I’ve started my new position as a financial controller.

Yes, at long last I found a job.  It all started in a professional networking group meeting at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Meridian office.  I had been trying to find employment for nearly 2 1/2 years when I started attending professional networking meetings in Meridian.  Then I started attending the Boise meetings.  I joined the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, attended Boise Metro Conversations and Boise Business After Hours.  I was introduced to people who invited me to networking meetings.  I attended as many networking meetings as I could on a regular basis.  I provided as many leads as I could in these meetings, making referrals whenever possible.  I volunteered at a non-profit and made a number of connections through that experience.

At one of my networking meetings someone suggested that I check with Sorrento Lactalis.  I realized I had a contact at this company and actually ran into my contact the next day.  As luck would have it, they posted a position within a short period after I made the connection.  My contact found me my first face-to-face interview in nearly three years.  After four phone interviews and one panel interview, I learned after two months I was a finalist for this position and was told a decision would be made between me and one other person the following week.

I made another contact through another networking meeting.  This contact was actually Stacy Harshman, the guest speaker at a professional networking group.  I opted to use her for a mock interview.  She had met the HR Manager at Syringa Networks at a meeting right before we scheduled a mock interview.  Stacy told the HR manager she knew someone (me) w the qualifications for the position they were trying to fill.  I had seen the job posting that morning as well.  She helped me with a resume and cover letter for Syringa Networks.  This cover letter got me a face-to-face interview with Syringa Networks within a week of my first interview with Sorrento Lactalis.  The CFO is still mentioning my cover letter.  After 2 months had passed I was called back for a second interview at Syringa Networks.  After five interviews spread across four hours I received an offer and began working less than two weeks later.

So I can honestly say that networking played a huge role in helping me find employment.  The fellowship and camaraderie I experienced in professional networking meetings helped build my self confidence and enabled me to do things I never envisioned.  I was told at Syringa they were only interested in hiring extroverts, so as a self-proclaimed introvert I even amazed myself.

I want to thank all of the Department of Labor personnel who helped me along the way as well as my fellow professional networking group participants.  I wish you all the luck in the world in your endeavors.  Feel free to stay in touch, connect through LinkedIn.  I will continue to keep you in mind when I hear of positions.

Sincerely,

Laurie Harada
Financial Controller
Syringa Networks, LLC