From A to Z, start to finish, below you'll find the order of events that brought me to where I am now...
Month of April: Applied to various postings with the Government of Nunavut, various mines and organizations.
May 4th, 2011: Applied to the North West Company.
May 10th, 2011: Phone call from an HR representative of the North West Company, inviting me to an information session on the other side of the city.
May 17th, 2011: Information session, followed by an abilities test and an interview.
May 30th, 2011: Followed up with North West, told I'd receive more information next week.
June 6th, 2011: First offer of a position in Northern Ontari0. Currently researching the area, deciding... :)
June 9th, 2011: After much thought and consideration, first offer declined. Nunavut is holding my heart with a little more grip than I initially thought... North West has advised that they have put me back on the list, for Nunavut only.
June 17th, 2011: Waiting...somewhat patiently. Hopeful disposition: lowering. Nervous energy, anxiety, list of questions: rising...
July 4th, 2011: Received a call from an employee at North West, asking if I'd be willing to have a room-mate (yes), and if I was bringing any pets (no).
July 12th, 2011: After a week of crossed fingers, I called back the employee that had contacted me on July 4th. He re-confirmed my information (I've decided it's "Nunavut or bust"), and asked how short notice I could go on (prefer at least a month, but I'd consider leaving in 3 weeks should I be propositioned with such an offer). He reminded me that they meet with the operations department every Monday, and said he'd keep me on his list... Told me to check in again if I don't hear anything in a week or two. Lord knows I will!
July 29th, 2011: Spoke to same employee - apparently they're still "waiting on housing". *sigh* My day will come, eventually... Applied/inquired about a few more government positions, but they're all geared towards hiring those already in the community (as it should be), so I'm not really holding my breath, y'know? Still - you never know.
August 6th, 2011: While perusing the interwebs, I came across a posting for a civilian job, working at CFS Alert in Nunavut. Google "Alert, Nunavut", and zoom out. Yes, there. Don't worry, I still have all my marbles - they're just slightly scattered. The position actually closed on Friday (August 5th), but I've applied anyway.
August 7th, 2011: Woke up to an email asking me to fill out a security clearance form, as the "first step" in the hiring process. I won't detail any more of the hiring process (I have no idea what it entails at this point anyway), as it's with a government contracted company.... I've hit the first step - hopefully good luck keeps on comin'.
August 8th, 2011: As another Monday goes by, another operations meeting at North West passes... Still no word - no updates, nothing. This waiting thing is the pits. I'm starting to get really nervous - I'm afraid that they won't want to move anyone north during the harsher winter months....hopefully I'm wrong.
August 29th, 2011: Spoke to my contact at North West again, after two and a half weeks of phone tag - seems they're hoping for confirmation regarding housing this week, and hope to contact myself/others regarding the position next week. Fingers crossed that next Monday will be the Monday of good news!!!
September, 2011: Housing issues seem to be causing the delay - hopefully they will finalize something soon, I'm going out of my mind with impatience!
October 3rd, 2011: THE CALL. I'm moving to Iqaluit. I'M MOVING TO IQALUIT. Hasn't sunk in yet... Finally, after 16 years of dreaming, I get to see the true north. Wish me luck!!
Month of October through early November: Paranoid preperation. I've managed to find pretty much everything I was looking for, visited with almost everyone I could schedule in (for those I missed, I'm sorry :( ), and made it to Nova Scotia in one piece to visit family. I head to Ottawa tomorrow (11/6) and Iqaluit on Monday (11/7)!
November 7th: I made it! Check out my blog posts to see what I'm up to!
Wow, perserverence at its finest. I would have given up. I can however, assure you that they were being honest about the "housing" problems. So glad you got your chance.
ReplyDeleteIt was incredibly frustrating, but I can be very determined when I want something to happen...I think my constant nagging finally made them realize that I was serious. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad too!! The excitement is just starting to kick in - the more I accomplish, the closer it feels.