The position would statistically analyze the loan decisions of the bank to ensure compliance with fair lending laws and other work within the Legal and Compliance department. The job sounded similar to a position that I had discussed with Brent back in December when I was beginning my job search. I had an interview with the compliance manger on Tuesday of last week. I learned that the position had just been approved and in fact he learned that it had been approved and that I was interviewing for it the same day I talked to the HR rep. He didn’t even have an updated job description yet and had to ask HR to bring an updated one down to him during our interview. All this meant that they were not looking at anyone else for the position and no one outside the bank even knew this job was available. I also knew that no one within the bank had the skill set that I had that was needed for the job. I felt pretty confident that they would offer the job to me. But the job with Umpqua was also moving along good and since I did not have an offer from Washington Federal I moved along with those interviews too.
On Thursday I had two interviews with Umpqua in Eugene. They went very well and I could tell they liked me. Thursday afternoon I drove back to Washington and on Friday morning I drove up to Seattle for my final two interviews at Washington Federal. I got there early and went walked around Pike Place Market for awhile. While I was walking I got a phone call from Umpqua offering me the job. I was excited to know that no matter how the interviews at Washington Federal went I had finally found a job.
I had interviews with the head of the compliance department and with Brent. When I met with Brent we went down to the break room, got a drink, and went back to his office. He said he did not know why he was put on my interview schedule since he was pushing for them to hire me and I didn’t need convince him I would be a good fit for the bank.
This morning I heard back and was offered the job. I called Umpqua back and let them know I would not be accepting the offer. I’ll start at Washington Federal on October 3. It’s a great opportunity for me to use the skills I developed in my graduate education. I am a Fair Lending and CRA Analyst. I will statistically analyze the loan decisions of the bank and perform other statistical analysis that the bank needs. I will only be working in the Fair lending analyst capacity about 2 days a week the rest of the time I will be doing other analysis that hasn’t really been decided yet. There are a lot of areas in the bank that could benefit from what I can do, so as I get started the position will develop. Also I will be the statistical expert at the bank.
Right now we are looking for places to live. Most likely I will be commuting by a combination of bike and train. Maybe once in a while I will bike the whole way but it might be 20-30 miles. I am excited to get started but will miss the Eugene/Springfield area.