I loved your response. Hope it’s ok, but I think I’m going to use a some of it (with credit to you of course) for my post this week. You said so much better than I could. I hope some smart employer snaps you up soon…and I hope it’s a prefect match.

Good luck, Mack!

The uncertainty of the hiring process is one reason why I’ve long ago adopted an owner’s mentality. That is, instead of looking at this as the desperate attempt to get some company to hire me for a job, it is a chance to match up my talents, skills and ambitions to a firm that wants to partner with me for a time (and is deserving of them). In many ways, it is adaption to economic reality: No job is permanent; no employer is loyal (if this was ever the case); and you are merely a full-time equivalent whose talents are only as valuable to the firm as they fit into its mission, goals and financial condition.

This reality is as true for each of us as it is for the companies on the other side of the transaction: If an organization doesn’t provide you with what you desire for your life (from benefits to career success), then you shouldn’t stay with them. And if its hiring process is dysfunctional, you don’t want to work for it in the first place. A smooth hiring process isn’t indicative of how well an organization functions; but a dysfunctional hiring process is clearly a sign of worse to come. And in a couple of the bridesmaid situations, I can say I have dodged a couple of bullets (even if I would love to just have a job now).

Such a mindset isn’t comforting, especially when you need the check to pay the bills; but at least it is clearheaded and allows you to stop falling in love with every opening for which you apply. And while it doesn’t keep me from falling into occasional bouts of despair, I can at least keep my head above water. Or at least try.

Thanks for your comment. Really appreciate hearing from folks going through the hunt who seem to have stayed at least mostly sane. And especially good (if good is the right word) that you have a model from your own life of the dry spell ending. Hope you get to be the bride SOON.

Fingers, arms, and eyes crossed for you to get the reward of finding a GREAT match. Best of luck!

I always have to keep in mind that I’ve been through this before for an 18-month spell, and that I’ve at least gotten to the final round for some of the jobs for which I’m applying. And that in each situation, there was probably someone who is applying for the same job who has gone through the same tiresome process for a longer time than I — and he or she may have been due for their “yes”. Doesn’t always make me feel better, but it keeps things in perspective.

It’s just nice to someone see their hard work of finding a job rewarded with one. Hopefully everyone else will see the same reward. Especially me.

And love what your friend said too Sandie “I don’t want to be a professional interviewee, I want a job.” Man how that nails it!

Great discussion. Thank you so much. I know it helps others to read what you said…not to mention how good it feels just to say these things “out loud”. Nice tips about not turning Looney Tunes. In the end, this is about you and what you deserve.

I wish you great luck finding jobs you love – or at least like a lot and pays the rent.

~ Ronnie Ann