Have you ever wanted something so bad that you thought you were going crazy for trying to get it?
It was 2005 and I was working for BMO Bank of Montreal which is the oldest and one of the largest Banks in Canada. I had a great job but knew that I needed more and felt that I needed to get the heck out of there. At the time I was attending University part-time and working full time, so I would spend every spare moment I had applying for jobs.
I must have applied for at least 20 jobs before I got my first phone interview. It went well, but obviously not well enough because I didn’t get called for a second interview. My field of study is business marketing so I was trying my best to get into BMO’s corporate marketing department. I ended up getting a few more phone interviews and face to face interviews, but never ended up getting the job. By the time I got to my 9th job interview a recruiter at the Bank said to me that I was applying for jobs that were way above my pay scale and that I should try applying for jobs that are closer to my pay scale. I remember thinking at the time that at least I was getting interviews. I just needed one person to give me a chance. Of course I didn’t stop applying for higher paying jobs. But I must admit, by the 9th interview I was getting really discouraged.
Everyone started to feel sorry for me, which I didn’t like. I hate pity parties, so I decided to stop telling my friends and family every time I had an interview and didn’t get the job. I just kept applying away and kept it quiet. I was still applying for higher paying jobs and still getting interviews. A couple of times I would get 3 interviews for the same job and still didn’t end up getting the job. When I would ask for feedback, they would often say they chose someone with more experience. I never really understood when recruiters say that. How do you get experience if no one wants to hire you.
By this time I had gone on about 15 job interviews in just over a year. I was exhausted emotionally and mentally, but I was determined and wasn’t going to give up. Then I decided to look outside of the company since I wasn’t having much luck internally. The first external job I found is the current job I have now. I applied and completely forgot about it, they took so long to call me back that it slipped my mind that I even applied. By this time I had gone on 18 job interviews in a year and a half. I went on to interview for my current job and it was the hardest interview I have ever had. It was in front of a panel of 3 and I had to give a presentation. I remember leaving that interview and saying to myself that those 18 interviews prior were preparation for that 19th interview which landed me the job.
By the way, this job pays more than all of the jobs that I interviewed for prior. It truly was God that was setting me up!
I wanted to share this in case there’s anyone out there who is in the middle of going after what they want and are feeling discouraged. I’ve learned in my 32 years on this planet that you have to FIGHT for your dream. It’s hard while you’re trying to get there, but it’s so worth it once you get it. Plus you get to help someone else who may be on their way.
What a great story about persistence and having the will to never give up! It's cliche, but sometimes the reason a door closes is so an even better one can open up. Maybe it really is a higher power testing us, after all? Forcing us to prove how bad we really want something… I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end! Great job, and thanks for sharing. Very inspiring!
It's funny because I saw Joel Osteen preach about this. He said that 'Yes' is in your future and that God has a plan, it may take you 30 No's before you get to that one Yes. You're absolutely right about those other 18 that were just preparations. At the end, you get a LOT more back.
It's crazy I even ran across this post! I found it through another blog…I'm going through exactly THAT right now. I had an interview in front of a board the other day as well. I thought it was the toughest interview I have ever had. I probably won't get the job but I'm thankful I got the interview experience. I'm coming out of the military and I have found that employers aren't as military friendly as they say they are. My job skills are so specific, they don't apply to any regular civilian job. I'm putting myself through school right now and have a small job to pay the bills.
I really hope the same thing happens to me…it's worth the struggle right now…
Thanks for the encouragement…
Thanks for sharing! We are exactly in the middle of it right now with Hubby looking for another job. I do hope God has something in store for us too :)
Wow. Sometimes it takes looking outside of the company to find a great position. People assume the company they work for is the best option for them.
@ FI Fighter I truly believe that! Sometimes I don't understand in the moment why one door closes, but I've realized that when I have faith it always works out in the end.
@ Aaron That's what kept me going, I knew I just needed one person to say yes and I was in. Thankfully it eventually happened!
@ Craig You never know, you may get the job. What I've realized through out my 19 interviews is that it's not all about qualifications. When I interviewed for this job I was completing my degree. When I got the job, I met a girl who applied for my job that had her MBA. I didn't even have a degree at the time. So never doubt yourself. If the job is meant to be yours, it will be yours regardless!
@ Lena I am sure there are great things just around the corner for the both of you!
@ Marissa You're right, I once thought that.
I just want to say that I know exactly how you feel. I watched my boyfriend go through this same exact process. He went to SO many interviews and people started to doubt him. No one believed in him anymore, and it was really sad. I am so happy that I stuck it out with him and helped him job hunt. I practiced with him and he did amazingly well each time. He finally landed the job he wanted after many diff types of interviews. Congrats on your hard work, it paid off :)
Thanks Shopping to Saving and I am so happy for your boyfriend. I am also glad he had you to lean on, I am sure he appreciated all your support.
Honestly going through things like that make you really appreciate what you have.