Cassandra, Samuel, Ben, Ilana and and Kiri at home in Svarttjärn: "On the other hand is a chance to do something really exciting in a working environment I've missed ever since I left it. Back then, I wanted to be more present as a father, but now the children are older, and the situation is different."
Week 5
Monday
Life can be a rollercoaster of ups, downs, lefts, and rights. The week starts off on an upward trajectory with an Instagram DM and a phone call, both offering job opportunities!
The DM is from an old friend and ex-colleague who follows my social media posts. I've been making videos about being laid off as another way to advertise myself to anyone checking me out. He's looking for someone to work freelance with him. When we worked together, we were technicians, but my friend has now grown to become a manager in another organisation. This job would involve European travel and a return to a past life in motorsport. Later in the afternoon comes a call from a job agency I applied through.
They call to tell me that the specific job I applied for is already taken, but they have something else, and they ask how I feel about it. It's not the usual type of job I'd apply for, but I believe you have to be prepared to be flexible. I also believe that one thing can lead to another, and opportunities can be found in the strangest of places.
Another huge win is that this phone call is taken entirely in Swedish. Of course, it probably wasn't perfect, and I had to ask for a few things to be repeated, but this is exactly what I've been hoping for: someone to see that I can understand and speak enough that the language isn't a barrier to the skills, experience, and personality I can offer.
Tuesday
Interview day! One of the good things about being laid off is that I'm always free, and we waste no time meeting up in the city to discuss the potential job.
The interview brings ups and downs and a big decision. The "ups" are that I conducted most of it in Swedish and put what I've been learning in classes to good use. The job is available, and I can start as soon as next week!
The "downs," however, are that this job is only guaranteed until August, as the new owners are moving production south. Secondly, with the motorsport opportunity in the works, do I take the risk and wait to see if that materialises?
Wednesday
Deep discussions are underway with the family as we try to figure out the best path and which opportunity I should follow. The chance to work away is something that would impact the entire family, so this isn't a decision I can make alone.
Thursday
My mind is still spinning. On one hand, there's an opportunity to work and, with it, perhaps create something positive, either with the company hiring or the agency. But the work situation after August is unclear at this time.
On the other hand is a chance to do something really exciting in a working environment I've missed ever since I left it. Back then, I wanted to be more present as a father, but now the children are older, and the situation is different.
It feels counter-intuitive to turn down a job, even though the uncertainty loom over it. Could this be the only job offer I get for the next six months? Will I look back and wish I took it, or will it not matter as I look down on Skellefteå from the plane en route to my next motorsport venue? One opportunity is in hand; the other is further away, as we're only talking. What's the right decision? Someone once said to me, "Not every opportunity is the right opportunity," and those words have never rung truer than now.
Friday
It's early morning, and as usual, I'm at the desk on the hunt for jobs. I call the agency and, still with a slight sense of anxiety, turn down the offer. I explain my concerns and reasons, and it's received with understanding—so much so that we talk about some other jobs I've applied for through the same agency, and I receive a promise that my name will be discussed internally with the colleagues dealing with them.
Word travels fast, and later in the day, I receive a call from said colleague for another interview set for next week.
It feels like the tide is turning, and my hopes of getting that chance to show someone in person who I am are working out. Now I need to wait and be patient, but for a different reason: will the chance to rekindle an old flame light up, or will I find an exciting opportunity here in Skellefteå?
This week has been no less stressful than previous weeks, but I can say that this week presented "good problems." I just hope that the risk I've taken will be the right choice. Was that the peak of my job hunting? I cannot look back now with regrets, and I enter the weekend excited and begin preparations for next week's interview.