CEO Carmita Semaan Tells Prospective Candidates the Truth about Working with Her. Why You Should Too.

Surge CEO Carmita Semaan is hiring her first VP of New Sites here. 

To launch the role, Carmita did something unusual. 

Instead of trying to spin the opportunity to work at Surge, she did something breathtaking -- she told the truth.

Carmita believes every organization and leader brings their own brand of crazy. Future employees should be armed with the information needed to pick which flavor they prefer and come into a new job eyes wide open. 

Turns out that Carmita's on to something. According to Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant, having a realistic picture of your job actually increased job satisfaction.*

Read on for the inside scoop about Carmita and forward this on to anyone who should know about Carmita, Surge and her VP of New Sites opening. 

What are some of the unwritten rules/requirements for success for working at Surge and my new team?

• Carmita believes in people. She is unapologetic about this. She will be curious about your career and life aspirations. If you are performing in your job, you can expect Carmita to ask you what is next for you and how you envision your work and career beyond what is currently in front of you. She is an opportunity creator not a dream blocker.
• Do what you say you will do when you say you will do it. This means do not be late for meetings. This means if you say you will turn something in at 5pm CT, it should come in early. If for some reason you cannot meet that agreement, let Carmita know immediately. Carmita sees missing deadlines as a lack of integrity. Know this and act accordingly.
• Carmita is still the face of Surge. Up until now she has been the de facto VP of New Sites. People love her. This shouldn’t scare you, though it could feel intimidating. Know that if we mutually select each other it will be because you deeply believe in Surge and Carmita deeply believes in you.
• Carmita cares about aesthetics and how things look, especially when they are going in front of an external audience. This means error free writing. This means powerpoints that look a certain way. Take the time to see what her best documents look like and ask for samples so that you have a clear sense of what her standard of excellence looks like and sounds like.
• The team works with a lean staff. Carmita has a part-time virtual assistant so do not expect to come in with a full suite of staff. In fact, when you begin, you will be a marvelous team of one. You will work closely with an informal team of supporters and will rely heavily on the VP of Development and the VP of Marketing. Act accordingly. Understand their goals and how your goals map against theirs.
• Results matter a great deal to Carmita. This shouldn’t need to be said, but it is worth noting. During the goal setting process, you will set and agree upon goals. Carmita is direct with feedback and will provide both feedback and support to help you achieve your goals. She is also very open and often shows staff where she has met her goals and where she has not.
• What you see is what you get with Carmita. She is the same person in the office as she is in a donor meeting. If you ask, she will share. Do not be afraid to be your full self. This isn’t lip service. This is actually who Carmita is. It is also the power of Surge.
• Carmita describes herself as a workaholic. She works at different hours. She does not believe that because she is working that you need to work too. Results matter. How you achieve them is negotiable. Negotiate how you achieve those results upfront.
• The feel of the Chicago office vs. the Oakland office is different. Staff describe the Chicago office as thoughtful, efficient and results driven and the Oakland office as results driven and urgent.
• Carmita has a bias towards her brand of demonstrated and visible hustle. However, what working hard looks like is different for everyone. Be sure to understand what hustle and working hard looks like to Carmita and align/match your expectations.
• For more, go here.

* Stay tuned for the transcript to Adam Grant's most recent podcast re: passion and work.

Ifeyinwa (Ify) Walker is the Founder & CEO of Offor -- the talent broker company. For nearly a decade Ify and her team have been talent brokers for CEOs, boards and top leaders around the country. All typos are Ify's own :).