My friend N and I recently had a “wraparound” conversation…it started out on one topic, wrapped around another, AND even wrapped around to another day.

After being on “vacay” for the last 10 months (WOW, has it been that long??), I decided to wade back into the waters of Corporate America, see what was what. So, last month, I polished up my resume and floated it over the horizon. I’ve gotten more nibbles than I was expecting. I had two interviews today with two follow-ups on later this week. Honestly? I think I could have a new gig by next week. (Yea me! …I think)

Monday night, my convo with N centered around “remember when you were dating XYZ?”. He happened to run into someone he dated years ago. Can I tell ya’ll something? She DEFINITELY was NOT for him. Seriously. Something was not right about her. Took him a while to see it but when that chick flipped? Dude was out of there so fast, he set the air on fire. So I’m laughing at him when he brings up MY “XYZ”. I thought he was a decent guy; he was funny, attentive, etc. N was like, “Um…Dude was also shady as hell. He answered EVERY question like he was thinking up a lie.” LOL WTH? LOL N said, “Jaizy, if you asked Dude how he was doing, he would go ‘Huh? Whatchu say? Um, how am I doing?’ like he needed time to think up an answer.”

I hadn’t really noticed that. But I did notice some other things which is why I stopped seeing him. N’s point was it took me too dayum long to see that I could do better.

*Sigh*

What does this have to do with my job search? Hang on. Dang! I’m tryna paint a picture here.

After revising my resume and posting it to some job boards, etc., I was pleasantly surprised by inquiries I received - the volume, the TYPES of inquiries, the locations, etc. So when we talked the other night, I was feeling myself to a degree, singing, “This is why I’m hot, this is why I’m hot…this is why…this is why…this is why I’m hot!” (I know. I need therapy. Um, MORE therapy.) Some of the jobs are things I’m really NOT interested in - I’m qualified, just not interested - but many of them are viable. Hence, my rendition of “This is why I’m hot”.

During a phone interview with a headhunter Monday, salary came up. Based on the job he’s pushing, I give him a range. Yesterday, I met with a different headhunter and she quoted her client’s salary to me. (DAYUM!! I’m trying sooooo hard not to be dazzled by the $$ but again I say to you, D-A-Y-U-M!!). There’s a GI-NORMOUS disparity between the 2nd salary and what I made at “Da Place” (I’d love to feign surprise but I’ve ALWAYS known I was underpaid. Still. DAYUM!!). There was also a noticeable difference between salaries offered for both prospective jobs. I’d like to think it’s because one is non-profit. *shrug*

When I told N the range I gave for the first job, he was mor-ti-fied. I do know that I probably would never have asked for the salary offered at interview #2. Do I think I’m worth that? Yes. Does my resume/work history support that? Yes.

So why wouldn’t I have asked for it? That was N’s question to me.

Ready for the wraparound?

He said to me, “You’ve never known your real value. You always sell yourself short.”

Suddenly I’m not sure if we’re still talking about the potential job…or…something else….