Business Dates

It hasn't been very long. I really have no reason to complain. I've only been out of school for 16 months. Wait... what?! SIXTEEN months! That can't be right! You're delusional. I'm still a student and don't have to worry about a real job, or benefits, or a 401k. And bills? Who needs 'em! Pff, now who's delusional?

Clearly it was time for me to get my career-act together (and potentially see a therapist). Thanks to Jill's passing my resume along in her company, I managed to land a grown-up interview. That's right, I donned business pants with business pumps and toted a business bag which held my business resume for my very businessy meeting in Southie.

I would like to interrupt my story to point out that interviews are the work equivalent of first dates. They are mildy awkward encounters where you think to yourself, Am I talking too much? Did I really just say 'you betcha'? Do I have broccoli in my teeth? Why would I have broccoli in my teeth? I haven't eaten broccoli all week. Then what's stuck in there? I wonder if he noticed. Why won't my palms stop sweating? Is my smile starting to look creepy? It must look creepy, he's looking at me funny. What did he just say? I don't even know what that word means. Just smile and nod.... Oh man, that wasn't a yes or no question... the nod failed. What am I supposed to say? Where did that question come from? I don't know my favorite color nevermind the correct meaning of 'teamwork!' I take that back, my favorite color is green, but what hue exactly? Why does he keep looking at my sweater? I knew the flower accent was too much! Is this almost over? Interviews and dates, despite all the internal dialogue, are meant to show your best qualities and the occasional cute quirks, although toned-down. You keep your scary skeletons tightly packed away in the closet until you've worked the job for a month (or date #5), at least. After you've said your goodbyes, you anxiously wait by the phone hoping they had as much fun as you did. Date #2 is their call, not yours.

Anyway, I went to the interview. It went well. I got a second date. Long story short, my resume was finally handed off to the Director of Marketing, who arranged another interview. I arrived for my 9 o'clock yesterday, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Again, it went well. I didn't have any previous design-interview experience, however, so how was I to know just how well it went? The answer came later that day. I got the job. Let me repeat that... I GOT THE JOB! Suffice it to say when I received the offer, only dogs could hear me. I proceeded to screech and frolic, both things I am not normally known for. What can I say, job offers bring out unusual behavior.

I am happy to say that my career-act is finally coming together.