If the Shoe Fits.....

After my whiny, post last week, I realized it was time to make a change. On the advice of my far to opinionated housemate, I narrowed my occupational search, and broadened my geographical one. To my surprise, both seemed greatly useful. I now have a job interview on Thursday and a phone interview Monday! I am not going to discuss either for fear of jinxing them. However I am going to discuss my thoughts on interviews themselves.

While I am sure this is not unique to myself, I find interviews to be extremely nerve racking. First of all, I don’t know this person, yet they know a great deal about me. I feel it‘s kind of like a one sided speed dating. Especially, since lately in job posts they often ask me to include a current picture of myself. You would think they would look on one of the many social media outlets I am on. Is the need for a picture to know if I have a full beard before I walk in so they won’t stare? Or maybe if I am morbidly obese so they would know what size chair to put out? I’m applying for copywriting and social media positions I did not know my outward appearance would be a deciding factor. I could understand if I was applying to be a go go dancer or a model (at 5’4” that would be interesting).

Interviews always make me wonder, will the Koi fish tattooed on my foot be a problem (my parents secretly think so)? How about spending my waking life in 5” heals and that I am not a huge fan of jeans, will these be an “issue“? Don’t laugh it‘s happened before, casuals just not my thing. What about my Starbucks addiction? A lot of people don't like them.

Companies say they want you to be yourself, but how much of myself should I be? My outward appearance says a lot and I know they have read my blog, or so they say. One would assume they should already know what to expect.

I guess it all comes down to the fit. If I go in and they don’t like my appearance and don’t find me to be the “right fit,” then I probably don’t want to work there anyways. I have made that mistake in the past, and as I said it’s time for a change, although I don't mean a change of clothes or shoes.