Bestest Friend and I are doing a blog project. Every day we will write a blog post on a pre-determined theme chosen by a random noun generator. The theme for the twentieth day of the month is "Message." I have decided that I'm going to write about the last photo message I sent via text.
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My sister-in-law (married to my husband's brother) is my biggest ally in my husband's large extended family. She agrees with us politically, has a dog, and has a shopping habit. But while she has a shopping habit, she also has a house that is about a third the size of ours and she has a husband, child, and dog, and a tiny bit of organizational OCD. So her shopping habit absolutely benefits me because she sends me all her very nice things that she no longer has space to store.
For example, I own four purses. I have purchased exactly one. The other three have been sent to my by SIL. She also will frequently just send me clothing she can't/won't use or makeup products that she has gotten for free from someplace or another. And, I'd like to stress this pretty hard, it's all much higher quality stuff than I would normally purchase for myself.
So on Friday, when I was going to an interview, I sent her a photo of me standing in front of the building where I was going to be interviewing. This is a terribly unflattering photo of me, trust me, I know (how many chins do I really have?), but I like it because I am wearing my Craft hat, a gift from my husband; my red paisley scarf (come on, you didn't think I'd go to an interview scarf-less, did you?), a gift from my friend Essen; and a grey jacket, a gift from my SIL. I was all surrounded by love on my way to the interview.
I think the interview went well, but it's hard to tell isn't it? I went to a CPR class afterwards and one of the people who was on the hiring committee was also there and she said "I wish I could take a class from you," so I assume the teaching demo went well, if nothing else. I mean, teaching is only one component of the job, so we'll see how it goes. Fingers crossed. I have another virtual interview next week, so I'm not putting all my chickens in one basket, but I think this job would be a good fit for me.
Do you have a kind relative who sends you lovely presents? Do you have a regular power outfit for presentations, interviews, and other high-stress activities?
I don't think that's an unflattering photo at all! I thought you had a beautiful smile and I was going to comment on the cute scarf and the fabulous lip colour. Also your skin is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAs per your question: no. I do not have a kind relative who sends me presents, although I have received lovely presents from friends - someone very sweetly recently sent me sriracha, and I teared up at the kindness. I haven't had an interview or presentation in forever, but my go-to outfit for when I need something serious is a black turtleneck with a black skirt and tights.
Ha to the lip color! It's just clear gloss over my lips. I appreciate the comments, although I know the photo isn't the best!
DeleteIt's just so lovely when people think of you and send you gifts. I'm definitely a person who shows my love through gift giving and I appreciate a well-thought out gift myself.
I love the idea of going for an interview wrapped in love from friends and family! I do not have a great hand-me-downer like you do, but I got a second-level hand-me-down recently, as my friend was given two Kate Spade purses from a friend of hers, and offered me one. Nothing I would ever spend that money on myself (I recently had to force myself to pay $60 for a new purse, which was just about exactly what I was looking for but ooh, kind of spendy to me), but now when I really need to look like a grown-up, I can.
ReplyDeleteRight? If someone's going to give me a handbag that's way out of my normal budget, I'll happily accept!
DeleteOk, obvi we never want to get too excited about any one job interview until the offer comes out but "I wish I could take a class from you" is very good feedback so I'm going to let myself be a little excited about this one for you.
ReplyDeleteI have dedicated first and second interview tops (bottom doesn't matter since I'm remote) and I wing it for any on-camera interviews after that. Last summer I had a streak of heavy interviewing and I ended up keeping a list of what I'd worn to which interview with which company because I couldn't keep it straight anymore.
Well, the feedback came from someone on the committee, but I'm never sure who has the final say in the actual decision process, so it's possible I got a compliment from someone with no power, but I'll take it. I mean, I thought the whole thing went really well, but it's definitely possible that there's a candidate with more experience than me since this particular job is a bit of a reach for my skillset. However, I do think I could do it and my skillset would enhance parts of the job (the teaching, for instance) that have been less prominent in the past. Oh, well. Who knows?
DeleteI like the idea of going from a palpitations-inducing interview to a solutions-oriented activity in the form a CPR class afterwards. That is a really nice compliment to have received after the interview!
ReplyDeleteI had an intense interview season earlier this year. It was interesting. It was the first time that I really felt on par with the institutions I was interviewing at. In the past, I would really psych myself out and feel like granting me an interview was a favor given to me. Now I realize that there is a mutual need and relationship for most professional opportunities. One opportunity seemed awesome, but the reality was their need wasn't huge and it wasn't the best in-person fit (as much as I wanted it to be!). But now, I'm super-happy to be where I am. All this to say, best wishes to you! You look motivated and professional!
Ha! The scheduling was really nice. The interview and class were even in the same building! It felt like it was meant to be.
DeleteYes, I have tried to change my mindset that I am interviewing them as much as they are interviewing me, but it's hard sometimes. I thought this seemed like a good fit, but you never know who the other candidates are.
Well... I don't think it's the most flattering picture of you I've ever seen, but it probably looks worse to you than it does to us. I'm sure you looked great for the interview!
ReplyDeleteI have a wealthy cousin with kids a little older than mine, and she used to send us hand-me-downs. It was REALLY NICE STUFF, that I never would have bought. The only problem was, it was a little too nice sometimes, like things that needed to be dry-cleaned. Who would dress their four-year-old in a dry-clean only outfit???
I would NEVER dry clean it. I'd let the kids wear it, for sure, because clothing should be worn, but I'd just chuck it in with the other clothes because I'm lazy. Also, I guess that's why I don't have a ton of expensive clothing.
DeleteI think you look lovely - and agree with Nicole. Your smile looks lovely and your skin is flawless! You look happy, bright, energetic, and we can't forget about being surrounded by "love".
ReplyDeleteAll the best with next steps; I really hope you find the perfect match soon. I believe it's out there my friend!!!
All these comments about my flawless skin are going to give me a big head! Also, maybe I should just admit that it's good genetics and sunscreen use?
DeleteSending you all sorts of good vibes for these interviews! I agree - it is lovely to look around and see evidence of the people I love, and who love me, in the every day objects that surround me.
ReplyDeleteI have one specific outfit I wear for the first day of rehearsal. Truth to tell, it's the only nice-ish outfit that I own, yet at the same time there's comfort going into a new situation wearing something that I know has gotten me through a lot of other first days.
I love the idea that you have a regular nice outfit for those first days. It's just that confidence boost we all need!
DeleteWhile we do accept hand-me-downs, we do not have a reliable supplier. 😀
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess not everyone is as lucky as I am to have a SIL like this. And it helps that we're roughly the same size in clothing!
DeleteI have a relative that loves to shop and have scored some clothes for me and the kids that way.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be on the receiving end.
DeleteI hope the interview go well, but that was nice feedback.i have not had one in over 20 years but wearing something that has meaning to you sounds reassuring. I like it!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I didn't necessarily mean for it to be all gifts, but it was really nice that it worked out that way.
DeleteI think that's a great photo of you; you are smiling and look very confident. I hope the interview goes your way, but if it doesn't, it wasn't for you Right?
ReplyDeleteI have some of the most generous people in my life; my MIL and friend Kelly, being at the top of the list.
That's a genius plan to surround yourself with "love" (via clothing) when you show up for an interview. What could possibly go wrong? I'd also like to agree with anyone else that this is a lovely photo and you're the only one who sees potentially multiple chins. We all have the same tendency to look at ourselves a little cross-eyed ;)
ReplyDeleteI love how you surrounded yourself with love for this interview. And I think the photo of you looks great! Sometimes it's all about angles to get rid of those double chins. Ask me how I know. ;)
ReplyDeleteI looked ahead in time but can't tell if you updated re: the interview based on the Feedly previews. I need to catch up on blogs SO badly... and yet I like commenting on my favorites, so that kind of slows me down. In a good way!
ReplyDeleteANYWAY - my highly unoriginal comment is that my goodness, you have gorgeous skin. And goodness, I hope you get good job news soon.