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Got an interview with Amazon within their Advertising department. I hear working for Amazon can be great if you get into the right department. Anyone have insights to their advertising department? Good or bad? Also, would love some interview tips if you have them! (It’s for an Executive Assistant position) thank you!
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Waiting for mom to get home!
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Yes, absolutely possible. I drop off and pick up my son from daycare 3x/ week around 4/4:30, followed by dinner, bath and bedtime. I’ll jump back online afterwards to wrap up anything time-sensitive. I’ve never felt as if this has negatively impacted my career vs that of my peers (for context, public company with a legal department of 20ish). In fact, I recently received a 5-figure merit increase. It may help that the GC has a similar situation and is understanding. Just remember that this time is special for both you and your kid, and won’t last forever. Some things are more important.
That’s great to hear! I don’t want to lose precious time with my little one because of face time expectations when i can still get the same job done with a more flexible schedule.
I've seen this set up a couple of times for young parents I've worked with. But I wouldn't say it works out super well, because people will inevitably schedule things during your blocked time. A1 is right that it tends to breed resentment as well, since your coworkers will have to pick up that slack (make those meetings and respond to urgent requests in your stead) and the work you finish at home won't be super visible, so people will feel like you put in less hours than you do
Not what i was hoping to hear, but thank you for sharing your insight!
My position was moved to WFH permanently, so I have about as much flexibility as is possible.
Public. Fortune 200 bank.
IMO it’s dependent on your manager- I would suggest in the interview process mentioning that you’re looking for a role with greater flexibility when asked why you’re making a change, and then if an offer is extended work out your hours with your future boss before you sign the offer. My current role allows me all the flexibility I need but it’s something I mentioned needing repeatedly in the interview process and have been open with my boss about from the day I accepted the offer (for example, before we went remote, I worked out to have my hours be 8-5 instead of 9-6 so I could pick up my daughter from daycare- now that were remote I have all the flexibility I need Bc my boss knows my daughter is home from school two days a week and trusts me to get my work done regardless of when I have to be offline during normal working hours- I usually make up the time at night when my house is silent!)
Good to know! Thank you!
I am not a parent, BUT it's definitely possible. My company was pretty flexible BC (Before COVID). Flextime and WFH were supported by the senior management and there was a genera attitude of "just get your work done" in the organization anyway. I have a chronic illness, so I have frequent doctor's visits and often feel tired and no one cared if I was late or had to cut out early or in the middle of the day. I just had to block off the time. As long as my work is getting done and I'm letting people know about my schedule, it's not a problem. My previous company was less flexible, but my friends still there said because of COVID, they've become much better. Both are giant insurance companies with established legal departments. Current company is leaner. Would definitely recommend roles at larger organizations. Personally, I think insurance is an underrated industry and it's definitely got a rep for being boring (it's not), but as a result, a lot of the big insurance companies have been trying to lure talent with work/life balance and benefits because they cannot compete in the money or "sexy" factor.
It’s great to hear some companies have a rational view of “so long as you get your work done.” The face time expectations are silly and do not (in my experience) necessarily equate with productivity.
It's culture based. In house at a tech startup and although we have unlimited paid time off, people (especially me) would be taking much less time off if not for pressure from on top to take more time off to take care of family.
Having a ceo who has 3 little kids has got to help.
My daily schedule is all over the place. I can start at 10, leave at 3 to pick up baby, then work from home while babysitting 3 kids and nobody bats an eye.
For me, it's all about commitment to my job, reliability, and that it's understood that I work when I can and am never looking to get out of work.
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Yes this definitely does exist. I’ve seen it at both companies I’ve worked for, but the people who had these schedules were always overlooked for promotions and other coworkers definitely had some resentment. Part of that resentment came from lots of important meetings/work from 4-7 due to large offices in central and pacific timezones.
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Flex workers seemed to be 45ish hours most of the rest of the team was closer to 55. Being in person wasn’t the issue but not being around when the business needed things done definitely was. There was another attorney who worked completely remote from another city but was always available to make those meetings.
Really depends on the culture. Think that covid will help as we have the need to be more flexible and creative and rely less on f2f interactions.
Let’s hope!
Don’t specifically ask about this or you’ll get relegated to the low pay same hours jobs. Once you get in, you can flex. And, many calls can be taken from the car. My 8 year old drew up a graduated fee schedule based on when my 6 year old quit monopoly because he was losing. You don’t have to solve it at once, and you shouldn’t announce it to the work place. Women tend to trip all over themselves with explanations. Men just say they’re unavailable. You’ll figure it out. Now has never been a better time.
Thanks! That sounds more like what i expected— don’t mention flex time up front, instead build up some good will and then seek flex time.