by Adam Dawson
The last two weeks have been a complete whirlwind in our household. Really, it all started back in February of this year, when I started my new job. I work in the technology sector and I was hired to work on making a new product successful. I got to do this job for exactly 8 weeks before my hiring manager was reassigned to a new project. A new VP took over our business unit, and we began butting heads immediately. I won’t go into detail on this public blog for fear of getting dooced, but let’s say this: we do not have a Love Connection. My responsibilities were gradually whittled down during the next several weeks. If I could say more, I’m sure you’d be on my side in the conflict. But I am trying to learn from the experience to be better in the future.
In August, I received an ominous performance review that was at best, only marginally justified, and was instructed to think about whether this role was appropriate for me. I stressed that my priority was to be successful in my work. But I saw the writing on the wall and began looking immediately for another job. I’m glad I did, because two weeks ago, I was given “the talk” — the company was giving me a window of time to find another role internally before putting me on the path to exit.
Thankfully, my networking in the meantime had begun to pay off. I had been searching internally and interviewing since August. Within a week of getting that ultimatum, I had received two offers and several other strong leads. Fortunately, I work in a growing industry and have stumbled into some skills that are in demand. We do not take for granted that we are very fortunate to be in this position, and we are so, so grateful.
It’s sad that I can’t continue doing the role I was hired for. I’m good at it and I genuinely liked it, for those 8 short weeks. But I’m glad I saw the writing on the wall and didn’t stick my head in the sand, and have worked to open additional doors. (Wow – I graduated summa cum laude from metaphor school with that sentence. Or is it simile school? Or analogies? I give up.) I know this post is pretty vague, but hopefully you can understand. I expect to be able to share more in the next couple of weeks. For her part, Emily has been AMAZING at supporting me through the stress and emotional roller coaster. She has been steady as she goes, remarkably unfazed. And no, she did not hack my account and write those last two sentences herself.
Today, as I’m on the verge of choosing my future direction, I found the phrase above in my fortune cookie at lunch. Luck is coming my way. But what kind of luck? (Also, if you win the lottery with those numbers, please send me enough of your winnings to pay off my loans. 🙂 )
