Working Mummies Support Group #2

[MummyNaomi]

Did you hear back from your boss BD?

Well I'm either derranged, stupid or just awesomely stubborn - I've applied for another internal role. Its a Business Analyst Role, a 12 month secondment. Lots of the BA roles are former Team Leaders etc as the management and communication skills transfer nicely, so I've thrown my hat in the ring. While the secondment status isn't fab, it gives me a 12 month reprieve, lets me improve my skill sets significantly and the manager said there is every chance a permanent gig may eventuate in that time, although this particular one is a maternity secondment.

Had a chat with a colleague who's been in the role for 12 months, and a chat with the hiring manager today, submitted it tonight. It closes Friday. Not gonna get my hopes ridiculously up this time, but gonna give it a red hot go! It's probably one of the last chances of a this type of role coming up for a while so a limited opportunity too. Down side - its open across SA/VIC and NSW so plenty of competition. I have my other interview feedback tomorrow too so hope to get something worthwhile out of that

[wysiwyg]

Good luck MN - I think is a smart move, and I think you will make a great BA - communication, common sense, and a desire to understand and the ability to influence, is what makes a good BA in my book (I started life as a BA) - I don't hold that much weight against some of the specifics you see adverts for BA's requiring - most of those are quickly learned, but if you don't have the other things which are more difficult to 'learn' - no amount of knowing the proper way to 'model' or document something will make up for it. Hope you get something useful out of the other interview feedback too.

[OceanPrincess]

Ooh I'm a BA MN, wholeheartedly agree with what wysiwyg said. Let me know if you've got any specific questions

[MummyNaomi]

Ooh I'm a BA MN, wholeheartedly agree with what wysiwyg said. Let me know if you've got any specific questions

Thanks OP. I've been smoozing today, I am hopeful to get to interview stage, then I might pick your brain a little in prep for that

I got my interview feedback. TBH its extremely frustrating. I was the best interview and they loved my presentation, but were spoiled for choice and the successful's candidates social media background clinched it. To be told "there's not really much more you could have done" sucks. Great in the sense that I interviewed so well considering its be a loooooong time since I've done one, so lots of positives but frustrating when you dont nail the role. I've never had so much positive feedback for something I failed at IYKWIM

However, one good thing to take out of it, is to turn my current background into a positive - so reminds me to talk it up and highlight the diversity in my current role so interviewers understand that its actually a benefit, not a perceived weakness. My current dept is debt collection, but I manage a Hardship area, so talking that up in the sense that it covers all product/process/customer groups and show my breadth of knowledge will be an advantage in the BA Application I think

[Beautiful Disaster]

The boss didn't call another chick did.

Apparently interviews haven't been concluded but I'm on the short list. Wtf? That's a long way from job is yours see you in 2 weeks

[OceanPrincess]

BD that does suck! Have you asked for any feedback? I think you need to know what happened.

What do you think you'll do now??

MN you have such a positive frame of mind considering everything that's been going on! Most of the time anyway It must have been tough hearing there wasn't anything you could have done better but you still didn't get it Lucky them being spoiled for choice!

AFM: went out for breakfast this morning with my PM and the rest of the guys (still trying to work out who's in the team and who's not, it's a huge program of works so I think most of the guys who came for breakfast were other PMs, so not technically on my team), which was quite nice. One of the other PMs bought me a coffee, all going well, then my PM looks at the other one and goes "Should I tell them? Yep ok... " Looks at us and says "I've just handed in my notice"

He's got a great opportunity to head up a huge DoD project five minutes from his home, win all round, awesome position, so great for him, but he's been a great PM for me to ease back into it all - he's relaxed, approachable and flexible. So, sucks for me. No one knows who's taking over from him, so I'll just have to wait and see I guess.

On the home front, DD is getting better at handling my departures, so that's good. Got a stressed phone call from DH yesterday about 4pm that DD was really sick and needed a Dr, where should he take her? I was a bit surprised, if she was that sick why hadn't the ILs called me? Turns out he was just being a stress head and DD is ok, she is definitely sick but not warranting immediate rush to the GP. DH isn't handling things so well ATM. He's stressed and grumpy and it just makes me feel stressed in turn that I can't be there to help like I normally do.

We're all struggling with the adjustment, really. We need to lean more on DH's parents, which he is reluctant to do, but we need them now and they are there for us, happy to help, DH just needs to let go of his pride and concern about "asking too much of them". That's what they are there for...

[peanutter]

big hugs. Maybe you can be PM?

[MummyNaomi]

Indeed Yes OP – opportunity knocking??

I found it took longer to adjust to my return to work after baby#2, so I imagine that gets more challenging again after baby#3, so do hang in there. It’s a constant juggling act though isn’t it, and winter sickness just adds a whole other level of stress etc. I think you are smashing juggling a big family and work!

Thanks re the positive attitude comment. I have had a few pity parties as you know. But all in all I am one of those people that pick myself up and look for the next opportunity. I can only be a sook for a short while before it gets boring and old. LOL. I’ve set all the groundwork for this current opportunity, including a 30 minute meeting with our Transformation Director yesterday (a few management levels up the rung) so am talking to as many stakeholders as possible to position myself favourably for the role. Also in addition to my standard application of cover letter and resume I also send a 5 page presentation to the BA Hiring Manager outlining my skills, attributes and some key projects that I’ve run in my dept with fantabulous outcomes. I expect that there will be lots of decent applications so anything that makes them remember me and makes an impression is worth the extra effort I feel. It was received well. Lucky too I have a broad network of colleagues to sing my praises. Applications close today, I hope to have scored myself an interview opportunity.

I must say though, that job hunting is exhausting!! LOL It’s a full time job in itself!

[OceanPrincess]

LOL, me as PM, there's a thought!

Seriously, I think that once I've settled back in a bit more the pressure will start to creep in to step into that sort of role, but not this one. This program is huge and all the PMs are seriously experienced... not the kind of thing that I could cut my teeth on.

Plus I'd need to do some training etc.

PLUS I don't think I actually want to be a PM! More stress, managing budgets and timeframes and people, I just can't be bothered with all that. Not yet, anyway.

But thanks for your votes of confidence

MN, sounds like you are doing all the right things for this position! Fx it comes together and you're the best applicant this time! And yes, job hunting IS exhausting. Hang in there!!

[wysiwyg]

PLUS I don't think I actually want to be a PM! More stress, managing budgets and timeframes and people, I just can't be bothered with all that. Not yet, anyway.

I would be with you there, I think in a way it is a shame how many good BA's go into being PM's because it is one of the only ways to progress and get recognition at a lot of places, but it shouldn't really be like that - it should be possible to progress in a different manner. Maybe I have worked with too many not great PM's - but there is far too much just doing stuff to tick a box, and doing unnecessary things just because they are on the plan, rather than focusing the effort in the areas that matter. Too many times get to the end of a project and it is deemed a success but then the system doesn't actually do what was intended and the users aren't happy - I think PM's can be prone to losing sight of the 'why' behind doing things. I have worked with some good ones, but they always have a good support team (BA's etc. behind them)

[MummyNaomi]

wysiwyg and OP - what were you prior to your BA roles ?

[wysiwyg]

A uni student, I went straight in as a Business Analyst on a graduate program at the big pharma company in the UK I have spent most of my working life with. But BA is a very broad term, covering a wide variety of things, I have always been an IT BA, so in that arena is the ability to learn and question the business and translate it to IT systems, so you don't really need to start with business experience whereas I think outside the IT world Business Analyst job adverts I have seen often want the business experience and knowledge you will bring IYKWIM. Lots of projects I have been called the BA and it basically meant the person who does whatever the project needs at that point in time.

[wysiwyg]

I think honeymoon period is over in new job - lots about it really irritated me on Monday, I can't decide if they have decided don't want to go ahead with project or if they are just unorganized. Hope tomorrow will be a better day - I am on holiday next week and contract is due up mid August. Just done tax return though which I always enjoy in a strange sort of way.

Today has been a bad day - after swimming DS ran out of the swim center and ran into the road into the side of a car (I was trying to catch him but with my foot still in camwalker boot stood no chance!) - he is fine, but my nerves and DD's were shaken, and he was very shamefaced. Poor woman whose car he ran into the side of - she was great though very understanding (older but had had four of her own). Fingers crossed he doesn't use anymore of his 8 lives left before he turns three on Thursday.

[Frangipani Lou]

Oh that must have been an aweful experience wysiwyg! And how frustrating not to be able to move very fast. Thank goodness he's ok.

[MummyNaomi]

Oh babe, how scary, so glad he is ok. Xxx

[MummyNaomi]

Scored a BA interview, not till 29th July though, plenty of time to prepare at least!

[wysiwyg]

Scored a BA interview, not till 29th July though, plenty of time to prepare at least!

Well done MN!!!! I am off work till 28th now - off away to NT with my folks (they are already there) - looking forward to the warmth, and the boot is off - not sure there has been any healing but doesn't seem to be doing anything - so doc said to take it off -hooray.

DS has been very sensible around roads since the Tuesday incident - which is nice.

[nyigi]

Hi guys I thought I'd join in (I've been reading along for a little while and seems like a really nice support group for all things related to juggling family and work).
I've got a 4.5 year old boy and another one due in October.
Currently trying to finish my PhD thesis before the baby comes and working part-time.
I'm not really sure when I'll go back to formal work after the baby comes. Though I know I'll be busy enough revising my thesis and applying for jobs etc.