Mull, mull, mull

Never hurts to apply, Connie! Unless you think the act of applying will cause problems with your current supervisor.

I've been reading a lot of Ask a Manager, and she has some good advice, and some warnings, for people looking to relocate within a company.

Good luck, Kate! Me, I just bought a new box of cards to send as thank-you notes for interviews. If I can ever get another one.

OTOH, I am wearing my new colorblock dress, which is really comfortable, and rather brighter than that picture, and it looks great with a black cashmere cardigan: professional but not stuffy.

So at least I look good, and not like I'm in mourning for my job.

Also a former coworker just gave me a hot pork bun. NOM.

I would email again and see if you can get an update.

Really? I was thinking that might be more annoying than helpful. Isn't there some sort of guideline like don't email more than once in [x] period of time? It's been a week and a day since my last email to him.

I would consider a week without any kind of communication plenty of time.

Yeah, a week seems long enough to wait before following up.

Cute dress, Consuela! Mmm, pork bun, my favorite!

Connie, I'd DEFINITELY apply for the QA job - sounds like it has a lot of perks and would be an upward move for you!

I know thank you notes seem very old fashioned, but I can tell you from very recent experience with new hires (both mine, and by colleagues), thank you notes actually made the difference between close candidates. It shows that you have more than a passing interest, attention to detail, and the ability to follow up. Now, none of the thank you notes were handwritten - they were all email. And they still made the difference.

I am generally all over thank you notes, so am super embarrassed that I didn't send one this time. I don't think I actually said "thank you for meeting with me" in my followup email, which I definitely should have.

But, OK, I can send him another email today. Hmm, must ponder what it should say. I'll probably ask for feedback before I send it.

OK, how's this?

Dear [name],

Thank you again for meeting with me last week about the library director position. I know it's a very busy time for you, but I'm wondering if you're still interested in having me to come to the school to meet with the library staff? I am available tomorrow afternoon as well as all day next Tuesday; I'll be out of town Wednesday through Friday of next week, but could also come in anytime during the week of June 3 if that's better for you.

Thanks, and I hope the end of the semester is going well!

Best wishes,

Kate

(I mentioned my limited availability next week in my last email, FWIW.)

The good job-fu is flowing (may it flow to Consuela also). I was part of an e-mail about passing work to junior staff to lighten the load on "us senior staff". I forwarded it to my manager with a snarky side comment about how I still consider myself junior staff.

His response - we need to move you up one level this year. Maybe 2. And he definitely sees me in the senior group. I'll take it. Just need to find out how to make that official and bump me into a new pay range (loft apartment...I'm coming for you).

Hey, Suzi, that's great!

And 'Suela, thanks for the link to Ask a Manager -- I'm reading through some of the blog posts now and it's really interesting.

Kate, I'd take out the "wondering" and maybe word it this way:

I know it's a very busy time for you, but I would welcome the opportunity to visit the school and meet with the library staff.