The Next Step

Yesterday. Actually, I did something as neat as going to a job interview. And for quite a swishy job too. I'm not 100% sure this is really what I want to continue doing with my life, but it certainly is a step in the right direction to get to the next level and get an interview. At last someone who can actually appreciate my CV and read between the lines. So whether or not I'll be called to a second interview for this job (next week), well, I won't brood too much if I don't. At least I got the opportunity to present myself irl, which can always lead to something else another time.

I've learnt to really trust my gut feeling when it comes to job interview-situations too - something I didn't do when I was interviewed for my latest job, which obviously got me into a whole lot of unnecessary trouble. But I've learnt that lesson, learnt it oh too well perhaps. It has left me a both stronger as well as a weaker person, though I think those two sides of my personality get along well in a more insightful, relaxed and overall content person, inside out, so who am I to complain...? - and this felt quite alright.

Some template questions as usual - and I won't even bother to pretend I have some pretentious, hoity-toity, grand career plan which will lead me to "the goal" in five or ten years time. I want to be a satisfied, content person living a life with a healthy melange of private life and job. Of course I have dreams, plans and passions, just not any specific career goals as such. Strangely (?) enough I don't think I ever really had them either. Which might come as a surprise to some, since I've always been consider that kind of gal who-will-most-likely-excel-and-succeed.

But what is consider to be a success? And what is really a successful life? I'm pleased, very pleased, to know myself, my thoughts and ideas, my passions, my innermost me, my pros, my cons - which is always a work in progress to minimize - everyday I learn a little bit more. And no matter what I do or will be doing in five, ten or twenty years time I'll be doing a heck of a good job!

It doesn't make me less of a person, and for sure not less of a good employee, just because I don't have a grand career plan. Who knows what might happen during those five years, who knows what happens in a few month, next week, tomorrow even? Do your best, excel if you can, here and now. -

and some unexpected ones. How much do I want this job on a 1-5 scale? How good am I at computer issues on a scale 1-5 - which is completely unanswerable since I don't work with computers, I only use them as a work tool. I'm sure not even the nerdiest computer nerd knows everything about all things computerish, the word being specialist... And I'm very far indeed from being a computer nerd, I probably know more than I think, I get by just fine with what I know, I learn new things all the time, some areas interest me others really don't and if I had to learn more I'd most probably have no problems with that either - and do I have some special travel destinations I recommend?

Oh yes, how was my university grades? And even if they could have been better, for sure, I realized I'm settled with them. I'm so much more than those grades. I actually managed to have a life and evolve as a person during my university years. And a bit of insightfullness, compassion, openmindedness, life experience and problemsolving attitude has never hurt when practising law I believe, practising most anything really. I much prefer that from being a Jill-in-the-office kind of type.

I've never seen the purpose, or reason, of being nervous at a job interview. All I - or anyone for that matter - has to do is being myself - or well, if we're talking anyone I'd much prefer if they are themselves and not pretending to be me at their job interviews... - and hopefully painting an accurate picture of me and my skills. Then it's up to someone else. Either they decide I'm the one they want, the one that will make the right complement for their company, or they don't. Perhaps they make a mistake, perhaps they don't. Not much point in brooding over it. Although, actually, come to think of it, brooding is one of my fortes...