A Perfect Fit

As you might know I have been job searching for 4 months. I will admit I didn't look that hard the first month because I thought I would be able to receive unemployment benefits to carry me through, but when that money fell through i starting searching right away. While i was searching for a new career i was also appealing the decision from my former company that denied me my unemployment benefits and just last week i took them to the Court of Appeals. I don’t know what’s slower the Court of Appeals or waiting for those stupid TV Conversion Coupons to arrive.

I had a few job interviews in the last few months: Banking, Market Research, Temp., and Sales. More than ever I really wanted a job that combined my creative and systematic side and I found that with this recent job. I went through two different hour-long interviews with Excel and Publisher test at the end. I was waiting for my third call back when i went to the court date with Target for my unemployment benefits. My former boss and I sat down with the judge and hashed out letters and evidence. The judge's decision in currently in the mail. A few days after that appointment i went to my third interview. I was hesitate of this company the first time i went because my job title was unclear, however, by my third interview i knew i wanted to be there. Every time their associates would tell me more about the job duties that more i knew it was a 'perfect fit' for me.

Here's the irony. Last night i had a dream. It was a normal day and i received a phone call from the contact woman at this company who informs me that i did not receive the job and that she was really sorry because she was pulling for me to get it. She suggested that i could file an appeal and hopefully win the job. Still in the dream, i confide to a friend and say '. . . it's okay, I’m just glad this is just a dream." and she says calmly ". . . that's true". Side note: What a world it would be if you could appeal a company decision and win a job?! Chaos.

So i wake up and tell Kara the dream with an awkward silence to follow. Then a few hours later i received the important call from the company. The lady says she was so sorry that it had taken so long to get back to me and she regrets to tell me that i was not 'the right fit' for the job. However, she asked if she could keep my contact information because her step-kids are coming this summer and she would love for me to take her family photos. Of course, i stayed professional and accepted the photo opportunity (which in all seriousness i am delighted to do it).

Unlike most of my endeavors i do not get my hopes up. I do get nervous but after it's all said and done i know it's not in my hands. However, today i was upset. I really got my hopes up and really pictured myself in this job, obviously more than they did. I hope this does not come across as a pity party, just the opposite, i really thought a degree and experience would get me anywhere but now i have to reassess what i thought i knew about interviewing and selling myself. Not to mention i really was eager to tell you about my dream and it's ironic similarity (please, shed light on that for me).

My hopes are lying in the fact that i will not inherit bad luck and get 2 out of 2 "I regret to inform you . . . ".