Ambivalence

I had my interview today and came out of it feeling ambivalent.

The first flag was the floor it was located on... a floor full of construction. I managed to find my way to the office where it was tucked away in the corner. The office looks a bit old school from the outside. I stepped in and see one of the staff outside of his office, I close the door and the interviewer comes out to greet me. We started the interview right away, I was there 15 minutes early.

The interview asked a lot of questions about management style and asked me to outline my experience, what my managers would say about me, what I do for volunteering... etc. He then mentioned the social media and video aspect of the job, and said it's no guarantee but they do want to hire someone to take care of that stuff. I did cringe a bit there.

It came to my turn to ask questions. I asked more about the position and if it was new, found out that the previous admin left during her maternity leave... and she worked there for a few years. The past year they've had two people cover the position. I'm wondering if those people are also being considered for the role? Unless they left... then that's something I would like to inquire about if I get the offer. I then asked about company culture and success in the role. This is the part that stunned me. Basically, the culture is very similar to what I've experience in the past... I'm actually looking for a more team-environment where I can still be social. It's nice the staff are in the office everyday, however they're in their own offices... so it's very similar to one of my past jobs where eveyone was in their own office. It's also a small company too, not many staff. To be successful in the role is to be autonomous.

I feel like this is what most reception/office admin positions expect... D: Blah. I want to get out of that, but at least it's much better than my previous job.

Here's the part where I'm ambivalent... the culture really prides on open communication and the exchange of ideas. There's no hierarchy, so even the highest of the owners is available to chat on the phone, and ideas are always welcome. I really like that aspect, not a lot of companies I've worked for in the past are open to that.

The interviewer asked me again about scheduling and whether this fits. I managed to find out why the position was PT... it's mainly because it was to accommodate the schedule of the previous admin, but there is a potential for FT, if there's more work to do. So for example, if I get the chance to do the social media and video editing for the company, then that could help lead it to FT.

But I think deep inside of me I am cringing at the office admin part. He referred to one of my past roles and said the duties I fulfilled would be what I would be taking care of at the company. Yikes.

It's a company with rapid growth, which I find really appealing to work for... but ahhh I don't know. I should have asked if there's room for growth...

I was asked to send my references after the interview. I sent a thank you letter and my refs and received an e-mail back saying the interviewer will be contacting my refs tomorrow and will follow-up.

I said I'd be available this Thursday to start. I should have said I'd need a week or two weeks instead. If I get the offer, I definitely want to think about it.

It pays much better than a lot of jobs, but I think I could do better, but the experience building and having a permanent position is very tempting. Aiyeeee.