Praise the LORD!!

I got a job!!!!

I have been searching for work casually since Oct./Nov. of last year, and seriously since March/April of this year. Unfortunately, it felt like I was fishing in a dry pond. Not only has the economy created a tough job market, but my major didn't equip me with many of the skills that employers look for: 1 year minimum office experience; proficiency in excel, access, outlook, adobe, quickbooks....etc. That's all well and good when you plan on getting a Masters Degree and teaching at a college, but not so great when God changes those carefully laid plans just before you graduate.

Now, I'm not accusing God of "getting in my way." On the contrary, I feel like a living example of Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

It has been 5 months since I graduated. Five months of looking for work. Full-time, part-time...it didn't matter; I just needed something.

Several times there were "close-calls." I would get a call for an interview--sometimes even go for an interview, only to hear silence afterwards.

I sent out 39 applications/resumes and cover letters to over 26 different companies (I often applied for more than 1 position), networked with people from work, school, church...and continued to pray and seek part-time work in the interim.

Out of all that, I only had 4 interviews...1 over the phone, and 3 in person. Of those, only 2 places called to set up a 2nd interview, and of those 2, only 1 actually followed through with the 2nd interview. And that is where I was eventually hired.

Look at how God--in His timing--provided work for me.

In July, my family visited a church that my coworker attends. A gentleman ("M") at the church approached us after the service to welcome us. He has 2 daughters, and saw that Mom and Dad had 2 daughters too. After chatting for a bit, he learned that I had recently graduated, and was looking for work. He gave me his business card and told me to email him my resume. He said they didn't have any current openings, but that a few might possibly come up towards the end of the year. I thanked him, and sent him my resume--then promptly forgot about the whole thing.

Three weeks ago, I received a call from the HR manager of the company ("C"), saying she had received my resume from "M"--who, as it turns out, is the president of the company! She wanted me to come in and interview for an open customer service position. The interview was scheduled for September 7th.

Humanly speaking, I did almost everything you are not supposed to in/for an interview:

a) Arrive early--My directions were wrong, so I arrived just on the button.

b) Dress conservatively--I still had bright red toe-nail-polish on (BIG No-no!) In my defense, my clothing was a conservative black, and I was wearing nylons.

c) Never wear your hair down, especially if it's curly; curly hair (when down) looks unprofessional--My hair was still wet from the shower, and was not cooperating with my updo, so I wore it down.

d) Don't wear dangly earrings--Oops.

e) Be prepared--I hadn't finished filling out the job application (bad bad BAD), and my allergies were acting up, so my head was stuffed, my nose was a dripping faucet, and I felt lousy.

When I walked into the building, I immediately felt at home. I felt comfortable. The hour long interview went well, and I felt like I connected with the HR manager--which allowed me to be completely open and honest about my lack of experience. The next step was to meet with the company president. We had a 5 minute chat--since, as he said, I had already had my preliminary interview with him. (Who would have guessed that he was evaluating and assessing me while we were talking at church?). He told me that "C" liked me and thought I might be a good fit, and that I should hear from them by Thursday.

That Friday, I called to follow-up, as I had heard nothing by Thursday. I again called the following Tuesday--both times I had to leave a voicemail. Still hearing nothing, I emailed the HR manager on Friday, Sept. 17th.

Monday, September 20th, while in class, I received an email from "C" apologizing for the delay and asking if I was available the next day (Tues. the 21st) for a 2nd interview. Unfortunately, I emailed her back too late to get the Tues. slot, but we were able to reschedule for Thursday (the 23rd) at 10am.

Thursday morning rolled around, and found me nervous. I actually interviewed twice, and with 3 people that day. The first was with the head of the department, and the second was with the 2 supervisors under him. Again, I felt very comfortable, and things seemed to progress naturally. I really sensed that I could be "real" with everyone and not have to word things "just so." At the end of the interview, I was told I should expect to hear from "C" sometime the following week.

That was this Thursday. Friday morning I got a call from "C" extending an official job offer. However, as it turns out, they want to hire me for a position other than the one I initially interviewed for. Rather than work customer service, I will be the administrative assistant of the entire department. That means I'm supporting 3 individuals: the 3 I interviewed with on Thurs. To my knowledge, this position was not open at the time I interviewed, but was rather created for me.

I am so grateful for God's provision in this area. Things were getting tight for me, yet I couldn't even get hired part-time for a temporary job at a coffee shop or bookstore. I was getting quite discouraged, and then, out-of-the-blue, God orchestrated a Monday phone call which led to a Thursday interview, a Friday job offer, and a Monday start date. It has been amazing to see how God so clearly orchestrated everything, and I am constantly praising Him for it.

I have no desire to repeat these past months of famine, but through it all God has revealed that what He had planned was best for my soul. Not finding work...was the best for my soul. Not getting to go visit my sister, BIL and new niece with the rest of my family...was best for my soul. Having interviews without call-backs...was best for my soul.

If any other situation were better for my soul, God would have placed me there. Whether in times of plenty, or times of famine, wherever I am is God's best for my soul.