A New Beginning!

I have put a lot of thought into this post and how and when I have wanted to share it. It's all still very new but after this morning, I feel like it's time to share.

I got a new job!!

It's been a long and crazy process but here is the jist of it all. As of this Monday, I will be working full-time as a Catering Sales Consultant at BYU! I am beyond thrilled for multiple reasons, for which I will explain... :)

It all started when my mom texted me about the position a few weeks back. I pulled up the position, saw that it was closing the very next day, quickly applied and sent in my resume. I then learned that in order to qualify, I needed to take a data entry and typing skills test. So I scheduled my appointment for the next day at 8 AM and went into BYU Employment Service Office. After feeling totally anxious (having not taken a test since April), I PASSED! With 62 WPM and above average in data entry. A relieving feeling. After that, I made several calls to make sure my test results would be submitted in time since the job was closing that same day. They reassured me that they would and so, I waited.

The next week, on a Friday afternoon, I received a call from an 801 number. I spoke to a nice lady who invited me for an interview for the following Thursday. In addition to scheduling my date and time, she informed me that I needed to come prepared with a portfolio of the following..

2- Letters of Recommendation

1- Event that I had both sold and catered 

1- Event to discuss in detail (preparation, materials used, time spent, execution, results of customer, etc)

I was PANICKED! The whole time she was talking, I just thought to myself, "Heck no, I am NOT doing this." It was too much preparation work for an interview, that I knew I was never going to get. I had been turned down by so many jobs in the past, why would this one be any different? Especially since it was BYU! I thought with all the other applicants and their portfolios- my nine months of experience wouldn't even compare. I was daunted.

So I went home and talked to Derek. He encouraged me to at least give it a try and reassured me that no harm could come from it. So I put on my big girl pants, got all the portfolio informed needed and went to the interview. "I can do this," I just kept repeating to myself.

Going into the interview, I felt strangely calm and confident. I thought that we would talk about the information in my portfolio and since I had prepared so well, I had nothing to worry about. So I said a quick prayer and off I went..

As I waited for the manager to come get me, I got a sense of the office and people there. Super friendly staff and one very pregnant woman. While there, I learned that in addition to this lady who was due the very next day, there was another lady in the office who just had a baby and decided to not come back after materinty leave. So turns out, they were very short-staffed. I was excited for the possibility!

The manager came and got me and we walked into another room. As we were walking he said, "Well, we have just about everyone from the panel ready.." The PANEL!? What the!? I was terrified more in that moment, than ever before any other interview! I walked into the room and was met with three smiling faces sitting around a table. It turns out that I ended up interviewing with the Manager, Assistant Manager, an Event Coordinator and the Executive Chef. It was intimating. They then went around the table and proceeded to ask me a series of thirteen questions. I felt confident in my answers and really comfortable in the conversation that followed. It was overall, a great experience. 

A few days later, another 801 number called me. I answered and it was the manager at BYU offering me the position. I WAS FLOORED! I mean, with how many other people they interviewed, I was sure someone else was more educated or more qualified. But what he said to me next touched me the most. He said, "After reviewing all the applicants, we unanimously felt that you were the best fit for our department and moving us forward." I almost cried. What a wonderful thing to hear and to feel so appreciated and needed. I graciously accepted the position and sadly gave my regrets to Have Party Will Travel. It was a hard thing to do but overall, it was the best decision for Derek and I. I will only have a 20 minute drive to work now (maybe less!), better pay and a full benefits package.

We truly feel blessed in all of this. The Lord heard our prayers for a position closer to home and He provided a way. Everything happened so fast but we are so grateful. We needed time to transition and with an understanding employer, today was my last day. It was sad to gather my things up after spending 9 months there and to say good-bye to everyone. I will forever be grateful for my job there and for everything they taught me. It was an unforgettable learning experience at a crucial time in my life. 

So that's a wrap! I start my new job on Monday! I have a 20 page training manual to read through and study so that's what I'll be doing this weekend. Thank you to everyone who's already loved and supported me through this process. It means so much.

Wish me luck!

Rebecca