Man, October 2021. What a ride that was for my career. I remember feeling this weird itch, you know? Like, things were okay, steady, but I was just… restless. I’d been doing the same grind for a while, and it felt like I was just going through the motions every day. I started thinking, “Is this it? Is this all there is?”
I wasn’t actively looking for a new gig at first, not really. It was more like an underlying hum of discontent. I’d scroll through job boards late at night, just seeing what was out there, never really clicking “apply.” Just window shopping, really. But the feeling kept growing, this strong urge for something different, something with a bit more… spark.
Then, one Tuesday, I was grabbing coffee, and I ran into an old colleague, Sarah. We got to chatting about work, and I kinda just blurted out how I was feeling. She listened, nodded, and then out of nowhere, she said her company was expanding, looking for folks with my kind of background but in a slightly different domain. My ears perked right up. It wasn’t just abstract anymore; it was a real, tangible thing she was talking about.
That conversation stuck with me. Later that week, I decided to actually do something about it. I dug up my old resume, which, no lie, hadn’t been touched in years. It was a beast to update. I sat there for hours, painstakingly going through every job, every responsibility, trying to make it sound professional and modern. I swear, I rewrote the same bullet point five times until it sounded just right. My fingers ached from all the typing.
After that, I started tailoring a cover letter for Sarah’s company. I knew it had to be good, personalized. I researched their mission, their latest projects, trying to weave in how my skills would actually fit in. It took me a good chunk of Sunday afternoon. I finally hit send on that application, and then a couple of others I’d spotted online. Then came the waiting, which is always the hardest part, right?
A few days later, in the first week of October, my phone rang. It was HR from Sarah’s company, inviting me for an interview. My heart literally jumped. I spent the next few evenings prepping like crazy. I Googled common interview questions, practiced my answers out loud in front of the mirror, even asked my partner to mock-interview me. I wanted to be ready.
The first interview was a bit nerve-wracking. I felt like I babbled a bit, especially at the start. But I settled into it, tried to keep my answers focused, and really sell what I could bring. I walked out not really knowing how it went, just feeling exhausted. But then, a few days later, another call. They wanted me back for a second round, this time with the department head!
This felt like a big deal. I doubled down on my prep, read up more on the company and the specific role. The second interview was tougher, more in-depth, with a lot of scenario-based questions. I really had to think on my feet. I remember leaving that one feeling more confident, like I had really connected with what they were looking for.
The next week was torture. Every time my phone buzzed, I jumped. Then, it happened. It was mid-October. I was just about to head into a meeting at my old job when I saw the caller ID. It was them! I stepped outside, took a deep breath, and answered. They offered me the job! A new role, more responsibility, a fresh challenge. I actually had to pinch myself to make sure it was real.
I called my partner immediately, literally bouncing with excitement. We talked it all through, the salary, the benefits, the new commute. It all felt right. The very next morning, I called them back and accepted. Then came the bittersweet part: giving my two weeks’ notice at my current job. It was tough saying goodbye to folks I’d worked with for years, but the excitement of the new venture was just too strong.
So, by the very end of October 2021, I was officially embarking on a completely new career path. I spent those last few days at my old office cleaning out my desk, handing over my responsibilities, and soaking in all the farewells. It was a massive, unexpected change, but one I instinctively knew was exactly what I needed. It truly felt like I pushed myself off a cliff, but in the best way possible. That October was wild, a total turning point, and honestly, one of the best decisions I ever made.
