Part IV – The Finale: Diary of a Millennial Job Seeker
Our millennial is offered the job! Isn’t that the goal? Yes and no. We need adequate income, purpose and clarity. Finding a position that can pay the bills, nurture growth and make a contribution to society is the gold metal. The lesson takes us back to where we started:
- If the interview process is convoluted – RED FLAG
- Not every job is for every person – Know your own “best fit”
- Power dynamics are ALWAYS at Play in the workplace – Figure out your own win strategy
IV: Throwing Sand
As we leave the room where I had my final interview with the manager I’m told not to “act too excited because we’re not offering the position to everyone.” What should have been a red flag sales tactic felt good and had the manager’s desired effect.
As soon as I am in the elevator I feel awful. Did I just sign away my Saturdays? Who has a 9-hour work day? How will a commission based salary support me? I’m warm, overwhelmed and completely enveloped by an impending doom of the wrong decision being made.
2 Hours Post Interview:
The reality sets in. I do not have to accept a position simply because I enjoyed everyone I met and they choose me. I think about the situation from a sales perspective and realize every part of the interview process was essentially designed to make me feel special, important, and like I was being offered the most sought after position in the tri-state area. They had crafted a competitive scenario and in essence told me I had won.
I know the right thing to do is send a lovely email as soon as possible apologizing and thanking everyone for their investment and time. I can’t stop thinking about how sad I am as in one day I was: in multiple boroughs, had several interviews, was given a position, accepted a position and then processed I needed to go back on my agreement of said position. After reflection, I clearly see every indicator of a toxic process: who and how many are in the interview process, drama around setting up the interview, they talk at you, have an over eagerness for you to start, and the job description and reporting line are murky.
Someone wise (who is expert in Managing Annoying People) told me:
Do you want to be the kid in the sandbox who is getting sand in their eyes, OR the kid throwing the sand in everyone’s eyes?
Honestly, I don’t want to be either kid, sandboxes are gross; however, I have my take away. Through the interview process I was made to feel insignificant but now I am in the upper hand and that is better and a different sadness than rejection.
I craft an email and edit it with the help of three trusted friends because I want to have the wording just right. I thank, I laud, I apologize, I complement, and I speak for the best of everyone’s interest.
No response. This part of the apparent Odyssey has passed. I process the positives: interview experience, privilege of being offered a position and practice saying no to people I truly admire.
The quest for the quality and right fit position continues for this millennial job seeker. Wish me luck.
Best,
A sand throwing, dog loving, not excellent at public transportation, competitive, almost-employee
Thanks to Our Millennial Guest Blogger:
Our readers appreciate the report from the front line, your insights and showing us not every win is a win.
Good Luck and may your find an office with a dog, an easy commute and an employer who harness the skills you offer with a good pay!