A moment to breathe

For now, I can somewhat exhale.  I started a temp position this past week - interviewed last Friday; was told I had the job on Monday afternoon and started Tuesday morning.  As of the next three months, it's an hourly-paid position, at which time, it could go permanent.  It wouldn't be exactly as much as I had been making - less, actually - but it would be a solid salary and could lead to other opportunities.  Certainly, in the very brief time I've been here, the people are very nice - this is a different atmosphere than I have been used to over the last several years - and that is a welcome change.  

I've thought back over some of the jobs I've had and tried to understand why I wind up being the odd man out.  Sometimes, it's numbers - I get it.  Especially in a volatile climate, like we're in now.  Sometimes, it's the nature of the industry - like when I was in music.  It was frequent and it made things uncomfortable on a fairly regular basis.  Sometimes, it's mismanagement - when the powers that be really don't know what they want or what they're doing.  Regardless, I feel that I'm at that point of just listen, take notes, comply and be collegial - don't be any more than I am now.  Don't try to "fit" the atmosphere (like the record company days) - just breathe and pay attention.  

I don't know where this current position will go, but it would certainly be nice to have a solid paycheck and working with (so far) very nice people.  I don't need to be any loftier than that.  If something permanent were to come along, I would weigh it.  As it is, I've had numerous interviews over these last two weeks (and even prior to then) and they're all either trying to low-ball the salary or hem and haw.  Now I know why people have a defensiveness towards headhunters/recruiters - it's all smoke and mirrors and inevitably, they overplay their hand.  

While the agency that landed me this job was expeditious, I do think it's interesting that somehow, more agencies aren't as intensely driven to place people.  And - in a kind-of-funny twist, the only other time I got a job through an agency was Atlantic Records - who hired me the day I after I began as a temp.  A simple "you know, after one day, we really like you and want to know if you'd be interested in staying permanently" and that was it.  

In any event, I'm mildly relieved for the moment.  Taking the small pleasures in good people, great office atmosphere and convenient location - I'll take it.