How to get the job of your dreams

Never let go of your dreams.

On Saturday I was elected as NCT President. It’s a role I’ve been thinking about and dreaming about for many years. It finally came true.

It wasn’t a straight line from “Yes I want this role” to “Yes I have this role“.

There have been many twists and turns. I first ran in 2015 and was unsuccessful that year.

However I truly believed I could be a good President. And I absolutely believe in this charity and what we do.

My husband has joked for years that I’m NCT to my bones.

Though unsuccessful as President in 2015, instead I took on a part-time role for NCT working as a Baby Cafe Trainer. When I say part-time, I really do mean part-time. It was 2 days a month and then was increased to 3 days a month.

Then in December 2017 I saw THE most amazing job advertised at NCT: User Engagement Lead on NCT’s biggest ever digital transformation project.

Well I say ‘biggest ever’ but their only ever digital transformation project.

This role was perfect. Combining my love for the charity with my specialist talents in communication and engagement. Bringing together my passion for helping people get the most out of technology.

I was SO convinced I was the right person for the role. I blush now when I think about how assertive I was in the interview:

“I don’t care who else you’ve interviewed, there is nobody else who will do as good a job as me, and who has the same unique combination of experience as volunteer, practitioner and technologist“.

It worked.

I got the job.

And I put The Confident Mother on semi-sabbatical.

Like all major technology projects, it turned out to be more complex and made progress at a slower pace than initially anticipated.

I also had the pleasure (yes really for me it was pleasure) of coordinating the charity’s GDPR efforts last year.

What was so valuable about the role is that it gave me the opportunity to work alongside the staff in Bristol and London, as well as get to know the volunteers and practitioners.

And then … the opportunity to run again as NCT President. I didn’t know what to do. It’s an obvious conflict of interest to be a staff member AND a trustee.

I talked to friends. I talked to my director. I talked to my family.

This might be the last time I would have the opportunity. It filled me with fear and also excitement.

It was with heavy heart that I submitted my application to run for NCT President, knowing I’d have to resign from my staff position.

Then finally on Saturday, the election results were announced.

I am NCT’s newly elected President. (Watch my acceptance speech here).

Which goes to prove that when you really want something, keep going.

Stay strong. Be determined.

Brush yourself down and pick yourself up when things don’t go the way you want the first, second or third time ….

Take on board the learnings then try, try, and try again.

Never let go of your dreams. Never stop taking action.