Well, it has been 6 weeks since my fateful interview that lasted all of 10 minutes and ended with an on-the-spot offer. Hard to believe it's only been 6 weeks, to be honest. The 10 months out of work, applying and waiting, worrying and hoping, seem distant, from another year. I am now a part of the day to day of the small, successful, growing start-up with daily tasks and long-term projects, on a joking and good relationship with my bosses and co-workers, all 7 of them!
I do finally have a desk, a place for my laptop. And paperclips. Do you know how difficult it is to file and be organized with no paperclips? Near impossible, but they were something the coworkers didn't use much, as our focus is on the programming that makes mobile and tablet sites work. They didn't have anyone really focusing on the day to day office work, keeping the files organized, meetings and travel arranged and so on. I'm the executive assistant/office manager/HR person/finance and accounting guru. It is a lot of hats to wear, but fun.
The hours are decent--I'm usually hitting the office door by 8:15, so I might organize my day and get my thoughts together before the big bosses come in at 9:30 or 10. Lunch is quick, usually eaten at my desk. By 3:45 most days, the bosses are packing up and heading home, meaning about 10 minutes later, my workday is complete. I always wait, in case they need something from me that they think of in the car.
All that and I am making the same pay I did at the position I was at last year that vanished due to the nonprofit losing money. As I look towards the holidays, it is with a much more relaxed feeling than last year, where I knew things were not going well with the organization. The company I am with now is booming, a rarity these days. My bosses have expressed great joy at my efficiency and work ethic, I know I am appreciated and a part of the company now.
And, I still commute via cable car or historic streetcar each day. Really, does life get much better than that? To end a busy workday with smart, fun co-workers and know I get to hop on a "little cable car going halfway to the stars" as my "commute" home?
It's difficult to remember the worry I had just 6 weeks ago as I thought of 2012, wondering if I would ever find the right job, if I'd be spending January packing up and moving back in with my parents, from my beloved San Francisco to Fresno. Every weekday, I wake up thinking "I GET to go to work" not "I HAVE to go to work." There's a difference and I know I am beyond fortunate to have this job, to be making a salary that pays the bills and allows for a comfortable life when there are so many facing the worry I had not long ago.
To all of my fellow Viners looking for work or in bad work situations: hang in there. This job found me at my lowest moment. If that can happen for me, out of the blue, it can happen for you, too. And happy happy holidays! Here's to a fantastic 2012 for each of us.