When is a job interview something not worth getting excited about? Well...based on my personal experience, it's when you really, really, really don't want to go back to work. Ever.Last week, out of the blue, I was contacted by a recruiter from a large, very well-known company named after a piece of fruit (hint: it begins with the letter "A"). I feel compelled to say, at this point in the post, should any of you work for this company or know of someone who does....I'm just kidding about the "not wanting to work" thing. I love your company. I love your products. And I desperately need a nice, fat paycheck.
Ahem.
So as I was saying, I had an interview with said company. Which I was dreading. Because in all honesty, the thought of returning to work is right up there at the top of my "things I would never want to do again, but probably will" along with taking a 10+ hour international flight in winter with two children under the age of five and going to the dentist. But in spite of my personal feelings about the matter, I realized it would probably be a good idea to go. First of all, the inheritance I planned to receive from a hitherto unknown (yet benevolent and extremely wealthy) relative hasn't quite panned out. Secondly, K's job isn't exactly making huge strides. Which has left me feeling a tad insecure about our collective finanical future. So I went.
The interviewers were very pleasant. The interview itself was very comfortable. No surprise questions. Nothing stressful at all. In fact I appeared to know more about the job role than they did...which was slightly disconcerting. The job is essentially what I was hired to do at Yahoo! but never really got around to doing what with all the reorgs and layoffs. The pay is good, I'm sure the benefits are as well. Some travel will be required...possibly to areas of the world I've yet visited (Japan, Singapore, Australia).
However here I am, three days later and with hours and hours of time spent rehashing the experience, and I still can't really say whether or not they will call me back. I can, however, say I fervently hope they do not. Yes, I realize I sound like a nutball. But honestly, I know if they do call me back and perhaps decide to offer me a job....I will very likely feel compelled to take it in an effort to ensure my family and I don't end up living out of a car in the near future. And you heard it here first, folks: I. Do. Not. Want. To. Work. But I may need to.
Sigh.
After a 6-week-long vacation and 1 day back at work I soooo understand what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteI too do not want to work .... Sigh. Big big sigh.
I always find it so interesting that you don't want to work because you are very good at what you do (at work--and at home, of course) and are a great people manager. You are also great about setting boundaries between work/home.
ReplyDeleteGriet! Long time no see!!
ReplyDeleteBecca...perhaps I'm just a lazy bastard who can't be bothered to put out the effort required to hold down a job. I suspect, however, it really comes down to the fact that being a full-time parent gives me a huge feeling of fulfillment that no office job has ever done. It's hard, sometimes I wish I could run away, but ultimately, it's incredibly rewarding for me. Also...there are ZERO politics. But I suspect those will eventually come along when my kids start school and I have to navigate teachers and other parents. That said, if I could find a part-time, permanent writing gig....I'd probably be happy as a clam. Because I do enjoy writing/editing a lot and it keeps my brain from shriveling up and dying.
Jen, I wonder if you'd like work once you got back, but it's the thought that is bumming you out. I had that with both children, but particularly the first. The thought of working made me sick to my stomach (the real way I lost the weight) but once I was back into it I was really happy that I was working. Obviously it's not the same for everyone, and you are right about the fulfillment angle as well as the welcome respite from no politics. But if some job does present itself and you take it you might be surprised at how much you do like it, particularly if you can find a part time gig. You'd still be a parent and still running the show at home, and that satisfaction doesn't go away. Anyway, I'm rambling (and procrastinating) so I'll wrap it up now (and you'll probably go back to finding that setting that blocks my comments from this blog...)
ReplyDeleteHave they called yet??!
ReplyDeleteI think you have some valid point Danielle...I definitely remember once I went back to work after having M, it really wasn't as wretched an experience as I'd envisioned. But I can say that I definitely do enjoy being at home more than at work...and I guess I feel like I'm ultimately doing the right thing for myself and family. That said, if K suddenly loses his job...then the right thing will definitely be to go back to work!
ReplyDeleteKim, no word yet. Guess we'll see how it goes!