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
