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Hello fellow Manager Tools fans,

Let me start by saying thanks guys!  I found Manager Tools a few years back and have been addicted from the beginning.  You have helped and continue to help me fine tune my leadership skills.

I am expecting to enter the final phase of the interview process for a job in a neighbouring city.  I am aware that 90 or 120 minute commutes are not uncommon in many areas, but in this area it is not common.  I have no concern about what I bring to the table, but am worried about their thoughts on the long commute.

In the initial interview we touched on the commute briefly.  At that time I discussed that the commute is not uncommon in many areas.  Also discussed that my previous job entailed lots of driving.  I also spoke about making the most of the commute time through podcasts for both personal and professional development.

I'm looking for tips to reassure them that I have both considered the commute (I've driven this route 3 times in 2 weeks) and that for many this commute normal.

mmann's picture
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My long commute gives me the opportunity to transition from family to work, and back again.  

At the end of the day I can compartmentalize my work and shift my focus to quality time with my family.  For the morning commute, by the time I arrive at work I've had the opportunity to mentally review my goals and prioritize the tasks associated with them.  I know what I want to accomplish each day.

Podcasts and audiobooks are all well and good.  They introduce solutions and memes that can be directly or indirectly applied at work.  MT and a few industry-specific casts are my favorites for the morning, and I lean toward current events for the evening drive.  At the same time, podcasts also represent handing over one's thoughts to someone else.  My most effective commutes are when I turn off the infotainment devices and allow myself to think about symptoms of work illnesses, the underlying chronic diseases, and the tactical actions I can take to counteract them every day.  It's precious time that we managers don't have time for during the busy workday, and shun out of necessity when we're with our families.

 

  Good luck,
--Michael

 

chrisakin's picture

Just curious how this turned out?  Did you get the job?  If so, how's the commute?  I have a 25 minute commute, but considering the possibility of a 90 minute commute in the future.

cacherjoe's picture

Hey,

 

Thanks for the follow up.  I wasn't successful in getting the jobs that had longer drives.  I found that in this area the employers feel that a 90 minute drive is too long.  I went so far as to ask one of the interviewers how long they took to get to work, living in the city limits.  The lengthy response was about how traffic is horrific and it takes her 60 minutes to get to work every day.  I stopped short of asking why she then felt the 90 minute drive was excessive.

I was successful in gaining employment, but unfortunately about a year in was victim of not having worked for the VP in a former life.  On the hunt again.

Having driven a lot work previous positions, I would say that the 90 minutes won't be too bad.  I used the time to mentally plan the day, play out procedures in my mind, listen to Manager Tools Pod Casts (of course).  I also do what I call Pre-play meetings.  This is where I work through what I want to say and try to have some forethought into what may be asked or discussed in the meeting.

Depending on where you live, you may have to have a contingency plan on what you will do for bad weather.  For me, my sister-in-law lives in the city and I'd be able to stay there ahead or during a storm.  That solves the, how will you get to work in bad weather question.  Around here it 's nothing for us to have 20 or 30cm of snow and work still go on.

I know its not much, but I hope that helps.

 

Joe