After a long hiatus, I’m posting again! And boy, do I have NEWS! I’m a tax-payer once more! But in order to really appreciate the gravity of this monumentus occasion, I want to start at the beginning…
A few weeks ago, I called my mom to ask her if I could borrow my dad’s fax machine to keep at my place for a while. I’d been planning to find a job this fall for the last year, and was ready to start sending out my resumes, and having a fax machine would really help since I figured I’d have to send out quite a few before I got a bite (historically, this has been the case). She told me, and I quote, “Megan, let’s just wait and see. You may only have to send one resume and that’s all it’ll take.” I was like, “Yeah, ok, sure, whatever.”
THE VERY NEXT DAY, my friend, Sara, called me about a job opening at Premier Benefits – where she works. She knew how long I’d been DYING to work there (5 years, people), so she wanted to help, God love her. The notice of the opening had just gone out that day. This was Friday. I took my resume/cover letter over to her house that weekend, and she handed it in on Monday, which was automatically sent to the main office in St. Louis. That’s how they screen the candidates. Friday of that same week, she found out that St. Louis had sent a copy back to the hiring supervisor (a sure sign that it had been approved by Corporate). The next Monday, I got a call for an interview and scheduled it for the next day. That was significant because I applied last March and didn’t even get an interview, though, at the time, I regretted making it that soon because I really didn’t want to start work before the kids start school on August 25th, and that was still 3 weeks away. So, I probably should’ve spaced it out more. I just put it in God’s hands.
The way they do it is, I have a phone interview with the St. Louis office, if they like me they schedule a face-to-face with the office here. But, in this case, they scheduled both interviews at the same time (a really good sign), and I ended up having the face-to-face first, and THEN the phone interview later that same day. Both went really well, and I didn’t even need to bring up my single mother of 3 status! She said that she had other interviews to conduct and she’d be making a decision the next week. I figured that was to check my references and do a background check and maybe have a final interview. That was Tuesday. Thursday, I was offered the job. 2 DAYS PEOPLE!!! They didn’t even check my references – I checked. And it gets even better! She told me that I was to start on the 25th!!!! And, I was offered considerably more than I asked for! Which really shocked me because the supervisor kinda balked at my minimum salary requirement.
I’m SO EXCITED!!!! You have no idea. And not about the money. Actually, I’m still barely breaking even because of the INSANE child care costs. Even with 2 in part time care, it’s still $900/mo. Yeah, I know. Throw in another couple hundred in extra gas, and almost $300 in insurance… (which I’m HAPPY to pay because that does include vision and dental for me and the kids, which have AWESOME coverage – can you say BRACES??!!! =)) But this company offers so many advancement opportunities and GREAT raises with a starting salary very much above their original posted beginning salary (which is why the supervisor hesitated).
Ok, and that about covers it! =) I’ve still got a week to wait, and it’s driving me nuts! I’m so anxious to get started. This isn’t just a job, it’s the beginning of my career. I feel so good about having a job that I have to dress up for. =) I’ve missed that sense of accomplishment that only comes from working, and haven’t felt like I had much to offer being unemployed (even with going to school). Even though, I’m barely making any money, I’m able to stand on my own two feet again! Goodbye MEDICAID!! Hello HMO!! WOOHOO!!!
And btw, I never had to use my dad’s fax machine once. lol
