I got the offer!!

I just spoke to the recruiter, and I got the offer. It's official. I mean, they technically extended the offer on Monday, but I countered with an ask of a sign-on bonus and a few minutes ago they accepted.

The timeline

2019 - One year of actively looking to change jobs, move up, move away, and increase my salary.

Jan 2020 - My colleague recommended me for the role...we'll call it Widget Specialist.

Jan 17 - Recruiter phone screen.

Jan 2020 - Offer to come on site.  I accepted, but they never confirmed.

Jan 31, 2020 -  My beloved aunt dies.

Feb  4 - Tentative on site interview (that was never confirmed).

When I didn't show up to the onsite interview, the recruiter emailed me to check-in. Twist! I told her I never received confirmation. She felt really bad and said there was another position I might be qualified for. Twist!! The new role we'll call Manager, Widget Services, basically my direct report would be the Widget Specialist (the former role). Triple Twist!!!

I have to say no other recruiter has ever followed up or advocated for me in the last year of active job hunting. They mostly ghost you and offer very little advice.

March 2020 - COVID reaches the US and the world goes berserk.

March 25 -  Five-person panel interview, virtually due to COVID, for Manager, Widget Services.

One week later - I follow-up. Recruiter writes back to confirm my interest. I advise I bought a house, contrary to the advice of my peers.  My intent was to encourage them to make me an offer I couldn't refuse.

In a follow-up phone call, recruiter advises the position pays $115k. She advises they are concerned about me wanting to relocate. I do my best to assuage her concerns.  Having been strongly encouraged by my peer and knowing first hand some of the salaries at the company, I test the waters and ask for more money. I advise the recruiter I may not be getting a bonus at my current company if I leave by a certain date. She asks for a number, and not being able to think much more on my feet, I dodge the question and follow-up with an email.

April 7 - Phone interview with hiring manager's boss.

April 2020 - Recruiter sends periodic check-in emails that she's still waiting for more information. I am both discouraged and encouraged intermittently.

April 21 -  Despite the periodic check-ins from the recruiter, I officially give up hope.

In the past 4 months to 4 years if you look at how long I've been trying to improve my current station in life, other companies have checked-in with me and still not extended an offer.

May 1 - Recruiter emails me to connect.

I am not hopeful. I thought who waits to tell good news. But in retrospect, she was just busy that day and couldn't wait to hint at the good news coming my way!

Mon, May 4 - Verbal offer of $120k. In a bold move, I ask for a sign-on bonus of $9,100.

Wed, May 6 -  Sign on bonus of $10k confirmed! Quadruple twist!!!! ( I secretly think my aunt is watching over me and laughing.)

Can you believe my life right now?! Shoot, that extra $900 is just enough to pay for the those darn "facility charges" the power company accosts us with yearly.

I am absolutely humbled in this moment by this experience.
I am keeping it a secret for some reason... I don't know who to tell exactly.