“Find a job? I have one” read the e-mail’s subject line.

I opened the e-mail from one of my mentors to find her informing me of a job opening within her company. The details of the position fit almost all the criteria I wanted in a job out of school. Only catch? I already have a great job that I’ve just gotten settled into.

People constantly tell me that obtaining a job is all about good timing and the people you know. As someone who likes to feel my previous work actually serves a purpose, I try to deny this notion.

Yet I probably would have never heard of the opening at my mentor’s company if she didn’t e-mail me. Check on the who you know part. Mentors are very key in establishing a career.

And a definite check on the good timing part. If only this position had become available a few months prior or months down the road. Then I’d be interested. But right now is horrible timing for me.

I still stand by the fact that your work history has a factor. Just because my mentor had this opening, she didn’t have to tell me about it. Hopefully my dedication to top-notch work has been noticed. Now it’s a matter of keeping up with contacts for the future and praying for better timing on the next opportunity.