It took me 2 years to win a conversation that transformed my career decision & my entire professional life.

There's this managing director of a global company (one of the 3 Big global consulting firms) that I started following up on linkedIn in 24th August, 2016. Yes! I wanted to work as a business consultant then!

He only responded to my chat that same day with a link & his staff's email address via which I could apply for the role.

I did, but my application turned out unsuccessful. I went back to chat him that I have applied but it turned out unsuccessful again, like that was the 6th time his company had rejected my job applications. But unfortunately, he snubbed me. (Yes! I thought he did).

Still in August 2016 precisesly on 28th August; I was practicing a market sizing case study interview question & felt excited to have broken down a business case analysis by myself, because I needed him to see my improvements, I shared my analysis requesting for his review & comment. He snubbed me!

In April 17, 2017; I reintroduced myself to him again to inform him about my inspirational women empowerment Ebook (titled: "Glow like Moon With The Lady With Focus") which I which I wrote & released for free. I wanted him to acknowledge my accomplishments, hence I requested for his email so I could share my ebook with him but he snubbed me!

In May 3 - 7, 2017; I chatted him to inform him that I've realized my best career path in marketing & branding and have come to understand that I am best for Public relation instead of overall business consulting. But he snubbed me!

In June 17, 2017; I COMPLAINED! Yes, I complained about how he had been READING and SNUBBING my chat for over 1 year requesting him to ignore my low status & humbly give me an attention atlease! But He snubbed me!

So I decided to stop chatting him directly. I began to build my reputation on linkedIn with my daily influential business & career posts, knowing fully well that he would be seeing those posts via his news feeds.

But in February 16 2018, I CHATTED HIM AGAIN! This time around, I promised him never to ask for a job again but simply his humble friendship. I reminded him how he had been continously snubbing me for 2 years, what I had been doing to become better & how I had finally realized my best career path in Marketing and branding.

Guess what he did; HE APOLOGIZED!!!

He apologized for snubbing me since 2016 & requested to have a 1-on-1 INFORMAL chat with me. I was astonished! I couldn't even believe myself having a meeting with him!! Seriously, he really fixed a meeting date...

I prepared for the informal meeting as if I was preparing for a lifetime interview that would possibly lead me to heaven! I memorized my responses to whatsoever interview question he could've asked especially my first response to his; "TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF" question.

I gave myself the best make-up & dressed with a new official corporate wear which I particularly bought for that meeting. Infact, I was ready never to miss an opportunity like such.

On that day, I smiled into the company's conference room waiting for him to meet my smiles with shyness all over me but still eagerly ready to introduce myself to him.

As soon as he entered, he offered me a coffee but due to nervousness, I couldn't take even water. I was waiting to respond to his "TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF" question...

But instead, I got astonished when he said:

"JOSEPHINE, I KNOW YOU VERY WELL"...

At first, I couldn't get that point but I suddenly became dumbfounded as I listened to him saying;

"Yes, I know you. Or do you think I had really been snubbing you for 2 years? No, instead I read & followed your updates while smiling at you. Whenever you see your intelligent post, I smile & say to myself; JOE HAS POSTED AGAIN! Even before you realized your best career fit, I had already understood what's best for you. Joe, you're good, passionate, intelligent, optimistic but very aggressive. YOU ARE AGGRESSIVE, JOE!! I am happy you've realized that your best career path lies in Marketing & communication and that's exactly what suit you best! I mean you're not an anyhow job seeker because you only go for what you're passionate about, and so even if we give you a job in this company, you'll still leave within a short while no matter how huge we might pay. Do you know why? Because Marketing & Communication is not the major focus in this company. You either need a company with laser focus in marketing or you build your own marketing brand.

Joe! Your passion solely lies in Marketing & Technology, so I will help you build it. Whether you want to join a fortune company with focus in marketing or you want to build your own marketing brand, I will be here to influence your passion & support you career-wise."

INSTANTLY I GAINED ALL THE CONFIDENCE TO MAKE MY CAREER DECISION PROPER & FEARLESSLY!

Because that was what I had always wanted, so I decided to build my own marketing brand on that day. Since then everything about my career transformed. Today, I am one of recognised digital marketing influencer & one of the sought-out marketing professional in Nigeria. I have built both a name for myself as a marketing expert and a brand for my business as a marketing technology company in Nigeria, making money from both.

Infact, you can learn more about me on google. Search for "JOSEPHINE UBA" to read my profile or visit my digital marketing blog.

Wrapping my story up; I would rather advice: DON'T BE TOO QUICK TO CONCLUDE ON YOUR AMBITIOUS ENDEAVOURS & NEVER EVER GIVE-UP. When you continue to retry, you continue to learn as you continue to re-adjust until you finally win.