I am the happiest person in the world at the moment!!! It is the second time ever in my life that I experience this kind of happiness that cannot be described, that makes you cry a lot, out of joy. First was when I became a lawyer, and today is the second time.
Here's why.
But first things first.
INTERVIEWS!
I find interviews funny. Figuratively speaking.
It is that moment where you are negotiating about yourself with another person, trying to be the best so that person could buy you. You are actually selling yourself to someone.
If you really think about it, it is the same as when you go to a shop looking for something that you need to have, and the salesman convince you to buy this specific product, because it is better, for many reasons. You listen to the salesman, maybe ask some questions and then you decide weather you want to take it or not.
At interviews you are the product and the salesman. The interviewer is the customer. Your job is to convince the interviewer to buy you because you are such a good deal that they shouldn't miss out.
Here's the story.
My friend told me about this Law Firm in Haifa that is specialized in Torts that is looking for a lawyer. As I heard this I immediately called the firm to see if this is relevant yet and I sent my resumé.
I wasn't expecting much, but I wanted this to happen. I wanted to find a good Law Firm specializing in Torts to work at, and to be at Haifa city especially, so I could go live there as well.
I still do have my job at the moment at the office in Afula. It's been one and a half years already. My boss is great, convenient and we are friends. But the office is not specialized in only one field but deals with different kinds of cases, such as family matters, labor law, execution, bankruptcy, real estate, and more.
It was good, as a beginner lawyer, to be exposed to such different types of cases, because now I know almost everything. But I think it is better to choose only one field and be good at it. I want to be good and even the best in the Torts field. I don't think you can be the best when you work with so many different things. Because you could be good but still not the best. Experience make you the best. And you gain that only by choosing to work with the specific thing you want to be the best at. That's what I think.
Anyways, the day after I sent my resume I became anxious because I thought they would call me and they didn't. I waited another day and yet nothing. Four days after, when I was about to lose hope completely, they call me! They said they would like to see me next week. Oh the excitement! I passed the first step.
Getting a job goes through stages. First, is when you send out your resume and you wait for them to call you back. When they call, it means they read your resume, liked it and would like to meet you. Means you have a potential in getting the job.
Sometimes, getting through that first step is the hardest. Because there is nothing you can do about it but trusting your resume. The resume must be so good to make the employer interested in knowing more about you and wanting to see you.
When you pass the resume step, you get in the next one by receiving an invitation for an interview at the firm.
I was so excited to go to the interview. I was a little bit scared because I didn't want to screw up. I wanted them to like me and take me. I thought that the first step is over and now it is my turn to do the job and convince them to choose me.
Two lawyers from the firm interviewed me. I was nervous at first, especially when I saw two interviewers not one, but it was good. They asked me questions but most of the time I was the one talking. I talked about how much I like the job, their field, their firm and how good I am.
They told me this interview was some kind of screening/sorting interview, where they meet all the applicants, interview them and if any pass this interview would have to go to another interview with the boss, the owner/manager of the firm, and he gets the final say on this.
They told me to wait a week for the answer.
It was so hard to wait. As the days went by the more nervous and anxious I became.
Then finally they call me. I was invited to the next interview with the manager, next week. I was told to bring with me papers that I wrote. Oh the happiness and excitement! I passed the interview and I am meeting the manager! I was so happy, I felt I'm getting closer and closer to get the job.
So I meet the manager. The interview went pretty well. It took much more time than the first interview (about 30 mins) but it was great! They also seemed pretty nice people. At the end he took the papers I brought and asked me when is the holiday so he would give me the answer before Christmas (they are Jewish). Since the holiday is on Tuesday and Wednesday, he said he will give me a call on Sunday, before the holiday.
Again, the anxiety. It is another week of waiting. I hate to wait. I couldn't stop thinking about it. Getting the job I figured would be the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.
As agreed, on Sunday he calls me. He didn't call in the morning so I was getting all sad because I thought maybe he's not going to call at all because maybe the answer is negative.
But he called me! He accepted me! He said "We are now shaking hands as if" I was super happy but we had to meet again on Thursday to agree on the formal stuff and details (work hours, salary and stuff).
Waiting again. I got accepted but for some reason I wasn't feeling it just yet. Everybody got excited much more than I was for the news.
Today is Thursday. Today I had the last meeting with the boss. The meeting that changed my feelings completely. It went great. Better than I imagined. We agreed on everything, all the details. On February 1, I start working at the firm.
I couldn't believe it. It is the moment where it hit me that it is it. I got it. Best Law Firm, nicest people (boss and coworkers) and the field and place I wanted.
The thing is, I was only looking for a job so specific, that I wasn't searching on the internet or anywhere. I was only asking friends if they know any office or firm that deals with Torts, all kinds of damages and insurance companies. It is what interests me and where I want to be.
It is just amazing how it all went so well.
He told me they chose me out of many other applicants. He said the two lawyers didn't pass anyone else but me to meet him, and that he has confidence in them and what they chose. It meant so much to me hearing this. I thought not many people applied or were interviewed because the job offer was an internal information. But I was wrong. It felt so good. I am good.
We shook hands and I headed to the university, I had a class. I couldn't remove the smile off of my face. I was so happy and you could tell. I wanted to go celebrate. I couldn't sit quietly during the class.
As I got in the car heading home, I burst into tears. I felt so blessed. I recapped my life so far and all the things I had accomplished. I felt proud and content. Especially when I called my parents to tell them the news. They were super happy. I was happy mainly not because I did it, but rather because I made my parents happy and proud of me. This is what I always wanted. I am here to make those who made me proud and I think I just did it.
Thinking about all the things I achieved so far; everything went smooth with me. From the moment I started my training period, to passing the Bar, to working as a lawyer, to studying Masters and to finally get the best job in the world. Everything that I wanted happened.
The secret is, I believed that I am good. I believed that I am going to get it. Every goal I had I believed in it. I could even imagine myself having what I wanted. It works. (:
I got the job!!!!!
Of course after the university I went out with friends and celebrated with some drinks and cocktails (:
By the way, I already told my boss that I got a new job and I'm leaving. It's not easy saying goodbye. We have a bond. We are friends. But you have to move on, move forward.
So excited for the future now. Can't wait.
xx
