Lessons from the job search

Last Friday I got some good news on the work front.  I got an extension to stay at my employer, working in another division to help launch a new product.  It is a temporary assignment which is scheduled to last for 30 days.  This was a fortuitous bit of news for me, as this occurred on what was to be my last day.

It is interesting how it all transpired last week.  I was still up for two jobs internally.  If I was selected for final round interviews for either of them, I would probably get an extension.  I had been packing up my office this week, preparing for the worst but still hoping for the best.  I found out Thursday morning I did not get one of those jobs.  I was down to one last option to stay; my optimism was waning.  

I was cleaning up my office, when I came across a magazine loaned to me by my good friend Danielle.  It was a mag on shops that made leather coats in Buenos Aires.   Last fall I was supposed to be in Argentina, but due to a visa issue (see post: Ugly American) I never made it there.  Danielle also included some currency and other items for me to use.  I had kept the book, pending a reschedule, but as that did not happen, it got lost in a pile and forgotten.  Until now.

Danielle is in a different division, but in the same building.    So I walked down to her desk to return the magazine.  It was about 10am Thursday.  She asked how things were going with me; I had been keeping her up to date on my job search.  She was very surprised that nothing had happened and was sad to see me go.  Then she brought up an idea - would I consider working on a short time project for her division?  It would be 30 days to help with a product launch.  Sure, I thought.  Why not?  It is not like I have another job in hand, and this buys me time.  Plus, after 30 days, if I don't get a job, I still get my severance package, so what is the downside?  I said yes; then I saw the product to be launched.  It was cool.  Very cool.  It will be one we hope everyone will see and know about very soon. 

I had know Danielle for years and although we had not worked together on a project, we both kept in touch and talked about our projects and work frequently.  Plus we got together for lunch every so often to talk about family, personal life, the whole shmear.  I thought the potential of working for her would be fun.  The only problem was that Danielle needed her Director's okay to hire me on.  I don't want to say I was doubting her ability, but when the topic of money comes up the answer is often no (especially in this day and age).  So while I was hopeful this would work out, I had doubts, especially with only one day to go.  At about this time, her Director walks by her office.  She says she has to see him; he was heading to the rest room, but said he would be back in a minute.  I rush to my computer to eMail her my resume.  

After lunch, I packed up my final items, and snuck out for the day.  I didn't want a goodbye party; it didn't think it was appropriate when your job gets eliminated.  My boss and I made arrangements to meet for dinner Monday night to sign the severance papers, if things didn't work out.  Danielle had told me that she was working on getting it done, but I wasn't sure that it could happen in time; I had tried this path before.  That night I met some friends for happy hour(s) and went to bed late.  I woke up Friday morning, not feeling particularly well, but as I had nowhere to go, it didn't seem to matter.  For some reason, I turned on my phone, although I didn't feel like talking.   About 8:15 am I got a call from my boss.  The extension to work for Danielle had come through. I would be around for at least 30 more days.  Monday morning I start working on a new product launch.   Also, I found out I am still in the running for the other job, too.

I really can't say enough good things about Danielle and what she has done for me.  She made something happen out of nothing.  Her division has not been hiring people, even temporarily. The fact it was me who got hired was entirely due to her support; I do not plan on disappointing her.   The whole thing was wrapped up in under 24 hours - a miracle of sorts here - and on my last day of employment.  I spent a lot of time this weekend thinking about this event, and I have realized three lessons I have learned:

  

1. Networking is the key to finding opportunities.  All the books and experts have said this is the key to finding work.  In a small way I have proved this true again.

2. Maintain friendships:  It is always important to do so in good times and bad.  Had I not kept in touch and felt comfortable working with me, would she have been willing to take a risk in bringing me in?  Probably not.  

3. Return stuff that isn't yours:  The part I can't get over is that none of this would have happened had I not cleaned out my office and return something that didn't not belong to me.  We have all heard this from our parents before, but this is the first time I think I have seen the benefit of doing so.

The product I am working on will be very fun.  It has only been one day, but I have enjoyed it. Even if I have to move on, it is a good project for the resume.  It is only a 30 day assignment, but it keeps me continuously employed at 3M.  It gives me more time - not just at work but for the external search.  Most importantly, it is keeping my mind active and it keeps me feeling useful.  I hate feeling like I am not making a contribution, or helping in some way, and this job has given me that opportunity.  It keeps me sane, at least for another month, and it makes me feel like I am still contributing, something I have missed doing during this job search.  That has been the most important thing of all.

Thanks Danielle