Looking for a job has to be the most draining and tiresome thing ever. I graduated in May with my Master’s degree and to my surprise was both under and overqualified for a good bit of the positions that I wanted in politics or Higher Education. I spent hours perfecting my resume, cover letter and filling out applications only to receive rejection emails that made me feel worthless. After receiving my 11th one , I decided to stop counting because I did not need that type of negative energy in my life.
By mid-August, I still did not have a job and I was PRESSED! There was no way I paid all that money for a degree to not find a job. I was hella worried, but I prayed daily for God’s direction and guidance.
The hardest part isn’t praying, but trusting God to do what you prayed for.
I was in the middle of a cry session on August 12th, when I heard my phone receive an email notification. It was an email from a faculty member at USC telling me that he received my contact information from one of his colleagues that I recently interviewed with. He informed me that he had an opening in his office and that he really wanted me to apply for the position. While it seemed like God was answering my prayers, I knew good and well that I did not have a single interview and knew that he contacted the wrong person. However, I quickly applied to the position before he could figure it out.
About a week later, I received a random call from a number I didn’t know and per usual, I did not answer it. I checked my voicemail and it was a request for an interview for a position at Midlands Tech that I applied for months ago. I studied the job description of the position, went over my cover letter and resume and practiced interview questions. Two days later I interviewed for the position, and KILLED IT! I walked out as confident as I could be, knowing that the job was mine. I just felt it.
A week went by and I didn’t hear back from any of the positions.
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
After what seemed like ten years, I received an email from the faculty member at USC informing me that he wanted to invite me to the office for an interview. It still didn’t occur to me that I was the person this man was looking for, but it was too late because I was going to this interview. The interview was two hours long and very intense. I was not convinced that he was impressed with me, but I still felt really good about the interview at Midlands so it didn’t bother me as much.
The day after my USC interview, I received a call back from the interviewer at Midlands Tech. He informed me that they “decided to go another way” for the position that I applied for. I wanted to be hurt, but after receiving 11 rejection emails you kind of accustom yourself to rejection. However, he said that there was a similar position open that he thought I would be a great fit for. He invited me to come to the office so I could learn more about it.
In the meeting, I discovered that I would be a hourly employee on a contract, would not be granted paid sick or leave days, could not work for two weeks during December when the institution was closed and was not making the pay that I desired. By the end of the meeting, I already made up in my mind to not accept the job because I did not struggle through two degrees for that. However, to be courteous, I told them I would let them know my decision to accept or decline by next week.
Know your worth.
After the meeting I felt down because I knew that with my educational and professional experience I deserved more. I went back and forth with myself about whether I would accept because despite the conditions, I had not heard back from USC and any job was better than no job. After finally coming to terms that yes would probably be the best answer, I reached out to the interviewer and told him that I was willing to accept the position and wanted to know the next steps I needed to take. To my surprise, he replied and said that since they did not hear back from me right away they offered the position to someone else. Talk about HUUURRTTTT!!!!
What’s for you is FOR YOU. If it misses you, it was NOT yours.
Later that SAME DAY, I received an email from the faculty at USC asking me to come in to meet his supervisor. It wasn’t a “you got the job”, but it wasn’t a “no” either.
God’s timing is impeccable. Trust him.
I went in for what I thought would be a “meeting” with his boss, but was actually another interview which was even more intense than the first ones. I didn’t feel good about that, but I walked back to the faculty member’s office to talk to him more about the position. To my surprise, he informed me that he was strongly considering hiring me for the position, but was very concerned about doing so due to my age. He said that I would be the youngest person on staff and would be expected to assume a great deal of responsibility since this was not an entry level position. I firmly assured him that my age offered me an advantage that would benefit the program and that my age could not speak to my talent and capabilities. (Don’t let people judge you on what they think they know about you!) Surprised at my answer, the next thing out of his mouth was, “Do you want the job?”
My contract was set to end Friday, September 7th and he wanted me to start Monday, September 10th. Y'all I CCRRIIIIEEDDDD once I got to my car. My makeup was a MESS, but I was so thankful for God’s favor over my life. I’m not sure why he keeps looking out for lil ole me, but I am grateful.
What is for you will be for YOU and there is no man or woman who can stop that.
Here I am as a full-time salaried employee at my alma mater.. and one of the places that helped shaped me into the person that I am today...in a position that I didn’t even apply for... that allows me to gain remarkable professional and leadership experience...with a boss that pushes me to excel both professionally and personally.
God is undefeated!
Today, exactly three months from my start date, I had a conversation with my boss who informed me that hiring for my position was one of the hardest things he's done. Six people applied and he wasn't impressed with any. He reached out to his colleagues, one of them recommended me and he sent me an email. He read my application and said that he just felt that I was the one and closed the application.
If you’re waiting on God to do something for you, trust He will. If things didn’t go as planned for you...if you didn’t get the job or the promotion, believe that God has greater in store for you! It is not up to us to figure out a way, let Him do his work. Be grateful for the “no” because they are only pushing you closer to the “YES!” You can’t appreciate the rainbow, without the rain. I’m glad to serve a God like mine and grateful for the reminder that prayer still works.
Peace. Love. Rose'.