better late than never!

It's the blog you've all been waiting for I've been wanting to write since September...I got a job!

Before you jump out of your seat like I did, it's just a 2-month contract, but if I get in there and don't F it up, the full-time spot should be mine.

So just before Christmas, a friend of mine from college sent me an email saying she thought a job was opening up at the Chicago office of her firm. In the span of 4 days I sent my resume to HR, got the job description, did a phone interview, and did an in-person interview. The interviews went really well, and I felt a great connection with the company and the people I spoke to. The office closed for the holidays, and then I got the call for...a temporary opportunity. Say what?

Based on what the HR girl said, I think what happened is: they realized they needed someone to come in and start doing the work this week but they weren't done with my interviewing process and the hiring process would take even longer. Also, they were moving insanely fast with someone (me!) who didn't even have experience doing the job, which is probably not the best idea from a corporate perspective. Then some genius probably realized I'd be willing to start ASAP on a trial basis, which would give them time to at least go through some of the normal HR motions (i.e. at least posting the job internally) before straight-up hiring someone that had no experience within the position or company. Fair enough.

If they like me and I'm doing a good job, they'll hire me before my contract is up—so that's what we're hoping for here! Although I would love to have a 100% guarantee that I'll end up in this position permanently, I do feel pretty good about where I'm at. If I bring my A-game for two months, it's going to be nearly impossible for them to think about re-training someone else and pulling me from client projects.

Oh, and what is the job already, right. So I'll be a "planner" at a retail marketing agency. Which from what I can tell, basically means I'll be doing a lot of research about the way people shop, and then I'll create a report that will go to other people in the company (creative, etc.) and they'll figure out exactly how to solve the client's problem. If any of you know what my wonderful friend Amy does, it's that. The agencies are a little different (hers is primarily advertising, this one is primarily retail marketing) but the position should be essentially the same. Which is funny—I've always loved hearing about her job because it's so interesting, but I never thought I'd be doing it because agencies can be so hard to crack into.

The firm itself seems laidback; has a lot of young people in it; has HQ in Dallas and offices in NY, Chicago, and LA; and I'd be lying if I said my ears didn't perk up when I heard people discussing happy hour. It definitely seems like the kind of place I can make friends while doing some kickass work, both of which I'm in the market for these days.

Let Operation A-Game begin!