of it though, we just needed a change of scenery. I hope the OP was able to find a solution.

[treegardner]

This makes me nervous. My husband recently interviewed for a job with Jefferson Parish and if he gets it we would be relocating from San Diego. Is it really that hard for transplants?

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by treegardner

This makes me nervous. My husband recently interviewed for a job with Jefferson Parish and if he gets it we would be relocating from San Diego. Is it really that hard for transplants?

You'll be fine.

[va_bank]

So, is this specific to public sector? In that case I'd say things are the same where I come from. Anyone work in IT, Finance, Telecom? My wife and I have previously been able to fit in socially with all walks of life - from motorcycle clubs to corporate executives, but this thread raises some concerns.

I'm in tech industry and wife is a business analyst. Are these the type of jobs that are subject to the same cronyism/nepotism or whatever?

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by va_bank

So, is this specific to public sector? In that case I'd say things are the same where I come from. Anyone work in IT, Finance, Telecom? My wife and I have previously been able to fit in socially with all walks of life - from motorcycle clubs to corporate executives, but this thread raises some concerns.

I'm in tech industry and wife is a business analyst. Are these the type of jobs that are subject to the same cronyism/nepotism or whatever?

I really wouldn't worry about it in the tech sector... that's still a nascent industry here and "old ties" will probably go back ten years, max.

As far as being a business analyst, I would think she might have some problems running into things being done "the New Orleans way" (martini lunches) but I really think a lot of that gets overblown.

[skelaki]

I think that just as with anything if you're willing to accept and go with local culture and customs and not have to tell everyone how much better they do it back where you used to live, you'll do fine.

But, if you can't accept cultural differences (and when in "Rome" do as the Romans), you'd be better off staying where you are. It's really up to you!

[va_bank]

Originally Posted by Neworleansisprettygood

things being done "the New Orleans way" (martini lunches) but I really think a lot of that gets overblown.

With us, it's the opposite. We are from the tri-state area, work in NYC. We are both tired of insanely-fast, long and grueling work schedule. That's no way to spend one's life. We want to slow down. A martini lunch would be a dream come true, as long as it's not everyday.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by va_bank

With us, it's the opposite. We are from the tri-state area, work in NYC. We are both tired of insanely-fast, long and grueling work schedule. That's no way to spend one's life. We want to slow down. A martini lunch would be a dream come true, as long as it's not everyday.

...aaaand I've found your problem.

Just kidding. Must be the Bud Light talking.