Thursday, October 15, 2009

Dating My Career

As those of you who follow me on Twitter might already know, I recently applied for a grassroots position with a non-profit organization. It seemed like a very promising position, and I thought the interview went very well. I liked the environment and the goals of the company--I thought to myself, this could be the one!

Then, I received a letter this morning. It was a thin envelop from the organization with a big, red stamp: Confidential.

Uh oh.

I opened it, and sure enough it was a friendly but succinct rejection from the firm of my dreams.

I felt a little like I had when my fifth grade crush told me that I wasn't his type. He was kind about it, but it sure broke my heart. I cried about it for hours, re-reading the folded note he sent me from across the classroom. This morning, I took a deep breath and re-read the rejection letter. There were significantly less tears this time, but it was still a blow to my ego.

That got me thinking, though. My job hunt has been a lot like dating. From perusing wanted ads to setting up that first date/interview, I am starting to feel like an occupational Casanova. (Unfortunately, I can't claim the same level of success with my career as the famed Venetian adventurer can with women.)

Rejection is never easy, whether it is from a company or a crush. But, I'm going to pick myself up and keep going. After all, the career of my dreams is out there, and it isn't going to wait for me.

"Heart" by Agnieszka Bialobrzeska.

4 comments: to “ Dating My Career

  • a.
    5:45 PM  

    "Rejection is never easy, whether it is from a company or a crush. But, I'm going to pick myself up and keep going. After all, the career of my dreams is out there, and it isn't going to wait for me."

    Good point here. Finding your next great love or career has a lot to do with how much pavement stomping you are willing to do. Despite common belief, staying inside and waiting for the right man or job to find you doesn't normally get you the job/man of your dreams.

    If I had had that advice about 5 years ago, I think I could have avoided some heartache.

  • marzuki
    2:23 AM  

    Hi there Holly,

    A blog with pictures too! Love it. The only rejections Ive experienced in life would be the rejection of one of the university that I applied to and the rejection for my application to become a military pilot. I've yet to hop into the dating scene yet soooo i guess like Anna, I'll keep in mind ur last couple of lines!

    And you've got a Voice. (:

  • Seattle Kim D
    2:01 AM  

    I've experienced the same anguish over having been rejected by my dream firm however you must not give up hope. Perhaps the timing is just off. Keep applying and once you've accomplished your goals with the new company you can always try again with the dream firm. With hard work you can achieve your goals, it's just not always on your timeline (and sometimes that makes it even better!) :)

  • Holly
    8:49 AM  

    Oh, I am not worried. Like I've said before, I am confident the right job is out there, and I am going to find it. :)

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