We're moving to Columbus! (Part 1)

Brad and I are both 33 years old. Collectively, we have worked at two companies (Best Buy and Goodwill) for 25 years. For the last year or so, we have both felt professionally frustrated, undervalued, and stagnant.

Our passion seemed to be working against us. The more we cared, the crazier we became. We wanted to impact change, but the "systems that be" wouldn't allow for it.

Neither of us bode well operating complacently, but we were forced into that mindset. It was either be complacent or become insane. Ironically, the complacency drove us both to madness. I woke up every day and dreaded going to work, a feeling I was not at all accustomed to.

On August 7, Brad came home from a training at his corporate headquarters in Minneapolis and asked if I had any interest in relocating to Columbus.

"Not really," I said. "But if I had to move away, Columbus would be my first pick. Why?"

"There is a job there I might apply for."

Months prior, his supervisor had told him there likely wasn't any room for advancement within Best Buy if he stays in the Louisville market. So, I wasn't all that surprised.

I pulled out my laptop and said, "Let me see if Goodwill Columbus has any jobs, just for shit and giggles."

The first job posting was for "Manager of Marketing & Communications." It was posted the day before, August 6.

Hmph.

I read the job description.

"Okay, this is exactly what I already do." I got to the bottom of the webpage. "But for $20,000 more."

The next day, I updated my resume, my portfolio, and my personal website. I applied.

A few days later, I got an email, requesting a virtual interview. I accepted.

I interviewed with a woman named Simone, who would become my future boss.

We were in the 29th minute of a 30-minute timeslot when she realized she hadn't actually asked me any questions yet. She had went to University of Louisville, and I am originally from Ohio, and we both work for Goodwill organizations, so we had just been shooting the shit.

About a week later, I had a virtual interview with the Vice President of Marketing (Marlene) that went well. Simone wanted to set up an in-person interview next, despite me being completely transparent that Brad and I were mostly just "exploring options" and not really set on uprooting our entire lives.

I was already scheduled for PTO September 23 because Brad and I were going to a Dashboard Confessional concert in Indianapolis September 22. So, we scheduled the four-hour long interview series for then.

Meanwhile, Brad's job prospect had fallen through.

I was not at all excited to continue this process knowing Brad's job was no longer, but I felt obligated, due solely to Simone's sheer enthusiasm. A chronic people-pleaser, I planned to stay the course.

On our way to Columbus from Indy, Brad said, "Transparently, I am not AT ALL excited about the idea of relocation."

Even though I felt the exact same way, that hit a nerve. I became immediately defensive.

"I hear you," I said. "But please keep in mind, I wouldn't have even known this job existed if it weren't for you. You planted this seed, not me. Let's just see the process through, I will tell Simone no thank you, and then we can resume our normal lives. I know this feels like a waste of time, but at least I am practicing my interview skills and expanding my network."

We agreed to just get through the day and then put this crazy idea behind us.

But see, Simone is smart. Strategic. And that's where it all went wrong.

They included Brad in the process.

He saw the building where I would work, one with huge windows that overlooked both the cityscape and beautiful green spaces.

He met the CEO, for crying out loud.

I quickly realized they were not interviewing me. I was interviewing them.

Whew. I didn't expect THE PREFACE to be this wordy. I will make this a two-parter. Stay tuned!

Brad asked if he could take this photo of me and Simone "just in case."