Balancing Acts

As professional women in the DC metro area, we are all faced with the challenge of fulfilling multiple roles at work and at home. Balancing our own personal and professional needs along with the expectations of coworkers, significant others, friends, and family requires constant juggling and reassessment. Both my own experience and questions I’ve been asked form the basis of these musings. If you have suggestions for future columns, comments, critiques, please e-mail me at lisa@dcwebwomen.org.

What do you do when your own personal goals and your business goals conflict?  For example, I’m a technical recruiter matching clients’ needs with available talent. I come from a technical background having spent time on a help desk and in database development for local non-profits. If a client calls with a need that matches my background, is it unethical of me to apply for the position?

There are several factors that need to be considered before deciding whether it is appropriate to pursue an opportunity.

Legal ramifications

Many web development companies don’t allow outside freelancing by their designers specifically to prohibit conflicts of interest and prevent their staff from undercutting company pricing on their own. Did you sign any legal forms regarding conflict of interest or a non-compete agreement? Be sure to know what you signed and what the terms and consequences are. Also, check the current corporate policies – chances are you had to sign an acknowledgement of those policies even if there wasn’t a separate non-compete agreement. Contact your Human Resources department if you’re not sure you have current copies of the policies. If there are no legal restraints, then you can consider your career path.

Impact on career development

Basically, is it worth it? Will it put you on the path you want to continue on or further your current growth?   Often we don’t start looking for another opportunity until our current situation becomes untenable. In truth, we should all always be watching for opportunities to further our careers, both at our current employers and other organizations. The danger in waiting is that any situation that is different than our current bad position can look good by comparison. So, you want to be sure that this is actually a logical step that will further your own personal development. If it still makes sense, then you can consider the consequences of not getting the position.

Impact on future relationship with client

If you pursue the opportunity and aren’t selected, how will it affect your ability to do business with the client in the future?   Be sure that you are not cutting yourself off to a future relationship. Also, you must also be certain that you are presenting your best alternatives. For example, most companies want to see three or four people from my agency for a permanent placement. Now, if I were applying for the position, I would be scrupulous about presenting two or three other excellent candidates, not other inferior candidates, and not only myself. Or it may make sense to ask a co-worker that you trust to step in on this one aspect of your client relationship. This is easily handled with the client by explaining, “Because I’ve heard you talk about what a great company this is, I’d like to throw my own name in as a candidate. However, because I don’t want it to interfere with our relationship, I’d like my colleague Rhonda to handle this placement.” Most clients will be grateful for your recognition of a potentially sticky situation and your own introduction of an elegant solution. Knowing that you’ve handled the situation as neatly as possible with your client will reduce the chances of ramifications from your current employer.

Impact on future relationship with current employer

Do you have a graceful exit strategy in place? Washington, DC is a large metropolitan area that functions like a small town. One of my former employers is now an excellent client while another has been the source of some talent I’ve placed in positions. People you’ve worked with before go on to get new jobs at companies where you may want to work in the future. You will see the same people again in new roles and that requires you leave positions as neatly and nicely as possible. If you can show your current employer that you will still bring value in your new position, that will help ease the transition. For example, if you will have authority to select vendors, tell them that you look forward to working with them in the future.

Also, consider any consequences of not being selected and having your current employer know that you tried to transact separate business with the client. Knowing that you’ve acted responsibly towards your client, your current employer and yourself will help you explain your actions and sleep well.

Next time: Company Values vs. Personal Values – Is It a Match or a Break-up in Waiting?

Lisa King is a technical recruiter for Randstad and a former president of DC Web Women. She writes for WashingtonJobs.com on technical careers and speaks frequently on technical careers for women and job hunting techniques. She can be reached at lisa@dcwebowmen.org.

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