Things have been moving pretty quickly the past two weeks. I did not get the job in Denver, but I went ahead with several interviews in Charlotte, NC. I was very nervous since these were my first interviews since September, but I know things will work out if its meant to be. I discovered a Southern friend from Ft. Collins got a job and moved back to NC this past weekend. Although 2 hours from Charlotte, it would still be nice to know someone out here.
So the first interview, at a company that I though I liked better from the info on their website, was an interesting experience. After madly running around Jazzy Poet's house fixing clothes, make-up, and hair, I arrived to a modest building in downtown Charlotte. I entered the reception area to find three other women in various states of nervousness and varying takes on 'business professional' attire. I quickly realized that this consulting firm was conducting interviews every 15 minutes. Yikes. Soon I was called up by a hiring manager who was probably not more then 7 years older than me. His office was a shrine to his football playing years at the University of Alabama. A proud accomplishment indeed, but with only 2 binders on the bookshelf appearing to have anything to do with work, I became a bit skeptical. I thought the interview went alright, but again he seemed to be in autopilot. I'm sure it was the 40th interview he had conducted that day. After a quick run down of the company and the client, the questions "What are your 3 best attributes?" "Describe yourself in one word." and "What do you like to do for fun?" It was over before I knew it. He said they'd call between 5-7 if they wanted me to come back. I went back to the house and after several nerve wracking hours, no call.
Wednesday brought a new day and a new company. I wasn't so sure about this company because I had trouble getting in touch with them, but I went anyways to chalk it up to more interview experience. I drove to the Northern/University section of Charlotte, and rolled up to a nice clean office building. Riding to the 4th floor, I found the office. This time, there were two guys already in the reception area. One in an oversized suit around 30, and another guy maybe 23. The first guy was in and out in maybe 7 minutes. I thought, oh no, this is going to be just like the last one. While the younger guy was being interviewed (for what seemed like an eternity), I was left alone with the receptionist, who soon began asking me questions about my resume. She was tickled to see I was in a sorority, and we compared our Greek Life experiences, which put me in a better mood. Soon enough the hiring manager called me up. He was a nice chatty guy in his early 40's. After extensively explaining his company, the position (Account Manager for Staples Warehouse Division), and discussing our common hatred of the CU Buffs, he said he really wanted me to come in and shadow one of his best account managers and talk further about my future with his company. He asked when I could be back or was planning on moving there, I said probably not till early August. I know he is planning on opening 4 new offices between now and December, so he said that he wouldn't normally wait a month for someone to come back, but he is always hiring good people. I am to call him as soon as I get in town, and set up the shadowing day. While I have not officially gotten the job, the hiring manager really liked me and it feels like a good fit. As I was leaving, I thanked him and he said "No, you earned it. And you scored major points for being anti-Buffs!!" I'm glad I made a memorable and good impression.
Given these circumstances, and my current financial situation, I have made the decision to move to Charlotte, North Carolina. Pick one and leap. After a year of stagnancy in Boulder, I need a change. Even though sales is not what I see myself doing forever, everything is an opportunity to learn and grow. If the job with Notch works out, they will teach me not only sales, but everything it takes to manage an office (Sales, marketing, HR, accounting, etc.). Knowledge of these things will only help me in future endeavors, whether it be in science or my 'reach dream' of opening my own brewery. Even if this particular job doesn't work out, there seems to be a lot more opportunities here. My 5 year goal is to get to Charleston, SC, which will be much easier to attain to from Charlotte. College of Charleston has a great masters program in Marine Biology, which I would also like to be able to start by 5 years from now. I am taking a small step to get where I want to go, and a job I have to take to be financially responsible. Leaving all my friends in Colorado is going to be very hard, but I took the very same scary leap 5 years ago when I moved to Colorado, so I know I will be OK. I'm very ready to take on this new chapter in my life!
I was watching some Animal Planet (my closest friends have been subjected to many hours of Animal Cops and nature docs, and I thank you for putting up with my love of the AP), so I looked up a quote to use today. Out of all the ones I came across, this one made me smile.
"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies" - Unknown.
Cheers!
