Bunny Corcoran

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I got the feedback from the agency today. Was horrendous. There’s me, sitting at my desk with my personal mobile on the desk, knowing it just may ring, with feedback following my interview last week. I have it set to ‘meeting’ mode so it won’t alert people to the fact I’m taking calls. I spend much of the day on the fone - the work fone - and personal calls on that are fine (not that I do, the novelty of such things wore off a long, long time ago, plus we sit completely open plan) - so people are always slightly suspicious to know who is calling you if a personal mobile rings.

So it suddenly started flashing. Both the HR person and (far more importantly) the CEO sit behind me so I knew there was no way I could take the call. Had I answered it and tried to walk subtly out (which I’ve done on prior occasions) it would have looked horrendously conspicuous.

The ‘you have a new voicemail’ message popped up. I swiped my notepad and phone and fled to a meeting room at the far end of the corridor. I was sure the news would be bad. I just had this foreboding that it would be a ‘no - you don’t have the sector expertise’. My pulse was racing and I felt quite emotional - not good.

I couldn’t really hear the voicemail (my phone is on its last legs (sorry Hen, your old brick is now basically dead!!)). So I called the agency and got put through to L, the lady at the agency. She said “They liked you and said that you interviewed really well! They want you to come in one final time tomorrow. N is going to take you out for a coffee and a bite to eat - it’s the final step”. I was over the moon. It’s not just because things are looking reasonably positive or that I think this employer/role are a good fit - it’s that I held my own in a boardroom of a top City firm being quizzed by 4 people, 2 of whom were Partners and one of whom was a Director. This kind of thing is intimidating and I honestly believe I’ve crossed a personal milestone being able to do this kind of thing. It’s boosted my confidence enormously as I used to find the interview process back-breakingly scary.

So there we go. I was really pleased when she told me. I called dear old R in (my closest colleague at work) and she gave me a hug and said “well done, it’s looking positive!”.

As I said, I don’t want anyone jumping the gun as I do not have an offer yet and I still have to complete stage 3. What if I pass stage 3 and then the offer isn’t acceptable? I’d be appalled if they tried to offer less than I was on - assuming we get to offer stage. They’ve also been extremely vague about the bonus (whereas my current bonus arrangements are crystal clear). But we’ll see.

Small steps and all that. But I have this feeling of being inexorably pulled towards one of life’s crossroads and it’s a very positive feeling. My long, long overdue departure just feels tantalisingly close and it’s now just a case of keeping fingers crossed. There is so much about this prospective firm that excites me - it’s just so the opposite of my current place which feels so tired and staid. This other firm is hugely profitable, very innovative, comparatively ‘young’ compared with its competitors, extremely ambitious, stunning offices, masses of staff perks, etc, etc. All of it excites me.

Anyway, thanks to you all for your support so far. Will keep you posted! With any luck by this time tomorrow I should finally know one way or the other…