You prepare well for the second interview with hopes raised. Even so, with sought-after senior positions, you know you will be up against other well qualified, capable applicants trying for the job.
To eventually receive a "thank you but no thank you" is naturally disappointing. And it hurts. For a little while at least. But you get over it. And surprisingly quickly. I ended up thinking "their loss" and just moved on.
With the job that I missed out on I'm now thankful I wasn't successful. I got to know the man who headed me off. A really nice person. He left the job after 12 months. Three people were recruited for that job in five years. That tells you something.
Apparently the board didn't know, or was reluctant to acknowledge, there is clear demarcation between governance and management. A competent chief executive knows the difference and will not tolerate any blurring of lines. I wouldn't have lasted 12 months either.
Three years ago Noeline Taurua must have been bitterly disappointed when she was overlooked as coach of the Silver Ferns.
Janine Southby got the job instead. You hear all sorts of reasons why Noeline didn't get the job.
The whole country expected it and she would have too. Noeline had to suck it up with the whole country watching. Maybe in the end she just thought "stuff you".
And we were. Big time as it turned out. She didn't sit around moping, didn't have to. Skilled people are always in demand.
In Noeline's case Australia benefited. There she successfully coached and guided the Sunshine Coast Lightning to back to back titles in Australia's Super Netball League. They also had multiple wins against other countries.
New Zealand on the other hand has fared badly. Gone off the boil completely. The great thing for Noeline is she's very much wanted now.
I hope her employment contract recognises what she brings to the job and that she's paid accordingly.
Don't forget we have a significant gender pay gap in New Zealand. And she's got to pull the Silver Ferns back from the brink.
Her job won't be easy but I have no doubt she's up to it. She has the confidence of the board and the players respect her as a former player and captain.
I watched her being interviewed on TV shortly after her appointment was announced. She did say she is returning home with additional skills gained while in Australia.
Those skills not only served Australia well but can now do the same for us. So it appears it may have been a question of timing all along.
Timing or not, welcome home Noeline. All the best in your new job. We are right behind you.
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is a Rotorua district councillor, Lakes District Health Board member and chairs the North Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart political correctness.
