Career improvement story with a happy ending!

[bunnysmom]

Hi everyone! I haven't been around much lately, but you have been all so supportive in the past, that I wanted to share a career story with a happy ending!

The reason why I haven't been here much is because I was so stressed out by my job. Last year I started a temporary position in a great company that I loved, but that had serious management problems. They loved me there and my goal was to attain a permanent position, but unfortunately that didn't work out. Long story short: after interviewing for three months for a position and being explicitly promised one, the manager decided to not hear my directors input and hire someone external. He didn't even told the directors or me, we all found out when we heard an admin in the office kitchen saying that on monday someone new was coming. 

You can imagine my surprise and dissapointment at this lack of professionalism, so I started looking to get out of there as soon as possible or as soon as my contract ended. I started the tedious process of job searching, and every hiring process was a nightmare. It all seemed like a sequence of bad dating experiences (including the company that sent someone to check out my home as part of the process!). 

Finally, in the last three weeks of my contract, when I was terribly worried about possibly having to face unemployment, I received a call from a collegue who a few months before had left the company to go to a competitor company. One person in his team had left and he asked if I would like to interview for the position. He told me that before he called me he had asked for references with my previous boss (who had also left the company). I was beyond excited, so I started the interview process and everything went super fast and smooth! Two weeks after the call, I had an offer and I start next week!

You ladies can't believe how happy and relieved I am! I love the new company, they are extremely nice and professional, and the job comes with a 15% raise, a bonus, and a new set of exciting responsibilities! I'm so happy!

The lesson I take from all of this is, don't understimate the power of networking because you never know when it can come in handy!

I hope you enjoyed my story and that it helps those that are in the middle of a job search. I can honestly say that job searching has been one of the most stressful experiences I have had to go through!

I'm tagging @shoegal , as she likes to hear about career progress

[raangoli]

How wonderful! I am so very happy to hear how things have turned out for you. Congratulations! I know you're busy with your awesome new job, but visit us more often if you can

[v]

Networking is SO POWERFUL. So glad this worked out!

[womet]

Congratulations! I love hearing these stories.

[IrishBelle]

Glad to hear that everything worked out for the better for you! Good luck in your new position.

I can't believe a prospective employer would send someone to your home. I think you dodged a bullet there.

[WOT?*]

Networking is amazing. It doesn't matter who or how the contact. I got my husband one of his largest clients by planning a school carnival with the CEO's wife. I kid you not. A PTA event and helping his kid's (and my granddaughter's) teacher.  He felt a little uncomfortable about it until the first check came in. lol.  (I just thought I'd add this little tidbit to show that even the strangest networking contacts can lead to something big.)

Congratulations on your new job. May it lead to bigger and better (and more professional!) things for you in the years to come.

[bunnysmom]

Aug 14, 2015 8:49:58 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Aug 14, 2015 8:27:47 GMT -5 raangoli said:

How wonderful! I am so very happy to hear how things have turned out for you. Congratulations! I know you're busy with your awesome new job, but visit us more often if you can

All of this, I couldn't have said it any better!  Congratulations, bunnysmom!

Thanks!

I'll try to be here more often (but after work, so I don't look like a slacker in the first days gbcn'ing! ).

Seriously though, the reason why I almost didn't post in the last few months is that I was so stressed out by this whole situation that I couldn't find the energy. Now I'm so relieved that I think that my old self is coming back!

[Pom]

That is a thrilling update! Networking for the win. Congratulations and every happiness in your new job

[dexteroni]

That's great! I'm so bad about networking, and it's really important in my current job. This is good motivation to get out there more. Congratulations!

[aurora]

Aug 14, 2015 8:23:31 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

...(including the company that sent someone to check out my home as part of the process!).

...

That is truly insane. I agree that you dodged a bullet with that company.

Congrats on your new job!

[compassrose]

That's a fantastic update! Congratulations on your new job! You'll have to update us after your first couple of weeks.

[bunnysmom]

Aug 14, 2015 9:14:08 GMT -5 aurora said:

Aug 14, 2015 8:23:31 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

...(including the company that sent someone to check out my home as part of the process!).

...

That is truly insane. I agree that you dodged a bullet with that company.

Congrats on your new job!

They called it "a means to see how you act in your natural habitat" All I could think of was, what am I, a wild animal?!

[orangeblossom]

Congrats!

[Pom]

Aug 14, 2015 9:19:35 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Aug 14, 2015 9:14:08 GMT -5 aurora said:

That is truly insane. I agree that you dodged a bullet with that company.

Congrats on your new job!

They called it "a means to see how you act in your natural habitat" All I could think of was, what am I, a wild animal?!

Is this common now? It seems invasive and creepy.

[rubytue]

Congratulations!!! I love happy stories!

[bunnysmom]

Aug 14, 2015 9:25:49 GMT -5 Pom said:

Aug 14, 2015 9:19:35 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

They called it "a means to see how you act in your natural habitat" All I could think of was, what am I, a wild animal?!

Is this common now? It seems invasive and creepy.

I don't live in the US, but here in South America, all big banks do it.

It isn't only creepy, but super weird too because the lady came with a questionaire like what kind of washer do you have? or, where do you park your car? She also asked to see my bathroom!

I have absolutely no idea what those type of questions could accomplish. To me, it just seems like a can of worms that could make you (the company) liable to a lot of lawsuits

[audette]

Aug 14, 2015 9:25:49 GMT -5 Pom said:

Aug 14, 2015 9:19:35 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

They called it "a means to see how you act in your natural habitat" All I could think of was, what am I, a wild animal?!

Is this common now? It seems invasive and creepy.

I think bunnysmom lives outside of the US - labour laws and acceptable hiring practices might be a bit different where she is.

And, Yay, bunnysmom!!!  This is awesome news!  So happy for you!

[sfy]

How awesome ! I love these stories--congratulations!!

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2015 9:19:35 GMT -5 bunnysmom said:

Aug 14, 2015 9:14:08 GMT -5 aurora said:

That is truly insane. I agree that you dodged a bullet with that company.

Congrats on your new job!

They called it "a means to see how you act in your natural habitat" All I could think of was, what am I, a wild animal?!

My house is a disaster.
My desk is not.

Congrats!

[Deleted]

Oh bunnies I am so happy to hear this!! This is so inspiring and I still remember how frustrated you were a few years ago and now look where you are!!!

(Heart) and (hug) and (cheers) to you!!! xoxo

[Deleted]

Congrats! So glad everything worked out wonderfully for you.

[Deleted]

Great to see you back here! Congrats!!

[kadams767]

<---adds "What kind of washer and dryer do you have?" to list of potential interview questions.


Congrats, bunnysmom!

[bunnysmom]

Aug 14, 2015 11:14:22 GMT -5 kadams767 said:

<---adds "What kind of washer and dryer do you have?" to list of potential interview questions.


Congrats, bunnysmom!

Lol, I'm sure this question will be useful to get the most qualified candidates! You should definitely reject those with top load washers!

[explorer2001]

That's great! Congratulations! Enjoy your new job.

[drloretta]

Congrats! Networking is the bomb