This article is a continuation of the “Success breeds success” series, you can read part 1 or part 2 here.
Working at the consulting company had really been a big step in my career. I gained a lot of valuable experience and confidence in my technical abilities. The money had been pretty good, and I was able to get out of most of the debt I built up while on unemployment. Still, after the disappointing raise that I was offered I was still looking elsewhere. My job search at the top companies in my area was not going very well at all and I was at a loss for what to do next. I was discouraged and a little down, and wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be able to reach the next level.
I decided to take some steps necessary to spice up my resume. Other than just changing up the format and the wording (which I did as well), I decided that I needed to add more things to it that top companies would be looking for. The first thing I did was decide to get a couple of certifications to boost my resume. I studied for about a month straight before the first exam, then for the next 2 weeks to take the second. I ended up doing really well on both and getting both certifications. I could have stopped there, but I decided to really beef up my credentials.
I decided to go back to school and pursue my MBA. After taking the GMAT and being accepted in the MBA program at one of the major universities in my city, I enrolled and started class. Now I had 2 certifications and an MBA program to add on my resume, which really gave me an edge. I updated my resume and started putting out feelers again. The response this time was amazing. I had 4 interviews and 3 new job offers (at 3 companies in that local top 10) in the span of the next 6 weeks, not to mention a counter offer from my current position. I couldn’t believe how much of a difference it made.
So which job did I take? At the time the company that was my first choice hadn’t responded, so I wasn’t sure what to do. I decided to take a position at one of the companies that offered me a job. The pay was equal to what I was making, but the benefits were good, the job security was good, the opportunity for learning was excellent, and it was close to my house. Overall, it was the offer I was most comfortable with.
I was really excited with my new opportunity, but I was still struggling with the fact that the company that was my first choice hadn’t responded. The pay being equal had actually hurt my finances a little bit as I gave up more money elsewhere for what I thought was a more secure opportunity. What I would find out next was something totally different.
For the next part of the story, make sure to read the last part of “Success breeds success” tomorrow!
