Giving Up Green for Green

If it was up to my interviewer Stacy, I think I would already have the job; It went that well. Stacy is a bubbly sort, relating geeky stories about her older brother, catching herself sharing too much with a stranger, and openly expressing her delightful surprise at some of the questions I had prepared.

In preparation for this interview, I collected several specific situations when conflict and failure had occurred in the workplace (along with the resolutions,) accomplishments when my experience secured discretionary marketing or saved the company money, my overall qualifications, reasons I wanted to work there, and questions about the company. I separated each unique, specific example and wrote them on flash cards, while keeping the lists together on single cards. Although I didn't use most of them, they were there if needed.

The department head had provided Stacy with a list of questions, all of which I immodestly nailed. If I make the cut for the next step, the phone interview will lean toward the technical. At my job, I am the department, so the idea of talking tech makes me anxious because I don't know the lingo. Still, I know what I'm talking about and am capable. I just need to prepare similarly for this portion of the interview, while remaining modest and relaxed.

Not happy about the idea of moving away from family and friends, but I can say that I am up for this Seattle adventure. While it might rain a little more than in Chicago, everyone I know living there loves it. Seattle flowers bloom in February while I scrape frozen hail chunks off my windshield, everything is simultaneously near the ocean and mountains, and it's greener than where you live. Besides the dream job qualities, the completely web based design responsibilities, and creative team environment there is a gym, a daycare (should I need one,) and the 401K program is insanely generous.

Years ago, as my divorce approached, I slashed my 401k contributions along with other adjustable / controllable expenses, in preparation for my singular salary. Keeping the condo, more specifically paying for the condo, was going to be tough. When the divorce dust settled, I realized my ex was spending her entire paycheck and some of mine. This financial revelation allowed contributions to restart.

I've decided that I want this job, the move across the country, and the chance to start again, even though I'll be slashing my 401k contributions once more when I take a pay cut.