Settle down for WHAT?

I’ve always been afraid of the concept of “settling”. To me that could mean staying in one place for too long OR accepting something that is less than what I know I deserve or want. Like not telling the barista that I ordered a WHITE chocolate mocha, not a regular one if they get it wrong (JEEZE). I hate the feeling that I’m no longer moving, improving, discovering new things, etc.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the difference between settling and settling DOWN. Just three weeks ago I began a new job (again!). It’s a position that will be giving me better experience and opportunities, at a place where I know I will be staying for a longer amount of time than I’m used to. Since I began college things have been in a constant cycle of change. Every semester brought a new batch of classes. Every year brought a new place to live, new people surrounding me. Even my internship during college was a program that required rotating to a new department every six months.

Then college ended. And things still didn’t settle down. Although I was stuck in the black hole of unemployment, my mind was anxious, jumping from one job interview to the next, one potential future to another. Once I finally found a job I still felt like it was just a stepping-stone, just a place I was passing through. Knowing that it was a position where I didn’t feel like I was able to demonstrate my full potential, I never stopped looking for a different job for the nine months I was there.

And NOW, I have found the holy grail of a job that I’ve been looking for. At an exceptional, international company in a position with a lot of future possibilities. I feel so grateful and blessed. But….

Okay you probably want to slap me in the face and say MISSY how could there be a but?? You finally got this job you’ve been rambling on about for the past two years!!

Just LISTEN people.

The “but” is that I am entering a territory where it looks like I will be settling down for awhile, and that is horrifying to me. It’s weird for me to not be looking for a new job anymore. That became one of my biggest hobbies. I’ve caught myself looking at open positions and then realizing I don’t need to keep looking anymore! Phew. The search is over for now, and I need to teach myself that settling down can be a good thing. Constantly searching for something better gets exhausting. Even though this job is not a high level executive position in Paris, it’s good for me. And it could just be one step closer to those cobblestone streets in the city of lights. Every once in awhile settling down results in some beautiful things.

Like meeting someone special (and handsome) and taking a chance on a relationship with them. Or finding a new job and taking advantage of all its new learning opportunities.

I just need to remind myself that settling down is not settling. It’s simply realizing that the search for something can be over—at least for a while. There are a lot of places in my life where I’m currently not settled down too, and I’m finding that for me I need those things to continue to look and strive for—like a new place to live, a relationship, new friendships, a stronger faith—things that help me to stay in a constant state of progress. I know I get bored easily…but here’s to settling down and still having the potential to be better every day. Sounds like something Oprah would say. Sorry.

I’m employed! Now what?

So I got a job. It was actually more anticlimactic than I thought it would be. There were no fireworks shot out of the phone when I got the call, no one gathered outside my window and cheered for me. I had a lot of time to imagine the scenario playing out, and I always thought it would be extremely triumphant. After waiting weeks after an interview for an offer and deciding I probably didn’t get the job I’d get a surprise call one afternoon saying I got it! And the world would shake and an orchestra would appear. Expectations vs. reality amiright?

In reality I applied for a job on a Friday, got a call the next Monday, interviewed for a job on Tuesday–that lasted about 25 minutes (pretty short)–and received a call the next day (WEDNESDAY FYI) with an offer. Phew. It wasn’t what I expected only because of my past experiences with interviews in the past year and having to wait FOREVER for a response. I am SO grateful for the opportunity, really. It’s a start. And when LinkedIn tells me to “complete my profile” by filling out my current title and position I won’t feel like punching my computer screen anymore.

Everyone I’ve been seeing the past few days has been saying to me “Enjoy your last week of freedom!” which makes me laugh. I’ve been enjoying weeks on weeks of “freedom” during which I could do whatever I wanted, but most of the time hated it. Sitting at a computer job searching while I felt like the whole world was moving forward wasn’t exactly freeing, but gave me lots of time to REFLECT (and people watch at/survey coffee shops for handsome men, but that is so beyond the point.)

Going into this job next Monday I am more confident in my abilities. I think that needing to convince other people of my talents in a billion job interviews made me believe in & understand them more myself. I am going into that job SO ready to contribute as much as I can, even though I’m starting from the bottom just like Drake did…

I also just feel so motivated to take my career where I want it to go. And I know I will recognize when it’s going in the right direction and also if it’s not going where I think it should. It’s most likely if I had gotten a job right away last year I wouldn’t have built up this WISDOM. Also I acquired an appreciation for creating balance. I’m basically a Buddhist monk now. Just kidding. I’m far from figuring it all out. But as I stressed over finding a job I discovered the importance of filling my time with other things that I enjoyed and appreciating the lovely & kind people around me…

I will let you know in a few weeks if corporate life has destroyed this BEAUTIFUL mindset, but I don’t think it will. Because I will have probably received my first paycheck by then and realized how nice it is to be able to go into the mall without feeling like someone on a diet in an ice cream store. Why would they be there in the first place you say? JUST TO LOOK. Jeeze.

Anyway! On to spread some JOY to the world of mining shovels. Stay tuned : )

Cube life: What I miss

Now that summer weather has arrived I feel like I’m on vacation. It’s not so bad laying out in the sun with a book and an ice cold Diet Coke (IT TASTES BETTER THAN REGULAR COKE PEOPLE). There are moments, however, where I really wouldn’t mind being in a dark cubicle freezing under the air conditioning vent stupidly positioned directly above me instead. One day I will regret those words, but the grass is always greener on the other side isn’t it???  I do know that the grass I’m laying on right now is a healthy, lush green color, but having a more lush shade of green in my bank account is something I really wouldn’t mind right about now.

People have said to me that they are jealous that I’m not working which makes me laugh. HAHA. I will gladly take over your job for you. I have had some good timez as an unemployed person, but there are things about having a job that I truly miss and that I will never complain about once I get that job! (for the first few months anyway…)

Participating in conversations about work/co-workers

“So today Gary from work said the FUNNIEST thing…” A little while ago I found myself amidst an exchange of workplace stories between my friends. Everyone was discussing their crazy co-workers and other corporate shenanigans. I could have offered up stories about my internship and whatnot, but that felt like old news so I chose to stay quiet and sip my wine instead. Gary doesn’t even sound that funny.

My business casual clothes

So I have been sporting my famous interview outfit pretty often these days, but the majority of my business casual clothes have been neglected in the back of my closet. I kind of miss wearing them. I know for a fact that if I have to wear them in the near future in the glorious Wisconsin humidity as I walk from my car to the office I will regret saying that, but then as I settle into the Ice Age climate of a normal corporate office I may be thankful for them once again.

Waking up REALLY early

I always had 8am classes the last couple years of college and when I didn’t have class I had to get to work early. I am NOT a natural morning person. You can ask most people and they will tell you that I’m not so pleasant early in the mornings. Until I’ve finished my coffee. But I do like to be up early, it makes me feel like a better life participant.

Happy hour

Happy hour is really designed for people with “9 to 5” jobs, so I’ll feel better about participating in that once I get one for myself. Any hour of the day could be happy hour for me, but I feel better about my chances of getting a job if I don’t follow that philosophy.

Obviously I want a job for many more reasons than the above, like to make a living and advance my career and put my education to good use. Maybe I’ll write about those another time. But for now I gotta go. I need a Diet Coke refill.

Why you didn’t get the job

One of the most frustrating things about looking for a job is not knowing why I didn’t get a job I interviewed for. Once I get an interview I am immediately more invested in the position—I know that I am among a select few chosen to be more seriously considered. When I don’t get the job not only am I sometimes HEARTBROKEN (What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, people! That’s what Kelly Clarkson says) but I am also left clueless as to why specifically I did not get the job.

This article explains why HR departments don’t usually give feedback to rejected candidates, apparently mostly due to legal reasons. I have asked HR people a few times for feedback after not getting a job and mostly got vague answers, or have been told that someone else simply had more experience blahblahblah. That still doesn’t satisfy me, so I’m left to dream up reasons why I didn’t get the job. If you are in this same situation, I have compiled the following short list of possible reasons you did not get hired. Maybe one of them will put your mind to rest…

You’re just too good-looking

I heard a story on the radio a few weeks ago—coincidentally as I was driving to an interview—about a woman who says she is unemployed because she felt too conspicuous at work every day due to how beautiful she is. She says that her co-workers would ask her out on dates and were often too distracted by her “natural attractiveness” to take her work seriously…Okay. I don’t even know WHAT to think about this lady but hey, maybe people find you too beautiful to work?

The HR department disappeared

…Taking the position you interviewed for with it. This is my conspiracy theory about a certain job I never heard back about. Almost two months after I had the interview I contacted HR who told me to call back in two weeks because a decision still hadn’t been made. I did, at which point HR told me that they didn’t know what was going on with the position, they didn’t even know if a candidate had been chosen, they would call me back. After e-mailing them one last time and receiving no response, I am convinced they disappeared. I have been left without even a rejection e-mail after interviews before, but this particular circumstance convinced me that something weird was going on…I think they were sucked into a black hole.

Sometimes companies interview people just for the fun & exhilarating experience

So that’s probably very untrue, but even when a company has an internal candidate for a job who they most likely want to hire for this other position they usually also bring in external candidates either because of policy or just to see what’s out there. In a lot of cases the internal candidates are chosen. BUT at least those other people who put on their interview outfits and prepared for being interviewed had a fun time of it.

It was someone else’s DREAM job

When I look at a job description and apply for a job, there may be one or two qualifications that I don’t identify with but I apply for it because overall I know it’s a job I would like and would do well. After an interview I had a few weeks ago I left feeling like I wasn’t what they were looking for. Although I know I could have done the job well, I’m sure there was someone else whose career goals were more lined up with the tasks and responsibilities of that position. And I can accept that because I think that one of these times, the person who is the perfect match will be ME! : )

All I know is, if I got more specific feedback on the close to thirty interviews I’ve had, I would be able to improve on each one. The reality is that my questions are left unanswered. So until I get a bulleted list of what I can do better, I will just keep on going until the right job comes along. Or until a modeling agent approaches me and tells me I’m too pretty to work…puh-LEASE! Let’s get real, people.

Dear Europe: WAIT FOR ME s’il vous plait!

America the beautiful, land of the free and home of the brave. Amiright? The US is great and all but I’m fixing to move out, at least for awhile. During my job search I have applied to several jobs overseas, in countries where primarily English or French are spoken—France, Switzerland, Belgium, England, Ireland—and the exception of an internship in Italy because even if I didn’t understand what anyone was saying I know I would be eating delicious pastas, drinking fine wines, and enjoying some nice scenery. I usually know that the chances of me getting these jobs are very slim, however whenever I’m in a state of frustration over finding a job and I feel like running away I usually go on application sprees for European positions. Like yesterday at 3AM.

At every interview I have had so far I have been asked, “Where do you see your career in 10 years?” And I always answer the same—retirement! Just kidding. I want to be working in another country or in a company/position where interaction internationally is a daily thang. I think that sounds doable! And as I’ve been applying to jobs I always keep this goal in mind. People say, “Just take any job that remotely relates to marketing” or whateva, but that’s not my philosophy. I have applied to a fair share of jobs that I didn’t necessarily want to but they seemed practical. But as I put more and more hours into looking for a job, I have been focusing more on what I really want to do with my career. If I’m putting all this time and energy into finding a job, I don’t want the result to be something I just end up with.

Do I sound like I’m being picky? It might sound that way, but once you figure out what you want, it’s easier to focus and find positions worth your time. That’s important. It’s easy to focus on the right now and say OMG I WILL TAKE ANY JOB, and that might be necessary, like getting a part time job or something. However, as I put things into perspective and think about ten years from now, I’m trying to set myself up now for being where I want to be later.

This post is the result of nostalgia brought on by the fact that this time last year I was anticipating a European adventure (slash “summer school”…), and as the reality hits me that I don’t quite have the resources to get over there anytime soon just for fun, I might as well try to get there a different way. And obviously I’m still working on that. A few months ago I applied for a marketing job in Switzerland working for the International Olympic Committee… So that is one of my dream jobs. I’m working towards it. In the meantime, I could really use a vacation, so if anyone needs a traveling companion or are willing to pay me to be any of the following on their Eurotrip this summer, I’m your girl!

• Tour guide: following maps is not exactly my specialty, but I will be sure to get you lost and we’ll discover some hole in the wall café you can tell all your friends about
• French sandwich taster: I’m in love with French bread/sandwiches. I will eat them and let you know which ones are the best, sparing you the extra carbohydrates.
• Wine taster: I know the difference between white and red wines…
• Shoe consultant: I had some nightmarish experiences last summer in terms of the footwear I chose to walk around giant cities in for hours. I will make sure that your feet survive the trip and still look like your feet at the end.
• Public transportation specialist: It’s probably my petite size, but I know how to make room on crowded metros, trains, etc. It’s still not a pleasant experience.
• Translator: Je parle français!

We can call it my summer internship—still putting me on track for my LT goals ; )

Real World: Millennials Edition

Last year before graduation a common conversation among my friends was “OMG, I am sooo not ready for the real world!” The idea of transitioning from the comfortable college environment to “real life”—cubicles, more responsibility, and less thirsty Thursdays—was daunting. We had our education, we had the tools to be prepared for this new world, but the reality was that the real world was not ready for us.  The slow economy and lack of jobs has presented quite a challenge (slap in the face), forcing new graduates to adapt. From possibly accepting jobs that don’t use the education we have studied hard to acquire to moving back to our parents’ houses to accommodate lower salaries, overall the real world has not risen to meet us.

Recently I’ve come across a whole lot of opinions on us millennials in the workplace, referring to people who range in age from 18-34 give or take—born between 1980 and 2000. What a group! Growing up during a time of fast-changing technology from the internet to smart phones to social media, people of this generation are greedy, lazy, distracted, and lack work ethic/professionalism. And they love their parents too much…

This article from USA Today gives a few examples of how terrible millennials are during job interviews. It really made me wonder why I haven’t gotten a job yet if I’m competing against people who text during interviews, bring their CATS to interviews, or bring their PARENT to interviews. What?? Come on. I find it difficult to believe that the reason that people do these things is because they are “millennials” and are too casual. From my perspective, these people are just foolish. Maybe it’s just based on my little world where I don’t know anyone my age who would do any of those things during a job interview, especially because those opportunities don’t come along too often. I can only imagine what that person was texting—“Lol this interview is soo bad,” or “Omg I’m totes going to get this job.” SMH, PEOPLE.

Have you seen this video? I am so frustrated by this guy, AJ. It’s his very first live newscast. He swears on live, local TV, which is hilarious and awful at the same time. He’s rightfully fired for being vulgar. And THEN he becomes famous and gets to go on shows like Today, Live with Kelly and Michael, David Letterman, whatever. What a millennial am I right? So casual. I understand why the video went viral; news bloopers are some of the funniest things to see. The thing that frustrates me, but that I also find interesting, is how much support he’s getting. I guess it’s a sign of the times. He gets to go around on national TV redeeming himself, and I’m sure he will get another job out of it. Maybe I’m bitter because no one has invited me to the Today Show yet, but he wasn’t even that great of an anchor. People may see the video and think that this young whippersnapper doesn’t take work seriously, but it’s just another example of a person who happens to be younger getting a lot of attention for a mistake.

What I want to say with all of this is that obviously, times are different now. People just entering the real world are faced with not only hard economic times but also preconceived ideas about their potential and work ethic. But what I see are a lot of people with great potential & fresh ideas, eagerly ready to put their mark on the world. Technology may have changed since the good old days, different ways of communicating have developed, but people still have the timeless hope of just being able to use their talents to contribute to something. One thing though, seriously, please don’t bring your cat to an interview unless you’re applying to be a professional cat lady/gentleman.

Anything you say can and will be used against you

…But remaining silent is not an option.

I’ve had the absolute PLEASURE of experiencing 25+ interviews in the past year or so, and although I do not always get feedback from those I interview with, when I have asked for it they have said I interviewed very well (but someone with fifteen years of experience got the job instead—not a fair matchup people!).  From your resume to an actual interview, it seems to me that every detail is up for scrutiny by potential employers. You never know what small—or significant—detail will get you a job or prevent you from getting it. For example, typos in your resume—big mistake! Showing up at an interview drenched in Hollister perfume—yuck! Things like this seem so petty, but who knows what details a potential employer will focus on or remember once you’ve left an interview. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

I have a designated interview outfit prominently displayed in my room, always ready for action. It’s very corporate and business-y. When I had an interview the other day at a clothing store, however, I had to rethink this interview outfit. It didn’t seem appropriate to show up in a power suit to a more casual environment like that. SO I wore clothes that reflected the vibe of the store and that I thought I might wear on a shift there. Luckily, when I was asked during this interview why I wore what I wore to the interview, I had a good answer. And I know it was a good answer especially because this was a group interview and one person responded that she was at a friend’s house before and just threw on whatever nice clothes she saw. Smooth. My point is that of course the main thing is to not look like a slob, but think about the environment of the company you are going to when dressing yourself.

How you look is probably not the most important detail of an interview. Unless you’re applying to be a model, which I have not done…YET. The most significant details of an interview are in your responses to interviewers’ questions. Having good examples prepared or interesting anecdotes will make you stand out. Thankfully I have not had many major trip-ups during interviews that have made me feel like an idiot. You never know what small or big mistakes may cost you a job. I have one experience that haunts me a little, but I’ve gotten over it.

I traveled to Chicago for an interview a few months ago, and after talking to the VP of marketing I was told that next I was going to talk to the PRESIDENT of the entire company. I was not mentally prepared for THAT. I stepped into his corner office with beautiful and distracting views of Chicago skyscrapers and we began to talk. This guy was very intimidating and didn’t smile at all, which always makes me nervous. While answering one of his questions I said “Well, Scott (the marketing VP I had just spoken to) and I were just discussing that…” and he replied, “Scott? Who’s Scott?” I froze and was completely confused as to how this man didn’t know the name of his co-worker. I had to flip over the business card on the table that “Scott” had just given me, and to my horror discovered that his name was Sean. Whoops! I corrected myself and stumbled along the rest of that interview. Who knows if that tiny detail was the reason I didn’t get the job. But I’m sure the president of the company had a lot of say in who got hired…

Those are just two random examples of how seemingly trivial details may impact your chances at a job. From what I have observed the main reason I have not gotten a professional job yet is due to the competitive market, but who knows, maybe I offended an interviewer by wearing red shoes. It’s easy to leave an interview thinking that you should have said something different or told more jokes or WHATEVER, but it’s also important to stay true to yourself and be honest so that YOU are hired, not a counterfeit, robotic version of yourself. I will say though, leave the Hollister perfume/cologne for other occasions. You never know if your interviewer just broke up with a Hollister surfer guy whose scent now repulses her.

To the companies that chose not to hire (rejected) me

I saw an interview with high school senior Suzy Lee Weiss last week about the letter she wrote in to the Wall Street Journal entitled “To (All) the Colleges That Rejected Me.”  It inspired me to write a letter of my own. If anyone would like to submit it to the Wall Street Journal or tell the Today Show about it so I can be on TV please be my guest : )

To the companies that chose not to hire (rejected) me:

I hope this letter finds you thriving despite not having hired me. No hard feelings. I do not consider myself to be entitled to a job anywhere; it’s up to you whether I am a good fit for your institution. I still have the highest respect for you. And because of this I just have some suggestions and comments for you. Take them or leave them, but I only have your best interests in mind, similar to what you were probably thinking about me when you decided not to hire me………….

First, you have very high standards. And I completely understand that, don’t take it personally. I myself have very high standards in terms of where I apply to jobs, where I get my haircut, boys I consider dating material (Justin Timberlake or Gerard Butler or Guillaume Canet), what kinds of beer I drink (Leinenkugel Berry Weiss anyone?) etc. Maybe all of us can learn something here—nobody is perfect. I might not have the 24.5+ years of experience you are searching for in an entry-level candidate or the five degrees you would PREFER for me to have, but (among so many other wonderful things) I’m passionate. Doesn’t that count for anything anymore? And I’m pretty smart. Is everyone you hire just a genius? Where do those people come from? What I’m trying to say is of course you don’t want to compromise by hiring someone who only meets a few criteria, however, let’s diminish those criteria just a little.

Another thing is that I am very aware of the corporate policies and steps that go into the interview and hiring process. There seems to be about 376 steps for every company to follow on the road to hiring the perfect person, and this drives us candidates (me) crazy. I have spent many weeks waiting to hear back about positions, jumping at any phone call and having a mini panic attack at every e-mail received. After weeks of this kind of anxiety, my mental state is exhausted. Could you just tell me the very INSTANT you know you don’t want to hire me? Even if you just see me walking in your door and know I’m not the one simply because I’m just so short and you can’t take me seriously, just tell me to leave. It will save me some emotional turmoil. That’s a giant exaggeration and that would never happen I’m SURE but do you get it?

So, the economy. Am I right? It’s just so awful. I know it concerns you and is preventing you from hiring entry level people or just people in general. I encourage you to ignore it. Just because I really want to work, and I’m sure if I personally were more involved in the economy it would just skyrocket up.

Lastly, I’m still looking for a job. So if you have any positions available, I would love to be considered.

Sincerely,

Missy

A very scientific comparison between the game of basketball and the job search

I admit it; I am NOT a basketball fan. This “March Madness” thing that’s happening isn’t really my cup of tea. As exciting as it is that my wonderful alma mater Marquette is in the Sweet Sixteen, the most involved I’ve ever gotten in the NCAA tournament was when I used to play against my little brother in a March Madness Playstation game. In terms of my personal basketball career, I played on my school’s team in fifth grade when I was probably only three and a half feet tall. I didn’t even understand HOW to play the game. I was fouled once and was awarded a free throw, so obviously I gave the ball to another teammate because that’s what I usually did whenever the ball somehow ended up in my hands. I found out I had to take the shot myself and totally air-balled.

One thing I find frustrating about basketball—that many people may find thrilling about it—is that it often comes down to a two or three point game in the last 3.287 seconds which the teams manage to make last FOREVER. I asked someone what the point of playing the entire game was if it always seems to end in the same chaotic, stressful way. The teams exhaustingly run back and forth on the court the whole game just to have to work their butts off even more in the final seconds. The response was that first of all, it doesn’t ALWAYS end like that, and also to get to that point in the end requires a lot of work and strategy throughout the game. Okay, whatever I get it. People think that’s exciting.

Obviously that is one of the things that makes a game like that entertaining. Let’s  apply this concept to something else—the job search. I know you love that. A lot goes into pursuing a job. Filling out the online application, then a phone interview, then possibly personality/skills tests, then an in-person interview, then fulfilling requests for references, then waiting, then FINALLY a decision. All the back and forth between you and the employer and the work you put in to the process comes down to the final seconds—do they choose you or not? It’s thrilling. A yes feels like a last minute half court shot that wins the game and a no makes you feel bad and a little dumb, like the losing team that was taunting the other team the whole game with bad cheers. No, I don’t wish bad things on other job candidates…just that I get the job and they don’t…

Anyways there’s your analogy of the week. And here’s my personal job search bracket that I designed myself because I felt left out for not really caring about the NCAA one.

The “Missy Hren Experience”

I have been fascinated with Justin Timberlake’s media takeover in the past few weeks as he prepared for the release of his new album The 20/20 Experience. Not only because catching a glimpse of his charming, smiling face always makes me blush but also because of this marketing mind of mine. The campaign he has been on is an example of branding at its finest. He has gone from frosted tips and gold chains to suit and tie, creating a luxurious, slightly more refined image for himself. Much like most things, obviously this reminded me of the job search.

As a job seeker I am technically trying to sell myself (NOT LIKE THAT, PEOPLE) and convince people that I would be a good fit for a job. In order to do well in interviews I’ve found it is important to know yourself pretty well. How can you benefit the company? What do you do really well?  This is where “personal branding” comes in. I realize it may sound a little pretentious, but that is what it’s called. Not to get too psychological, but to successfully market myself, my personal brand to a company, I need to be sure that the way I perceive myself is the same way that other people do. It’s about knowing your passions, goals, hopes, and special attributes that make you your beautiful self. Once you know those things it’s all about being able to communicate them in your interviews, your resume, your LinkedIn profile, whateva. It can even extend to your Facebook profile—if you were to look at mine right now you’d see that I’m obviously a skiing FANATIC who enjoys skiing and après-skiing celebrations near my current home of Lyon, France…………….

Justin Timberlake’s new album image does make him out to be a refined guy, but when you see him on shows like SNL or Jimmy Fallon you can see he’s someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously, and that is relatable to a lot of people. And okay, I don’t really know JT personally. I’m only judging based on what I’ve seen in interviews and on my bias toward him due to how handsome I think he is. ANYWAY my point is that defining your “brand” too narrowly can be detrimental. Yesterday I had an interview where my interviewer noted that I had spoken to the point of how I enjoyed the analytical part of marketing but didn’t speak much about the creative side. WHOOPS. That caught me off-guard because the creative part is what got me into marketing in the first place, but I had been mostly describing the analytical stuff I had experience in because it applied more to the position. I did clear that up pretty quickly to the interviewer and then he said great, when can you start? Just kidding.

So what is my brand? I have definitely been able to develop that through the past months of my job search, and it has been a great learning experience—at each interview I feel more and more confident in how I am conveying myself to potential employers. cHeCk iT oUt:

And just because, please enjoy this video.

If it were up to me I would begin all of my job interviews being revealed from behind a glittery red curtain.