An ode to having faith. 

To protect the innocent, I’ll be providing the story but changing their names and any identifiable characteristics.

My first interview of the day was with Evelyn, a fresh high school graduate who was hungry for her first ‘grown-up’ job. 

In the middle of my questions, Evelyn interrupts. “Look - I’ve been promoted at every job that I’ve ever had. I exceed expectations and I’m hungry. All of my past employers underestimated me because I’m young. And I want to do everything I can to prove them wrong & show that age doesn’t matter. I CAN create a successful VA business and I will.” Touched by her story and grit, I introduced her to a few key players in the company and scheduled her for a final round interview. 

Thrilled to see someone so eager for success, we all pushed her forward and rooted her on. There’s something magnetic and enticing about someone running at lightning speed towards their dreams. We all sat in awe, appreciative that we could be a part of her professional journey and transformation. So, what happened? 

Well, Evelyn never showed up for the final round interview. She missed it. 

In the world of recruiting, I’ve become accustomed to everything from candidates not showing up on their first day of work to hiring managers canceling a position right after we sent out an offer letter. So, a missed interview wasn’t new to me. 

“I thought it was one hour earlier. I’m so sorry! Can we please reschedule? I’m so, so sorry,” Evelyn cried. 

No. The hiring manager wanted to move on, but she didn’t want to give her a second chance. 

For us, that was the end of the road for Evelyn. Cue the Boys II Men song. 

I didn’t feel bad for her. I didn’t particularly care that the hiring manager didn’t want to give her a second chance - but why? 

What’s meant for you will never pass you by.

Outside of grit, hard work, and consistency - you have to have faith in the universe. This means trusting that everything works out for your greater good. It’s important to appreciate the ebbs and flows of reality by respecting when life redirects you. 

Of course, that’s easier said than done. I had a candidate who followed up with me over email Every. Single. Day. Asking for status updates.

“Any word on whether I’ve been selected for a final interview?”, Autumn asks. The moment I know, you will know - I promised. 

After 2 weeks & 14 emails, the hiring manager confirmed he’d like to have a final round interview with Autumn. Within minutes, I informed her of the good news. Despite it being midnight for her, she was thrilled and I could feel her excitement radiating on the phone from across the country. 

The moment I hung up, I receive an email from the hiring manager that he had - “changed his mind”. 

“You… little…… bitch!” - I yell out into my empty bedroom. My Boston Terrier pops her head up to look at me as I pace my room, mumbling curse words under my breath.

 

Nonetheless, even as a recruiter, I still get completely blindsided. Life sometimes has this funny way of just pulling the rug from under your feet. 

After five minutes, I calmed down to prepare myself for the future head-on collision I knew was coming when I callback Autumn. 

In the end, Autumn wasn’t meant to have that job, she was meant to have the rejection. When I called back, I relayed a message that I hope she takes with her for the rest of her existence: 

When you master the art of having faith, You master the art of living in the present. You master the art of full acceptance. And most importantly, you master the art of detachment. 

It’s our job to put in the hard work & consistency, but from there, we must allow life to run its course. There are millions, no - trillions - of factors at play. And they are all guiding us to individual experiences that are meant to transform and evolve us. 

The universe loves you. 

And having faith is the most beautiful, poetic, existential way of telling the universe that you unconditionally love it back.