So at work there are some new management positions available.  The descriptions for the jobs say that they’re really hands-off and are really “management” positions.  I don’t really have any qualifications for that sort of thing.  Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of things I can say, but I’m not confident about it.  Like budgets.  I have ZERO experience with budgets.  Fortunately I have no doubt I can learn.

So there are is a job coming up called “Applications Manager” and it would be in charge of SAP Basis, Database, Groupware (aka Lotus Notes) and Web Systems.  I think this would be a GREAT job.  I’ve been doing the technical end of this now for eight years for this one company.  I realized the other day that I have 15 years of Information Technology experience. How about that?  Want another one?  I started programing 25 years ago.

So its a good job.  A very good job.  And there are plenty of other people applying for it who, I have to confess, are probably better than me for this position.  But this is the last time I will say that.  I want to project an air of confidence.  See, I’m going to apply for this job.  And I want to do well at it.  I think I’m good enough that I have a reasonable shot at the job.  I mean, it wouldn’t be rediculous to see my name on the list of applicants.

But I don’t think I’ll get it.

I was talking with someone today who was saying that there are a lot of good reasons to apply for one of these jobs.  The most important being that it gets your name in the heads of the “powers that be” so when they start thinking about who might be good for a new job your name will pop in their heads.  I guess I can buy that.  I’ve already spoken directly with my supervisor about it and he knows I’m interested in more responsibility, but I think that by trying to get a job like this I will be addressing a far larger audience than just him.  I need more than just his support to advance.

So, now I have to brush off my resume and make sure its accurate and up to date.  I also have to review Interview Etiquette.  I’ll need to get a new suit and practice interviewing and going over how to make the points I want to make.  I want to go over my answers to the most common questions and have good answers ready to go.

I saw today where Rogers Cadenhead was talking about how to participate in a media interview.  Someone was interviewing him for some article.  His point was that you should have five points that you keep coming back to.  No matter what the question is you should somehow bring it back to one of your five points — even if it has nothing to do with the question. 

I bet that’s helpful.

Anyway, the bottom line is that while I may not be bubbling over with confidence that I can handle having 15 people reporting to me there’s a second job that’s coming up.  Its something like Manager of Web Development.  That sounds like fun to me.  It sounds really interesting and something I can do.  There’s some stiff competition there because the people who are already on the team will be interested in applying, but I think I would have a better than average shot at it.

Also, I haven’t gone after something with gusto in a very long time.  Its like asking a girl out in a way.  As long as you keep things casually it doesn’t hurt so much if you’re rejected.  I suppose I’ve been anxious about what will happen when they turn me down. 

I guess I’ll have to be a mensch and apply for the job.

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