Concerned professional

[CarolB]

Sorry this is a long story but true..............

I accepted an offer from a small house museum to and began working for them. After 30 days I was released from my position as director. It seems that the founding director went to the board and told them I was seeking other full-time employment and wanted to work for them only on a part-time basis. This was totally false

I took the iniative and called the chairman of the board. His first comments were disturbing. He said he wasn't sure how much he could divulge, but informed me that they had issues with me wanting to work ony part-time and would consider reinstating me but had to go to the board for a vote. Needless to say I did not get reinstated nor did anyone ever contact me with what was said.

1. We discussed me becoming an adjunct professor and there was no problem.
2. Business hours total 30 hours a week or less.
3. I have a museum/history background and was given clerical responsibiities. When I took the iniative to go out and do other things related to the museum (develop a volunteer staff, meet local business owners, and research professional development opportunities) the founding director seemed to have issues.

Question: Has anyone experienced this and how did you handle it? How will this reflect on my professionalism and will my ethics be questioned? I know the museum world is small and people that you don't know might have information on you even before you submitt a resume.

[lindsey]

Wow, first of all, I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. I had a similar experience but, lucky for me, it was on a much, much smaller scale.

About 6 years ago I dropped my resume off with the director of a local historical society. He was the only paid staff, so I didn't expect anything to come of it, but I dropped it off anyway.

Then, much to my surprise, about a year later the society contacted me about a grant-funded, contract position. The director was long gone, but the society had gotten a hold of my resume and contacted me. I had a lovely 1 1/2 hour interview for a job that would be about 10 hours a week (I already had another PT museum job, so this would be perfect!) The board member interviewing me seemed very pleased and offered me the position on the spot. We set the start date, discussed payment, and all of that stuff. There was no mistaking the fact that I had been hired. And, it was just a contract position for a couple thousand dollars, nothing too complicated.

After that, I never heard from them again.

The board member was supposed to contact me by a certain date. When the day came and went, I called and called and called but I never heard back.

And then I saw the photo and article in the paper covering the grant-presentation ceremony. There was no other employee mentioned.

To this day I wonder what exactly happened.

I had volunteered there as a kid--and even once or twice in college, so when this happened I just got a sour taste in my mouth for the whole organization. Sad.

I doubt this will help your situation, but I wish you the best.

[CarolB]

Wow. I also had a similar situation to yours. I had a phone interview with a headhunter and they were to forward my information to the organization they were working for. I was suppose to get a phone call to setup an onsite interview and never got a phone call. They hired someone else.

Second case-I interviewed with a museum and a member of the board had also applied for the position. They allowed that individual to be apart of the meeting interview.

[Katz Collections Care]

My husband is in non-profit management, and he has had bad experiences repeatedly with founding directors of organizations. Generally, even after they resign from handling the day-to-day activities, they are resistant to someone else taking the organization in another direction. It is their "baby" and they can be quite resentful of new ideas or a more professional approach.

If you only had the job for 30 days, I would suggest leaving it off your resume all together. Sorry for the speed bump, but just keep on looking!

[CarolB]

Thanks. I don't want to work for another organization where the founding director is still around.

[accountingresumes]

Me neither. I don't like to work in an institution where the founding management is still active. It will just make your job difficult with their standards. But if you are willing to risk it then go for it. It will be a good experience for you.