After an 18-month hiatus, I was given clearance to start work travel again and I resisted. Was I ready? Did I remember how to meet with coworkers, candidates and clients in person? What if I just stayed home and did a Zoom call instead?
It’s natural to feel apprehension when “getting out there”. I am reminded of the Dr. Seuss book Oh the Places You’ll Go, a common present for new graduates as they head out in the world on new adventures.
“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!”
I was also reminded of how I felt after getting that book and going off to my first job and every new job thereafter. Although I have been with GForce for a few years now, almost half of this time was in a “new job” working completely from home and navigating COVID. Was I ready for my next new (old) job?
August 1st I headed out to Chicago and crisscrossed back to Florida then to Boston, back to Florida and then back to Chicago again, spending a whopping 15 nights in August in hotel rooms (more than all of 2020 but a mere fraction of 2019 travel). The result? It was a truly amazing and enlightening experience that breathed new life into the mission in my role – to help people find their next career move and adventure.
A lot had changed during this hiatus from travel. At GForce I hired a new member for my team and other teams continued to grow, adding members starting their first jobs after college. Many of my clients changed jobs and brought along others that were new to the biotech world completely. I was reminded when meeting all of them that whether they were a new grad learning the ropes, a new team member learning more about GForce, or a client’s new assistant who was in her first job after college (and learning the biotech world as fast as she could), they were also apprehensive and maybe a little scared. Their experiences during these transitions were extremely important. It was worth the time and energy to meet them in person and be a part of this critical time/experience.
“Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.”
The true focus came while in the airport heading back to Florida August 31st. Wrapping up a whirlwind month of truly inspiring meetings, I had a call with a candidate who was making the decision to take the VP role we had sought her out for. We talked, she was anxious and excited but also a bit scared. Rightfully so! She was leaving a role she liked, a team she knew, and a company that felt safe. But we both knew it was time to move on and experience a new adventure. I’d been talking to her for about 6 weeks and many hours while on my cross-country adventures. She always apologized for taking up my time, but I assured her this was my job, that her experience during this transition was the most important thing to me.
“And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed).”
When I got off the phone, I realized that whether it’s your first job out of college, a switch in industry, or even your 10th job getting promoted to VP, it’s the experience you have before, during, and after your first day that makes the difference. At GForce we take extra time to slow the process down to make sure we aren’t just your recruiter for this role but rather your career coach.
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So….get on your way!”
Before my “new job” August 1st, I was apprehensive, but by September 1st I was ready to take on the world. I hope each and every one of our candidates, coworkers, and clients gets this same experience from GForce each and every time.
Oh the places you’ll go!
We have helped numerous candidates get connected to clients in Biotech across the US in roles in Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs etc. Think of GForce when you are seeking a 1st class experience.