Ugh.

Okay it’s a good thing. Money is good. I’ve completed 3 weeks of employment so far. I’m sure I’ll talk more about my job in the future but for now I’m going to write about the job-hunting process.

I didn’t realize how much more job-hunting sucks when you’re not employed. You’re always told that it’s easier to find a job, when you have a job, which I never doubted – but I definitely understand more now. It’s not even that it’s easier or harder, it’s just different. I felt truly emotionally drained and exhausted after each interview. None of these were in person, they all took place over Zoom or on the phone – but they still drained me. And the days when I had 2 interviews in one day… I basically curled up and watched TV after. I think that having a job while you’re job-hunting gives you something else to focus on – something to do.
The whole process felt a bit like the beginning of dating someone new. You get excited and get your hopes up, you have a phone call or an interview, and then you just sit around and wait to see if they still like you after that first “date.” You’re waiting for your phone to ring/checking your email incessantly.

Here’s how it went for me.

I started applying to jobs at the beginning of September. Between Sep 01 and Oct 05 I applied to 21 jobs.
9 of those companies reached out to me.
I had initial phone interviews with 6 of those companies.

I was ghosted by 2 companies, one after the initial phone interview, and the other after the 2nd round interview. The second one I wasn’t that surprised by, I got the sense on the call that I didn’t have the experience they were looking for. The other one surprised me. I definitely have a different background than probably what they’re used to, but it wouldn’t be a hindrance to the role. I think I would’ve actually done very well in the role. I find ghosting so so rude. I sent follow-up thank-you emails to both of these companies after the interview and just never heard back from them. It’s weird and cowardly to me – just like dating.

I also thought I’d been ghosted by a 3rd company. The first interview (which was with 3 people over zoom) didn’t go very well. My experience didn’t quite match up with what they were looking for and I left the interview feeling less interested in the role. It also paid significantly less than other positions I was applying for so it would have been a last resort choice. I honestly thought we ghosted each other. I never sent a follow-up email and didn’t hear back from them so I thought the feeling was mutual. However, THREE weeks later they reached out to schedule a second interview. I was pretty shocked – and irritated that they think they can take their time like that. They also wanted me to prepare a presentation for the second interview which included a walk-through of my 90 day plan for the company. This seemed like an insane ask because 1) they’re paying so much less than the other companies I was applying for who weren’t asking me for any of that shit and 2) How the hell do you prepare a 90 day plan when you don’t know anything about the department and how it’s functioning, what it’s weak spots are etc. Thankfully by the time I got the request for the 2nd interview I’d already accepted a position so I wouldn’t have to go through any of that BS.

Of the other 3, one was a super small start-up who ultimately couldn’t afford me. The CEO called me out of the blue rather than scheduling a formal interview which I really respected. I’d rather have a casual conversation than a formal Q&A format interview. We communicated back and forth for a couple of days but they were looking for someone more junior and he told me he hoped we can reconnect in a year to see where the company is at.

I received two offers.

One offer came from one of the first companies I applied to. I actually saw the posting about a month before I started applying to jobs and thought to myself… shit… that’s a good fit. Seriously, it’s a really good fit with my background and experience. I didn’t apply at the time because truthfully the company didn’t appeal to me. There’s nothing particularly wrong with them, but I also can’t say that I would care at all about the product/service they offer. When it came time to start applying to places it felt crazy not to reach out to this one. The compensation was fair, the office was located within walking distance to my home but everyone was fully remote at the time and was likely moving to a remote-friendly environment. The people seemed nice enough; it actually would have been a great career step as I’d have two people reporting to me, but something didn’t feel right. I still don’t quite know what it was – it may have been because I disliked their product so much but I just didn’t feel good about it.
The offer came at a time when I didn’t have any other offers and still had a final interview left with the company I’m currently with. I was terrified of turning them down and then not receiving any other offers. Luckily the weekend before the offer I had 3 other companies reach out to me for phone interviews which gave me a confidence boost that there should be something else out there for me. I was even googling things like “How to make a decision when you’re afraid” That actually led me to an article that helped me gain the courage to turn them down.
How to Make a Decision When You Are Afraid of Making the Wrong One.

A week after turning them down I received an offer from the company I’m now with. The salaries and benefits are comparable and I’m fully remote. Throughout the interview process everyone was so so nice which made the job more appealing.

I also appreciated that throughout the process the recruiter acknowledged repeatedly that the process is a two way street. He was always asking if I had other interviews and how they ranked in my preference and asked me to keep him updated if something else comes up. He was in regular communication throughout the multi-week process.

The company I turned down never did this. Not once in three weeks did they ever ask me about my interest level in the job, or if I was speaking to other companies.

So now I’m employed and I have SO many thoughts on this. There will be much ranting and raving coming down the line.