Stepping on the ferry, the day was as spectacular as how I was feeling. Decked in heels, my standard corporate black with a splash of colour clothes and immaculate make-up, dare I say, I was looking spiffy.
And it was a good thing my confidence levels were up because I was on my way to a job interview. My first in over 5 years.
Was I nervous?
Was I excited?
Nope and yeah, kinda, respectively.
As I’ve discovered, job searching is like finding the right boyfriend. The interviews are the dates as you discover whether there will eventually be the mutual commitment of employment.
While the odds were telling me I should’ve been at least a teeny bit jttery about applying for a corporate sales role with one of the world’s biggest technology companies (starting with “G”, ending with “e”), I consciously decided to go into that interview room without any expectations.
I just wanted to see what my stance would be these days in the world of the workforce. Were my past job skills still relevant and marketable?
While I have been interviewed more times than I care to count throughout my career this time was obviously very different.
I’m a mum now. And not only does that force a greater emphasis to achieving a work/life balance it significantly shuffles life’s priorities.
Work was once the proverbial be all end all; furiously working till the late hours closing 7 figure deals; constantly striving to be the best in the sales team; none of that matters to me anymore.
Yet, at the same token, I’m still consider myself a conscientious worker with a searing drive to bust balls. (Figuratively speaking, of course).
Ultimately, the interview was a precarious jump to see what the options are these days for a mum seeking employment:
Being Up Front
If an interview is limited to half an hour, there’s no time to faff around. Rather than running the risk of miscommunication or misconceptions, being honest and straightforward about my limited availability could only be appreciated.
On the flipside, was an opportunity to be assertive and suss out the potential employer’s flexibility.
I wasn’t available for full-time work now, but were they willing to start me off as part-time?
Was there a chance for job sharing?
How about working from home?
Knowing My Worth
I’m a big believer that if you’re confident in your self-worth, that will be reflected positively on your employers. I realized that just because I haven’t had a corporate job in over 4 years, my communication and marketing skills are still highly valuable.
And I made sure the interviewer knew that.
“If At First You Get Rejected”
With every interview, every recruiter I speak with and every rejection I get, I know that it’s ALL leading to something greater. All of it is part of the path to the job that will suit me and my values as a working mum.
And while nothing is EVER perfect, especially a job, there will be the ones that will comfortably sit with me, my family values and current stage of life.
Again, it’s like dating. Gotta kiss a lotta frogs to find your prince.
As it worked out, I turned down the job.
While it was a great springboard opportunity to get back into the corporate world, the remuneration wasn’t worth for me to have the twinlets in daycare 5 days a week.
So, I’m still on the search. Still looking for that froggy prince.
Hopping on board the #IBOT train with Essentially Jess
You are so right Grace. I love the analogy. Good on you for putting yourself out there! xx
Zanni Louise recently posted..A portrait of your child & a giveaway
Good luck Grace! I whinge a LOT about my P/T job but I realize how very lucky I am to have it. It doesn’t pay the big bucks, but it works around our schedule with Nick and means I can drop him at school 3 days a week and pick him up 4. Much better than I’d get at many other jobs. I am confident it is all leading to something better, and hey, no matter how many interviews you’ve had in your life, it’s still good practice to go to them I think! Fingers crossed the perfect one is around the corner. x Aroha
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Going Without
Congratulations! Work is such a delicate balance with children to consider – care, time with them, money… Glad that the interview gave you a great confidence boost though – ready for the next one!
Julie recently posted..Resilient Children
Good luck and Great attitude! Thanks for the reminder, I’ll be in that boat myself soon enough!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..First of the Month Fiction – October
Great approach. Even pre-kids I tended to approach interviews like that – as if I’m the one checking out the company and making sure it’s a good fit, and that I actually WANT the job. Good luck!! x
Emily recently posted..Gender-specific toys
Good luck Grace! I’m sure with your skills and attitude, you will be able to find your work happily every after soon 🙂
Ai Sakura recently posted..Australia 2013 | Alice Springs School of the Air #NTAustraliaSG
You are so right, an interview is a two way street especially after children. I am finding it increasingly difficult to even find a job that works for our family. Goodluck on your future searching.
Eleise @ A Very Blended Family recently posted..Do you respect yourself?
All the best with the job search. Hope you find that prince that meets your needs soon!
stephanie recently posted..Operation Christmas Child
Well done for acknowledging your needs, and your family’s needs, and best of luck on the search for the froggy prince!
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..Don’t mind doin’ it for the kids…
Good luck Grace!It is SO hard to find meaningful part time work. This is mostly the reason I have stayed with my current employer for so long, despite getting itchy feet CONSTANTLY!
Sarah @ Slapdash Mama recently posted..Slapdash Mama turns one.
Best attitude for interviews Grace, good on you! I’m applying for a part-time job at the moment, we want to build again and it looks better to the bank if I’m employed by someone other than myself.
Good luck with your search hun, you’ll know when the right one comes along x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..The Zen Files // Rita from The Crafty Expat
I hope you find the right job Grace and I agree finding the right one is like finding your Prince. Your great attitude will help you score the right one. 🙂 x
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Plumbing Terms
Good luck with your job hunting Grace. I’m sure you will find the right job for you with time and patience.
Rita recently posted..BlogtoberFest 2013, new items in my Etsy shop and other announcements
Good luck in your search Grace.
They are good tips too. I also believe in being upfront about things.
Sam Stone recently posted..Following in their footsteps
You’re a powerhouse Grace! So many women would have found an interview like that daunting with a capital ‘D’. Good on you x
kirri recently posted..Practicing Courage with Kate Swoboda + Your Courageous Life
Good on you Grace. I’ve recently applied for a new job and I know that if I get to the interview stage, I’m going to have to be upfront. They are saying casual with the possibility to go full time, which I won’t. I find it so hard though, because I am a people pleaser and being upfront doesn’t come easy for me.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..A Great Start to the School Holidays #IBOT
Grace, wishing you all the best in your search. Much like a life partner, suddenly the optimum one just appears. Good on you for establishing straight off the bat what’s important and interviewing them as much as they interview you. It’s certainly a complex decision and one that is often made the best opportunity by the person managing you – which it’s so hard to get a feel for until you’re in the role. Hope you find the one you’re looking for sooner rather than later… x
Pip recently posted..Chasing the Calm
Sounds like you have it all worked out. Good luck with the job hunting!
Tegan recently posted..The Lunchtime Epiphany
Good luck, you will find the perfect job, it just has not found you yet! 🙂
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..For The Love Of Cake!
Congrats for being offered the job, but to have two kids in full time day care, and to never see then, the job has to be pretty amazing. I reckon something will come along with it’s supposed to, maybe just before the boys start school. The workforce will always be there, you pre-school aged monkey won’t!! xxx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Help! Our boy is petrified of dogs and it’s consuming our lives
Monkeys, not monkey – oops!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Help! Our boy is petrified of dogs and it’s consuming our lives
It’s a great attitude Grace. I reckon it’s very similar to dating, in that if you are too ‘desperate’, you’re likely to stuff it up! It’s one of the benefits of maturity to know that you have to make a job work for you. Sounds like you made the right decision for you and the twinlets for now. The right thing is sure to come along!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..Camp fires, creeks and comfort zones: school holiday farm fun!
It’s lovely to be in a situation where you can happily walk away. That way you can pick and choose, and if it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. xx
Danya Banya recently posted..Mess-Free Painting Idea: Paint with Water
Great analogy there Grace. Hope the perfect job is just around the corner
Rhianna recently posted..If you can’t say anything nice…
Keep at it Grace. I was unemployed for 18 months and applied, interviewed..and accepted a job offer in a different province that I never considered living before. One thing for sure: the older you get, it does sometimes become more competitive.
Stay healthy, fit. I mean this. It affects your overall vitality and how you appear to the employers.
And do I put down cycling for extra-curricular stuff. Yes. There is real reason why I do this.