In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions:
\n\nQuestions\n\nHey Dave and Jamison, really wish I found your podcast sooner as it has been a great insight into some of the challenges at work.
\n\nLast year, a fairly close friend reached out asking for a referral for an entry level position to my work. Trying to help him out, I figured absolutely! What could go wrong? (Foreshadowing intensifies)
\n\nAbout 3 months into his employment, my boss informally mentioned at a dinner how behind said friend was at a technical level. I brushed this off, and reassured him that he\u2019ll catch up.
\n\n6 months into his employment said friend was written up a few times for a few different reasons: tardiness , performance (avoids taking tickets and calls), using phone too often during work hours, fell asleep at his desk.
\n\n7 months in brought in our yearly reviews, which he was denied a raise due to his performance history. He asked me if I thought this was correct, and I was brutally honest with him and agreed with that decision. He didn\u2019t take this well, and resulted in an argument between us. At this point I was pretty frustrated with his performance, and it was definitely straining the relationship.
\n\n1 Year in (today), he was caught working on side-projects (paid) at work\u2026.. which resulted being put on a PIP / Final Warning. I got pulled aside by my boss and HR asking if I knew about it, I said I knew he had side work, but I wasn\u2019t aware it was being done on company time. He\u2019s on the verge of losing his job, but I can\u2019t help but feel somewhat responsible for referring him.
\n\nAll of above events have really hurt the friendship, to the point where I don\u2019t think I would call him a friend. I\u2019ve pulled him aside more than a handful of times asking what\u2019s going on, or if I can help him in anyway but either resulted in a small improvement or a stubborn response that he\u2019s fine at work.
\n\nAm I holding him to too high of a standard? I don\u2019t think the friendship will heal anytime soon, which I am fine with, but am I responsible for referring them?
\n\nThanks for your time guys, love the podcast and advice!
\nI\u2019m currently a manager and applied for a manager role at another company. I heard back from the recruiter that the manager role was filled, but they were still hiring for tech leads.
\n\nI really want to work at this company, so I asked to interview for a tech lead role. But I really want to be a manager. I\u2019m tempted to ask if they\u2019d be willing to then interview me as if I were a candidate for the manager position I originally applied for.
\n\nShould I try to show them my readiness for a manager role (even though they no longer have a manager role available) just so I can be top of mind when a manager role opens up? Or should I just be happy falling back into the tech lead ranks and try to prove myself over time?
\n\nI really don\u2019t mind starting out in the tech lead role and moving back up to management when I\u2019m settled in at the company and an opportunity presents itself, but I can\u2019t help but wonder if I could have passed the bar for the manager role I originally applied for.
\n