[Finding the Shape of My Place] #6. Overcoming Loneliness and the Flu to the Final Interview
*The events described in this article took place in late 2018.
The Non-Lonely Planner School That Helped Me Endure My Lonely Job-Hunting Life
In late October, while diligently navigating the second-half public recruitment process, I happened to see an announcement for the Non-Lonely Planner School (hereafter referred to as Non-Lonely). It was a side project run by Jin-ah, and it has since concluded after the third session I participated in. Reading the recruitment notice for the School of Non-Lonely Planners, I felt a flutter of excitement just at the thought of starting activities there, separate from my job hunting. During my job search, I had identified 'service planner' as the role that fit me best after organizing my past work experience. While happy about this discovery, I also felt anxious because nothing was certain. I hoped the people I would meet at the School might help ease this unease a little.
The program exceeded my expectations. Meeting female senior planners from various industries like architecture, advertising, and IT, discussing planning with fellow women of diverse backgrounds and ages, and creating my own planning proposals – the entire process was enjoyable.
The day after I was ultimately rejected by Nexon was also the day I was supposed to go to Oenaegi. It was the day I was most looking forward to among Oenaegi's many sessions—the day Ms. Ok Ji-hye, a senior 'service planner,' was coming. But I couldn't even muster the strength to get up. I was lying in bed with the lights off when my dad called me. 'Aren't you going somewhere today!' My eyes snapped open. Yeah, I should still go. I can't just stay slumped like this. When I arrived at WeWork in Euljiro and met my Oenatgi peers in the elevator, I blurted out, "I got rejected from the final interview!" and felt better. Confiding in the seniors with more experience than me warmed my heart. I hadn't achieved what I wanted most, but I reminded myself that my life wasn't ruined.
Three days before the final interview, I caught the flu.
I'd been rejected by every company I applied to in the second half of the year, with only NC left. I didn't think I'd done well in the first interview, so I had zero expectations. I was already looking at job postings for smaller companies where I could start as a new hire. Right when I was giving up hope, the email came saying I passed the first round. Now, the final interview was all that remained. I prepared diligently, determined to make the most of this last chance without regrets. I attended mock interviews at the school's career center and, upon learning that my close friend's older sister worked as a service planner at NC, I asked her questions too. (Then and now, insights from 'current employees' were invaluable.)
Three days before the final interview, on a Sunday, I suddenly started running a fever. I used to get a bad cold once or twice a year, but the timing couldn't have been worse. By Sunday night, my fever had shot past 39 degrees Celsius, and I was literally on the brink of death. My head was spinning, and I was completely out of it. I had a mock interview at school the next morning, so I left home early. I went to the ENT clinic near school for a checkup, and they said I had Type B flu. The doctor advised staying home for a week. 'But I have my final interview in three days T_T?' 'Is it a very important interview?' 'Yes…' 'Then wear a mask to go there, and only take it off during the interview. Take your medicine well, and stay home until the day before the interview!'
Whether it was my strong willpower defeating the flu virus or the medicine working well, I'm not sure… but thankfully, after about two days of illness, I wasn't feeling too bad on the day of the interview. In fact, because I wasn't in my usual condition, I felt calmer than usual, spoke well without getting overly excited, and came out. I calmly shared the things I wanted to say and had prepared, then left the building. It was a winter day with a cloudless, bright blue sky.
The day before the final results came out, I calmly left a record on the 3030 board.
> Whatever the outcome, you'll become an even better person. If you succeed, then succeed; if you fail, then fail. It's all experience building up inside me. Even if I can't take one more step forward, I'm not a failure. Write what you wanted to write, meet who you wanted to meet. Exercise, walk in the snow. You can do it. You can live well.
The Third Employment Contract with No End Date
I was finally accepted at NC and signed a permanent employment contract with no end date. It was my third employment contract, following my time as a community activist and working at the Beautiful Store. I attended the new hire orientation, met my peers, and toured the company building. After getting my employee ID photo taken and completing the pre-employment medical exam, I was truly ready to join this new company. Wanting to share this new beginning with those around me, I reached out to people here and there. Sharing good news in the cold winter, everyone rejoiced as if it were their own. It was the moment a new chapter began once again.