From Dream Job to Dismissal: My Journey in Two Months
Written on
Chapter 1: The Dream Job Pursuit
The phrase, "Darling, I have no dream job, I do not dream of labor," often attributed to the celebrated author and civil rights advocate, James Baldwin, resonates deeply with me. While I embrace this ideology, it didn't diminish my desire to find employment that aligned with my aspirations.
After years of managing my own business and navigating the gig economy, I yearned for a stable job. The allure of regular paychecks and employee benefits was tempting, and I was eager to showcase my skills and knowledge. I reflected on my past work experiences, discerning what I valued: sales, engaging with people, providing service, and gaining recognition. The thought of being confined to an office desk was unappealing; I longed to connect with new individuals, face challenges head-on, and make my mark in the fashion industry.
Despite my lack of experience in fashion, I was determined. I refined my abilities to fit roles in the industry, focusing on luxury brands that prioritized sustainability and empowerment for women. I sought a position that offered commission alongside a salary, opportunities for advancement, and the flexibility to work remotely—something I had successfully managed for over two decades.
After establishing a search on LinkedIn, I was thrilled to receive a response within weeks. I meticulously crafted my resume and cover letter to match the company's requirements, leading to my first interview shortly thereafter.
On the morning of the Zoom interview, I dressed with care and paid attention to my accessories, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. As the time approached, I tested my technology repeatedly, only to encounter the all-too-familiar frustration of technical difficulties.
Just as I sent a follow-up email to the interviewer, she appeared on screen, looking flustered. I wondered, was this the interview? Did I have any questions? Yes, I did—should we reschedule? After some pleasantries, we ended the call, and I prepared for what I hoped would be a more successful second interview with two members of the hiring team.
Ecstatic at the prospect, I dove into preparation, researching the company and my interviewers. I felt confident, possibly overly so, and ultimately secured the position. The exhilaration of starting a new job after two decades was overwhelming, and I eagerly anticipated my start date in September.
Training ran through October 1st, and my assigned territory was conveniently local—what could be better? Corporate training was packed with information, particularly on using their technology and CRM systems for tracking leads.
However, after training, I quickly realized I was in trouble when the other new hires had appointments lined up, and I did not.
Section 1.1: The Harsh Reality of Sales
I turned to my manager for guidance. "Start dialing," she advised. So, I did, tirelessly reaching out, but I failed to secure any appointments. My goal was to set 15 appointments per week, but I was coming up empty.
My days began at 7 AM and often extended past 7 PM. I sent emails, made calls, and desperately attempted to meet my daily touchpoint goal of 100, yet I found myself at the bottom of the leaderboard during the first sales meeting.
Regrettably, I even canceled a trip to visit my son in Utah, missing a once-in-a-lifetime moment to see him ride a horse, all in an effort to improve my performance at work.
It wasn't long before my manager sent me an email titled PIP—Performance Improvement Plan. I had to look up what it meant. The PIP outlined specific actions and milestones I had to achieve to retain my position. I was informed that my performance was lacking, and I felt the pressure mounting.
Section 1.2: The Downward Spiral
Just five weeks into the job, I found myself confused. What happened to the three-month ramp-up period discussed during interviews? Shortly after receiving the PIP, I noticed a Zoom meeting with HR on my calendar.
At this point, my mental health began to deteriorate. Not only was I struggling professionally, but I also felt a deep sense of guilt for missing a significant moment in my son's life. Despite my determination to prove myself, the feedback was discouraging, and they informed me I was on the path to termination, with the date set to land on my birthday.
Through sheer effort, I managed to postpone my termination by a week, but ultimately, I was let go. The news arrived quickly, like ripping off a band-aid. While I was relieved it was over, I was also left feeling sickened by the entire experience. How could my dream job evaporate so swiftly?
Chapter 2: Lessons Learned
Reflecting on this tumultuous experience, I extracted vital lessons:
- Resilience: Although this was a challenging situation, I realized I was still fortunate—there was food on my table, clothes on my back, and a supportive network around me. I had the capacity to bounce back.
- Accountability: Initially, I blamed the company for the mismatch, but I recognized that the role was never a suitable fit for me. During discussions with HR, I was told, "This job's a grind; it's not for everyone." I had been blinded by my aspirations and failed to see the reality of the position.
- Work vs. Life: I learned that my job doesn't define my entire existence. My identity encompasses various roles, and while earning money is significant, it isn’t everything.
- Self-worth vs. Net-worth: I previously equated higher-paying jobs with greater value, but I now understand that this is a flawed perspective.
It took me a few months to recover from this setback, but I’m contemplating reentering the job market, perhaps this time on a part-time basis.
In this video titled Fired From My Job and Nobody Will Hire Me, the speaker shares insights into the emotional turmoil and challenges faced after losing a job.
The video How Do I Get A Job After Being Fired Twice? addresses the practical steps one can take to navigate the job market after experiencing setbacks.