Predictable Free-Falling

Top Ten Reasons To Wonder If You Are Right For The New Job:

10) You realize that those you will be managing actually know more than you do about your job–and they are all half your age.

9) You have acquired a deer-in-the-deadlights expression that is both unseemly and unlike you.

8) You find yourself facing a mountain of stuff to learn and can only concentrate on how to log off of your email.

7) You visit your old job “to pick up my last paycheck” and spend 45 minutes there in an effort to re-absorb the feeling of “familiar.”

6) You visit your old job and realize “you can’t go home again,” but damn, one hour back would sure feel nice.

5) You visit your old job and say a final and real goodbye to those you actually care about, and realize how much you will miss them.

4) You take it as a sign that the wind is blowing, the rain is pouring, and it all matches the storm of uncertainty brewing inside you.

3) You wonder if you are really good at interviewing, but horrible at follow-through.

2) You can’t coax a smile out of the pastry chef.

1) You cry for three hours after three days on the job.


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7 responses to “Predictable Free-Falling”

  1. Aaron DeLay Avatar

    I know how that feels. I took my outsourcing job out here and went through every stage you went through, albiet in a different world than dining. Stay strong. Keep that strong head of yours up and keeping pushing forward as much as you can. I’m looking foward to reading of your adventures in the “new world”. From one culture shock to another, it only makes you stronger.

    Keep on rockin’ in the free world. Oh and by the way. The Five O’ CLock world by Ketchum? So good for the soul when I get off work. Thanks for the tip!

  2. Restaurant Gal Avatar

    Aaron–You have no idea how timely your comment was. And yes, Ketchum’s version is the best.

    Thanks, The Gal

  3. Aaron DeLay Avatar

    No thanks needed. That’s what fellow customer service people do.

    As for Ketchum…it’s an oddly soulful rendition that lulls you into this moment of zen. Life slows and you smile a little more. I’m always able to catch a breath or two before diving back into the fun. Music is sometimes what I retreat into when my job sends my sideways. What’s your secret…:)

    Someday I’m going to join the ranks of food service as a part time waiter. I feel as if I’ve not experienced the full madness until I gone into food service.

    I do not reccommend you pursue part time work at your local Circuit City for 2 1/2 years hoping it will get better. Much like your tales of eye rolling proclivity towards jaw dropping studpidity, they make a boy a man.

    Again, congratulations! And best of luck.

  4. Natalie Avatar

    Awe chin up! The deer in the headlights feeling will go away faster than you can imagine and you’re great so you’ll do great. I think we all go through that new job anxiety. I had it with my first REAL job. I remeber the first day so well. My husband (boyfriend at the time) met me in the parking lot with a packed lunch to eat with me and I cried! I was so sure I was in over my head. =) I really had no idea what I was doing.

  5. Jenne Avatar

    Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are great at what you do, and they obviously saw that when they hired you.
    And don’t worry about the pastry chef, I have worked at a hotel for over a year and the pastry chef has hated me since day one
    Screw him/her! It’s their loss if they don’t want to get to know the fabulous Gal!

  6. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Oh, love; crying is just an expression of emotion. Don’t let it scare you; you are in control and you were hired because you can do the job. The scariest part of all this is change; pretty soon your new job with begin to be the familiar one.

    You have a fan in me, and I am cheering for you loudly and obnoxiously.

  7. caramaena Avatar

    Don’t sweat it Gal, new stuff can be scary at first. Cut yourself some slack and just take it a step at a time. No one expects you to be super-manager in your first week!