As you may notice, the previous post on this blog was an announcement for a job opening here at Anvil. Well guess who you are talking to now? That’s right, my name is Jeff and I am one of the new hires here at what I truly believe is world class search engine marketing agency.
The last thirty days have been a roller coaster of learning new skills, meeting new people, overcoming challenges, and getting adjusted to my first ever ‘big boy’ job. I wanted to take a little bit of time to share with you all just what it has been like joining Anvil at such an exciting time, even with all of the freshman hazing going on around the office.
Now when I speak of hazing, I am clearly speaking about my first couple of days on the job, where I was welcomed with an absolute barrage of, you guessed it, open arms. Being nervous is a trait common with many first days on the job and because of the personal investment I made in getting this one, my nerves were absolutely all over the place when I first stepped in the door. It didn’t take long for my nerves to calm and my emotions to become more excited than anything else.
I was greeted by a coffee and bagel social where each team member took the time to introduce themselves and go out of the way to ensure I wasn’t overwhelmed. Not to be pessimistic or anything, but I was fully expecting to be placed at a desk in the corner and looked at awkwardly while I received monotone training from a disinterested person who was being forced to interact with me.
Is it sad that this is what I expected?
Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but I was not expecting the entire organization to go out of its way to make Nate, the other new hire, and me feel so incredibly welcome to Anvil. It was a perfect start.
Another aspect of the job that I really appreciate thus far is the fact that Anvil literally threw me right in to the fire. What better way is there to learn than to be handed a solid chunk of responsibility right off the bat? Before my first week was finished I had almost finished a fifty two slide audit and started on another. Eventually these audits turned in to effective presentations and before the first month was over I was already feeling a strong sense of accomplishment, while still being aware that I had a long way to go.
Let me take this opportunity to continue ranting, as I need to step in and mention the reasons why I targeted Anvil as a place of employment to begin with. Before I moved to Portland I was in the great state of Indiana just getting acquainted with search marketing, with a heavy focus on link building. It quickly became evident to me that I was trapped in a narrow funnel within the big picture that is search marketing. My desire grew to become exposed to the industry as a whole, and a major challenge was tracking down an agency that literally knew everything about all aspects of the industry.
Once I decided that I wanted to move to Portland, the research was underway and it quickly became evident to me that Anvil was a one of a kind agency that not only could benefit me as an employer, but that I could benefit as an employee. It was the only agency I tracked down that offered the robust services in internet marketing which I was seeking. What I was looking for was a place that I could spend ten years and become a master of my craft. Thirty days have passed and I am absolutely positive that I am in the right place.
Now let’s step back on the timeline of my first month at Anvil where personally the ride has been smooth and professionally the work has been challenging.
No! Not the heavy metal band Anvil, the rockin' search marketing team Anvil!
The ride has been smooth because of the people. With the addition of Nate and I the Anvil employee count is now at sixteen, and each and every person is knowledgeable about their craft and helpful in assisting the new guys in getting up to speed. Again I realize that I am just going off and gloating, but it is true, and I have been overwhelmed at how much the people of Anvil have helped me adjust to my new setting.
The ride has been a challenge because what we do at Anvil is not easy and not for everybody. There is a lot of number crunching, a lot of spreadsheets, and a lot of definitive strategy involved. It quickly became evident to me that even though I felt experienced in SEO, that I was initially unprepared to make major decisions and implement large scale strategies. The great thing is that this is what needed to happen. I needed to be put in my place and inspired to grow. That is exactly what happened and my confidence is growing by the day.
I am sure you can tell by the contents of this post that through one month, I am both thankful and excited to be a part of Anvil Media, Inc. Yes, I have been made fun of a little, called a noob, and had a funny picture of my face blown up and looking over the office, but it comes with the territory and the incredible culture that has been put in place here at Anvil. It has been one month, and I already have visions of permanence thanks to the efforts the organization has put forward to make me feel comfortable. November has thirty days, and if these days are any indication, this young man just stepped in to an incredible, productive, growth oriented place.
Anvil: On Failing 
