Pathways – What Emma did next – part 3

After actually enjoying my first school holidays as a fully fledged mummy, I’m back focussing on work stuff. Let me get you up to date.

The last time I was here, I still had not heard back about the job! Well, seven weeks or so after my interview, I decided to get proactive. I had a chat to a friend, who works in marketing, and he suggested sending another email to ‘the man’, as I like to call him. He advised me to send something like this:

“Dear Man,

I am assuming that the work opportunity with you has passed. I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for meeting with me and considering me for this role.

Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future for any copy writing needs.

Warm regards,

Me”

I only had to wait a day and ‘the man’ replied saying that I had indeed missed out on the role but he would perhaps use me in the future if anything came up!  While I was disappointed at this, I was so relieved that, I swear, the sun shone brighter that day. Seven weeks of not knowing is enough. The door is still slightly ajar with said ‘man’ and I felt it was important to be polite even though I was frustrated with his timing. I honestly didn’t know if I would have hired me. I’m pretty green at the moment. The funny thing is that I actually know the person who is working for them now and she is a fully fledged journalist, so I feel honoured to be put in the same basket as her.

Where to now? I have had some unpaid gigs come through from friends which keeps me busy and builds on my experience. I write a blog worddancing nearly ever day and there is talk of future projects towards the end of the year with a couple of contacts. It is a painfully slow process but I love what I do and I know I’m on the right track.

Another option is for me to do a short course in copy writing. This would give me more confidence in interviews and would help me to know how to present my work more professionally. I really think I need to invest in my career and get some advice from people in the industry. I am itching to get some paid work but I know that worthwhile things take time.

So, I will continue to put out the word, use my contacts and practice, practice, practice. I have profiles on linkedin.com, twitter, Facebook which I’m still learning how to use properly. The internet is something I need to and want to know more about. There are times when I think I should just get a local job and be done with it; times when just getting money in the bank is all that matters. But my vision is set and I’m determined to find a career that I can grow in and love. I just need to try all the doors, windows and skylights before I chuck in the towel.

I love being a mum, I love writing and I actually love the rocky path I’m walking, sometimes crawling down. It’s not easy being all things to all people but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tagged as: mums returning to work