oliviatamccue

What would you do when you are “looking for something different” in middle age before too late, and when the choice presented itself as a financial reward to leave; or stay in a well-respected and secure position in a company of 300,000+ employees?

With the courage echoed in the song of “Ready to take a chance again”, biblical verse “Launch into the Deep” and to no small extent, the financial cushion, it was not a hard decision.

On the first anniversary, what have been the hits and misses on this road less travelled?

September – November 2012: Living like a retiree, years prior to the social security age of retirement.

Life fast forwards itself to years later, to be on discussion about retirement, annuities, medical care, not to mention about the approaches from financial planners.  What best to help planning than considering important decisions years ahead of time? A relaxed mindset is precious, even doing the same thing feels different; it allows reflection of the career so far, and allows the space to ponder what to do up next.  A typical day is like rising early, surf internet, exercise, read WSJ, watching TV, read books, learn something, volunteers, check out jobs, before cooking dinners.  In between afternoon tea, school activities, financial stuff, classes, tennis, family cooking and exploring opportunities, there has been so much more things to do than time affords.

December – February 2013: Launch into the open, Ups and Downs

I got job relocation to United States years ago, and have been in the same company since, my job search experience is nothing serious at best; with some career transition service, I am off to training in job search, resumes, interviews and offer negotiation.  To prepare for job search, I enjoy the moments of looking back on what has been achieved, and to plan out what I would look for.  Joining job search group is one of the easier approaches to know people of vastly different experiences, and connect with people of common goals of getting a job.   These months are months that I get to know/reconnect with folks and their stories, than the last 20 years together.  The initial desire of non-profit did not quite plan out the same way, volunteer is possible, but trying to combine meaningful purpose with my core competence is not straight forward.  I got close to working for a non-profit educational setting, but have a wake-up call the reality of a noble objective may not mean working in an environment within the comfort zone.  For the commercial worlds, the resume to interview ratio is about 3 – 5%, most of my interviews were from companies that I have no connection.   There is some stroke of luck to often have job leads each week, though I fully understand the seed of doubt in days with no calls.

December offers a number of opportunities, where the chance to get deep in interview in senior positions in companies of household names, with meaningful products, or exciting start-up, boasts confidence.   Answering challenging questions in interviews, knowing the interviewers are awfully smart, has been an intensive experience similar to pushing your brain to work times faster than usual. There have been days I fancy my chance of getting “multiple” offers, yet I exit the quarter empty handed.   If looking for a job is a job itself, I chose to take a week off.

Posted in Career Management, Dear Diary