I last posted in March of 2010 and haven't been back. Lots has happened in a year and a half. I landed a marketing job with American Family Insurance thanks to a wonderful person who advocated on my behalf. As a result, my husband and I moved to the Chicago suburbs and couldn't be happier. One sad note is the absence of Bruno. Last week we made the decision to take Bruno to the Rainbow Bridge. He was 11-years old and had failing health for several months. It was very hard to do but I believe we made the right decision at the right time.
It was also hard to return to this blog. But when Steve asked me if I was going to write again, I wasn't sure. I am sure now. Just as I knew going through my career pursuit needed to be documented in some way, I know that going through the grieving of a much loved pet and the moving on from it just needs to be shared. Our life is going to take on new meaning and new directions and we're not sure what or where.
I do know, though, that I'm not chasing my tail anymore.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A new route
One of the things that I’ve enjoyed most about the morning walk with Bruno is his inquisitive nature and his intense desire to always take a new route. At every crossroads, he undoubtedly will pull in the direction we’ve never gone. Recently I’ve been exploring those new routes with him. It only adds one block, maybe two to our walk. Sometimes it makes the walk an hour, not just 30 minutes. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to just try something new with him but it has.
On these new routes, Bruno has met some new “friends.” Bubba, another basset hound, is a tri-color with as big of a mouth as Bruno. His sleepy owner came out the day we met, at 6:30 in the morning, and implored Bubba to “Quiet down!” and told him, “It’s too early for this.” Bubba, like Bruno, doesn’t listen. I think some bassets just like to hear their own voice, especially when it’s particularly melodic.
I got to thinking about my new routes with Bruno and starting doing some research about my interviewing history and the lack of success in getting an offer that I’ve had. I talked to a couple of hiring managers who passed me by, an HR director or two who know me well, a few friends, and asked for advice. What I learned was to me surprising news. In my career search, I have been submitting to positions equal to or somewhat lower than my most recent position. My “panelists” all suggested that I wasn’t digging deep enough into my strengths, that I needed to re-evaluate what I am really good at and then search for positions that matched it based on my experience. I finally figured out that I’m qualified for not only a lateral position (duh) but had I still been employed at this point and searching for a new career, I’d be looking up the ladder. I’ve spent so much time on just trying to land a position that I can do and not enough time looking for something that will challenge me. How odd. In the work world, I continually look for change, for improvement. What happened to me that I lead me to be looking for “good enough?”
So I started a new route. I changed my job search agents to reflect the true skills, passion, and drive that I have. What came up were not only director level positions, but AVP and VP, even a CMO or two. Huh. What a dope I’ve been. I think that being unemployed I was being too hard on myself. I’ve continued my education, something I’ve wanted to do but traveling for work made it nearly impossible. I’ve been volunteering at a couple of charitable organizations that need marketing help, I’ve helped two friends with their marketing plans for their new businesses, and I’ve counseled a friend going back to school later in life who wants a new career in marketing. I’ve kept my skills sharp. I’ve kept my competitive edge. I’ve figured out why I’ve been overqualified for the other positions.
A new route. And it has already started to pay off. Within a few days of applying for these better matched positions, I’ve gotten phone calls. That’s what it’s all about. I’m really excited about what the new route will bring.
On these new routes, Bruno has met some new “friends.” Bubba, another basset hound, is a tri-color with as big of a mouth as Bruno. His sleepy owner came out the day we met, at 6:30 in the morning, and implored Bubba to “Quiet down!” and told him, “It’s too early for this.” Bubba, like Bruno, doesn’t listen. I think some bassets just like to hear their own voice, especially when it’s particularly melodic.
I got to thinking about my new routes with Bruno and starting doing some research about my interviewing history and the lack of success in getting an offer that I’ve had. I talked to a couple of hiring managers who passed me by, an HR director or two who know me well, a few friends, and asked for advice. What I learned was to me surprising news. In my career search, I have been submitting to positions equal to or somewhat lower than my most recent position. My “panelists” all suggested that I wasn’t digging deep enough into my strengths, that I needed to re-evaluate what I am really good at and then search for positions that matched it based on my experience. I finally figured out that I’m qualified for not only a lateral position (duh) but had I still been employed at this point and searching for a new career, I’d be looking up the ladder. I’ve spent so much time on just trying to land a position that I can do and not enough time looking for something that will challenge me. How odd. In the work world, I continually look for change, for improvement. What happened to me that I lead me to be looking for “good enough?”
So I started a new route. I changed my job search agents to reflect the true skills, passion, and drive that I have. What came up were not only director level positions, but AVP and VP, even a CMO or two. Huh. What a dope I’ve been. I think that being unemployed I was being too hard on myself. I’ve continued my education, something I’ve wanted to do but traveling for work made it nearly impossible. I’ve been volunteering at a couple of charitable organizations that need marketing help, I’ve helped two friends with their marketing plans for their new businesses, and I’ve counseled a friend going back to school later in life who wants a new career in marketing. I’ve kept my skills sharp. I’ve kept my competitive edge. I’ve figured out why I’ve been overqualified for the other positions.
A new route. And it has already started to pay off. Within a few days of applying for these better matched positions, I’ve gotten phone calls. That’s what it’s all about. I’m really excited about what the new route will bring.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Weakness
As spring makes its way, the ground begins to peak out from under the snow. And when the ground becomes exposed, so do all the smells. It’s another favorite time of year for Bruno. Not only does he take in every smell he can, occasionally he ferrets out something to eat. Yesterday I found myself fishing a chicken bone out of his mouth. I find it interesting that when I want to take his bone away, I’m met with at least a grumble but when I’m extracting something yummy that he pilfered from the ground, he willingly gives it up, almost laughing at me because now it’s slimy. Call it his weakness.
I started walking Bruno on a new route this week. I don’t know if that was a mistake because with bassets, probably most dogs, the language is, “Always and never.” We always go that way. You never give me what I really want. From what I’ve heard, sounds like kids, too. On this new route of just 10 blocks, I found eight houses for sale, two of them empty. I used to drive past car lots and think to myself, all of these cars will go home with someone at some point. I don’t know about the houses. They can’t possibly all get a new resident. There are too many. The housing market remains very weak.
In the past three weeks, I’ve had an incredible flurry of interviews and I still haven’t been hired. I can’t seem to figure out where I’m weak on a consistent basis and yet strong enough to be interviewed. When I’ve asked for advice from friends, I’ve been told that someone else simply rose a little higher. At the end of last week, after two rejections on the same day, I sent an email that I later regretted. I had asked a friend why I wasn’t hired nearly a year ago. My intention was pure – I wanted to understand what I could have done better, said better, proven better. That was a mistake. He had already shared the reasons months ago. A moment of professional weakness, and five days later I’m still beating myself up for it because he is truly a wonderful person and that email may have been interpreted as a guilt trip. I did ask that my email be disregarded, that I acted on a weak moment. And, I can’t take it back.
So how do I move forward? I just do. I have to. Tomorrow I have a phone interview.
I started walking Bruno on a new route this week. I don’t know if that was a mistake because with bassets, probably most dogs, the language is, “Always and never.” We always go that way. You never give me what I really want. From what I’ve heard, sounds like kids, too. On this new route of just 10 blocks, I found eight houses for sale, two of them empty. I used to drive past car lots and think to myself, all of these cars will go home with someone at some point. I don’t know about the houses. They can’t possibly all get a new resident. There are too many. The housing market remains very weak.
In the past three weeks, I’ve had an incredible flurry of interviews and I still haven’t been hired. I can’t seem to figure out where I’m weak on a consistent basis and yet strong enough to be interviewed. When I’ve asked for advice from friends, I’ve been told that someone else simply rose a little higher. At the end of last week, after two rejections on the same day, I sent an email that I later regretted. I had asked a friend why I wasn’t hired nearly a year ago. My intention was pure – I wanted to understand what I could have done better, said better, proven better. That was a mistake. He had already shared the reasons months ago. A moment of professional weakness, and five days later I’m still beating myself up for it because he is truly a wonderful person and that email may have been interpreted as a guilt trip. I did ask that my email be disregarded, that I acted on a weak moment. And, I can’t take it back.
So how do I move forward? I just do. I have to. Tomorrow I have a phone interview.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Score
It’s in the teens today but it felt much colder as Bruno and I set out for our daily walk. He decided he wanted to go to the gas station on Memorial Drive. I don’t know why he likes that route but I know that we get lots of smiles from motorists as they drive by. Bassets do that to people. There is a stretch of the sidewalk that is close to the street and gets covered with road salt. Bruno doesn’t like road salt. It burns his paws and when we get home, he has to spend a lot of time licking it off which triggers drinking a lot of water and that requires more trips outside. He enjoyed going to the gas station today because it has been at least two months since we’ve done that route. So many new smells! As I write, I’m serenaded by snores. Tired, happy puppy.
This week I attended a CCN (Career Changers Network) meeting. I haven’t been to one since Thanksgiving. It felt good to be in the group atmosphere again but most of the faces were new. I sat near another “old-timer” and I asked him if not seeing more familiar faces meant they had gotten jobs. Jim didn’t think so. He said that he knew of a few who were giving up. Giving up finding a job, networking, all of it. I know that feeling. I go through days where I just want to give it all up, let the unemployment run out, walk away from everything. I sometimes feel so rejected by the working world and wonder why I get up every day and keep trying. It isn’t depression. That’s a different feeling. This is a tired, kind of weighty feeling. But somehow, I manage to put the smile back on my face, the lift in my voice, and square my shoulders to meet this challenge head on. I’m not going to let unemployment in the most difficult economy be my dominator. I know I’m better than that and I know that sometimes, my job is to bolster others in the same situation.
So the score as it stands is one rejection, one hold (American Family Insurance now has multiple openings of the position I interviewed for so they need to re-group a bit before going forward), one delay, one re-posted position (they want to interview more people so they need to look through more resumes - more resumes? how many do they want to look at? - and is that an indirect rejection?), and one is supposed to get back to me by the end of this week with the next steps. That’s the five jobs I told you about last week. Since then, I’ve gotten a call to interview by phone for a different position that I applied for at American Family. I’ve been trying so hard to get hired there. They’ve interviewed me for jobs, I don’t know, six times, seven times by phone and I’ve been there twice for in-person interviews. I have at least one internal contact who keeps trying to help me get hired, maybe three. I fantasize that they really, really want to hire me but are just trying to find the right place to put me. Otherwise, why would they keeping talking to me? For awhile, I gave up trying to get hired by them, but since Christmas I have a renewed sense of urgency and desire to work there. I think the multiple rejections were harder to take than I thought and the break from it was good.
There is also a fabulous opening at an independent, community bank in the heart of Chicago, Bridgeview Bank Group, that was posted over the weekend. I called to make sure they received my resume but I don’t know how strong my chances are. I have everything they require and more but I don’t know what the competition looks like. I hope that I score an interview, and then the job. I wonder what quarter this this?
This week I attended a CCN (Career Changers Network) meeting. I haven’t been to one since Thanksgiving. It felt good to be in the group atmosphere again but most of the faces were new. I sat near another “old-timer” and I asked him if not seeing more familiar faces meant they had gotten jobs. Jim didn’t think so. He said that he knew of a few who were giving up. Giving up finding a job, networking, all of it. I know that feeling. I go through days where I just want to give it all up, let the unemployment run out, walk away from everything. I sometimes feel so rejected by the working world and wonder why I get up every day and keep trying. It isn’t depression. That’s a different feeling. This is a tired, kind of weighty feeling. But somehow, I manage to put the smile back on my face, the lift in my voice, and square my shoulders to meet this challenge head on. I’m not going to let unemployment in the most difficult economy be my dominator. I know I’m better than that and I know that sometimes, my job is to bolster others in the same situation.
So the score as it stands is one rejection, one hold (American Family Insurance now has multiple openings of the position I interviewed for so they need to re-group a bit before going forward), one delay, one re-posted position (they want to interview more people so they need to look through more resumes - more resumes? how many do they want to look at? - and is that an indirect rejection?), and one is supposed to get back to me by the end of this week with the next steps. That’s the five jobs I told you about last week. Since then, I’ve gotten a call to interview by phone for a different position that I applied for at American Family. I’ve been trying so hard to get hired there. They’ve interviewed me for jobs, I don’t know, six times, seven times by phone and I’ve been there twice for in-person interviews. I have at least one internal contact who keeps trying to help me get hired, maybe three. I fantasize that they really, really want to hire me but are just trying to find the right place to put me. Otherwise, why would they keeping talking to me? For awhile, I gave up trying to get hired by them, but since Christmas I have a renewed sense of urgency and desire to work there. I think the multiple rejections were harder to take than I thought and the break from it was good.
There is also a fabulous opening at an independent, community bank in the heart of Chicago, Bridgeview Bank Group, that was posted over the weekend. I called to make sure they received my resume but I don’t know how strong my chances are. I have everything they require and more but I don’t know what the competition looks like. I hope that I score an interview, and then the job. I wonder what quarter this this?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Prepared
Monday morning when we returned from our walk, the front door knob broke. It was an unsettling crunch in my hand, something I had not felt before. Bruno saw me turn the handle and expected the door to open but stopped just before bonking his little pun’kin head on the door. He waited patiently at the front door while I went around, through the back door and to the front door thinking I could open it from the inside. I couldn’t. He lost his patience and began to howl that soulful, mournful howl that sounds like he’s on his last legs. So I ran back outside to calm him down and coax him around to the back door with a treat. Bruno is such a creature of habit. Whatever door we’ve gone out of, we must return in to. With the front door unusable until it was fix (yesterday, by the way), Bruno was all out of sorts. The front door is fun to come in and go out of! I don’t know why but to him it is. This morning all was back to normal, the walk was extra long because the weather is pleasant and now the nap is extra deep.
It’s Thursday and there’s no new news. I’ve done all the follow up I can without being a pest or an annoyance so now I have to wait for decisions to be made. Keeping busy during this wait is a challenge. It’s so exciting to know that I could be very close to landing a great opportunity. Minutes tick by like hours…..really. Being unemployed and waiting for that decision is much harder than being employed and waiting. When you’re at work, you’re working and you need to stay focused on the job at hand. When you’re unemployed, the search is your job and you stay focused on landing the offer. It’s all you think about. It’s all my husband thinks about. Yesterday we had to make a change.
Yesterday we finished packing all of Christmas. Doc’s recent surgery dragged this process out because he’s the decorator in chief in our home. He knows how everything gets put away. This time, after the boxes were packed (you don’t want to know how many because we do Christmas like no else I know), they didn’t go back into the attic. They went into the garage of a friend who is loaning us storage space while we prepare for selling our home and moving. When this was complete, we decided to continue packing other things in the house and set a date for an open house, February 21. We started packing things that we know we’ll be selling and today we will get the right boxes to start packing the very fragile things that will stay with us. Things like our china and crystal. There’s a lot of it because we’ve entertained so much over the years. Every time we wandered into a Goodwill or thrift store we carefully looked through the glassware section. We’ve landed some incredible items, Baccarat and Stuart crystal, for example. These are things we would not have been able to afford at their retail of $25-75 each but there they were, looking for a new home at a dollar or two a piece. Picking through these items makes us trip through memory lane…the parties…the celebrations…the intimate dinners alone. What do you keep and what gets sold? It’s a hard choice sometimes, other times we say, “What were we thinking?” and laugh.
The process of moving has begun even without a job. We’re fully prepared to redirect our move and have been in contact with distant friends who had to do just that. Kris landed a job in the Carolinas and literally during the drive to the new apartment, she received a call on her mobile phone offering her a position with a company she really, really wanted to work for. She and her husband took 2 hours to “think about it” and she accepted the new job, in Washington DC. Called the movers and told them, “Turn North, put our things in storage for a couple of days, we need to find another place to live.” They gave us some good tips had they known in hindsight that this could happen.
So, we’re prepared. Now if the phone would just ring.
It’s Thursday and there’s no new news. I’ve done all the follow up I can without being a pest or an annoyance so now I have to wait for decisions to be made. Keeping busy during this wait is a challenge. It’s so exciting to know that I could be very close to landing a great opportunity. Minutes tick by like hours…..really. Being unemployed and waiting for that decision is much harder than being employed and waiting. When you’re at work, you’re working and you need to stay focused on the job at hand. When you’re unemployed, the search is your job and you stay focused on landing the offer. It’s all you think about. It’s all my husband thinks about. Yesterday we had to make a change.
Yesterday we finished packing all of Christmas. Doc’s recent surgery dragged this process out because he’s the decorator in chief in our home. He knows how everything gets put away. This time, after the boxes were packed (you don’t want to know how many because we do Christmas like no else I know), they didn’t go back into the attic. They went into the garage of a friend who is loaning us storage space while we prepare for selling our home and moving. When this was complete, we decided to continue packing other things in the house and set a date for an open house, February 21. We started packing things that we know we’ll be selling and today we will get the right boxes to start packing the very fragile things that will stay with us. Things like our china and crystal. There’s a lot of it because we’ve entertained so much over the years. Every time we wandered into a Goodwill or thrift store we carefully looked through the glassware section. We’ve landed some incredible items, Baccarat and Stuart crystal, for example. These are things we would not have been able to afford at their retail of $25-75 each but there they were, looking for a new home at a dollar or two a piece. Picking through these items makes us trip through memory lane…the parties…the celebrations…the intimate dinners alone. What do you keep and what gets sold? It’s a hard choice sometimes, other times we say, “What were we thinking?” and laugh.
The process of moving has begun even without a job. We’re fully prepared to redirect our move and have been in contact with distant friends who had to do just that. Kris landed a job in the Carolinas and literally during the drive to the new apartment, she received a call on her mobile phone offering her a position with a company she really, really wanted to work for. She and her husband took 2 hours to “think about it” and she accepted the new job, in Washington DC. Called the movers and told them, “Turn North, put our things in storage for a couple of days, we need to find another place to live.” They gave us some good tips had they known in hindsight that this could happen.
So, we’re prepared. Now if the phone would just ring.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wait
Monday morning means get the trash out to the curb. For the first time, I let Bruno “run free” while I gathered up the trash. We’re pretty sure that he wasn’t trained to stay in a yard so being off leash is a bit of a risk. Our neighborhood is a closed community so there aren’t racing vehicles (usually) to worry about but there are lots of other dogs and Bruno can’t resist a visit. He knows his name but he also knows when to play deaf. I got the trash out to the curb with Bruno by my side and he knew that he was free. He was giddy and full of excitement. I've been training him to the word "wait" rather than stay. He's getting pretty good about it. I use wait to signal waiting for the street to clear before crossing it and to help him calm down while I get his meal prepared. Today I reminded him to wait while I positioned the trash. When I finished, we walked to the next house and then I had to get him hooked up to the leash. Why tempt fate? We did an extended version of our Ravinia route and that meant he would get scents that he rarely smells. It was a very slow walk.
It’s Monday of the longest week ever. Last Wednesday I was selected to participate in a written interview for a VP of Marketing position in Deerfield, Ill. It isn’t unusual to interview in writing when the position has large writing demands. The email instructions were clear about how to answer the questions and to whom to reply. I did my research first and learned that the person receiving the replies is the President and CEO of the company. Nice! Generally these replies go to HR first but this was a very welcome surprise because the position reports directly to this man. Again, nice! The deadline to reply is Feb. 3 but I’ve already sent mine in. I really enjoyed the questions….tell us three things about yourself so that we may get to know you better……what about the position is most exciting……we’re passionate about what we do – are you and why? There were a few others but these kinds of questions really get my creative juices flowing. If you know me personally, you know how revved up and passionate I can be about things. It was a nice break from the waiting game. I spent most of the day Friday writing and rewriting.
My interview on Thursday went well. I drove two hours for a 45 minute interview. Being a government position, their portion was very structured. I was asked precisely five questions with a time limit to answer them. Then it was my turn. I always bring two pages of questions with me (not solid type – about 24 questions in total with plenty of space to write my notes) that help me better understand the position, the expectations, and get a clearer picture of the company and its culture. Usually half of the questions get answered through the interview process but these are questions I really do want answered so I write them down. You never know how the conversation is going to go. What I find interesting is that more than half of the time, the person(s) interviewing me are either amused or surprised by my two pages of questions. I learned that this was very important years and years ago so doesn’t everyone do this? Well, maybe not two pages but don't they bring at least six to 10 questions?
I got home from the interview just before the evening news. Doc is technologically “impaired” so he watches the 5:30pm and 6pm news. Thursday I used the time to catch up on email from the day away and to get my news fix. I find it humorous that I can give him quick snippets of the news before he sees it. He doesn’t mind. In going through my email that day, one article grabbed my attention. “The Three Questions You Should Always Ask When Interviewing for a Job.” I didn’t assume that I knew them so I looked at the article. Two were familiar and ones I use: “Why is this position open?” and “What are the next steps in the process?” But the third one is fabulous and I wish I had had it in my repertoire before now. “Can you tell me what my first day, week, and month will look like?” The question is designed to help the candidate better understand the orientation process and any training that will take place. Think of it…you’d know how well prepared the company is to welcome you and help you fit into the organization. I remember starting one position and after two hours with HR completing the necessary forms and such, I was taken to an office and told, “OK, now do what it is that you do.” Funny! Like I was a magician. But then again, sometimes in very conservative industries, marketing people look like magicians or at the very least we’re the odd man out. It was that experience that taught me to be prepared to orient myself to the organization if they don’t.
In the time I’ve been writing this post, some of my waiting is over. I received an email from one of my opportunities apologizing and saying that the position has been put on hold, they’ll let me know if/when they can go forward with the process. OK, I’ve heard this before. That left four opportunities until I read the second email saying they’re behind in the process and are re-configuring the timeline. So, I’m not in but I’m not out, either. This type of email is rare but I appreciate it. When you don’t hear from an employer after you’ve interviewed and followed up, you’re left wondering what happened? I realize that HR is swamped with the process but not knowing where you stand is frustrating. I hate to bug them but I need to continue to follow up if it’s a position I really want and if I don’t know what’s happening on the inside, my follow up can work against me.
I’d really like to see this process come to an end this week. I’d have to change my blog.
It’s Monday of the longest week ever. Last Wednesday I was selected to participate in a written interview for a VP of Marketing position in Deerfield, Ill. It isn’t unusual to interview in writing when the position has large writing demands. The email instructions were clear about how to answer the questions and to whom to reply. I did my research first and learned that the person receiving the replies is the President and CEO of the company. Nice! Generally these replies go to HR first but this was a very welcome surprise because the position reports directly to this man. Again, nice! The deadline to reply is Feb. 3 but I’ve already sent mine in. I really enjoyed the questions….tell us three things about yourself so that we may get to know you better……what about the position is most exciting……we’re passionate about what we do – are you and why? There were a few others but these kinds of questions really get my creative juices flowing. If you know me personally, you know how revved up and passionate I can be about things. It was a nice break from the waiting game. I spent most of the day Friday writing and rewriting.
My interview on Thursday went well. I drove two hours for a 45 minute interview. Being a government position, their portion was very structured. I was asked precisely five questions with a time limit to answer them. Then it was my turn. I always bring two pages of questions with me (not solid type – about 24 questions in total with plenty of space to write my notes) that help me better understand the position, the expectations, and get a clearer picture of the company and its culture. Usually half of the questions get answered through the interview process but these are questions I really do want answered so I write them down. You never know how the conversation is going to go. What I find interesting is that more than half of the time, the person(s) interviewing me are either amused or surprised by my two pages of questions. I learned that this was very important years and years ago so doesn’t everyone do this? Well, maybe not two pages but don't they bring at least six to 10 questions?
I got home from the interview just before the evening news. Doc is technologically “impaired” so he watches the 5:30pm and 6pm news. Thursday I used the time to catch up on email from the day away and to get my news fix. I find it humorous that I can give him quick snippets of the news before he sees it. He doesn’t mind. In going through my email that day, one article grabbed my attention. “The Three Questions You Should Always Ask When Interviewing for a Job.” I didn’t assume that I knew them so I looked at the article. Two were familiar and ones I use: “Why is this position open?” and “What are the next steps in the process?” But the third one is fabulous and I wish I had had it in my repertoire before now. “Can you tell me what my first day, week, and month will look like?” The question is designed to help the candidate better understand the orientation process and any training that will take place. Think of it…you’d know how well prepared the company is to welcome you and help you fit into the organization. I remember starting one position and after two hours with HR completing the necessary forms and such, I was taken to an office and told, “OK, now do what it is that you do.” Funny! Like I was a magician. But then again, sometimes in very conservative industries, marketing people look like magicians or at the very least we’re the odd man out. It was that experience that taught me to be prepared to orient myself to the organization if they don’t.
In the time I’ve been writing this post, some of my waiting is over. I received an email from one of my opportunities apologizing and saying that the position has been put on hold, they’ll let me know if/when they can go forward with the process. OK, I’ve heard this before. That left four opportunities until I read the second email saying they’re behind in the process and are re-configuring the timeline. So, I’m not in but I’m not out, either. This type of email is rare but I appreciate it. When you don’t hear from an employer after you’ve interviewed and followed up, you’re left wondering what happened? I realize that HR is swamped with the process but not knowing where you stand is frustrating. I hate to bug them but I need to continue to follow up if it’s a position I really want and if I don’t know what’s happening on the inside, my follow up can work against me.
I’d really like to see this process come to an end this week. I’d have to change my blog.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Juggling. Plate spinning. Balls in the air. Gardening.
The January thaw has come to an end but Bruno still thinks the weather is delightful for his morning walk. Last week we enjoyed the freezing fog – on the trees, not so much on the sidewalks. The fog painted the trees with a delicate white lace of ice that was simply beautiful. Bruno was able to take in some very strong smells, too. The heavy air kept scents close to the ground. He considered that heaven.
Last week I was blessed with three great interviews. One was a second interview for a marketing director position at a bank that I’m very excited about. I think I could do really well for this company and be a strong contributor to their goals. I’ve been able to talk to a current employee by connecting to him through a mutual friend. It was good to hear similar comments about the culture and pace from him that I’ve heard from HR and the President and Senior Vice President. It means a move, but then all of my current opportunities mean a move. Hassle? Yes. Concerned? Absolutely not! Love the locations of all of them!
The other two are vastly different. One is a media buying position in television. I’ve bought media before so I know I can do the work, as did the hiring manager who interviewed me. She commented that she was only speaking to candidates who had the skills necessary. What she was really looking for was the right fit within the company. It’s a small office with an open design. Everyone must be able to get along with their co-workers. The office had such a homey and comfortable feel that I could see why it would be easy to spend long hours there. Many times the environment is cold and sterile but this one truly was inviting!
The third interview was with a company that interviewed me last spring but chose to hire someone else. I have a strong advocate there who continues to go to bat for me (thanks, Steve!) and pass along openings with other companies. I don’t know how I will ever repay his kindness to me but I will think of something. Even if he has no direct hand in me becoming employed, his support has been inspiring to me. Oh, yes. He forwarded another opportunity late last week that isn’t even posted yet and connected me with someone on the inside. How cool is that?
This week, I need to continue to try to follow up with a VP of Sales and Marketing that another fabulous friend, Grant, sent my resume in for me (he introduced me to Steve, by the way). He knows her and quickly forwarded my resume for me. I’ve been trying to reach her but this company has recently been awarded quite a few contracts and is probably quite busy managing everything. It’s a solid company that has had openings in marketing but I just can’t seem to get interviewed. A quick phone call with the VP might help…I’m hoping so.
I also have an interview with the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture. I passed an exam and qualified for an interview as an Economic Development Consultant. My past experience working overseas, importing and exporting goods and services has come into play. I don’t know what to expect with this interview but I do know that they are very structured. There could be as many as 10 of us interviewing but since we’ve all passed the exam, we are now equals, if I read the documentation correctly. The best part of the day will be having lunch with an old friend. I’ll be able to relax just before my interview and I’m sure he’ll give me some pointers because he currently works for the State of Wisconsin. He can’t give me any direct help but he can be encouraging and give me a general overview of what to expect.
So that makes four opportunities that I need to keep fed and watered. Some people call it juggling, others plate spinning, and still others say they have lots of balls in the air. I just know that I am very lucky to have so many possibilities and I must remain dedicated to each of them. The waiting is the hardest part. This has already been a very long week.
I’ve been asked which of all of these opportunities is the one I really want. The one that provides me with a challenge, good environment to work in, great people to work beside, and fair compensation is my favorite. That sounds like all of them right now! Sorry. I’ve got to run. I think my garden needs tending.
Last week I was blessed with three great interviews. One was a second interview for a marketing director position at a bank that I’m very excited about. I think I could do really well for this company and be a strong contributor to their goals. I’ve been able to talk to a current employee by connecting to him through a mutual friend. It was good to hear similar comments about the culture and pace from him that I’ve heard from HR and the President and Senior Vice President. It means a move, but then all of my current opportunities mean a move. Hassle? Yes. Concerned? Absolutely not! Love the locations of all of them!
The other two are vastly different. One is a media buying position in television. I’ve bought media before so I know I can do the work, as did the hiring manager who interviewed me. She commented that she was only speaking to candidates who had the skills necessary. What she was really looking for was the right fit within the company. It’s a small office with an open design. Everyone must be able to get along with their co-workers. The office had such a homey and comfortable feel that I could see why it would be easy to spend long hours there. Many times the environment is cold and sterile but this one truly was inviting!
The third interview was with a company that interviewed me last spring but chose to hire someone else. I have a strong advocate there who continues to go to bat for me (thanks, Steve!) and pass along openings with other companies. I don’t know how I will ever repay his kindness to me but I will think of something. Even if he has no direct hand in me becoming employed, his support has been inspiring to me. Oh, yes. He forwarded another opportunity late last week that isn’t even posted yet and connected me with someone on the inside. How cool is that?
This week, I need to continue to try to follow up with a VP of Sales and Marketing that another fabulous friend, Grant, sent my resume in for me (he introduced me to Steve, by the way). He knows her and quickly forwarded my resume for me. I’ve been trying to reach her but this company has recently been awarded quite a few contracts and is probably quite busy managing everything. It’s a solid company that has had openings in marketing but I just can’t seem to get interviewed. A quick phone call with the VP might help…I’m hoping so.
I also have an interview with the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture. I passed an exam and qualified for an interview as an Economic Development Consultant. My past experience working overseas, importing and exporting goods and services has come into play. I don’t know what to expect with this interview but I do know that they are very structured. There could be as many as 10 of us interviewing but since we’ve all passed the exam, we are now equals, if I read the documentation correctly. The best part of the day will be having lunch with an old friend. I’ll be able to relax just before my interview and I’m sure he’ll give me some pointers because he currently works for the State of Wisconsin. He can’t give me any direct help but he can be encouraging and give me a general overview of what to expect.
So that makes four opportunities that I need to keep fed and watered. Some people call it juggling, others plate spinning, and still others say they have lots of balls in the air. I just know that I am very lucky to have so many possibilities and I must remain dedicated to each of them. The waiting is the hardest part. This has already been a very long week.
I’ve been asked which of all of these opportunities is the one I really want. The one that provides me with a challenge, good environment to work in, great people to work beside, and fair compensation is my favorite. That sounds like all of them right now! Sorry. I’ve got to run. I think my garden needs tending.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
