Eileen Cushing-Craig lands after 7 months as a Courseware Developer at Kronos! Read how she did it!

My Fellow Networkers,

After being out of work for almost 7 months, I'm pleased to say that I have accepted an offer to become a Training Courseware Developer for Kronos Inc., beginning on June 14! 

I was laid off in a corporate restructuring in November after my company was acquired by a larger one. I didn't start the job search in earnest until well after the holidays. I must say that although the economic indicators say that the job market is improving, I really didn't see it in terms of job opportunities for me. I have job search agents with Monster, Dice, Indeed, and a few others, plus I follow a few companies on LinkedIn. And honestly, throughout the winter, there were only a handful of job opportunities that I either felt qualified for or was interested in applying for.

I focused on building my personal and professional network, and to stay sharp, I volunteered at the local cable TV station, and took advantage of free training they provided to learn a new digital video editing software. This will come in handy in my new role, and elsewhere in my future. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy doing the volunteer work, I also made valuable contacts there that will continue to be good professional resources to me.

In April, I got a job match for a position at one of my prime target companies, Kronos. It was a Courseware Developer position, which is a more junior role than I had been working in at my previous employer. I was still very interested, because Kronos is an excellent company, and they are located less than a mile from my house. My friend who works for Kronos, was able to identify the hiring manager and get her contact info for me. I spent a long time developing a very specific, targeted cover letter and sent it and my resume to the hiring manager. The manager emailed me back the same day, indicating she was very interested in me and she'd have HR get the interview process going. Over the next 7 weeks, I successfully navigated FIVE rounds of interviews with 9 different people, submitted my online work samples, took an online predictive index survey test, and completed a simulated work assignment. It was a stressful and exhausting process, but I felt great about every step I conquered. I over-delivered on the simulated work assignment and I think that made the difference. I would second guessed myself for life if I'd done a half-a$$ed job on that, and then not gotten the job!

I got the verbal offer and an email version of the offer letter (email version) on Friday. I am taking a little less money than I was making before my layoff, but the lower salary is more than offset by the lack of a commute. Plus I get a salary review in January. I am absolutely thrilled with my new role, and can't wait to start.

I would like to thank the wonderful people that I've met through this network for the kindness and support you have shown me over the months. I have learned so much from reading the answers our talented membership always provide to my own questions and those of others. 

Now that I will be going back to work, I intend to pay it forward. I will continue to receive ANG mailings, and I will pass along opportunities that I hear of through Kronos.

I send you all my sincere best wishes and my hopes that you will all land soon in jobs that you love!

Cheers!
Eileen Cushing-Craig