I taught interview skills for almost a decade. You’d think I would know when I’m in one.
Six weeks ago I received an email from my previous employer introducing me to a CEO and the statement, “Shelaine, I was thinking that you might want to do some training for Bernie…” I understood that to mean that the organization was looking for a trainer to do a personality session or perhaps a day on conflict management, so I contacted Bernie to discuss their need. Two weeks later I went in for a chat. About ten minutes in - and multiple questions later - I became suspicious. This is not the way we discuss consulting, I thought, he is putting a position on the table. I’m in a job interview! At that point a second meeting began, with myself. Perhaps all those years of making up mock answers on the spot for my class participants helped but I also know that God’s peace prevailed. There is something to be said about going into an interview blindly. That appointment rocked my world. In January I put together this website as an act of faith believing God wanted me to step out and offer – as a consultant - the skills He has honed in me. I wrestled with how to portray my various interests and not appear to be a “jack of all trades and master of none.” God gave me specific confirmations that He wanted to celebrate the variety of how He made me, and so I published the site. If you look on my services page you’ll see one column for coaching, one for training workshops, and one for event speaking. If you return to my home page you’ll read that “I believe in the power of walking alongside one another as we live and learn.” And I’m a writer. And the beautiful thing? The position I didn’t know I was applying for requires someone to write curriculum, lead workshops, train and coach other trainers and speak in churches and retreat settings. And, the organization walks alongside the most vulnerable communities throughout the developing world. So Bill and I prayed. We asked many questions of the Lord and each other, and on Tuesday I signed a contract to join Food for the Hungry Canada as their half-time Manager of Education and Professional Development. It feels like a hand-in-glove fit on worldview and values, is purposeful work in categories I’m passionate about and it even affords me time for other consulting. Amazing. Obviously having a new job is exciting and I am thrilled to be part of an exceptional team doing powerful, life-changing work. But even more, I am humbled to have been so specifically led by God through four years of unemployment, pain, waiting, surgery, rehabilitation and re-entry into the world of career. This provision underscores to me the importance of taking a next step and leaving the outcome to God. He goes before, stands beside and is present through it all. He is faithful. I am blessed. With love and gratitude, Shelaine © 2016
2 Comments
8/4/2016 08:32:23 am
Shelaine! That is wonderful! I am so thrilled for you. Your kind and gentle spirit, your willingness to speak truth and your contagious sense of humour are only a few things that will make you wonderful for this job. It sounds like a custom fit! I'll be praying as you go into it!
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Rosabelle S. Birch
8/4/2016 10:04:01 am
I do not know what happened to my previous comment!! I do know that I am confident that our God will continue to lead, guide, and provide as you serve him in this new position. What a perfect fit from a God who is "perfect in all of his ways to us."
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