A pessimistic optimist's job search journey

A long overdue update.

Exactly two months after I joined the job search coaching program, I got two job offers; one from a tech/real estate company, one from a wealth management firm.

The interview process with the tech company was a long process, over a few weeks and it required me a lot of following up with them – to keep the connection. The company was going through a major management change – incoming new CEO from another state – so they held and resumed processes as the CEO visited and left Seattle. I went through three rounds of interview: the first with the recruiter, the second with the Chief People Officer, and the last one with the CEO. I got the job offer within less than two hours after my last interview; but the offer was for a position that was slightly less than my ideal scenario. Nevertheless it boosted my self confidence, reassuring that my story is unique, relatable and gets people interested. I left the last interview feeling incredibly proud of myself; not only I answered all the questions well, I did not feel nervous as I had been weeks before. I told my story with pride, confidence. I comfortably had a “normal” conversation with my interviewer, I was genuinely interested in asking questions and knowing him also as a person, a human being – not only as an executive. My husband and my kids dropped me off for the interviewed. When they picked me up an hour later, the first thing I told them was: “No matter if I get the job offer, I feel good and I feel proud.” And they were proud of me too.

The wealth management firm was a different story. I had more interest there because of several reasons: smaller team, a boss who somewhat shared similar background, a hope for flexibility so I can also take care of my kids while working. The offer came in after the tech company’s, but they tried to match what I got because they wanted to get me and they made an effort. It was for a job that I aimed for – Executive Assistant. The salary was less than the tech company but money was not my first motivation. Considering all factors, I decided to accept this offer from the wealth management firm.

I started working 10 days later – after my family came back from a vacation in Mexico. That concluded my job search over several months. From someone who had a lot of self doubts, did not know how to tell my life story, never went through any typical hiring cycle – I got job offers – more than ones, I went in job interviews with confidence, focus, with a clear, crisp stories about my background, my goal. I was ready to express myself, my values. And most of all – I was ready to work, hard.

I posted a farewell note to my fellow job seekers in the job search coaching program. While I appreciate the experience, the knowledge, the tactics to approach job search more selectively, I was glad that it was over and I hoped that it would be a while, a long while until I have to use it again.

But life has more surprises for me than I expected. 🙂