Friday, January 06, 2006

Could Be Interesting

I met with both recruiters. The first was very official, giving me the ra-ra speech about her company and what they have achieved over the years. I did my best to look like I cared. For those not in the software biz, a recruiter fills a vital role, one which I respect and value, but some recruiters think there is more to it than there is. Once I take the job, they send me a paycheck and I never speak with the recruiter again. They know it and I know it, so I don't understand why all the hoopla.

Anyhoo.

The second was my kind of guy. Being a recruiter is a sales position, and you may or may not know, but I hate sales people. But every once in a while I meet one that knows how to do it right. He introduced me to the account manager that has a particular job in mind, but my salary requirement is a little higher than the client is willing to pay. I suggested that he put me in front of the client and let me do the talking. They loved my spunk. We'll see.

But here is the real news of the day, and this is why I like to get out of the house once in a while, because shit has a way of happening. Chloesuggested that I take this opportunity to become a professional writer. I only mildly scoffed at that--there are bills to pay after all. I walked into the building--all marble, glass and steel--fifteen minutes early and looked for the company name on the directory by the elevator. I had just taken a deep breath and thought to myself, "And so the job hunt begins." Across the lobby was a sign on a window that said, "The Globe West."

If you are not from here, that naturally means the Boston Globe.

I couldn't help but feel a small sense of destiny. Go ahead and laugh, but things happen like that to me, little coincidences to which I've learned to pay heed. I stood in front of the doors and put my hand on the knob, but chickened out and turned to walk away, when I saw a beautiful woman wearing a long coat and winter hat.

She looked at me as I was turning around. I asked her, "Do you work here?"

"Yes I do," she said with a curious expression.

"So you write for the newspaper?"

"Uh huh."

"Alright, how does one become a writer?"

She laughed out loud, but not in a way I felt was directed at me if you catch my meaning. "That is a very good question, and every writer has a totally different answer."

"A friend mine," I said, "once wrote stories for a small California paper. Apparently there is a list of stories that the staff reporters won't do, but for a guy like me who is hungry to see his name in print..."

"Sure, we have a pool of freelance writers that choose from a variety of stories. I'm sure our editor would give you a trial piece to do."

And so she wrote down the names of her two editors, and gave me the phone number, and let me use her name as a reference. As I was leaving she said, "And stop by anytime."

Wow. I swear that wouldn't have happened in California.

I called and left a message, but the receptionist gave me the man's email address, so I introduced myself properly, in a manner appropriate for the task I wish to acquire: in writing.

The wheels of fate are turning?

14 comments:

Chloe said...

Yes yes yes...synchronicity at work! I can't wait for you to get published!!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! That would be great!!

Toni Anderson said...

Fate has a way of opening doors :)

Good luck!!

Moni said...

***doing the running man dance*** "Scott's going to be a writer!" "Scott's going to be a writer!" "Woooo Hooo!"

...for nothing happens by chance. :)

Scott said...

Ha Moni, that's good! Thanks all. I'm definitely counting the chickens here, so I need to temper myself. It's fun to dream though.

The Zombieslayer said...

I hope so.

A friend of mine got stoned with his recruiter. I went out for coffee with mine and he talked about finances and investing.

When you get published, please detail how you did it. I'm sure I won't be the only one asking.

Dixie Belle said...

Hey Scott,
I'm just now catching up. Sorry to hear you lost your job. I hope you find something soon. If you have to relocate, Huntsville is a boom town for high-tech folks. My son lives there. Lots of international companies with great benefits in Research Park.

mr. schprock said...

My palms got sweaty just reading that! I'm a Globe reader and I'd love to say, "I know the guy wrote that!"

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Shesawriter said...

Scott,

This is so weird. DH and I watched a movie this weekend about a psycho high tech recruiter (Christian Slater) who stoops to blackmail, bugging, spying, stalking, maiming and murder to convince recruits to sign with him. It was a bad movie, and WAY over the top, but there are some really aggressive IT recruiters out here. I remember. LOL!

Good luck to you, bud.

Tanya

Joely Sue Burkhart said...

Scott, sorry to hear about your job. Man, the job market is really sucking right now! DH is just now starting to get back on his feet (hopefully) after losing his job in Nov. Good luck with the Globe opportunity--it definitely sounds exciting!!!

Jada's Gigi said...

I don't believe in coincedences....:)
Keep us posted.

Tee/Tracy said...

How exciting, Scott! All you need is a foot in the door because your writing speaks for itself. I love how this happend.

Whatever happens - either way, is for a reason. Each connection - even if not what we thought it was for - is for something.

fakies said...

Hope your employment situation goes whichever way will be best for you. What's that they say about a door being closed and a window opens?

Miranda said...

*clap!* Well THIS is good to hear.
Keep us posted!