Big Opportunity
I don’t even know how to talk about it, but a colleague of mine, with whom I’ve worked on several large projects, contacted me yesterday with a cryptic message: “Need any work? I have a great referral for you if you have time. Pay is around $XX-XX per hour. Interested?”
“Why yes, my friend. So kind of you to think of me. A big contract just ended and my plate is actually empty now,” I replied. That $XX-XX per hour rate is freakin' sweet, which makes the work appealing even if it isn’t something I’d normally be into. So now I’m busily updating my résumé, which I absolutely despise doing. (It must be done religiously Once Per Year Or Else, although if I did it more often it would be so much easier.) For this potential client, I’m spinning it in the direction of technical writing and developmental editing, the first of which is a small stretch, the second of which is no problem. I’m just not that great at selling myself on a good day, and frankly, right now I’m really rusty at it. But I shall carry on! I shall bravely do tasks I hate. I shall courageously take on tasks I'm not 100% sure I’m capable of doing. We’ll see …
January 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Whee! I hope all that hate-able stuff pays off big time.
January 30, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Best of luck, very exciting! I had a friend do a couple fake interview questions with me these past few months and I think it helped. I needed the practice answering incredibly silly questions without sounding like either a dork, or a pompous ass. =p
January 31, 2008 at 12:26 am
Do it, Big Shot, we know you can.
January 31, 2008 at 3:06 pm
That is excellent news. It’s always good to get a job just a little ahead of where you feel Comfortable. Helps you grow and next time, just a little higher than you think you can reach will be a little higher than it is today. God knows I feel overwhelmed and outclassed here sometimes, but the growth opportunity is excellent. I’m at a point where I make enough that I feel more than usually obligated to go out of my way and make my work Worthy of it.
I think one of the secrets is that most everyone feels like somewhat of an impostor in the workplace. Most everyone who doesn’t, is.
February 1, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Yes, what you said is totally true. For the last year I’ve been cruising on Easy. I figured having a new baby was hard enough work, so everything I’ve taken on in the last year has really been in my comfort zone. It’s been an enjoyable time.
Ian cleverly reminded me that if this new client doesn’t work out, I’ve really lost nothing at all. I make my own career.
February 1, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Thanks! Yeah, I’m mentally rehearsing what I will say if the new client chooses to interview me.
February 1, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Thanks for all your support! I really appreciate the résumé help you gave. Pruning was definitely in order.
February 1, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Thanks, sweetheart.