Back in Heels

So...this past week I applied for a job at a small, regional broker dealer that exclusively handles municipal bonds. The firm is family owned (by Italians...who I don't think are part of the Chicago mob) and has been in existence for 25 years. Anyway....the job is working in their municipal credit research department. This is the unique thing about the firm, they provide their clients with ongoing surveillance of their holdings to ensure they are still suitable and that the underlying entity won't default on the debt service payment. The intent of the role is to supervise the department in about 12 months. The head muni bond trader (also Italian although not part of the family) currently supervises the department and is interested in relinquishing the role.

So I applied and was contacted right away...quite unique given that I had previously only been contacted for one other of the many positions I had applied for. The firm wanted to send me some documents to analyze and send back my analysis (a pre-test, if you will...which I had read was becoming more and more common to weed out unqualified candidates). I put my analysis together and sent it back....I subsequently interviewed on Monday of this week and Tuesday and was offered the job on Wednesday! The interview process was fairly rigorous, but I had the opportunity to meet the other people in the department, the head Italian (the president of the firm) and several others that work there. To be honest, I think I might be somewhat overqualified. But I think there's potential to impact the department and learn a lot while being able to contribute to the entire firm, not just the department. Plus, I think there will be a good work/life balance and the best part, I can walk to work! Kidding!

Actually, the best part is that everyone I met with was impressed with my skills and my experiences. Which sounds like I am saying "Wow, I am glad they realized I am awesome!" But that's not what I am saying (no, really, it's not)...I think the hardest part of being out of work is remembering what you bring to the table and that any company should be proud to employ you. Uncharacteristic of other times of economic stress when many firms are eliminating "dead weight" or employees who might not be performing up-to-snuff...right now, anyone is at risk of a being involved in a lay off. Most of the people I have met that have been laid off are smart, well educated, professional, great experiences....it's so strange. It's completely contradictory to what our parents and mentors and friends have told us when we were going to school or taking jobs..."hey work hard, get an advanced degree or certification, prove yourself as an asset, keep your nose to the grindstone...and your career or job will be safe."

The best thing I learned about this stint in unemployment is that I can survive. I know I am lucky that it didn't last as long as I expected it to...I know people who have been out of work longer who are just as talented and smart with great experiences and education. However, prior to this point, I was always scared that if I left a job, I would never get another (a somewhat irrational fear, but my neuroses -- I own it.) Luckily I have loved nearly all the jobs I have had, so it's not been too much of an issue, but most recently I knew I needed to leave a job for my own mental health and I stayed longer than I should have because I was paralysed by fear that I wouldn't find another or hired for another.

So here's my two cents....don't ever sell yourself short and think that you have to stay somewhere you are unhappy because you think no other organization will find your skills and experiences valuable. In addition, if you are facing unemployment (either voluntarily or otherwise) you too will find a job. I lucked into the job I found and thank goodness I think it's going to be a great fit for me. Believe me, my patience (of which I have very little) was tested, my professional history and education was tested and all the decisions I have made in my life were tested during this time period. But don't stop believing in yourself. I am so lucky to have people around me (my family, my bestie, good friends in Dallas and ones I have made here in Chicago) that never stopped telling me "Nora, you will be okay...believe in yourself." When I doubted myself, they were there to say "Why you being so crazy!"

I will get off my Beaches soapbox and wrap this up. Even before becoming gainfully employed I never regretted taking a risk and moving to Chicago. However, now that I have a job, I can take advantage of everything this great City has to offer.

I am not sure what I plan to do with this Blog...as I had planned to have to Blog about my job hunt much longer...so maybe I will keep it going and you can hear about my experiences. However, that seems sort of strange and self-centered. But I would like to expose others to Chicago...so maybe I can sway more Texans to move here - you don't have to leave the Union! There are so many wonderful things here (sans state income tax and winter). And even if you don't want to permanently take the plunge, I hope you'll come visit. I will even change the sheets on my bed.

Keep on keeping on, Nora