New Job Bliss

it finally happened this afternoon: i was offered a job! and not just a 'ho hum yeah a job', but a job i am actually excited about. there will be a lot to learn, challenges to overcome, puzzles to figure out...all the things that i enjoy about work. the interview process was a little daunting, so it's nice to see it come to a positive end.

i initially went on an interview at their headquarters in golden valley. while i was there, i was a little ambushed by learning (when the first person i met wasn't the person i had been in contact with) that i would be meeting with 3 separate people. i like to talk and know my abilities pretty well, but this was a little unnerving for my first interview in 4 years. i talked with each person and felt like everything went well. i was happy with expressing my ideas and explaining what i did at my old job. i also feel like i did a good job making it clear that i bear no ill-will towards my former employer, but it was time to move on since waiting for things to pick up could take months. but then again, one never really can tell. they emailed a few days later and asked if i was still interested because they would like me to meet with a few more people and tour their plant in chaska. i had to laugh at the phrase 'if you are still interested'. duh! i am unemployed. the second interview was meeting with 4 more people. for a company of 100 people, i have now met 10% of the work force, and multiple opinions can only work in my favor right?

here is what i have learned about the company as a whole: smaller company, very team feeling; they have not laid off at all in the economy crunch and have been experiencing growth in the last few months; the position is being created and tailored to the specific person they hire; their benefits include company paid dental insurance, a company contribution to a 401K whether i participate or not; profit sharing; family owned since 1902; and an atmosphere that is one that people enjoy working for this company so much, the average employee has been with the company 10+ years. i was very impressed. i am very excited to have the opportunity to work here. did i mention they offered me more than i was making and i still get 2 weeks of vacation? yeah, this has been a great day!