Hey there. A lot of SOAR content has been limited to conversations lately, not because I'm trying to keep things from you, but because articulating it in conversation is a lot easier than organizing it in writing (in a way that I find you deserving). But since many of you have asked for a new post, this is one that I have been meaning to share for reasons that will become obvious.
Candidate
In early June, I spotted a fantastic role to lead marketing for a darling fintech brand I really love. While the brand is far from perfect, the more I learned about the job and remit that the brand is tasked with, the more I knew I could help it and its consumer base (which admittedly includes me!). So I did what I often do - I found a few folks I know at the company to get their thoughts and eventually asked Helper A to forward along my resume. Interestingly, this role turned out to be one of those 'small world' situations in a few ways:
First, some folks I know from my Unilever days work at this company and one of my favorite leaders works on an adjacent team.
A friend of mine used to work at the creative agency, specifically on this brand account.
And lastly…I had just met someone else going for the same role…!
Competitor? (NEVER.)
A couple of weeks before this, I was on a Zoom call and noticed that Friend B lives in Portland. Since I don't meet people based here everyday, I reached out to meet up and it turns out that we share the same go-to coffee shop. After hearing that I worked at Unilever, she asked if I happened to know Helper A. I said that we've never directly worked together, but were acquaintances because I used to lead recruiting for our shared alma mater. Well, it just so happens that both of us were referred to the same role by the same person - WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!
Friend
If you spend enough time with me, something you'll hear me say often is that we always have the choice to set the tone. In all fairness, I think Friend B actually did it first; I could tell that we'd likely get along and her willingness to share her interest in this role with someone she just met showed trust, which is why I let her know that I didn't want to be shady and that Helper A also passed along my info to the recruiter. Long story short, our experiences are so complementary that if they wanted one of us over another, it would just make sense.
In the weeks ahead, Friend B figured out that this role wasn't the right fit for her, but it still felt right for me. I met really smart and considerate people, received positive feedback from the recruiter, and felt even more confident that I could accelerate the brand and deliver the remit. As luck would have it, another candidate was a few weeks ahead of me in the process and the team was ready to extend an offer. B.U.M.M.E.R.
I just caught up with Friend B this week at our go-to coffee shop, and really appreciate that this interview experience brought us closer. We not only continue to share job leads, but also random thoughts and happenings in our industry (such as great creative, people moves/team changes to be aware of, etc.).
Feelings
I've written that emotions are tied to outcomes and still stand by that statement. Fortunately, I write this with positive things to say on both accounts:
Disappointment about the job: I'm not gonna lie; it stung to not get this job for professional and many personal reasons, especially after getting positive feedback each round. Here's why: the company's process includes a case interview (which was the next step) and I had initially wished they would've given me the chance to complete it to make an apples-to-apples comparison. But I actually really appreciate that they recognized what they wanted and didn't string me along. [Enter obvious dating/relationship metaphor here] Doing so meant that I wasn't spending time preparing a case presentation while fulfilling bridesmaid duties during a recent quick trip to NY; instead, I ate too many bagels while networking and catching up with friends. Candidates often complain that companies and recruiters aren't considerate in their decision making, but this company was anything but; its standout culture is precisely one of the reasons I was interested in the first place.
Delight over a new friendship: In marketing, trust is a weird thing (relative to other functions and industries I've worked in). It's a very small and especially chatty world with a noticeable amount of fake and competitive behavior, so people have learned to proceed carefully (i.e., politically) and cautiously. And while I'm not here to recommend that we lower our guards completely, the reality is that there are many more people whose actions are genuine and collaborative. I started SOAR because I was blown away by the kindness of strangers (and am relieved to share that I still am!). I have enough examples to really believe that you get what you give, so set the tone and pay it forward.
On a far more serious note, I hope you're enjoying stone fruit season; this is by far my favorite time of year. I proudly feel like a Chinese grandma right now between mooncakes for the mid-autumn festival and my current fruit assortment - white peaches, golden plums, fresh figs, blueberries, marionberries, and kiwis. Not to mention heirloom tomatoes!
Anyway, make yourself a plum + ricotta toast for breakfast and reach out if I can help with something, xx.
Cat I love your stories. There are so many useful gems and great takeaways. Thanks for sharing.