The Dance of the Interview

By far, the scariest thing I have done in many years is to quit my job without having a safe landing – another job. When I resigned back in May, I had to give three months’ notice. I didn’t want another job. I was mentally and physically exhausted. My experiences and the lessons I had learned during the pandemic culminated in my being crystal clear that I had to make some significant changes in my life.

I formulated a plan which was to take three months off, so I could assess what I wanted to do next whilst using the time to focus on ‘me’ and my personal and professional growth.

I’d never not worked since I was 14 years old; this was a big deal, and I would be reliant on my savings to carry me through. So, maintaining my independence and continuing to contribute to the household remained top of my mind.

My loose plan involved: creating and writing my blog, doing a writing course, writing my book, getting fit and exercising regularly, spending more time with family and friends, and reconnecting with those who I’ve not been able to see because of job and life events consuming the little time I seemed to have.

When I started, I didn’t think I would begin job hunting until towards the end of my three months. I knew the process would distract me from my personal plan. The luxury of having time was one I felt wouldn’t happen again any time soon, and I had to maximise the opportunity it gave me.

Self-sabotage and niggling doubts became my nemesis – What was my purpose and debunking the new labels I had been given; real and imagined. I was clear on who I wasn’t, but I constantly wrestled with who I was without having a job. I fought against invisible and often imaginary forces who told me I was now simply the wife of, a homemaker or a lady of leisure.

I didn’t want to contribute or post on LinkedIn or other social media, which had nothing to do with the communities and everything to do with how I viewed myself. Having a job gave me purpose, but I had let it become my everything, and that was the change I needed to make.

Not allowing my daemons to be in control of me – forward, I ploughed.

I was fortunate that I had family, friends, and a network who supported and championed me. So much so that they instigated the many interviews and conversations I had. Likewise, my allies, ambassadors and mentors showed up, encouraging me to stay true to my values and to stay strong.

+10 companies and +50 interviews and conversations later; I’ve learned a lot more about the industry I love; I’ve met some incredible people; Interviewing remotely, and the process is discombobulated chiefly; Nothing happens fast enough; People’s intentions, don’t always line up with the words they speak; There’s no such thing as agility, or skipping a step or two – even when they think they can or should; Culture and how an organisation looks after their people has never been more important, and when your spider senses tingle – listen to them.

The dance of the interview – precarious, enlightening, disheartening, arduous, fun, necessary and often just bonkers.

Three months on, I am happier, healthier, stronger, and more at peace with myself than I can ever remember being. Having time off hasn’t been plain sailing, and skipping through the meadows, far from it.  I’ve had lots of wobbles and crises of confidence. I sometimes wonder if I should have chosen a more conventional path.  When I consider my journey thus far, I’m not sure I would have learned the lessons I needed to, had I chosen a typical route.

I’m not alone in what I’ve done. They are calling it: The Great Resignation 2021.