I have been at my current job for 2 years and 4 months, but who's counting? I am a bank teller for those who may not know. I sometimes find the job fun but it definitely lacks challenge. I know my job really well and am often working on auto-pilot. I work for a small community bank that does great things in the community. Since this position is not a challenge for me, over the last year I started looking for new opportunities. First, I interviewed with the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington to be a Membership Manager. I know I would have done well at it, but I failed to prepare myself for the interview resulting in of course not being hired. I was okay with it and realized that position was not meant to be. About 3 or so months ago a position opened up at my current company to be a Customer Service Manager. This position managers the bank tellers and handles customer service issues with the customers. From time to time that person would be required to open new accounts for customer and/or process loans. I interviewed and was not hired. They chose another employee that was already a personal banker and had the training in opening accounts and processing loans. That was the one skill I was lacking. I know I would have been great at this too, but I do agree my co-worker was more qualified to jump into that position.
My work has been on a pay freeze since the month before my 1st annual review. I received my review, which was fantastic might I add. I was told by my manager I would have gotten a raise had they not been on a freeze. It's one of those things you almost wish they didn't tell you. Between that and a few other things about the job I started to look outside the company and actively apply for new positions. Most criteria at banks require you to have done that position you are applying for in the your past jobs. So, I started applying for teller jobs, figuring I could move up in the new company sooner than I could at my current place. I received a call from a local credit union I applied for. They are in the top 1% of credit unions in the U.S. and #1 in Oregon. The recruiter saw that I was applying for a teller position, but she felt I was more qualified for a Member Relationship Officer position (aka personal banker). I had my first interview last Wednesday with the recruiter and it went fantastic. I studied my butt off, doing lots of research on possible questions I may be asked. Trying to master the "tell me about yourself" question. And most of all, trying to be relaxed and not come off nervous. Since the interview went well, the recruiter called me back and told me she wanted me to take a few tests. One test was a Sales Assessment Test and the other one was kind of a personality test. I guess I passed both. I had another interview yesterday (Friday) with the manager of the branch I would potentially be working at. I felt very comfortable in the interview. It ended up being with 2 managers, one being from another branch. They were impressed with the research I did on the company and seemed to really like all of my answers. I felt comfortable with them and made sure to ask my share of questions as well. That all being said, I received a call one hour later from the recruiter saying I really "wowed" the managers and they would like to offer me the position. When I had my initial interview with the recruiter we discussed what a starting wage would be, they chose to bring me in for $0.50 above that. Super exciting! My first day at the new place will be June 1st!! I am very excited to have a job that challenges me and where I can learn new things. I am grateful for the job experience I have received at my current job and all of the friends and networking connections I have made.
To celebrate Justin is cooking me dinner tonight and then we are having sparkling wine with berries. Hooray!
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