Timeline for My First Librarian Job Search

[published in 2023 and backdated to a relevant time when I had all this perspective]
May 2013: graduated with my shiny new MLIS

August 2013: applied to city public library for Librarian I position (I believe they open the pool at two times during the year, so this was the first opportunity)

October 2013: received notification of appointment time for oral exam

November 2013: oral exam with two panelists (very awkward)

December 2013: notified of exam score and ranking by email - I am "in the pool"
"Successful applicants who qualify and participate in the respective stages of the exam process will be ranked and placed on an active eligible list of candidates. An eligible list remains active for a minimum time period of one year and is regulated by the City of Oakland's Civil Service Rules. When a vacancy occurs while you are ranked on an active eligible list, you may be called to interview for that specific position."

January 2014: started working on new project at current company (where I've been working since 2007) and began exploring opportunities with the department that is in charge of that project

May 2014: officially transferred to new department with current employer as a salaried employee, after negotiating a substantial raise; started socking away 15% into my 401(k) in anticipation of potential career change and pay cut within 1-2 years

October 2014: received a small cost-of-living salary increase after annual review, along with notification that the company would offer a 4% 401(k) match in 2015

mid-October 2014: closed escrow on our first home, in East Oakland; began repairs and minor renovations

November 2014 (yes, nearly a year later): received an email from City HR titled "Are you interested?" that informed me of a vacancy at a branch very close to our new house and invited me to interview

November-December 2014: 

• accepted offer of interview
• waited a full month for interview to be scheduled
• got an interview packet via email (included job description, pay schedule, 
• contacted potential references (including previous boss at current company)
• filled out reference sheet and other forms
• was notified of interview date/time

end of December 2014: 

• turned in reference sheet and interviewed with 3 panelists, then went on holiday break
• visited library branch to view the space (hardly any patron traffic during school vacation)
• moved into the new house

beginning of January 2015: received phone call and email from hiring manager asking me to visit the branch site during a normal after-school event; hiring manager contacted my references (who all told me it sounded good)

January 2015, in rapid succession: 

• visited the branch and spoke with several staff members about the job and their experiences at this branch; interacted with middle schoolers briefly
• was informed with a smile that a decision would be made sometime that week
• received offer of promotion at current job (eek!) and asked for a little time to stall think over the details
• explained new urgency to hiring manager and City HR
• discussed terms of "contingent offer" before it could officially be extended
• researched City benefits (medical/dental/vision for me and spouse, pension with mandatory 8% employee contribution, 457(b) w/ no employer match, same pre-tax transit account)
• my wife gave notice at her job (unrelated to my job search, but wasn't it all happening at once?)
• asked HR at current job about insurance coverage after an employee leaves company and whether a dependent leaving her job classified as a Qualifying Life Event

February 2015:

• Received and accepted formal offer from the library (over the phone)
• Gave notice to my manager and then to HR
• Got a copy of the job offer (via email) for my files