Your Guess is as Good as Mine

Yesterday, I met with a non-profit recruiter. This same recruiter is the person who screened me for my dream job- a job I later decided I wasn't yet prepared for and one that I didn't get a face to face interview for. When she called me for the initial screening, she had to reschedule 2 times- once to push the time two hours back and another to say she'd have to delay our conversation do to computer issues. Okaaaaay. By the time we finally talked, she was so scattered I had a bad feeling about the outcome. Was she even present enough to hear what I was saying? I don't think so.

When I walked into the office, I discovered that the woman I had envisioned was very much like the woman she is in real life. Distant, unfriendly, distracted. She needed me to remind her what job I had originally applied for and what I was looking for even though we'd spoken only a few days prior and I had re-sent her my resume. Her dog (who by the way, has the same name as my cat- Dash- and was the highlight of my experience there) was adorable but chomped loudly on a bone the entire time we talked. She gave me some website tips as to where to get more training in fundraising and how to network in Seattle but told me she wouldn't have any job leads for me. Great. Could we have just had this conversation over the phone? Yeah. Thanks.

My second interview of the day was great. I really liked the woman who interviewed me. We kept going off on tangents because she'd been working in HIV/AIDS prior to getting a job at this agency and she knits and she has the same philosophy about working in non-profits. I could easily see us working together really well. The organization does work with foster children. I could totally get behind their mission even if the pay isn't what I am used to. I've got to start somewhere. Before the interview was up she informed me that she would want me to come back next week for a second interview. Sweet!

So as it stands now I am waiting to hear on the following:

1) Bike Tour Manager for an agency working in the health-related field (thinking I don't want this one even if they did offer it to me but it would be flattering nonetheless)

2) Event Planner for an agency working to save animals (waiting to hear if I will be called back for a second interview, should know today)

3) Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator and/or Event Manager for an agency working with at risk youth (waiting to hear back from second interview)

4) Community Resources Coordinator for agency working with women, primarily homeless (second interview is tomorrow)

5) Volunteer Coordinator for agency working with foster kids (going to have second interview next week)

I'm still applying for jobs but I am so exhausted with the process. It's hard to feel enthusiastic when you are tuckered out from juggling so many what ifs.