New Job, New Memories

I accepted a new job last Friday! I am just beside myself STILL after a week. I might have to back track a bit, so bear with me.
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Everyone knows that I was laid off from Pfizer last summer. In the beginning, I completely relished my time at him with the kids, cramming in all kinds of things during the week that I always wished I could, but couldn't. Such as story time at the library. I also checked off several big things for me like repainting my kitchen cabinets, replacing the kitchen counter, re tile the kids bathroom, etc. Ok, I didn't do the counter and bathroom, but I had to pick out tile, color of grout, etc. That's a lot of work! :) I organized a lot around my house that had been ignored. Volunteered at Sammi's school. I also was able to help my dad out greatly for 2 months after he had major back surgery. I was so glad I was home to help. It felt great to get things done while being home. But I felt an urgency to complete those things just in case I got a job soon. I mean, I had a great resume...11 years at Pfizer in HR/Recruiting. Who wouldn't hire me?
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Wow, was I in for a rude awakening! Not long after I was laid off, the bottom of the economy seemed to fall out. I was now one in thousands that all had great backgrounds, looking for the same thing. Great. But I had to stay positive and not let it beat me down. I prayed a lot and knew that God would take care of me. He already had with so many other things. But as my mom said, it isn't on MY time table but His. Great reminder.

I was offered a job really early on after being unemployed, then that position was put on hold indefinitely. So back to the job boards I went. I had lots of phone interviews, then they abruptly ended when we talked salary and location. It made no sense to drive to downtown Dallas for half my salary, even to do the same thing I did before. I equated the salaries offered to me to paying for just daycare and gas. Why work if that was all my paycheck would go to? It was hard. Then I felt I had a scarlet letter on my resume. As if employers saw my tenure and at Pfizer as a bad thing or they can't afford me.

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I'll be honest with you, I really had my low days where I felt as if my unemployment would never end. I couldn't watch the news anymore. It was filled with bad news daily of the unemployment rate going up, more companies laying off, etc. It just ate at me. After the holidays, it really hit me and I was obsessed with checking my email first thing in the morning to see if I got any hits or updates from Monster/CareerBuilder. Then I would just scour the job boards. It got where I lost my drive and motivation to do anything else. I felt I NEEDED to be looking everyday. My poor kids would say "you are on the computer again?" or Josh would just want to sit in my lap while I was on the computer. I felt awful that it was affecting my kids. I had many times just crying on the phone to my mom, Meredith, and Julie. I felt so helpless. My faith in God was really tested, and that bothered me more than anything else.

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Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I saw a recruiter position online and applied for it in the morning. I got a call that afternoon about it and had a phone interview. He asked what I made at Pfizer, then when I gave him the amount he said "that is in our range". Whew! I always hated that question because it seemed to always end the call. He asked me to come in the next day and interview with him. The interview the next day went great! After talking with him and him telling me about their process, work environment, etc I wanted more than anything to work for their company. It turned into not just needing a job, it turned into WANTING the job. I wanted it so much I could taste it. He called me the following week asking me to come in on Thursday to meet with 3 more people. You bet! Last Thursday I met with the CFO, Dir of Marketing, and Dir of Training. It went really well and I prayed that I was able to impress them. The job was between me and 1 other person by then. At then end of the interview, I was told I would hear something the next day or Monday. All I could do then was pray that it would work out because it was the right fit. He called me the next day and offered me the job! After I got off the phone with him I was jumping up and down, screaming. I even woke up Josh from his nap. Whoops!

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I am just thrilled beyond words for this blessing. I not only will be doing what I loved, but I will be a recruiter, which at Pfizer would have been a promotion for me. More money and I get quarterly bonuses for those I screen/interview and end up getting hired. That was a huge surprise for me. The company has continued growth and a great outlook for this year. The only downside is my commute. I will be driving to Dallas in traffic. Yuck. I was so spoiled living so close to where I worked before. But in this job market, I just cannot be picky.

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So, there you go. There is my great news!