Indirectly.
I'm hoping that in making this question moderately anonymous, it won't become completely incomprehensible. If there are questions, please let me know.
I'm currently working in a Temp position, which I can stay in for up to three years. I've been here 2 1/2 thus far. My last current lead petered out 2 weeks ago (see my post in I Need a Hug), so now I'm looking for something at my current place (note: you can stay in any given position for 3 years, but can move outside of the previous Division and the clock re-starts). My current boss and coworkers are being wonderfully supportive and helpful through this, btw.
So, obviously, I'm chatting with people from outside my current division about possibilities. The most obvious possibility for me is working with a person I will call Denise. She manages a group that works in an area I have significant expertise in. I chatted with her supervisor last week, and she encouraged me to talk to Denise. I have worked with Denise on various projects over the last 2 1/2 years perfectly amicably. Rather unfortunately, our last few interactions have been less than stellar. I have been needing a decision from her group regarding putting money from her program towards a client of mine since about December, with increasing urgency. A coworker of mine has also been needing a decision, but with less urgency. About a month ago, my client's situation was becoming severe, so I went to talk to Denise about a workaround.
Unhappily, she got defensive and made comments about "I'm not telling YOUR group how to spend your money!" I tried to reassure her that I wasn't trying to make her commit early, but rather trying to develop a way that everyone could maintain their autonomy while giving my client what he needed. I ended up being able to do that while maintaining Denise's ability to manage her own budget. We were happy, client was elated, I assumed Denise would kick money in if it were available (which was all I was asking for), as we had budgeted for 100% of client's budget.
Yesterday, my coworker who had the other pending request sent an email to Denise pretty much demanding a decision and putting my name on it. Oy. (Coworker isn't evil, just a little clueless.) I immediately shot back that I had spoken with Denise and had developed a workaround for my client's situation and was content to wait for a decision.
Ironically, I was at that point writing an email to try to set up a meeting with Denise to discuss her potentially hiring me. Obviously, I held off.
Just now, Denise emailed back that she was willing to support Coworker's client, but not mine. Now, it's entirely possible that me saying that we had budgeted for my Client and were just asking for help meant that Denise decided Coworker's client needed the help more. (There are all sorts of other factors in play here, as well.) But now I'm all paranoid that this reaction was about me pushing earlier, even though I developed a workaround.
So, given this background, how do I approach Denise about asking for a job in her group? Her boss will take her lead on whether or not I have the qualifications. (I do, and Denise knows it, though that may not be obvious on paper, so I need her goodwill.)
Help?
