Anticipation and Annoyance; Or, Why Putting the Cart Ahead of the Horse is a Bad Idea

I need to be reined in.

I took the plunge and did submit my resume to one of my company's direct competitors. I reasoned that I was doing it mainly to see if I got any sort of response and also to give myself the peace of mind that should come from knowing there are options out there, I am not entirely trapped, and that it's conceivable some other company might find me worth hiring.

It also helps that at this particular competitor, I know at least two people (with whom I worked with previously when they were at my current company), and I suspected they'd both be willing to put in a good word or two on my behalf.

Nearly a week went by and....nothing. I was starting to get depressed that I couldn't even get hired to do essentially my own job. But lo and behold, I got an email --- an interview request! Granted, this is just the first interview. And I've hired enough people in my day to know this first interview is essentially the HR-screening interview. I won't likely be speaking to anyone except the recruiter, so I think it's a thumbs-up/thumbs-down meeting to see if I'm worth scheduling for an actual interview.

Nevertheless, I am now imagining the suit I will wear should I be flown in for an interview, the negotiations in which I angle for the extensive vacation I now earn, and the glorious joy I will feel turning in my resignation.

I need to cut it out.

Because I am so excited by the prospect of leaving that I am tuning out on my actual.current.job. That job that is currently paying the bills and generally providing food and shelter for my cats, my husband, and me. I was in a management meeting this morning and could barely summarize for you 5 things that were discussed. I was a little snappy with my boss (whom I do like but who does frustrate me). And I am generally not the friendliest of people with whom my colleagues can interact these days (this is probably not a significant change to them -- but still, not good).

So between now and Monday (when this call is now scheduled), I need to refocus on the job at hand and pretend like this call next week is nothing more than an initial chat with someone. But oh, the possibilities!