Name Changer
Having been let go after a 20-year career at the same firm, I found myself interviewing for the first time in decades. I was sending out resumes, contacting friends and colleagues, and signing up with recruiters. Reading all advice online, when any opportunity arose to interview, I took it. I was contacted by a recruiter who had an opening at a fintech firm, a company of about 70 people; the job description was vague but having been in fintech sales for most of my career, I knew it was in my wheelhouse.
The first interviewer was great, very easy to talk to and professional. After about 40 minutes he told me he was going to call in the director of HR to speak to me who shared my first name. Strangely he mentioned that she hadn’t wanted to even meet me, but he would ask her to come in. He also mentioned to be sure to give her a strong handshake.
When I met her, she was professional and pleasant; we spoke for about a half hour about the position, my work history and the market in general. Things seemed to be going well when wrapping up, she said:
“So, what does the M. stand for?”
“Mary?” I responded.
“Do you ever go by it?” She asked.
“No, I do not”, I replied.
“Well if you come to work here, you’ll have to change your name, I can’t have another Stephanie working here.” She said.
I started to chuckle and realized she was completely serious. She was scanning my resume and kept talking, telling me they had a previous employee named Stephanie and it caused her a lot of issues with phone calls, messages, etc. I said I would go by Steph and she refused, saying that wouldn’t work. “Think about it”, she said, getting up from the conference table and giving me another strong grip but I was already lost in thought, wondering how I could possibly not be called by my own name.
The following week, I heard back from the recruiter saying they wanted me to come back. I had told him about the name change issue and that I wasn’t really interested in returning but he persisted. The CEO wanted to speak to me. All those advice columns I had read arose in my mind, an interview with a CEO was good practice at the very least so after a little back and forth, I relented.
Upon return, I met with my initial contact who was again professional and polite. We moved to another conference room and he said the CEO would be in shortly. As I waited, I thought, is this really where I want to work? What would my name be? How could I spend my entire day being called something else when I’ve spent 50 years being called Stephanie?
The CEO came in as did my namesake to introduce him. As she left, we began to talk about the position and evidently, the job description hadn’t reached him either. He told me he was looking for someone with a completely different background than mine. As he slammed his hand down on the table, he said, what are you doing here, almost shouting. I said I was asked to come meet you and again, slamming his hand down, he shouted, “What are you doing here?” I responded, "wasting my time apparently" and I left.
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I am struggling with a hit in confidence.
Will be let go at the end of the year for reasons that are not me - senior mgmt doesn’t value the role of operations, financial troubles, not our first round of layoffs. And I’ve made peace with leaving but in trying to find something new, have gotten no interviews at all. Probably applied to 70 jobs or so so far. That’s what is hurting my confidence. I know I can do well and in interview but having a hard time getting in the door. Any advice or services that have worked to successfully get you an interview?
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I am working with a new partner for a new project who straight away assumes negative intent.
I need advice on: execs who agree to an approach, yet (seem to) task people in their org to something different, who should manage cross-team turf wars and managing aggressive communications/actions.
We are working on a new project for which there is no precedent. It’s very early, we’re at the vision stage seeking strategic alignment with execs… my exec and their exec agreed on this approach. Then, this persons exec tasked them with a deliverable that is contrary to this approach.
I was out sick. I personally Messaged this person (assigned with the deliverable) to let them know that I could not meet for our first 1:1, (not knowing they had a deliverable for my project) and my slack status clearly said i was out. That didn’t stop the person from writing a message in a public forum that I was unwilling to partner—a group whose support I will need to deliver bold visions.
When I met with them after returning for illness, that is when I came to know that they have a deliverable they want me to green light. This is deliverable is contrary to the approach dictated by the exexs. It’s too soon to agree on on the tactics. This direction was given by their VP— 2/3 levels above this person. This person said they were given this task by the same VP that proposed this strategic alignment approach.
This person accused me of not helping with the deliverable. Something they did not communicate until 3 days before its deadline. I do not have a single email, slack, calendar invite, etc stating this deliverable. Further, this task is contrary to what the overall program has ageed to, a meeting that I was privy to, and this person was not.
Their communications were heated, aggressive, and disrespectful. They explained a concept to me, then, when I was silent (not wanting to get trapped into agreeing to a scope of work that was not my place to agree to, which was clearly her MO for our first 1:1) they assumed that I didn’t understand. They said in a very snarky tone: “well I don’t know how to explain this to you any further, it’s very simple, if you don’t understand this I don’t know what to say.” I feel this is unprofessional communication.
On insight is: they indicated that they came up with this same idea years ago, despite not knowing (and being privy to) leadership conversations that say what the idea is… that seems lilke classic turf wars.
I often tolerate very bad behavior. How can I stop this before it gets out of hand? It seems they are threatened by my role and intend to continue speaking to me in this manner. My belief is, if you wouldn’t speak to an executive that way, don’t Speak to me that way.
i am empathetic To their feeling of being left out, but specifically, I need advice on how I should manage the situation.
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Hi All,
I am a soon to be qualified accountant and I have seen great disparities between different companies in their accounting department.
Unfortunately, I did not qualify via a big 4 company or a top 50 accounting company.
I have worked for both private and FTSE listed companies and have noticed a difference in their accounting methods/styles.
I have spent the majority of my career as an assistant accountant. However, my new role is focused on management accounts and client reporting.
I am nearing 30, and I am very worried I am lacking core accounting experiences that would put me in a favourable position with employers.
My current employer does not have a distinct hierarchy/support systems for promotions or any development opportunities.
I would like to be in a position where I can know the integral parts of accounting which will allow me to be confident in taking on a management role.
I have seen all the finance directors have been ex big four auditors / ex auditors in general so they have a wide breadth of knowledge.
How can I improve my accounting knowledge , so I can learn about all departments and begin to think as a strong accountant.
I would appreciate if someone could provide advise on how to climb the ladder in accounting . My interest do lie in treasury accounting but I believe I have mistakenly joined this company without thinking about the development opportunities available to me.
What is the normal career path of an accountant? I graduated in 2019 .
How can an individual become a strong accountant and differentiate themselves from their competitors?
Thank you in advance.
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Greetings!
I graduated in MS in Supply Chain Management August 2023. I have enormous experience in leadership role in fast moving shipping company based in Asia Pacific. Currently, support family owned Real Estate Investment company where I am in charge of all investment portfolios as a project manager. I am competitive, full of vigor with analytical skills and emotional intelligence. I really want to move career in Supply Chain Management. The only thing that has stood my way is “Fear” of my 63 lifelong experience that can offer so much insight into everything. Please provide me real feedbacks. ?
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What is the easiest remote side gig I can find?
Looking for something to supplement my income while unemployed and while looking for a permanent position. Is it customer service or data entry or doordash? What have you done while in career transition situation for money?
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I recently was promoted within the organization to an executive assistant to the VP.
HR asst.
my first 3 months were extremely busy, stressful and confusing. Had I not been in the organization for 10 years in a previous role, I think they may have fire me.
fast forward and I’m sitting here so bored. The department has ebbs and flows and I was told this at my interview.
I know in no time, I’ll be running around again.
My question is, should I ask for more work during this intermittent downtime or ride it out.
I have been the dumping ground for people’s responsibilities in the paymasters so I want to try and avoid that this time around.
Also, the position I am in is the highest I can move. So I really don’t have to prove myself in order to get another promotion. This is my 4th promotion in the company in 11 years. I really don’t plan to move again.
What would you do to keep yourself so you don’t get someone’s busy work.
Thank you.
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