I had a great “getting-to-know-you” lunch today with the editor in chief of a national magazine. She’s looking for a good right hand to make some big moves in early 2006. Nothing immediate, and possibly nothing for me at all. I don’t know. But it was a really fun lunch and she said some very flattering things. Plus I got a really good salad for free, so it’s already a win. But seriously, she’s a great contact to have in my pocket and I could tell that she likes me. Her big job upcoming might not feel like the right fit for me or for them, but I’m on her radar.
It occurred to me last night as I was prepping that I’ve never had a job I wasn’t recruited for. I wondered for a while if that means my hand isn’t firmly on the tiller. I mean, I went all out to land CNN after college, but after that it was all recruitment. I took comfort in the idea that I have, however, occassionally turned down perfectly reasonable offers. So I know I won’t take ANYTHING that gets thrown my way. But I’m so attached to the random occurrence, I love to see where the unexpected offer will take me. It’s worked out just fine for the past eight years. Whether that’s because it’s a good idea or dumb luck would have to be anybody’s guess.
One note: As soon as my lunch date said “fuck” a time or two I was totally relaxed. Tightly contained people make me uncomfortable. I’m much happier when everyone is loose. It’s far easier to deal with someone who is inappropriate in some ways than someone who is always appropriate. At least for me.
jaysaint 