Today, Success

Two weeks ago, I lost my job for reasons beyond my control. It was sad and I was very upset. Once this rug had been pulled out from under me, the fall was quick and then I hit the ground running. I spent several days updating my résumé and scouring job listings. I had many great friends that kept their ears open and passed information and opportunities my way. One friend immediately thought of a possible position at the company where she works. Unknown to me at the time, they were not looking to hire for my skill sets. In fact, nobody else was holding the position for which I was attempting to qualify. I sent my résumé that my friend then forwarded to her boss along with a very positive recommendation. He took her word for it and asked me in for a meeting to see what my friend's recommendation might be founded upon. I then  prepared meticulously for the meeting, experienced a spectacular interview and today,  the company's founder and CEO offered me the opportunity to work for his company. It has all happened so quickly that I almost don't know what to think or feel other than pure joy and happiness and wonderful feelings of being blessed by the career gods. Now I will not give the career gods real credit. I owe it to my friends, family, my earlier life and job experiences and my determination to get somewhere, better myself and be happy. Even more, I am very into this new company and it feels like a great fit. Today, I succeeded.

On to the Next

So, I've been let go from my job for reasons beyond my control and what I'm going to pin as a blessing from the career gods. It happened last week, on a Tuesday, in March. It was terrible and sudden and horrific and sad all rolled into a conference room meeting during an absolutely gorgeous afternoon. I've always known that these things happen, but have never been on the receiving end during this rather unpleasant event. I was in shock and disbelief while struggling to breathe, remain strong and fight back the tears. I loved the work I did and I had grown to believe in and love the company as well. As it turns out, this job was just the first small step through a lifelong career journey.

I was lucky to have been unlucky in experiencing my first job loss with a coworker whom I have developed a happy friendship. She housed me on nights I did not want to make the 45 minute commute to work the next day. We cooked dinner, we had Monday night wing night and we enjoyed wine night together. We even sometimes participated in what we call business drunk. I thank Jack Donaghy for his wise words: "Well, it's business drunk. It's like rich drunk. Either way, it's legal to drive." I missed my friend today. It has been nearly one week since we last worked together. So, I emailed her:

How did your interview go? It was today wasn’t it? It felt weird not gearing up to get to work today but it was refreshing and happy at the same time. Until I finally decided to go to the doctor to find out I have walking pneumonia. $(#@*! Seriously awesome timing but crappy realization I need to find a way to keep my health insurance going. I went ahead and paid for this month because sheesh, what happens the next time I get some weird illness I’ve never had before?!

After we get through some of this process of picking ourselves up again, we should really plan that trip to the beach, NYC, across the world or where ever. That will be the reward we give ourselves once we are in jobs that we truly love with people we truly like and bosses that take everything seriously.

Missed you not at work today,
Amanda

There's some more motivation, along with this bit of wisdom I stumbled upon today. I'm prepared to push through week two!