It is a story I’ve been longing to inform on the weblog for over a 12 months: How I landed my dream job. Why wait so lengthy? Properly, in April 2020, as some individuals had been being furloughed, others being laid off, and others having their salaries and hours decreased, it felt like a wholly inappropriate time to speak about my success. However now that we’re starting to see some gentle beckoning us by way of this limitless darkish tunnel, I’d wish to share my pleasure with you.
In November 2019, I got here house from work and started complaining to my husband (once more) how pissed off I used to be with my job. I believed I used to be simply in a tough patch that I needed to work by way of. I used to be satisfied that my present job was the one job on the market for me. I’ll be the primary to confess that I’ve a very random set of abilities (faculty math main, seminary diploma, public speaker, on-line educator, author) and this was a job that not solely used most of them, however had helped me develop and study a lot. But I additionally realized I had reached my ceiling; there wasn’t a lot house to develop inside my position or inside the firm.
Every thing modified when my husband requested, “Why don’t you simply look and see if there’s one thing else on the market? You don’t must get one other job and even apply for something, however I do assume you’ll want to look.” That small step truthfully hadn’t crossed my thoughts. However as soon as I began, I discovered the trying course of extremely liberating. I received to mentally strive on jobs I’d by no means actually thought-about earlier than, like fundraising, content material writing for an training firm, and extra. The method of trying helped me to reassess my abilities and understand my present job wasn’t the one match; the truth is, there is perhaps one thing on the market that was even higher.
By late December, I used to be networking, exploring, and hopeful regardless of not getting any takers from the resumes I’d despatched out. Then I obtained an out-of-the-blue electronic mail from considered one of my former seminary professors. He talked about the seminary division the place I used to work was hiring. Did I’ve solutions for somebody who is perhaps match for the Director place? Now, I had been handed over for this job 5 years beforehand and figured there was no approach I might ever be certified, however I used to be completely happy to assist out a buddy.
Once I began studying the job description, I used to be stunned to see that it was a totally totally different job from the one I utilized for 5 years in the past. The director would have the chance to show college students, run the seminary’s monetary wellness program, work with congregation leaders and concentrate on fixing a important drawback: creating extra sustainable financial fashions for ministry. That’s a difficulty I had seen in motion over the previous couple of years of working at my present firm and was keen to assist remedy.
Not solely was the job totally different, the office was too. Once I had final labored there it was throughout a time of financial turmoil, when morale had been low. However by way of conversations with buddies and mentors on the seminary I spotted issues had modified fairly a bit and the tradition was a lot more healthy. I used to be undoubtedly intrigued.
As soon as I utilized, the method moved pretty shortly, with a telephone interview in mid-January, an in-person interview (keep in mind these?) in late January, and a public presentation on Valentine’s Day. On the finish of that afternoon, I used to be provided the place, pending college and board approval. I used to be overjoyed. The interview course of had solely made me extra excited for the place. All that was left to do was negotiate the wage and advantages.
I had been fairly nervous earlier than I utilized for the place as a result of I didn’t have any concept what the wage vary can be. However although the wage supply they made was lower than what I used to be presently making, it wasn’t by a lot. I attempted to barter the wage, nevertheless it was clear that this was the utmost they might supply.
My subsequent step was to unpack the profit package deal on the desk. I observed I might be chargeable for contributing a small quantity towards my husband’s and my well being care — one thing I didn’t must do with any of my different jobs. Their trip schedule provided fewer versatile days than I used to be used to, however did embody prolonged time without work round Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, which was a pleasant perk. I additionally would have flexibility to earn a living from home and handle my very own schedule. I made a decision to ask for an extra trip day to make up for the wage and well being profit loss. As soon as the negotiation was settled, the supply was finalized by HR and accredited by the college and the board. And abruptly, the dream job I even didn’t know existed was mine.
Actually, I couldn’t be extra grateful that my husband inspired me to step out of my consolation zone and search for different jobs which may match my abilities. My new position presents me freedom and adaptability whereas additionally difficult me each day. I get to assist my college students improve their monetary confidence and encourage them as they think about new, extra sustainable fashions for ministry that can assist us stay into this new post-pandemic actuality. I do know the stuckness I felt beforehand has made me recognize the place I’m now that rather more.
For those who really feel like your present place has run its course however you’re undecided there may very well be the rest on the market for you, do your self a favor and analysis your choices. You’ll both come out the opposite facet with a brand new alternative, otherwise you may really feel extra grateful for the job you presently have.
