A more focused job search this week has paid off in the short term with an interview with a top retail company, a top Japanese retail company that is. Yes, next Friday I will be subjected to the horror of a group interview where I will be competing with new college graduates and possible hipsters for the opportunity to be part of a global expansion strategy in the US. As I said, the top Japanese retail company is planning on opening new locations in key US markets in the next three years and they are in the process of recruiting the talent (me) to make this endeavour successful. Sounds like an awesome opportunity right? And did I mention that the training for this position is conducted in SOHO/NYC for 6 weeks and then JAPAN for 6 MONTHS?!? So very cool.
So very cool indeed, but of course as with anything, there are obstacles:
1. Group interview, pardonez moi? The last thing in the world I want is to publicly compete with motivated and ambitious and naive graduates--I have done that for years at bars and at parties and I am not sure I like the idea of doing it over a job in such a vulnerable way. Yucky yuck.
2. Is store manager really the path I want to go? I have been gearing my search at more corporate opportunities and less at management, but as my experience proves, I may be only qualified and appealing for "stores" positions. This is disappointing as I would really like to try the corporate setting...by not doing it now, will it be too late to change later?
3. Although I have searched Mpls, Chi, and NYC for job opps, I have secretly hoped for the Mpls market to pan out. I LOVE living in Chi, but I really do miss my family and friends. On the offchance that I did land this position, my stay in Chi turns into permanent for another three years at minimum.
4. What if I am not quite cut out for this type of high-pressure position? I find that I am a talented and driven manager, but I am not sure that I am a true leader.
There are many cons to consider but I can't help but feel excited by the pros:
1. Living in Japan for 6 months! When else would I get such a fantastic opportunity?
2. Training in the specialty setting for a store management role...this would diversify my background.
3. Being part of a launch of a new store concept in the US.
4. Back to the NYC my favorite city in the world for a period of time.
5. Exposure with a fast growing global company.
6. Did I mention the parent company owns Theory?
When it comes right down to it, if the position were offered to me and suitable to my demands, then I would accept even at the cost of the cons. I don't know how I could say no--and it would be for the right reasons. I hate to admit this, but my move to Chi was somewhat propelled by a sense of drama...like a feeling or a stand of there is nothing for me in Mpls, meaning, look at me I am single, better move. With this opportunity in my horizon the reason I would say yes is not because I am single (I have two many men at the moment) but because it is the right thing to do for my career. I would actively be choosing career and world experience over love. If I am willing and able to do that, then maybe I am not in fact, in love.
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