It's been a while since i posted my cliff-hanger....Almost 2 months. But, I have a reason for being quiet for the last almost 60 days...I've just been too busy!
My cliff hanger was that I was leaving the Hartford after almost 7 years. My boss, who I appreciated and valued (still do, hes just not my boss anymore), left HIG, and there were some changes that were starting to make me uncomfortable in general. however, despite that, I was hesitant to leave HIG. I grew up in the organization and had scrapped just to get where I was....
I was approached in mid-January from a competitor that there was several openings that I may be curious about. That being said, I originally had no intention of leaving, but wanted to explore other opportunities just the same. I wanted to see what was out there, and see if I could grow futher in my career. I doubt that people generally choose that insurance will be their career, but I seem to have done that, and I think that its a good place for me to be. Anyway, several interviews later (about 13 hours worth), I was made an offer to go to the "evil red umbrella" competitor, and I accepted. I was to start on April 2. However, despite my best intentions to do the right thing to my home away from home (HIG), I ended up leaving there on the 16th of March, and started at Travelers on the 26th of March. Luckily, however, I was joined by some very good company, and my former colleague (boss, really, after my original boss left in Janaury) came too, and my original boss (who left in janaury) was already intrenched in the company.
Do I miss HIG? Sure. I miss the people. I miss the products that I grew up with, and knew backwards and forwards. THere is a certain amount of comfort in knowing the what, the where, and more importantly, the who to go to when you aren't 100% sure. I would be lying if I said that I didnt miss knowing the job and the products and the people. I miss the people that I know. thankfully, I have been able to keep in touch with most of them. I miss the company, although i do not miss the uncertainty that I feel/felt. I still feel a twinge of it, because, obviously, I'm invested in the company (my (sometimes) better half still works there), and I want the company to succeed. I just want to succed more. Its that competitive streak that I want to be sure that we are #1 or #2 in an agents office. I felt the same competitive streak at HIG. Now its just for a different carrier.
I should clarify....I miss some of the people. I do not miss having to defend myself that I was "just from service". I do not miss the cliques and snottiness that a lot of people exuded at HIG. I always felt like I was never one of the popular kids, and that I never truly belonged.
However, I love my new role. Well, love might be a little strong, just because I am not fully comfortable yet. I am still learning the role, the customs, the culture. I'm learning about the product, whereas before I knew it probably better than most. I may have been learning Product Management, but I knew the process and the product inside and out. I'm a little out of my element at TRV just because I do not know any of the above. The hardest part is that I do not know the culture.
For example, i want to say that men have it very easy when they are getting dressed. A button down or polo shirt, slacks, shoes, and out the door. A woman's clothing is much more involved. What kind of shirt is appropriate? What types of shoes? I have learned, quickly, that open toed shoes, of any variety, (with the exception of peep toe) are unacceptable in product management at TRV. That sucks. I have gorgeous wedges. That being said, heels are good, the higher the better. No wonder my feet hurt at the end of the day. Slacks are fine. i can get away with khakis once a week. So, I have invested in many button down shirts and short sleeved sweaters, and still wonder if I'm dressed appropriately, or if I'm sticking out like a sore thumb as the new kid. And worse, the fat new kid. ARGH. Its a daily battle. Oh, and no jeans fridays. That is depressing. Maybe once the United Way thing comes through....
Anyway, as I start my 5th week at TRV, I'm hoping that I at least am up to their expectations...here's to hoping....
