They Call Me Mum

So, it’s been more than a week since my last posting, but I’ve been busy.  And now I have good news!  And I can share it!

As I’ve been hinting here, I applied for a new job here at MSGA (Mid-size Government Agency).  A friend of mine had the job before me, and when he moved on to a better job, he called and told me I needed to apply for his old job.  And spent some time telling his former bosses what a great fit I’d be for the job.

I was keeping it mostly quiet for a couple of reasons.  When the application period was open, I still didn’t really have a supervisor, and I wasn’t sure how the two co-acting supervisors would react to finding out I was on the job hunt.  I also didn’t want to jinx myself by talking about it.  (Yeah, I’m paranoid that way.) 

Our new office director was announced about 2 weeks before I found out that I’d made the short list of qualified candidates, which was about a month after the announcement closed.  So, I let my boss know that I was looking at this position and that I’d made the short list.  Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, when the SO (selecting official) called and asked if I would like to interview as soon as possible.  (As someone once said, “Well, DUH!”)

Last Tuesday was my interview with the SO.  It went well.  We spent about 1/2 an hour to 45 minutes talking about the various things I’ve done here, and at my previous agency.  I left that interview feeling pretty good about my chances.  He’d asked if he could call my boss, and since I’d brought her up to date with what I was doing, I told him he could.  We scheduled a second interview with one of the deputy directors of the division for the next day.

I got back to my office (the interview was downtown, and I had to take the shuttle back and forth), and my boss told me that the SO had called her, but she’d missed the call.  She asked if I wanted the position and I said, “Yes”.  So, she called him back, and they apparently had a lengthy conversation that afternoon.

On Wednesday, I get on the shuttle again to go to the interview with the deputy director, and traffic is stopped DEAD at the Pentagon.  There was no way I was going to make the meeting on time!  I called the SO, but got the Director’s secretary, and let her know what was going on.  Thankfully, the shuttle driver believed in creative driving and found alternate routes, so I was only 10 minutes late.  But, being 10 minutes late definitely left me off balance for the whole interview.  I walked away from that meeting feeling terrible.

However, the SO had already scheduled me to interview with the other deputy and the Director on Thursday, so I hadn’t lost all hope.  But Wednesday’s interview was with the person who would be my supervisor if I got the job, so I was feeling rather bleak about my prospects.

Thursday afternoon rolls around, and I’m back on the shuttle for my third interview.  I was feeling more nervous than I had on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I took an earlier shuttle to make sure I wasn’t late.  (It also gave me some time to get stuff done for my current job while I was there.)  The interview with the deputy was first, and went very well.  I felt much better about that meeting than I did about the previous one. 

Next it was on to meet with the Director.  He reminds me of someone, but I just can’t place who it is.  Anyway, another more relaxing interview.  Very casual, very relaxed.  During that interview, I discovered that Thursday’s deputy would actually be the supervisor of the position, due to a recent (as in that afternoon, they’d sat down and drawn up the plans) reorganization of the division’s structure.  So, the whole thing lasted about 25 minutes, and I was back on the shuttle to my office by 4:30.  I was feeling a lot better about my chances, too.

By the time I got back to my office, there was already a message on my phone from the SO.  He wanted me to call him right away, and if I missed him then, to call him first thing the next morning.  By 5:01 I had a job offer and accepted!

Let me repeat:  I GOT THE JOB!

So, yeah, I’m thrilled.  I’ve been feeling stagnant in my current position, and this will definitely be a change of pace.  It is also a promotion, with the potential for more advancement.  It does mean I have to go back to commuting downtown, but the transit subsidy will help with the cost of that.  And just think how much knitting time I’ll have on the train.

TOH was the first person I called to squeal at, then I sent a message to another friend, and when I got home, I called the person who recommended that I apply for the position in the first place.  He told me that I can’t “mess this up”, or he’ll have to kill me.  We talked about my interviews, and when I told him how badly I felt I’d done on Wednesday, he let me know that that particular deputy is impossible to read.  And, he told me that I hadn’t been the only candidate they’d interviewed.

So, I’m feeling pretty darn happy right now.  I start my new position on August 18th.  I’m making sure my office is clean, and working on setting things up for the whoever takes over once I leave.  Monday I’m meeting with the SO to start going over things I’ll be doing. 

While I was back and forth on the shuttle all week, I managed to finish the first sock and start the second one of a pair in Opal yarn.  I’ve been dragging this pair around forever, keeping it for when I’m on the shuttle or waiting somewhere for something.

I’m on the final 5 or so rows of my QAL, then it will be time to wash and block it out to decide if I like the color, or if I need to over-dye it.

I’m making slow but steady progress on my Mystery Shawl KAL.  I can knit one patterned and one plain row during my lunch hour.

I’ve also restarted the Rosy Fingered Dawn shawl (for the third time).  This time I’m using Kauni in natural/beige/rose shades.  We’ll see how it goes.  If I screw it up again, I may just give up on it.

So, that’s about all that’s new with me.  What’s new with those few of you who read here?