The "biz" is the business market I'm trying to break into with my job search. My friend is very well known in this biz locally and, coincidentally, I knew him from my days of cycling.
He knew that I'd been looking for a job and sent me a quick 2 line email:
"This company is hiring. Tell this guy I sent you."
The first thing I did when I got home was send a message to "that guy" with a quick introduction, a few notes as a cover letter, and attached my resume. I also dropped my friend's name.
Within an hour I had an appointment to come in a meet the president of the company.
THAT, my friends, is what networking is all about.
After a few days of recovering from the Maine trip, I peeled myself out of bed to make it to the meeting. My brain was still not 100% kicked in so I practiced a few minutes of meditation to calm myself. Mom came over to help get the kids off to a summer camp.
I made it to the meeting early enough to sit in the car and read before walking in. I felt calm but still a bit tired.
The meeting was with the president and one other executive but I relaxed more because they were relaxed. The environment was relaxed. The questions were relaxed. The banter was relaxed.
So when they put me on the spot for a moment, testing my experience, I was surprised at myself at the ease with which I answered. I felt comfortable.
By the end of the next day, I had another appointment to meet with the company owner.
When I met with him, his questions were even more relaxed and laid back. I was taken to lunch and then given a tour of the office... which included a few dogs sitting with their owners... and a refrigerator stocked with wine and beer. Everyone was in jeans and smiling. Everyone was working and SMILING.
I told Gentleman Jack, "I want to work THERE."
I'd also been interviewing at another, more corporate (read: uptight), company and they were on the brink of offering me a position. I was quite amazed at the position and pay they were offering. But my mind kept floating back to the happy, casual environment of the other job. I was actually considering taking less pay to work AND be comfortable. Imagine that.
On the day I was to be offered the corporate job at their office, my dream job contacted me to let me know:
It was unanimous. They loved me and wanted me to join their team.
My dream job. Seriously! I'd been visualizing a certain salary, a certain environment, certain learning opportunities, a certain management style, a certain autonomy... and it's all there. I'm STILL buzzing about it.
I've noticed in my life, when something seems effortless... especially after trying to force other things to fit, then it was meant to be. Don't get me wrong... I worked my ASS off to get into this field, get noticed and get respected for what little experience I do have. But compared with the other interviews and environments, this was a perfect fit.
My daughters are so excited for me, as I kept them abreast of every struggle, every interview, every rejection. Both of them hugged me tight and said how proud of me they were.
Gentleman Jack said,
"You so deserve to get what you want, angel! Please never forget that!
... but when you do forget, I will remind you."
How happy am I?!?
Oh T, you are such an inspiration! I knew that if you put yourself out there, folks would be lining up to have you!
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