Hot Lead Goes Cold, Then Hot

Blog Note:  This topic has turned into something of a mini-series about Margot getting her first job out of college.  If you wish to start at the beginning, scroll down to "Why A Lousy First Job Is Good For You."

I thought that Phil's lead into the Senior VP at the ad agency was our golden opportunity.  And then nothing happened.  We had the guy's e-mail and his phone number.  Margot sent an e-mail with another copy of her resume and called and got, of course, the guy's assistant.  "We will be back to you."  Nothing.  A week goes by, Margot calls me and we huddle.  Consensus--call again.  Senior Vice President assistant to Margot, "Call Human Resources."  The kiss of death.  Dutifully, Margot called HR and, of course, "We will be back to you."  I was ready to pass and go on to other things but then Phil got back in the picture.

Phil is a real busy guy running his own agency but he has the ability to focus, take action and go on as he did with Margot's resume.  And then, for some reason, he did it again.  I don't know what prompted this and the details are a little fuzzy here but just as Margot was getting nowhere I got bcc'd on another e-mail from Phil to another headhunter with a great intro on Margot and resume attached.  Then Phil bcc'd me on the response.  The headhunter knew the VP of HR at the agency in Houston and sent the resume.  Great news except HR VPs get resumes every day, every minute, and Margot's resume was already in there gathering dust.   

For whatever reason, something worked and Margot got a call.  Be here next Wednesday at 10:00am, thanks very much. 

In the meantime, Margot had another interview with the medical support company and pretty much had a lock on the job, she thought.  She didn't sound very excited.  This was on a Thursday and on Friday she got a call from the medical company for another interview next Tuesday.  They also told her they had interviewed 50 people for the job and she was in the surviving 5.  Not exactly a lock.

Next week was shaping up to be pretty exciting. 

There is one takeaway that should be noted--there are a lot assumptions going on here.  I assumed the SVP at the agency was our way in.  Not really.  I also assumed that HR would be the kiss of death.  Not really.  I assumed that I had used up all my contacts.  Not really.  Margot thought she was a lock on the medical job.  Not really.  The takeaway is DON'T assume anything.  Just keep slogging away.  This simple truth of life is taught in books and movies.  For me it was "The Little Engine That Could."  For Margot it is "Brave Little Toaster."  So when things get tough, dust off the "Brave Little Toaster" CD and get inspired.