Shoes are a lifesaver...

I FIND myself the new girl at the 'office' again this week. Twice in as many months. Only my new employment isn't the usual one I go for. It's as diverse as it can get.

Unhappy in my former role as a graphic designer at a local publishing company for one reason or another, I was coming home each night after a long days' work and searching the job websites for alternative roles.
I really wanted part time and I really wanted a job that I didn't dread going into each day. I've never been a clock-watcher but in the office job, this is exactly what I found myself doing. Willing the hours away until morning break. Praying for the clock to speed up for lunch and then so much looking forward to the strike of 5.30pm when I was bolting out the door, into the car and on the freeway back to Mornington and the boys in my life.

No sooner had I got home and had some dinner with them and it was pretty much time for their spellings practice and then bed. I just wasn't seeing them and I wasn't happy. I was exhausting the websites for an alternative office job. One receptionist role required the candidate to be fluent in Mandarin and another had to hold a forklift driving licence. I'm no stranger to multi-tasking but forklift driving while answering the phone in a business suit? Please.

So, husband suggested I tap in 'retail' as part of the search. With nothing to lose, I followed his advice and stumbled across a job that had my name written all over it.

It was local. It was part time. It was a better hourly rate. It offered commission. And it was every woman's dream ... in a shoe shop. This is such a diverse change for me. I've always felt comfortable in the confines of an office but it was more than time for a change and this opportunity was irresistible.

On the Wednesday, I sent over my resume and crossed my fingers. On the Thursday, I took a phone call asking to meet with the boss. On the Friday, we met and on the Saturday the doorbell at home rang and standing there, clutching flowers and a card, was one of my new colleagues. Although I didn't know this until I opened the card which contained the job offer. I was overwhelmed, delighted, relieved, over the moon and flattered.

To be taken on in the world of retail with absolutely no experience is gratifying. I'm no stranger to shopping and have spent countless hours on the other side of the counter but I've always been the one putting in the PIN number. But now it's my turn to see it from the other side. Having a nice boss speaks volumes in my book and loyalty works both ways.

I have a good feeling about this...