Throwback Thursday - my first adult job interview

Welcome to my first Throwback Thursday post, you guys!!

Memories, light the corners of mind! Not really, because I have a terrible memory.  But some, SOME memories live vividly in my mind. 

This one takes place in the summer of 2008.  I had just graduated from college, ready to conquer the professional world and I had no idea what to do with my life.   So, with a BA in musical theatre and a minor in public relations and advertising I decided to look for job prospects in the entertainment industry. On Craigslist.  

While I'm sure there are MANY a solid job to be had on Craigslist today, I just can't be sure that in 2008 it was all that legit. Either way, Craigslist always makes for an interesting story, no?

So, I make my way through all the "scam" posts and find what I am certain is a great job opportunity. As I'm reading through the job specs I realize this it is a PERFECT fit for me.  

They're seeking someone who has studied Marketing and PR - check.

 Someone familiar with the entertainment industry - uh, duh.   

AN ENTRY LEVEL PROFESSIONAL -  HELLLOOOO totally me. 

I quickly emailed my resume and eagerly awaited their call.  Much to my delight they called me the very SAME day!! I spoke with a man who sounded extremely professional who tells me that my resume looks great and that I'm exactly the type of candidate they're looking for.  

SCORE!!!

He tells me a bit about the company: they handle events, marketing, and PR for several different brands and companies.  Sounds AMAZING.  So we set up my initial interview and I immediately begin planning how I'll spend my first paycheck. Obviously.  

Cut to the following week, the day of my interview.  I am looking my business casual best as I strut into the offices of my first adult job interview...

And I am immediately underwhelmed.  Wah wah wah.

While I am expecting a grand office with granite pillars, fountains, and perhaps complimentary coffee, I find myself standing in an office that makes Dunder Mifflin look like Donald Trump's office.

If it had been Dunder Mifflin though, I wouldn't have been mad about it. 

Ok, well.  Image isn't everything, right? Unless you happen to be in the business of marketing and PR......weird.  

After I check in with the receptionist I'm quickly greeted by Mr. Professional (the man that I spoke with on the phone.)  He leads me to a conference room and begins to explain exactly what the company is all about and what they're looking for. He asks me a few standard questions, and when I'm done he immediately says that I sound like a great fit for the company and that he'd like to introduce me to their leading marketing representative and have me shadow her for the day!! 

This is when I start to feel a little unsure about all of this. I remember thinking to myself, "It doesn't even happen this quickly in the movies! This can't be real life."  

He brings in a young girl, whom I can only imagine is there to sell us Girl Scout cookies, when he introduces her as the LEADING MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE.  

So here I am with Mr. Professional and Skipper from Troop 101,  wondering what it is this company even does, but not totally giving up hope when Mr. Professional invites me to shadow Skipper for the day at one of their other office locations. 

Ooook. Now we're talking.  NOW we're going to the big fancy office and things are about to get real. 

So I say, sure, I'd love to! 

And we're on our way!  I'm driving, still feeling confused but following Skipper anyway...when she turns into a strip mall parking lot and parks in front of Staples.  Being the rational thinker that I am, I assume that she has to get some office supplies. Right? I mean....RIGHT? What else could we be doing here? 

She comes back out,  I don't notice any shopping bags in her hand, but I do notice a Staples employee carrying a folding table following her. He sets up the said folding table right outside of the entrance.  I'm still sitting in my car wondering what this is all about when Skipper waves me to come over to the table

So I do...I'm headed over there and I notice her setting things up on the table.  I reach the table and she states, "This is where we'll set up for the day!"

I'm sorry. WHAT?

WHHHATTT? What psycho planet am I on?

I cannot even form words in order to ask her the millions of questions that are running through my mind .  I'm just watching her lay out brochures and pens and coupon books and I LITERALLY HAVE NO WORDS. 

I think Skipper can sense my confusion as she begins to cheerfully explain that she loves interacting with people and offering them such great deals to things like baseball games, bowling alleys, and events! She continues to explain that the coupon books cost $30 but are worth over $300 in savings!  

Oh. my. gosh. How is it possible that I literally had no idea what was happening up until this point? And not only that, but how am I supposed to sit here for an ENTIRE day and shadow this leading marketing representative?? 

Did I mention that it was August? Sweltering August? And I am in business attire? OUTSIDE??

Entertainment coupon books, you guys.

A few people come up to the table and ask about the coupon books while I'm still trying to sort out my thoughts. But I know one thing's for sure, I cannot stay here all day.  I CAN. NOT.  

I'm trying to find the right words to tell her that, although I said I would be shadowing her all day, I most certainly will not be shadowing her all day and I AM LEAVING IMMEDIATELY.   It was a good 30 minutes before I'd worked up the courage to say something and then another interested party approaches the table and begins speaking with Skipper.  

But I had already given myself a pep talk, worked up the courage, and I absolutely could not wait one more second to get in my car with AIR CONDITIONING and drive away from whichever twilight zone I had stepped into.  

So I quietly gathered my things and began to come out from behind the table.  Skipper catches my eye while she's repeating her sales pitch and I mouth and motion the following words to her:

 "I'm gonna go.  This isn't for me."

She seems confused, so I try again:

"I'm leaving.  Thank you and BYYYEEEEEE."  

And I quickly make my way to my get away car.  

I have never been so relieved to make an exit.

Craigslist isn't for everyone, folks.  Namely those fresh outta college 21 year olds who are looking for a dream job.  Craigslist is DEFINITELY not for you :)

But if you're into comedy and ironic situations, it seems like a perfect fit.

Thanks for the good times, Craigslist. Until next time...

- Brit 

  

Conquering the bucket list!

I am feeling SUPER motivated these days and am taking advantage of this motivation by conquering BUCKET LIST ITEMS!! Last December I happily marked one item off of my bucket list, which you can read about HERE.

Now I've got my eye on CROSSFIT!

To be clear, my bucket list states "become a Crossfit machine", so I'm confident that it will take some time (like, 2 or 3 weeks, right??).  But we all start somewhere, ehhhh?

And by "start somewhere" I mean, like...I can't even do an assisted pull-up. YET.

We started taking Crossfit classes last week and I am LOVING it.  I realize it's only been a little over a week, but I'm pretty excited about it, even after leaving every class exhausted and SO SORE. Like...SO sore. And with BLISTERS. I have delicate hands y'all.

My obsession with Crossfit started about 3 years ago when I was flipping through all of the many channels that are available when you have a precious gift called cable (I haven't had cable for the last 2 years...I only really miss ESPN, TLC, and ABC Family...but MAN I miss them!) and I came across the Crossfit games.  I ended up watching the games for 3 hours!! I was in awe of their raw physical power and their intensity! I knew I wanted to try it then, but at the time I wasn't aware of any Crossfit gyms in the area.  Now, there are several within a 5 mile radius so there's just no excuse for me not to give it a try.  So try I shall!!

I'll keep y'all posted on my progress.  I'm hoping to be at like, 5% body fat by the end of the month.

I kid, I kid.  I'm just hoping to make it through every class and still be able to walk the next day.

I am ready for a change, y'all.