I have never told this to anyone publicly.
I don’t even think anyone in my family beyond my wife even know.
In early January of 2020, I interviewed for a Director Role at a company out in Pennsylvania. I was hand-picked and recruited hard.
They were close to a $1B company.
Family-owned.
A global leader in their industry.
I was flown out. Had a private driver to and from the airport and to/from interview. I was put up in a fancy hotel. Damn near treated like a celebrity!
I was half-heartedly interviewing for this position. A tremendous opportunity and role, but it was hard fathoming moving away, especially from our families who were only 1-2 hour drive away.
I almost cancelled the interview.
But I decided to do it anyway.
I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time, but I also needed to test the waters so to speak.
You see, I was in a spot where I was ready for the next challenge. Ready to take on more. And felt I was ready to lead at a high level.
I was in an interesting spot where I was confident in my abilities, yet had major self-doubt at the same time. It was an odd feeling.
My self doubt kept me asking “am I crazy for thinking I am ready!?” or “do I have blinders on!?”
______________
The day of the interview was grueling!
It was a full day of interviewing and answering questions:
An hour with the Director of Finance.
An hour with the Director of Quality.
An hour taking a financial literacy test.
Lunch - which of course was still an interview.
An hour with the Internal Audit Team.
An hour with the Innovation Executive.
An hour with the Chief Operating Officer.
It was by far the hardest interview(s) I had ever been through.
I did fantastic throughout it all and gave it my best shot.
Some of the Directors even applauded my innovative ideas around their department processes.
They ended up going with an internal candidate, which was actually a relief to me as I knew there was only a 5-10% chance that we (wife and me decision) would have taken the job if selected.
But what this interview process did for me was critical to my career journey, and it prepared me for what was to come, unbeknownst to me, only 7 short months later in my life.
This type of high level interview directly prepared me for my interview process for the CEO position at the Chamber of Commerce.
I had the confidence and belief in myself.
I had the validation.
I did not think I was crazy anymore.
I knew I didn’t have blinders on.
_________________
Reflection:
Many people will tell you that you “don’t need outside validation.”
Many times in life, that is true. But there are times where outside validation can help gain confidence.
I am a believer that everything does happen for a reason.
The interview in Pennsylvania prepared me for the new opportunity. No doubt.
I also viewed the interview as having nothing to lose and only tangible experience to gain.
Week 35 of 52
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