Interviews…Sminterviews…

How do I even begin blogging about my interview experiences these past three weeks? Well, if you know me, you know I am ALL over the place. Sadly enough my LA job search has mirrored my Sydney search. That can’t be a good sign considering I was a waitress in Oz. I’m exaggerating a bit, but I have been on a ton of interviews. Some have gone well, some have turned into follow-ups, and others have just been bizarre. Since most of my job leads come from Craig’s List, a few sketchy job postings have conned me into thinking they are legit. One position I interviewed for last Friday at 4:10 pm (red alarm #1) was in BFE (alarm #2) and had me stay and talk with a man that looks like he just stepped off the Vegas strip (alarm #3) for 2. 5 hours (alarm #4)! Needless to say, that did not turn into a fruitful position. To embellish just a bit on his appearance, he was in his late 50s, wearing a “Google” polo shirt (as if he use to work there…please) had visible tattoos, a gold pinkie ring, and a nice phat gold chain bracelet. You can only imagine the look on my face when I realized I was interviewing for a position at his company, and then imagine that face at 6:30pm on a Friday when he wouldn’t shut up. Oh Craig’s List, how you failed me on this one. (NOTE to all job hunters: read any position with marketing in its title with extreme caution).

Another funny interview anecdote was a major Sydney déjà vu. A “Chic Santa Monica Boutique” (quoted directly from the Craig’s List posting) called me to interview for a Stylist Position. They must have reached me on a day when I was really feeling sorry for myself because they conned me into coming in for a 2-hour sales ‘audition.’ I show up to the chic boutique realizing it is a cheesy prom dress store…..great. I was on the floor by myself for 2 hours while the manager watched to see how I “worked the floor.” Only one customer came in, and whew the pressure was on! She tried on some cheesy dresses and I sold her on one of them. As she is changing back into her clothes and I take the dress she wants to purchase to the register, the manager shoves four other REALLY CHEESY dresses in my face. I guess I was suppose to show these to the customer?? However, I thought they were ugly so I put them back on the rack. Yea, the manager didn’t like that. I left after working for FREE for 2 hours with her saying, “We’ll keep in touch.” Clearly I never heard back, and let’s be honest….what the HELL was I thinking. I swear I went to college, graduated with a degree in Finance, and made good grades. Why in the hell am I wasting my time trying to get a job at a cheesy prom dress store. Come on Melanie.



The latest in my job search has sent me to Las Vegas for a final round of the interview process with a fashion showroom. They flew their top two candidates to Vegas to work the Magic Tradeshow for four days. They put us up in a hotel room at The Westin. Notice that is a singular hotel room. Yes, I am sharing a room with the competition. I guess the key here is to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. From some great pillow talk convos, I realize she is way more qualified for the position, and I have NO clue how I have even made it this far. Oh, and to top it all off, her best friend works for the company. So seriously, what am I doing here? Oh well, another learning experience, right? Oh and how could I forget, these past four days in Vegas means I am not air mattress living. I am in fact sleeping on an amazing Westin Heavenly Bed. Yes bed, you are heavenly. I promise when I get a job and make the big bucks, I will purchase you. ☺ I had big dreams of coming to Vegas, getting a job, and winning millions on my favorite Wheel of Fortune Slot Machine. I attempted at gambling this evening at the Palazzo, and not only did the pit boss think my ID was a fake, I also lost all my money. (second NOTE to all job hunters: if you don’t have a job, you have no business in a casino). That brought me back to the Westin in full spirits and ready to go back to Cali. Tomorrow is the last day of the show so I shall be home shortly. I have a busy week ahead and am looking forward to the weekend festivities. ☺

Maybe when I reach a mature 24, I will be able to score a job. Fingers crossed.