Take A Leap, Take a Risk, IT WILL BE OK!

This week is HR Basics week, I could tell you about the best interview questions I have used over the years, boring! Here is the story of the leap I took and the rut that followed.

A little over 2 years ago my husband told me we had to move to Milwaukee. We had been talking on and off about it for 3 years but, it was one of those things… someday we will move. That someday was here and I was terrified. Leaving my family, my job, the city I had known for the last 19 years! AH!

3 weeks later, we put our house on the market, for sale by owner. I had a game plan to dabble in selling real estate (I am just cheap). In 5 weeks, we had an accepted offer. Never in a million years did I think everything was going to happen so fast. We moved in with my parents until we found a house. A few weeks later we found a house, signed the papers and we were gone.

My last day of work was awful. I cried for two whole days! My face was swollen from crying. Appleton, WI was a big city to me. It was where I went to High School, it had been my home for a long time. I can honestly say, the first year I was in Greater Milwaukee, I was miserable. I had found a new job but, it wasn’t a fit for me. I was lost, I wasn’t me, I lost my “mojo”. I did my best to put on a brave face.

I took the leap to Milwaukee for my husband. I knew it was going to be a risk. I always do my best to build someone up, give networking tips or suggestions on this or that. Now I was pouting. I sat down after months of moping around and decided I needed to take some of my own advice. I am an educated, confident woman, I can do this!

I put myself through the same boot camp I preached to others. I started attending networking events downtown, meeting new people, driving around my new city. HR events to Chamber of Commerce events, you name it I was there. Sometimes I would drive for hours exploring, getting the lay of the land. I would attend an event at 6am downtown and then another one after work. I was here and I wasn’t leaving so, I needed to make the best of it. I wasn’t sure what was going to be the fix…meeting new friends, finding a new health club or a new job. I went with my gut.

After meeting a few of my now co-workers, I knew what I needed. I needed a career with a company that would invest in me, challenge me and give me the room to grow. I waited 11 months, a touch base call or email every other week. I would send candidates their way, I was getting in and I was determined.

My family, friends and husband was supportive through everything, I needed to do this on my own. Needless to say, looking back, what was I so scared of? Even in HR basics week we are always giving advice. Taking some of your own advice, can be the best advice on the table.

Jen Ray Fun Fact: I caught myself bird watching the other day, now I know I live in the sticks! I may drive into the city each day but, I live in the middle of nowhere. I need a new hobby.