Friday, April 26, 2013

The Job Search & Choices

It's Spring!  A time of re-birth!  And my own personal New Year, being the April Taurus baby that I am.  

It's also been approximately 1.5 years since my last bad chest cold - and I'm sitting here in my living room, with the smell of eucalyptus permeating the air, a varied assortment of pills and herbs lined up along my bedside, and Juice, water, and tea at the ready.  Oh, yes, and my inhaler.  2 days before my birthday; 1 day before one of my oldest friend's wedding day, and I'm home, lightheaded and fighting a chest cold before it goes full blown.  Prednisone is awesome, but I really prefer the non-bloated look, so I'm trying to avoid it. 

And with all of this, I have the dance of 2 job possibilities circling through my mind, keeping me awake at night.  Yes, that's right - the job fairy has arrived, and I have 2 possibilities to consider.  Neither of which is the job I have been advertising for myself.  I thought, oh yes, I thought I wanted to be an Assistant General Manager of a limited service hotel.  

Even though my research and personal homework has shown that I would be best suited as a counselor, teacher, social worker, life coach, etc.  A position in which I work independently, helping others see the best in themselves and helping them through life's troubles.  But, career changing is not highly advised right now.  With so many individuals are out of work, competing for jobs in their own fields - if you try changing, you are up against many with experience and developed skill sets.  So I decided to begrudgingly stay in the hospitality field.   And figured the next logical step would be AGM, or even GM... 

Yet, I also applied for some sales jobs - even had interviews.  And found they wanted to pay me the same rate I received just out of college - 9 long, blood, sweat, and tear-filled years ago.  I thought the sales world would be exciting, and fun, and would offer a great change of pace.  Then after some thought, and speaking with a GM in the field (outside of ARAMARK), I found I was even more compelled to stay in my field of choice.  I actually got excited about it.  I put the thought of sales out of my mind, and focused on finding Operational positions as an AGM & GM. 

Weeks went by.  I attended many classes at the Career Center.  I crafted new versions of my resume.  I even did more market research trying to find that 'perfect fit' in a company whom I could approach.  Following advice from my classes - I created my very own business cards and the day after receiving them, I attended a networking event on my own!  Low and behold - I received a call the next day ... for a SALES job!  UGH!  Why?  Why oh WHY Sales again?

I took the call.  I spoke to the Director of Sales.  I wasn't overly enthused about the prospect, but I didn't want to turn down an opportunity.  It's now going on 3 full months without a job!  And this was a lead!  Thankfully my honesty and genuine nature won out, and I was granted a face to face interview the next day.  I'm so glad it worked out!!  The building is fashioned after a castle.  The team is amazing, and my interview was blessed.  I met with the GM just a few days ago.  And during that meeting was presented with the option of Accounting/HR.  

Meanwhile - other opportunities have presented them selves as well!  GM with Sodexo, and AGM with Springhill Suites.  And from the Hospitality conference, an offer to forward my resume to some other folks!  

Options.  Choices.  A chance to change my future path.  During the phone interview for AGM, I felt my soul die just a bit.  Wither up, and retreat.  I do not want to work 60-80hrs a week anymore.  I do not want to be the sole person responsible for the initial success or failure of a property.  So AGM / GM ... maybe not so much. 

But sales - could be interesting.  And the Accounting/HR position - calls to some of my strengths and interests in a way I never knew existed.  To be offered a position that could help me balance my life, and still allow me to assist others, and offer support to the property.  YAY!  And to have 2!  different leaders acknowledge my potential, without any solid experience to back me.  Most fortunate indeed.  

So Choices.  Options.  Potential offers.  My 3rd interview just the day after my birthday!  

Let's hope this cold clears up by then!  Here's to good fortune!  And the beginning of my new year - spring!  When new life, and possibilities are birthed ;)


Choices, Chances, Changes:

You must make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change!








Sunday, April 7, 2013

Time

Time is definitely something of a mystery.  At first, each day seemed like a year, each week a lifetime.  So many life altering steps ocurring in succession.  So many personal break-throughs and steps of personal progress tumbling one after the next.

And then, I'm in a class about the job search process and I'm writing 3.21.13 on my notes.  Its been 2!!! Months.  8 weeks.  Since my life so suddenly changed and I start panicking!  I'm still unemployed!  I've not yet found a job ... I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do ... And I'm not as sad as I once was.

Time.  It's taken time.  I have set-backs on the personal front.  Confusion and more heart ache.  But also healing.  And as I heal there, I can spend more quality time on my job search.  I have re-done my resume again.  I have done market research.  I'm working on my own business cards.  Who knew interviews or informational meetings would feel so awkward without having a card to hand over.

I've visited friends!  I've gone home!  I've spent more time out of my apartment than I ever thought I would have.  And I've spent some quality time closed in as well.  I've started meditating again, really truly just sitting with myself.  Remembering what that care-free feeling actually FEELS like.

And with that I have come to hope.  Hope that the RIGHT job is out there.  That my confidence will STAY with me.  That I DO actually know what the hell I'm talking about and I CAN succeed - without being a self sacrificing work a holic, because really, I don't want that life!  I have found some balance, some interests in this time, and I LIKE them!  And a part of me fears going back to work, because this time off is really rather fun :)  It embarrasses me to say that, but now that I have found things to do during the day, I like the free scheduling and time with friends, and days off just to me.  But I know that's not reality and I must get back to the work force.

This week I have 3 classes, 2 informational interviews, and time spent in the lab finishing my business cards, and I WILL finish at least 1 approach letter.  I don't want just any job.  I want a job I think I will actually WANT to go to.  That is actually a bit harder to find that I originally thought.  I also want a job that pays well, and I'm quickly realizing that I was incredibly compensated at my previous workplace.  Largely due to the fact that I was wonderfully paid in Philly before transferring to Lowell, but still.  The Merrimack Valley does not pay nearly what I thought it would.  I'm prepared to take a pay cut.  I wasn't prepared to consider going back to the salary I started at 9 years ago when I graduated.  So I have had to reconsider quite a few things through my search and interviews ...

So that's where I stand now.  Time has started healing me.  I have taken control of a few things and try my hardest to stay positive.  In classes and at the Career Center in general, I feel inspired and energized.  I try to take that with me as drive home, and try not to lose focus.  So far, home is winning that battle, and my focus goes out the door.  But I have also been working on more than just my job and my healing heart.  My knee is stronger, my back has stopped tingling.  I have fruits and veggies in the fridge.  I'm walking outdoors again.  I have started drinking more water - Let me re-phrase that, I have started drinking water again.  And I try not to think too seriously about the future.  It will come more quickly than I am ready for, and I truly want to experience THIS moment, and love it.

Time.

It's dragging, it's fleeting, it's ticking by second by second, and I can only change how I live it and remember it.