Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Rejection bites.

Yup.

I've got my first answer. The waiting game is over for my very first interview. And it's a big, fat N-O.

"Sorry, we've decided to proceed with another candidate."

Well ... I tried. And you know, I was prepared to hear some no's. But it still hurts a little. It's that whole "they didn't want me" thing. There's a lot of people fighting out there for a small number of positions. Someone just happened to be more qualified than I was. Or cooler. More charismatic perhaps. Did better on the spelling/grammer test? Who knows. There's no point in dwelling.

I do have a question though:

Can I be selective in my job search?

Take example A -- I went to a local chamber meeting last Thursday. I was introduced to this very nice gentleman who took a keen interest in connecting me with his business, a financial advising firm. Apparently the company recruits and trains their own financial advisors; no experience necessary. Sounds dicey? Maybe. However, this company is nationally respected. You've most likely heard of them.

His administrator contacted me almost immediately after he got to his office and gave her my business card. She passed along informational materials (1-day shipping for a DVD) and arranged for him to call me this A.M. I spoke to him briefly and he told me straight up that he thought I'd be a great candidate for three reasons:

ONE - I'm female. They're looking for more woman in the field apparently.
TWO - I speak Spanish. Always an asset.
THREE - I founded my own volunteer program when I was in high school. Which demonstrates initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.

I was frank and told him that I was curious but that I'd had several interviews in Seattle and was exploring my options. Deep down, I know I don't necessarily want to be a financial advisor. However, receiving my first "no" today activates this panic button inside that tells me I'm running out of options. Not true. But you know me.

The man said he'd submit a referral for me, which entails me going out to lunch with him and some other official to further discuss possibilities. I would like to learn more, yes, but honestly -- I want to work at a global PR agency.

That's where my dream lies today.

I want a career in public relations. It combines everything I love to do -- speaking, reading, writing, research, putting together something creative but smart out of scattered details and facts -- and I crave that. I've been home for a month today. And while it's great to be at home, I itch to use this other side of me. The itch just gets stronger everyday.

So anyways -- back to the question.

Should I turn down this financial advisor opportunity because I'm chasing this global public relations dream? Can I do that when I have no income coming in and desperately need a job? The financial advisor thing is a committment -- the company invests around $60,000 in each employee they train. So if I was to say "yes" ... it would be for good. Or at least the next ten or so years.

Can I be selective in what I pursue?

I, after all, know myself better than anyone. I can see myself being happy doing public relations at a global level. I feel like I'd be putting to use what I was trained in and have been following as a passion since, well, I was ten. I won a writing competition and received a several day sailing trip on an ancient schooner at ten years old. I knew I wanted to involve words in whatever I did as a career since sixth grade. I can't give up on that now that I'm here.

But a job is a job. Or is it?
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