How I got my job!
Well, tomorrow I will be going to sign the paperwork for my brand new full-time career position. The funny thing is that this is not a position to which I had applied. I interviewed (a process of many weeks) with the company for a different position - but didn't get it. However, I must have made a good impression because about 6 weeks after not getting hired, I got a call from another exec in the company hiring for another position. He received my name from Exec #1 and said I came "very highly recommended". This is a small company that is not structured around the corporate mindset, it is a kinder family-oriented environment which is more comfortable to me. Also, the position is exactly what I wanted and I was able to negotiate the compensation I wanted because I was so well qualified and prepared for the position. I am very excited to have found the perfect job for me.
The moral of the story boys and girls is not to give up, and to be gracious even in defeat - you never know who will remember you or think of you when the next position opens up. Also, if your job search is lengthy, take that opportunity to have a "period of introspection", you might learn something about yourself. Finding exactly what you are looking for, even if it takes time, is worth it in the end. Good luck everybody!
RFD- Your message is one of the best I've read: "to be gracious in defeat". To be given the chance to make a great impression, then actually have 'humans' at a company share this- WOW. I'm happy for you and will take your advice here to heart.
I work at a large corporation and the multitude of 'staffers' don't share anything. After 40 internal job applications and not even one offer just to interview, they clearly have the attitude "we don't care...we don't have to!". Even within my own company I am being ignored. I hope to find a smaller company with humans that actually talk to each other, like you did. Congratulations!
I totally agree esp. with the "to be gracious in defeat" part, as difficult as that can be. I also have personal experiences that testify to that.
I did not get a position I applied for in the past and was a bit, er, emotional about it to the employer.
Well I ended up getting another position with the employer down the road, and guess who my boss ended up being? The person that I had at one point expressed some frustration to about not getting another position. I was very lucky, I know. (it was a large organization and till this day I think he did not remember me....anyway he ended up being a great mentor and I thanked him for his help when I eventually moved on)
Right now I am appling for a couple of jobs, one of which is through an employer that I applied to previously where I did not get an interview. The HR contact had e-mailed me and I was really upset because I thought I was completely qualified for it.
But I swallowed my pride and anger and thanked her for response. So now I don't have to worry when I apply for two new jobs that opened up with them.
Thanks for the feedback, I think this is so helpful for everyone!
Thank-you for that refreshing advice. I am being laid off in two weeks and have been interviewing for 2 months with no offer. I just feel so depressed and now I just don't seem to care anymore. I go to bed after work and just keep plugging away at my job knowing it will end soon with nothing new in sight. I wish I had your attitude. I am starting to think that maybe I am not even good in my field and never was. I have so much self doubt! I am such a dedicated worker but no one seems to notice at any of my interviews. I am scared I will end up having to look for waitressing jobs or convience stores if nothing comes my way. I am in my mid forties and starting over again is very hard. I applaud your strength and tenacity. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
You always put your trust and faith in God. Man will fail you, but God will not. Always remember that God knows where we are headed, keep your head up and know that he is still on the thrown. I can say this because I have been unemployed for one year and 8 days. I have never been seen begging bread. He has definitely blessed me and continues to bless me. Yes, this can be a time for you to meditate on what is happening and still find joy in the situation that you are in and everything will be alright.
One love.
Well I think that you are doing the best that you can. As for my good attitude, you don't see the part that my husband gets to see and experience- where I vent about the frustrations of the job search to him on a regular basis.
What helps for me personally is to understand that my job is not all that I am or who I am, as much as our society likes to believe and make it seem. It's not where I draw all my fulfillment. Even though it's a huge part of my life (and everyone's life for that matter) I try to do other things, such as volunteer work and hobbies, and getting some exercise, so that I can draw fulfillment from other things when I am in between jobs, which for me is a lot. I had talked to a professional in the past during an even more difficult time- and she had asked me what my daily routine was. I said that I would come straight home right after work. I remember her stating that that was one of the worst things I could do for myself. She stressed that after work I should take a break and refresh my mind and spirit- go to the gym, take a walk in the park, do some kind of activity instead of just going straight home, where I would dwell about all the problems I was having.
Since you say that "no one seems to notice you in your interviews" perhaps you need to take a refreshing break and some time to yourself just to get your energy back, or change strategies. Maybe brush up on your resume or practice interviewing with a trusted friend/colleague for feedback. Is your field one where lay-offs are pretty common? I am lucky and have not worked in fields where I have had to worry about lay-offs.
I know you'll find something that you enjoy. Do you mind me asking what field you are in? Are your interviews ones where many folks have to interview for a very small number of jobs? As I said, I've never gone through lay-offs so I must say that I don't know much about that.
I am in a lucky situation right now where I saved up for quite some time and my husband is working so I am not currently working during my job search. It was much more difficult before- my husband has a job where he has to move all the the time, we just moved from a tiny tiny community where there were no job opportunities whatsover in my field- I went through 3 different jobs in 4 years. Talk about always being the new kid on the block. Of course I am not able to afford things that I could when I was working, but it's a trade-off for me right now. Your situation, as I am sure is the case with many other job searchers, is much more of a balancing act and I have to really hand it to you, I have had to do that in the past and I know it's not easy.
I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
As for having to take a job in between, my father in law (who is in his 60s) recently had run into some bad luck in his field- financial planning. Anyway, he had to take a stint as a school bus driver. I know it was tough for him, but he actually ended up enjoying it and it was an enlightening experience. It was an opportunity to do something else for a short amount of time, and he really enjoyed being around kids- who took an extraordinary liking to him and were sad to see him go- (he's a super caring and funny person) He really felt he made a positive difference in these kids lives. He just left that job and went back to his regular job, which is going better than it ever has.
Hang in there. You sound like you really need a break- day at the spa, going to lunch with a good friend. A re-charge may give you just what you need to jump-start things and getting some fresh perspective.
You're in my thoughts and prayers- keep me updated on how things go for you.
Thanks, Mintchocolatechip!! I needed that today! Good Luck to you as well. I need to leave it in God's hands! Have a great weekend!