A.C.D.C. asks:
I’m in a highly experimental, rapidly evolving field where disciplines such as physics and electronics converge. For the first two years after graduation, I worked in a research lab where I learned a great deal, particularly from the lab’s namesake – a brilliant physicist.
A lack of new, interesting projects and a desire to broaden my horizons led me to move to a quantum technology company. Although the technology there was interesting, my stay proved not to be sustainable. Due to budget issues, my contract wasn’t renewed. The fact that I had little connection with the team may have also played a role. There was a high workload, and several colleagues were out for extended periods with burnout. I can’t deny that I was on the edge myself.
My last job was in another research organization. I ended up in a rather chaotic situation where I was expected to organize my own work. This was a nearly impossible task due to the lack of clear objectives. Again, my contract wasn’t renewed. I’m quite frustrated about this because, in my two years there, I never received a single negative comment about my work. However, during that time, I had three different managers and I had to collaborate with people who weren’t managed by them, in fields they had no understanding of.
I’m now looking for a job in a more structured environment where I can work on interesting technology. I’ve seen a vacancy that perfectly matches my ambitions: a specialist role within a deep-tech company where aspects of all my previous professional experiences come together, combined with coaching and advisory tasks. Two years ago, I was already in contact with this company, but nothing came of it then. What do you think?
The headhunter answers:
While I appreciate your candor, I must advise against dishing out this kind of information in a job interview. You can tell me, of course, because it helps me better advise you on which roles and organizations suit you best. However, generally speaking, sharing such stories about your previous working environments isn’t well-received. Furthermore, since they concern not just one but all of your former employers, you risk creating the suspicion that you’re not socially strong and struggle to manage in demanding professional settings.
I completely agree that, from a technical perspective, the role is a perfect fit for you. But if I understand your career correctly, this position is missing an element essential to you: a fixed structure within a well-oiled organization. You write that you can’t be expected to organize your own work. By saying this, you’re essentially indicating that the position you want to apply for is out of your reach. In this role, you’d have to structure not only your own work but also that of junior engineers, and that’s clearly not your thing. You have to realize that breakthroughs in your field can only be achieved through teamwork, and your suitability will also be assessed accordingly.
In itself, the fact that you were turned down by the same company in the past doesn’t have to be an obstacle, but it may play a role. Do you know why you were rejected at the time? And did you apply for the same position back then? That could make a difference in your chances of success in this application process.
