seeking advice about Mars retrograde

[Callie McAllie]

I am in a position to hire two new people that we desparately need at my office. The applications are in and I have until July 5 to write the selection memo. That may seem like a lot of time, but in our cumbersome, bureaucratic government hiring process, it really isn't.

Here's my question: Should I put off the interviews until after 6/19, when Mars goes out of retrograde? Or can I do the interviews before that and just postpone the offer, or the choice (like I could), until after the retrograde?

The folks on the hiring panel are myself, my job-share partner (who is my alter ego, completely in tune with me) and another guy who is, off the job, my writing partner. I haven't talked to my job-share partner yet, but I am sure she will take this seriously enough. But the guy thinks I am silly to worry about Mars, in his gently scoffing way.

What do you think?

:dilemma:

[Why Syzygy]

1. You mean Mercury retrograde.

Right?

[Callie McAllie]

4. My bad. Yes, Mercury.

Which effects communication, huh? :-)

[I Have A Dream]

2. Just my opinion, of course.

If I had the option of delaying the interviews, I would. I have a very healthy respect for Mercury when it's retrograde (I also am assuming that you actually mean Mercury rather than Mars), and I always try to avoid starting new "projects" while it's retrograde. :) This was totally reinforced for me during the last Mercury retrograde where I and another person started a project during Mercury retrograde. We were within an inch of totally aborting the entire project as time went on. In the end, everything turned out very well, but we had to claw our way out of the abyss to get it to that point. Almost all of the problems were communication-related problems.

[stellanoir]

3. There is no harm in conducting the interviews under Mercury retrograde but

Your idea of postponing the final offer till the 19th is wise as some more information on the applicants or some other applicants might emerge during the retrogradation.

Good luck with this process.

[Callie McAllie]

5. Thanks, Stella and Dream. This helps

[I Have A Dream]

6. Oooo, very interesting, stella. I'm so glad that you weighed in on this.

Are you able to put into words how we should decide whether or not to start something during the retrograde period? I've always heard that one shouldn't start new projects during that time. How do we determine what a "project" is? (Or do you disagree about not starting new projects?)

Thanks! I'm so glad that we have your wisdom here.

:hi:

[stellanoir]

7. Thanks hon

I've long been an advocate of not putting oneself into a holding pattern for 1/5th of the time. Mercury retrograde has often been interpreted in a way that's akin to a little bit of knowledge being a dangerous thing. Just don't over schedule and contracts may need to be tweaked later on and electrical stuff can be complicated. It's not at all intended to be a convoluted excuse for inaction or procrastination.

Yet I used to work for a native of Mercury retro and I would have him sign stuff under Mercury retro and then stash it in the safe and not send it out until Mercury went direct.

He never had fewer legal hassles.

So there are many mitigating factors.

In terms of the projects that are appropriate to start under Mercury retro. . .they are generally the ones that are investigative in nature, to correct previous misinformation for the purpose of rectification.

People generally think it's a freeze frame influence. That is baloney.

Even if you're cleaning your desk top or your files, it has its merits for sure.

Heads up ya know. . .?

[Love Bug]

8. Please don't put off the interviews!

My sister has been looking for work since she was laid off at the end of January and I can't tell you how many times interviews or hiring decisions have been delayed for her because of vacations, business travel, etc. I can only assume some of your candidates are unemployed and really need a job NOW. There is no reason I can see for not conducting interviews during a Mercury Rx as long as you are careful about documentation, background checks, etc. Please don't offer these people hope then add an additional three weeks delay in the process for this.

[Callie McAllie]

9. Especially true since we're in Michigan

at the top of the unemployment heap. But honestly, when you're seeking a job with government, if you're not prepared to wait at least three weeks, you're in the wrong field. The process is maddeningly cumbersome.

I will interview them before the retrograde, check references, etc, and hire someone after June 23 or so. That will still be in line with our internal deadline.

[stellanoir]

10. Good point Love Bug.

I too have friends and clients who have been exceedingly frustrated with their job searches and have struggled.

If Callie intuitively feels as though someone is really suitable maybe that person could be tentatively hired on a short term basis for a couple weeks and then firm up the terms after the 19th.

I've seen plenty of employers take that sort of approach and it helps to not only observe performance but also avoid any abrupt hurtful firings when the employment was a temporary arrangement from the get go.

[ricochetastroman]

11. and for whatever reason

it's really, really common that they launch and land the Space Shuttle during Rx periods. I don't know why - I would think that they are plenty aware of it, and somehow, it's always seems to work out pretty well. Maybe NASA knows something we don't. Just be thorough.

[Callie McAllie]

12. Thanks again for the advice...just an update

We ended up doing interviews not only during Mercury retrograde, but on Friday the 13th! And the following Monday. We have far more good candidates than our two positions, and I wish I could give them all jobs. As Stella suggested I am now checking references for the best of them, and sure enough more telling information is coming to light, raising some folks on the list in our consideration and dropping down at least one other.

But now there is the "shadow" to worry about, which does not abate until July 4. We have to have our selection memo in by July 5, which is a Saturday. (Ah, government bureaucracy, you will always make me chuckle) And of course, the 4th is a holiday. So our goal is to turn in the memo on July 3.

Do you think we will be far enough through the shadow to see light at the end and make a good choice?

[I Have A Dream]

13. I'm not an astrologer, so please follow their advise rather than mine...

if they chime in.

Given that you have to make a decision, I'd say wait just a little while so that Mercury's moving again after going stationary direct. However, don't wait so long that you don't have enough time to do it carefully given that you'll still be dealing with some of the retrograde-related energy. Maybe wait until the beginning of next week to really start thinking seriously about it??? (I hope that I'm not giving you bad advice. :()

[eilen]

14. Just do your due dilligence

Mercury Retro is a good time for investigation and redoing or completing unfinished business. I am actually in the middle of a real estate sale during this retro but the property has been on the market for over a year. I hired a good attorney and we have been on the phone with the agent back and forth. I did find some problems with the communication with the property management firm that extended over 10 days (they basically gave me a major run-around). I also am very laid back in attitude regarding this, if it works out it is great, if not, oh well. My one reservation is that they buyer wishes to be in the condo by the first;, I am prepared for delays, I hope he is.

I think it is find to make a decision on the best candidate after due diligence but delay the start date until after Merc goes direct. I don't worry so much about the shadow time because it is a small planet and they move fast (as compared to a Saturn shadow) and I feel the energy shift already.

[Callie McAllie]

15. It's a cinch that the start date will be after the shadow

and I suppose that is the most crucial piece here, isn't it? Anyway, calling references has really made our decision easier and we may not need to do second interviews after all. So maybe the Merc Retro actually helped me!