Finally--a new job!!

After countless revisions of my resume and cover letter, and responding to far too many selection criteria, the day has finally come--I have a new job!! Not just any new job. I must have filled out 20+ job applications in the last few months, which is no easy feat considering the depth necessary for application materials in this country. Several of these positions certainly required more experience than I currently possess (though the jobs could certainly have been learned). Many of them were regular executive assistant positions, either at non-profits or with a large salary that would compensate for my exit of the third sector. I even sent my resume to a bakery or two, accompanied by an enthusiastic email. For so long, to no avail. No requests for interviews or additional information--not a single phone call was received. Until two weeks ago. It was around 6:30 pm and I was home for the day when my phone rang with an unknown number. It was the Sydney Theatre Company asking me to come in for an interview for the Foundation Coordinator position! Um, yes, absolutely!

The first interview was last Monday and I arrived 25 minutes early (typical). I strolled in with some gingerbread biscotti and met with the two ladies who have been running the Foundation for the last year. There was good chemistry, but I left feeling discouraged as they had mentioned that they had a lot of great candidates to interview. On the phone with a positive Marcus at the other end, I may have shed a stressed out tear or two, but crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

On Wednesday I received another phone call asking me to return for a second interview, this time with the Development Manager. I had made it to the final two candidates. Cheers, cheers all around! I'd gone home early, sick with who knows what on Tuesday and was still feeling a little off on Wednesday, which conveniently provided an excuse to leave early for the interview. This interviewer was a bit more intense than the other two ladies with a good game face and some tougher questions to answer. Confidence was waning after this interview, but I still kept the fingers crossed and hoped for the best. They told me they were interviewing the other candidate on Thursday and they'd let me know either way by the end of the week.

Thursday came and went. Nerves abounded. No phone call. Thursday evening came and I got a text from my old boss at the Audit Office who said she'd just given me a glowing reference. Positive sign!

Friday morning came. My phone sat staring me in the face until around 11:00, when I was in my boss's office trying to find something for her since she was working from home. My phone started ringing in my pocket with the "unfamiliar number" ring tone. I quickly answered and the conversation began with, "Well, we're calling with what we hope is good news..." A smile broke out on my face and I started jumping up and down! Eeeeeeeek!

We set my start date as the 18th of January then hung up the phone. More jumping up and down. Yes, yes, yes, yes! I called Marcus to fill him in on the good news. My voice was so wavery (but not teary) that at first he couldn't tell if it was a good call or a bad one. Oh so good news! Then I sent out an email to some of the gal friends to let them know I had a new job. I hadn't wanted to say anything beforehand because I didn't want to jinx it. It would have been too much pressure if I hadn't gotten the job, and I wasn't up for a mass disappointment. Marcus was the only one who knew. Well, and my "healer lady", but she made me cry that morning so I had to bring up some excitement for the day to help cover the tears. :)

So there it is, my friends, I finally have a job. And not just some nine to fiver that I don't really care about, I'll be working in the Foundation of a pretty high profile theatre. I've always loved theatre, but never thought I'd actually be able to work in one. This is sort of like candy--I feel like I'm spoiling myself by working there! Check out their website: http://sydneytheatre.com.au/ The artistic directors are Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton, and the patron is Giorgio Armani. How crazy is that? That's where I'm going to work! During my first interview, they told me I'd be required to work some out of office functions, like opening nights, donor events, an occasional get-together at Cate and Andrew's house... My response was, "Interesting phrasing there--"have to". Do I get to?" Oy!

I love work events, and have so missed the CSF events with everyone. From our summer programs to the board dinners to the Costco breakfast and Governors Scholarship awards ceremony. I miss being in on the event planning and mixing with people of all levels of the organization. This job has the potential to be amazing, and I stand to learn a lot. Yay!!

Other than that, the Pagan Winter Festival season is upon us. I will do my ritualistic list-making and scattering the ashes to the wind. I'll be calling family on xmas morning, then baking and watching movies, and sending happy thoughts to all of my loved ones. Aaaaaaaaaaand on the 28th, Marcus and I are off to Fiji to spend a week recharging our batteries for the year to come. A full, all-expenses paid week in Fiji cost us less than tickets back to the states. Amazing! Anyhew, I'm still planning on being back over the summer. With a permanent job under my belt now, that shouldn't be a problem!!!

Love and happy holiday wishes to you all!!