I know that this title alone will make many go “What?” I completely understand that. While it is cliche, the saying of “when one door closes another opens” applies to the thesis of this blog. I experienced this first-hand when I graduated school and was looking for a full time job. Before I started working at Sogolytics, there were two jobs months beforehand that I thought I would love and had the opportunity to get an offer. After I graduated college I spent six months job searching until I got this incredible opportunity at Sogolytics, but there were some bumps in the road before I got to where I am now.
Before going any further, I would like to mention that when talking about any of these previous potential employers I am not holding any grudge or malice towards them. I merely look back at these missed opportunities as a way that led to better opportunities. Life happens, at the end of the day some things just don’t work out, and that’s completely fine!
Everyone can understand how tiring the job search can be. So when a job opportunity comes along and you get an interview, it is super exciting! The first legitimate job bite is always so exciting because you put so much work into trying to get one that when you hear back from them it’s exhilirating.
The first job opportunity was my initial, legitimate bite into potentially getting a full time job. I was still in college at the time, but I knew that my time at my school was coming to an end. While the company seemed cool, what I would’ve been doing for them might not have been what suited my strengths. Of course, because it wouldn’t have suited my strengths, I probably wouldn’t have been happy with it. If someone had told me that I wouldn’t enjoy it at the time, I don’t think I would’ve listened too much. A year of life experience and a glass full of hindsight later, I realize that I wouldn’t have enjoyed that opportunity at all, and I’m glad it fell through.
Sure, I was frustrated at the time. There were good reasons that it didn’t work out, and I don’t hold anything against that company. Now I understand that it was a job that would not have been well suited for me, and as a result I wasn’t the best candidate to hire at the time. It worked out for both parties: they could do what is best for them, and while I didn’t get the job I could pursue other opportunities that would be better for me.
A couple of months later I saw a potential job opportunity that really excited me. The job responsibilities were exactly what I was looking for, and it seemed like a really good place to start out. There were some positive initial conversations, but the final interview ended rather quickly. I didn’t have one area of experience, but I told them I was willing to learn and I was also beginning to learn on my own time. While the call wasn’t long, I still had a good feeling about it. I was expecting to hear back from them in a couple of days.
Then a couple of days turned into a couple of weeks. I settled with the fact that I wasn’t going to get the job opportunity. It was a bummer. Everyone can relate to getting really excited about a job opportunity and it not working out for various reasons. “Bummer” hardly covers it. I didn’t have enough video editing experience at the time, so after this opportunity fell through I dedicated personal time to improve my video editing skills. On the bright side of things, I learned where my weaknesses lie and was able to improve things.
So that door closed on me, which wasn’t particularly fun. But when one door closes…
A couple months later, I began to talk to Sogolytics. Soon after a couple of interviews and positive conversations, I got an offer from them and it’s been a dream come true! I’ve had opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten at any of those other places, and it feels like I’m a part of something special. But, I wouldn’t be saying that if I had ended up getting those two previous opportunities that fell through. Not getting those other two opportunities were blessings in disguise, and I just couldn’t fully appreciate it at the time.
It’s never fun when something doesn’t work out the way you want it to. But that’s life, and sometimes the best opportunities arrive when other opportunities leave. This doesn’t apply exclusively to potential job opportunities. Maybe you didn’t get into your dream college, but the college you ended up attending turned out to be the greatest choice you could have made. Maybe you didn’t get that apartment or house, but the one you ended up with turned out to be even better. It’s crushing to not get an opportunity you dreamed yourself being in, but maybe the reality you weren’t anticipating or expecting turns out better than what you dreamed.
I love what I’m currently doing, and I couldn’t imagine a better situation. Had I gotten those opportunities I was yearning for a year ago, I don’t think I’d be saying the same thing. And I also understand that this isn’t always the case. The grass isn’t always greener, but sometimes it is.
