One inspiring miracle story in these uncertain times
By: Anastasia Vestfal
Tags: Adobe, Books, Product Management, Covid 19, Product Manager

It’s been exactly a month since I started working at Adobe.com as a Product Manager, International Strategy for Creative Cloud.

It was a miracle how I got this job since I was one of the very last hires due to the COVID-19 hiring freeze.

I was beyond excited to join the world’s most creative company and work at its inspiring offices with a brilliant team, and couldn’t wait to get started! But then the coronavirus pandemic hit the Bay Area and I had to work from home from the very first day… and this week I’ve been told that it might take months until we can safely return to the office again!

Here is a timeline of how I almost lost my dream job opportunity:

NYE 2020 — I made a wish to find a job I love

Jan 15 — I got referred for a Product Management position for International Market Expansion

Jan 20 — my resume got shortlisted

Jan 30 — Feb 27 — a series of interviews with a lot of preparation (see below a list of books that helped me successfully land a PM job in tech)

My Top Books to Ace a PM Interview

Feb 27 — one hour after my final interview I got an offer which I gladly accepted without any hesitation!

Feb 28 — March 19 — after endless back-and-forth emails, I got the sad news that it is not clear if I could start the job due to the unexpectedly delayed background check and no response from Chile (one of the places I’ve lived in the past 7 years)

March 20 — I called the background screening company to inform them about an official announcement by the Chilean government about the closure that morning… And after listening to me for some time and a long pause, they stated: my background has been finally completed in Chile!

March 21 — I received my work MacBook and everything I need to work from home (thanks to my hiring manager who was very proactive in getting me started with the right tools ASAP)

March 23 — my official first day started at the company I am so passionate about (I can barely express how excited I was to wake up at 6am for my first EMEA meeting that day!)

This brief post can hardly describe the effort, tension, and faith it took to get the whole thing resolved. I still can hardly believe that despite all odds my dream has eventually become true! I feel so fortunate to be able to get a job I love during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

The only thing that may explain this miracle when I look back is the famous quote by Paulo Coelho from The Alchemist: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Some things in life are out of our control. No matter what we face during these challenging times, I hope this story could inspire you to keep believing in the bright future ahead and not being afraid to dream despite how bad the situation may be seen now.

Stay safe. Stay positive. Keep believing.

In case you are interested about the books on the picture above, here is the list of My Top Books to Ace a PM Interview:

Books by Jackie Bavaro and Gayle Laakmann McDowell

Books by Lewis C. Lin 🦊

Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love by Marty Cogan

The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries