I'm almost afraid to say it because it seems too good to be true, but this job is what I held out for.
Don't get me wrong, it's going to be a lot of work. It's a really, really fast paced job, with more work than time in the day. There's a lot of stuff I've never done before, and a lot of things I'm not even sure how to do, but this is what I wanted. A job where I could learn and grow and make my mark. The job I'm doing is brand new, so I get to help define what exactly it is that I'll be doing. I also am the only one in the whole charity who does what I do, which makes me feel a bit important and special.
My bosses seem awesome, and are all about learning transferable skills and taking classes. People in this charity change jobs all the time, and they seem really happy to let people hop around until they find their niche. I've already spotted a couple jobs I like the idea of, but that's as far as I'll let my brain wander. I really want to work like a beast and smash this job in the face. In a good way.
Everyone else there seems really awesome too. People are friendly, funny, smart and interesting. They even have a softball team for me to join in the spring. I spoke about softball in my interview, used it as an example of leadership or teamwork or something. I went on and on, unaware I was talking to the captain of the charity's softball team. By the end of my speech, she told me that if I was hired I'd be playing for them.
And the charity, the more I learn about what we do, the prouder I am to be a part of it. I'm sorry for being so vague, but I'm not quite ready to say where it is just yet. But rest assured it's pretty gosh darn fantastic, and one of those charities that you can't really be opposed to.
On a shallow note: The building is awesome. It's in a great neighborhood with a few nice takeaway restaurants for lunch and a direct tube to my house. And the building itself is gorgeous, with views I hope I never take for granted.
So, it looks like I have a happy ending/beginning, or at least so far so good. I go back and forth between being terrified that I'll flop and so, so proud of myself. I think the terrified thing is normal, so I'll focus on the proud for a second: I did it, y'all. I frigging fought for this. I held out, even when it sucked, because I.... I don't even know, really. Something between a gut feeling and a whole load of stubborn, I guess. But in the end, I did it. I got my job under my own steam - my CV/resume, my interviews, all me.
And I know this should be the easy part - the hard part is actually doing the job. It will be. That'll come. But for now, today, I'm so damned happy and excited and proud of myself. I listened to myself and I did it.
And from here, I can start changing the world.
[picture to follow. i've got a new laptop and my pictures are still chillin' on my old one]
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
I did it
I know it's been way too long. I should have been writing, detailing my struggles to get my life back on track and find something worthwhile to do.
I should have been writing, but really, it was a lot of the same. Apply, rejection, apply, rejection. Interview, interview, interview. Phone call from recruiter about cool job in lame company or lame job in cool company or lame job in lame company with good pay. Apply, don't apply, rejection letter. Over and over.
There have been some cool spots, don't get me wrong. I temped with London 2012, which had nothing at all to do with my long term career goals, but as a total Olympics-geek was too cool to pass up. And I spent a month back home, watching 2 of my favorite people get married to awesome guys. I took a road trip to New York, to visit a high school friend with my sister Carrie. I was even voted MVP (most valuable player) of my softball team. I was disproportionately proud of that last one.
The past few months have been fine, but it's depressing not having a job, spending all my free time applying, getting shot down again and again. I have a lot to offer. Take me up on it, world! Life was fine, but I was spinning my wheels, and had no way of making long term plans.
When I was back in Canada, I kept applying for jobs. From my childhood bedroom, and my parents' kitchen, I applied and applied. I wanted interviews lined up for when I got back to the UK, so I could it the ground running.
I remember applying for this one job. I know I applied for lots, but I remember this one because it seemed suited to me. It listed the need for a background in recruitment (my role with London 2012 was with the recruitment team), interest in social change (check) and a background in teaching or working with kids (check). I applied. And then I was offered a phone interview. I guessed at their questions and wrote down what I thought I should say. And then they offered me a real interview, and then a second one. I thought it went well, but you never know with these things, and I didn't even want to get my hopes up.
This is an amazing charity, after all. I love what they do. I'll keep the specifics vague for the moment, but I really, really believe in what they do. They have a nice office with a gorgeous view in a great part of town. They offer good holiday benefits, discounted gym memberships, and lots and lots of opportunities for progression. They have won awards for being one of the best places to work in the UK.
They called me last week, and offered me a job.
I got my job, y'all. In a charity. Just like I wanted.
I keep re-reading that last sentence, over and over. I got my job. I got my job. When my new boss called and said "we'd like to offer you the position", I had to stop myself from asking to repeat herself.
I start next week.
It still doesn't feel real. But soon enough it'll sink in, and my free time will be my own again. I can volunteer and run and take classes and play softball. I can get my camera out, or go sit in a cafe and write on a Saturday afternoon, and I can make plans.
I promise, I will cherish this. I will give it my all, and do my best to remember why I'm there and treat it like more than just a 9 - 5 job. This is my chance. I want to start building a life for myself and to make my change in the world.
I should have been writing, but really, it was a lot of the same. Apply, rejection, apply, rejection. Interview, interview, interview. Phone call from recruiter about cool job in lame company or lame job in cool company or lame job in lame company with good pay. Apply, don't apply, rejection letter. Over and over.
There have been some cool spots, don't get me wrong. I temped with London 2012, which had nothing at all to do with my long term career goals, but as a total Olympics-geek was too cool to pass up. And I spent a month back home, watching 2 of my favorite people get married to awesome guys. I took a road trip to New York, to visit a high school friend with my sister Carrie. I was even voted MVP (most valuable player) of my softball team. I was disproportionately proud of that last one.
The past few months have been fine, but it's depressing not having a job, spending all my free time applying, getting shot down again and again. I have a lot to offer. Take me up on it, world! Life was fine, but I was spinning my wheels, and had no way of making long term plans.
When I was back in Canada, I kept applying for jobs. From my childhood bedroom, and my parents' kitchen, I applied and applied. I wanted interviews lined up for when I got back to the UK, so I could it the ground running.
I remember applying for this one job. I know I applied for lots, but I remember this one because it seemed suited to me. It listed the need for a background in recruitment (my role with London 2012 was with the recruitment team), interest in social change (check) and a background in teaching or working with kids (check). I applied. And then I was offered a phone interview. I guessed at their questions and wrote down what I thought I should say. And then they offered me a real interview, and then a second one. I thought it went well, but you never know with these things, and I didn't even want to get my hopes up.
This is an amazing charity, after all. I love what they do. I'll keep the specifics vague for the moment, but I really, really believe in what they do. They have a nice office with a gorgeous view in a great part of town. They offer good holiday benefits, discounted gym memberships, and lots and lots of opportunities for progression. They have won awards for being one of the best places to work in the UK.
They called me last week, and offered me a job.
I got my job, y'all. In a charity. Just like I wanted.
I keep re-reading that last sentence, over and over. I got my job. I got my job. When my new boss called and said "we'd like to offer you the position", I had to stop myself from asking to repeat herself.
I start next week.
It still doesn't feel real. But soon enough it'll sink in, and my free time will be my own again. I can volunteer and run and take classes and play softball. I can get my camera out, or go sit in a cafe and write on a Saturday afternoon, and I can make plans.
I promise, I will cherish this. I will give it my all, and do my best to remember why I'm there and treat it like more than just a 9 - 5 job. This is my chance. I want to start building a life for myself and to make my change in the world.
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