Yesterday afternoon, I sat at my desk at work when my desk phone rang. It never rings so it startled me a bit. And then I saw a 404 area code which I thought might be Atlanta. My resume had my personal cell number which is the number HR had previously used when contacting me about the job I had applied for and I didn't recall giving them my direct line at work (although I'm in the directory). But something still told me this was about the job.
When I picked up the phone and answered, the Civil Chief identified herself. She told me how impressed they were with me and that it had been a really tough choice but that they had chosen the candidate from her office. She went on to mention how much she enjoyed our conversation about claims data from the interview - a conversation that had left me flustered as I tried to recall the specifics of an analysis from more than four years ago. She said she hopes they will post the second position soon, and to look for it if I was interested. Then she paused as if my response to that mattered. I told her, "yes, absolutely" so she encouraged me to apply again and said that she hopes she gets to work with me.
I thanked her for calling me and expressed my own hopes that I get to work with her and her team in the future. And then the call ended.
Despite it being a rejection call, it was by far the nicest call I had ever had in any sort of job search process and really meant so much that she took the time to make it. And it only reinforced my feelings that Atlanta is a place I would thrive.
I expected this outcome (although not the personal call). She had already told one of my references that they were seriously considering a candidate in their office and had tried to feel out my reference as to how likely it was that I would apply to a second posting. And so I had already come to terms with the fact that I wouldn't get this first position and felt good about it because I see it as an opportunity to have just a little more time in my current city.
It's interesting though, my desire for a little more time has evolved quite a bit. In early August when this was first posted, I was overwhelmed with the idea of moving on my own to a city where I knew no one, maybe even a bit panicked. I had not anticipated such an opportunity would come up anytime soon. But with time, my excitement has completely overcome the fear. That's not to say I won't have moments of fear if/when things get more real but overall, I just see how good this would be for me.
So now, my desire for more time isn't so I can come to terms with this change. I see the opportunity of more time as a chance to lean more into the community I have built and enjoy the city I love before I move on to this next chapter. And as these relationships still continue to evolve and grow, I can now see the ways I will continue those connections even when there is physical distance between us.
So I feel really good. And I don't feel like this was a door closing. I feel like this was a message of not yet. Even if Atlanta never pans out, I know I will be ready when the right opportunity does present itself.
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