Thursday, April 20, 2017

Rejects Unite

So many emotions are running through me right now.  After a long search, and what seems like hundreds of resumes sent, countless phone and in person interviews, some that felt promising, some that felt like duds, and a couple of offers, I have decided my next move.  I'm happy to say that I have happily accepted a position with a great company, and will be starting my new position in just a few days and I cannot wait to see what I can do with it.

It's been a difficult search this time around.  What used to be easy, became a weekly and often daily chore to send resumes, all while working at a temporary position that I simply dreaded.  Over the last few months, several friends found themselves in the same boat.  Being 46, almost 47, I have wondered if that was limiting securing a new position.  The friends that have lost their positions are close in age, and are experiencing the same rejection.  They've sent out countless resumes and have hit the same hurdles and lack of communication from prospective employers I have experienced.

Not everything has been negative over the last few months.  It gave me the opportunity to really think about what I want to do, and if my chosen field is really for me.  In a perfect world, my husband and I would live far away from the city, I would be a successful author, blogger and photographer and his home based business would be thriving.  We'd live close to, but not on a lake, near the snowmobile trails, and not be able to see our closest neighbor.  I have had time to work less than forty hours a week so I could focus on my job search, and was able to take weekend trips to our home away from home.

As for my friends who have either left on their own, been downsized or even shit-canned, their lives have been filled with engagements and marriages, grandchildren and graduations, impromptu cross-country trips, new home-based business opportunities, and time to decompress.  Some days I think I should start a club of all of us rejects.  I don't mean that in a negative way.  Being a reject has given me the chance to find a company that finds value in me, my experience and education, instead of going into work every day and dreading reporting up to a boss that had no clue.  Being a reject has given a friend the opportunity to spend time making lives better for those around them.  Being a reject has given another friend the chance to find true love.  Being a reject has allowed a friend the opportunity to visit their old stomping grounds, without the need to ask for time off or to worry about unanswered emails.

Today I spent part of the day cleaning our bedroom closet.  It was more of a purge than anything.  Out with the old, and make room for the new.  Tomorrow I'll spend time unsubscribing from dozens of job search sites to free up the clutter.  This weekend I'll spend time with my husband and oldest, and take a road trip to support our youngest and his fraternity brothers raise money for the local fire department.

Sunday night I'll get to bed early (who am I kidding, I'll probably be more excited than a six year old going to Disney).  And finally Monday morning, I'll set off on a new venture.  I've only told a few close friends and family where I have landed, superstitions are pushing me back from announcing it to the world.  But once I step foot in the door, I will let everyone know. I'm hoping you'll be as excited for me, as I am for the move.