What follows is something I wrote and posted on Facebook on January 4, 2022. I was not actively blogging at the time, and I made the comment that, due to the length, what I was sharing was more like a blog post. Since today is the second anniversary of that post and I am actively blogging, I thought I would finally share it where it belongs, within the blogosphere. Please note, it is a religious post. If religion is not your thing, this may not be the post for you.
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January 4, 2022
I am a person of faith. I understand and respect the fact that religion isn’t for everyone. I am not comfortable “witnessing” to people, so unless I know you are religious, I generally keep my religious views out of the conversation. Still, I find strength in my faith. Does it ever waiver? Sure. Some days the strength is stronger than other days, but the faith remains.
During these past several months of job hunting, I relied greatly on my faith. It was 100% my faith (and friends) that kept me moving forward. And because I know in my heart that my faith was the strongest it has ever been, I feel called to share my testimony.
I started looking for a job in September 2022, but I started fully focusing on it in October. I sent out at least 10 resumes a week. I spent my Mondays and Tuesdays searching and sending – leaving Wednesday thru Friday waiting for responses. I prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
I applied for many jobs, most of which were ones where I was overqualified. Having been out of the corporate world for 3+ years, my confidence was low. I aimed low, knowing that I would “wow” them when hired. [Though midway through, thanks to my Facebook friends like Charles and Jennifer, I aimed higher, because it was the interviewer that would determine my qualifications for any job. Why should I limit the casting of the net on my perceived limitations?] I still prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
Just like I foolishly believe I will win whatever contest, sweepstakes, or raffle I enter (“foolishly” because it never happens), I foolishly believed that every interview process would end with a job offer and that I would quickly and easily find a job. I still prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
Over the course of 3+ months, at least 100 job applications, and only four interviews (which I made all the way until the end of the process only to be told that they would not be moving forward with me), I was still without a job. Furthermore, I had already closed my dog sitting business, no longer booking jobs for 2022. It was December, and I was coming to the unexpected realization that I was going to start 2023 without an income. I still prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
On December 13th, I received a message from someone via my LinkedIn account. The person said “I found your info on LinkedIn and thought you might be interested in our Sr. Program Coordinator role. Pls let me know!” I figured it was a recruiter spamming me, so I didn’t click on the link included in the email. That said, I was curious enough to go to the company’s career page to see if such a job existed. It did, and I read the job description. I still prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
I wasn’t qualified for the job. I didn’t understand what it was about my LinkedIn account that made this person feel that I was qualified. But. I was curious. (And I remembered what Charles and Jennifer said.) I decided I would reply to the person, and if nothing else – I would confirm it was spam. My reply included the following: “With regards to my past experience, what do you see that makes you think I am a good fit for this position? As I read through it, I am wondering if I am truly qualified for the position. That said, I welcome the chance and challenge, and I am interested in learning more about it.” I figured I would be blunt and transparent, presumably calling this person’s bluff. I even called my friend Carol to talk to her about it. I still prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
The person replied and told me what qualities/skills/experience stood out, and this person encouraged me to apply and see what happens. So, I did. I still prayed daily, fully believing that all things would work out because God was with me.
On December 23rd, after 3 interviews and two 40-question skill assessment tests, this person called me with a job offer. She told me she wanted to let me know before the holidays, so I could enjoy the holidays a little more relaxed. (They were “closed” Dec 23rd – Jan 3rd.) I immediately prayed, thanking God for this opportunity. And today, January 4, 2022, I received and signed the offer letter. I start my new job with Emory University’s School of Medicine on January 12th. Once again, I prayed to God, giving thanks for this opportunity. And, I still pray daily, fully believing that all things will work out because God is with me.
This journey has not been fun or easy, and the anxiety and stress was debilitating at times. Though I am currently not taking medication, I battle depression. I reached out to my doctor and got my prescription filled, because I wanted to be prepared. Through my faith and prayer, I made it through without medication and without spending days in bed. I always managed to get myself up – if only to apply for jobs. (And there were days when I got out of bed just to look and apply, and then I would get back in bed.) When interviews were scheduled – I was “up” and happily functioning; but, when interviews weren’t on the calendar, it was my faith in God that helped me put one foot in front of the other.
And you see what happened, right? I applied for at least 100 jobs. But this job? The job I was offered … it came to me.
I believe 100% that this was a God-given opportunity. Especially because this job is my dream job. I’m not settling for this job – I’m rising up and meeting it. This job has me doing everything I want to do and nothing I don’t want to do. This job is taking me back “home” to an environment similar to the 10yrs spent working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
I have always regretted leaving CDC. Always. And I wanted to find a way back. But the job titles and job descriptions for what I did and what I wanted to do are funky. So, I aimed low, sold myself short, and searched for traditional titles that made up my post-CDC job career. But I prayed, too. And, I held tightly to faith. And God knew better. And God provided better.
I didn’t find this job – this job found me. And this job is taking me back home to my roots. This is my testimony; thanks be to God.
Epilogue
Two years later, I am still very happily employed with Emory University. My job can be intense and stressful, but I am part of an incredible and supportive team. My bosses are the best. Truly. It is the best job I have ever had. I know I am where I should be, and I genuinely look forward to each and every workday. I have many friends who, when talking about God, will say, “Won’t he do it?!” And well, I am here to tell you, “He done did it!” Amen.