As a lot of you know I've been looking for a full-time permanent job for a long time now. I've been contracting for over 2 1/2 years with no benefits at all, just a paycheck. Yup, I am grateful, I could be unemployed and not have any money at all. But being a workaholic, and the very negative atmosphere I work in, has been very damaging to my self-respect and my self-esteem. And that just scratches the surface.

Early last week I got an email from a woman I used to work with at my last job. Her company needs an ECO Coordinator, and she had me send my resume. The next day the hiring manager called and setup interviews for the day after that, which was Thursday. I met with 7 managers over a 4 hour time period. When we were finished, I asked when they would be making a decision, and he said within a week. Yesterday, he called to say that he was emailing me his company's job application and a release of information form (to do a background check). I filled them out and sent them back. Now, in my eyes, if you've already interviewed someone, you don't ask them to fill out these types of docs unless you plan to offer them a job. So unless something happens, like a better candidate, I expect to get an offer.

You would think I would be jumping with joy. Not quite yet...

I got a call today. The caller ID showed a company that looked familiar, but I wasn't sure. When I answered, it was a woman who was the Director of Human Resources at my last company. They had apparently been discussing opening a Document Control department and she had immediately gave them my name, and a copy of my resume, which she already had. She was calling me to schedule some interviews for next Monday. I told her about the other company, and she said for me to please (emphasize please) not make a committment to them until I'd seen what her company has to offer. Then she hit me with the kicker. If I was chosen for the job, I'd report to the same person who was my boss at my last company, Patty. Patty was hands down the single best manager I've ever had. She's smart, considerate, encourages a healthy and happy workplace, believes that family comes first, never talks down to you, treats you like an important part of the company. She's a real classy person. I'd work for her again in a heartbeat! So, I go in next Monday to interview with at least four people.

The woman who called me was a major investor in her company and has a lot of clout when it comes to input on hiring employees. So, over the next few weeks I may have two job offers to have to choose from. After going for over two years and only getting one interview, this is pretty ironic. All I know is that if I get one of these jobs, I'm going to work my tail off to keep it. I don't ever want to go thru the nightmare like the last few years ever again. And when I think about what I've put my family and friends thru, well, I have a s***load of "I'm sorries" to pass out.

Wish me luck gang!

Love to all,
Greg