I turned 40 in November. It was a big, scary number and I honestly felt some trepidation while I was approaching it. On the surface, I tried to show that it wasn’t a big deal and that I was embracing it. But every once in a while, doubts would arise.
Now that it’s come and gone, I have noticed a few physical changes. My eyesight has gotten slightly, but noticeably, worse. The Vancouver winter has made my skin a bit drier. The wrinkles and laugh lines are more prominent. Indulging and eating a less healthy meal affects me more.
That scary number 40 has kicked me in the butt to take charge of my life. I started running a couple of years ago. Prior to that, I wouldn’t even run 1km without having to stop. I’ve now participated in two sprint triathlons and did the Vancouver BMO Half Marathon last year. I’m eating a lot better and am, in general, trying to take a more positive outlook on life.
I’ve noticed some changes from a career perspective as well. Because of the philosophies we instilled at SIGnature Recruiting, I am excited and proud to go to the office and work with the group of people I am working with. My teammates are looking more to me for mentorship and not only am I enjoying that role, I love the fact that I can learn from them as well. Our wonderful clients see us as partners and experts in the Vancouver IT recruiting industry as opposed to when I was younger and we would just be another vendor. They come to us when they need advice on employer branding or strategies on how to attract the best software engineers. And we have received more referrals than we ever did before when I was younger from our network of clients and candidates because our network trusts that we’ll take good care of them.
Is this just because of my age, that I’ve been around the block? I’d like to think that I’ve learned from some of my shortcomings and mistakes I made when I was younger. If only I knew what I know now, back then!
The ironic thing is, leading up to November, the topic would come up and I’d whisper, “I’m turning 40 in November.” Since then, I will voluntarily and proudly say, “I turned 40 in November!”
Written by:
Rachel Shen
Managing Director, SIGnature Recruiting
