Revved Up

If you read my last post, you remember that I was in a season of breaking. That hard season continued – as my employment was terminated soon after I had blogged that last post. Stunned for a moment, I went home and told my wife that although they liked me, they could not keep me. I would work for another 30 days, helping transition some administrative tasks to others, and the company would then issue a severance payment. No animosity from them, so I decided that they would see no animosity from me.

I began networking, honing my resume, reaching out to friends for prayers and referrals in manufacturing, and applying for jobs that might work for me and my family. Somehow, I had an inexplicable peace. Friends reached out with encouragement, I joined my wife in many of her network group meetings – learning how to introduce myself and my skills – and gaining referrals. Networking came alive to me, and I enjoyed the process as I got to know new people.

As I thought more about this effort to meet new people, I realized something about myself that I had heard from others before: I like new stuff. New people, new parts of town, new events – it’s true! I was enjoying getting to know what else was out there. (Even though the manual transmission Mini – the namesake of this blog – has gone to the island of misfit and irreparable cars, I am enjoying the Forte. 6 months in, I have christened it with a new name – see future posts.)

Back in December during that first week in which I had no commute – the job was over – I was in a newly located coffee shop, lining up my tasks for the day, and I received a phone call from a recruiter. She found me on LinkedIn, and “was hoping that I could consider a role that paid less than X.” I assured her that I was willing to talk to anyone about any reasonable offer, and we left it there. She let me know that she would share my info with a company that had a plant in the area, but also one in Tennessee. I was pretty sure there would be no problem with the non-compete clause in my separation agreement, but I checked in with the former employer to make sure.

I continued to march. Network meetings, phone calls with recruiters, coffee chats, and simply telling anyone I ran into – friend or acquaintance or neighbor – yes, I was looking for work in manufacturing. I got an offer from a previous employer, but it didn’t seem to be the right fit at this stage in my career.

I wasn’t blogging during this time (sorry), even though I had a multitude of ideas to blog about. I wanted to stay focused on the mission: get the right job.

Then I got a call from that Tennessee-based recruiter – “They would like to talk to you.” I spent 30 minutes walking around a quiet Target talking to another recruiter – and then 30 minutes with the HR director from the TN and RVA company. One call led to another, and we scheduled the virtual interview.

I had had a few virtual interviews with other companies, and one of those ghosted me for a couple of months. I had an on-site interview with a local manufacturer; they got back with me in just a few days to let me know that they had found someone else. No worries, I thought, just keep doing the next thing.

Here’s how I set up my apartment for the TN/VA interview:

Yes, that is a pink Barbie townhouse from the 70s that we keep for the grands to play with on their visits. And with Queen Elizabeth looking on, I shared the small screen with 5 others. 30 minutes prior, I had walked around the apartment rehearsing my skill-related stories, so words came out easily once the session started. Only two interviewers showed their faces during the first part of the interview, until the last 15 minutes – when the US president came on and said, “OK, Bart, this is how I see this going…”

We said our goodbyes, agreeing that a visit to the RVA plant was the next best step.

Long story short, we all “liked each other” enough to start a new relationship. I am now in my 4th week – already having been to the TN plant twice. It’s a lot of travel, a lot of virtual meetings with European leadership – and a lot of fun. Is it just because it’s new? I don’t think so. I think this is a place where I can be me. This is a place where I am needed, and so far, respected. I’m revved up! I may need to shift the gears at some point – remembering that I’m a little different – and sometimes I’m a lot for others to handle.

I am not so self-absorbed to think that many were wondering where my blog was. But thanks for reading, following, caring…maybe some of you were caring about my challenges or even praying for me during the season of breaking. I have spoken to many who were. Thanks. Hopefully I’m also back in the saddle of blogging more regularly. If you have feedback – I’d enjoy hearing it