One-Dollar Wonders

30 Comments

• Suz replied 11 years ago

  Rae, you look terrific! And it is clear you do your homework. The right job WILL come along eventually.

• replied 11 years ago

  Good job for keeping those interviews booked! You look terrific in this outfit, mature and sophisticated (but not *old*! YKWIM). If this one doesn't work out, a better one will. I'm sure of it. You'll be running one of those stores before a year is up and then YOU'LL be doing the interviews. Pffffffft!

• Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

  Fingers crossed - you look amazing.

• Jaime replied 11 years ago

  You look great and I would be thrilled to have a SA that looked like you. Good luck!

• Nadya replied 11 years ago

  Great look, and you're owning it! A friend of mine who's an actor told me once that his job isn't acting, it's going on casting calls; actually booking a job is a bonus. I try to remember that when I'm in interview mode. Keeps me going, as you are!

• Angie replied 11 years ago

  That's there loss :(

  You looked terrific today! And good luck tomorrow. xoxo

• rae replied 11 years ago

  Thank you for the pep talks, everyone! I agree that right now my job is finding a job!

  For the sake of positivity, I am also happy with:

  Ebay sales - can't be a total loser if I'm paying the expenses even without a job, right?
  Dress for Success - I feel like I'm fitting in fine and enjoy all the ladies there. And hey, if it takes me a year to get a job, by then I can hopefully add some great references.
  Personal shopping on the side - hugely happy to have a couple of clients.
  New website - yes, it did get deleted during my computer issues, but it can be rebuilt, and I liked how it looked.

  So yeah, it's totally their loss. And Pfffft as well. I may just repeat that into the mirror every morning.

• siniestra replied 11 years ago

  that's the spirit!

• Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

  Here's hoping - and by the way YLF

• goldenpig replied 11 years ago

  You look great and I can't wait to see who is lucky enough to get the privilege of having you work with them! Sounds like you are keeping plenty busy with all the different things you are doing till the perfect job comes along. Good luck on the interview tomorrow!

• rute replied 11 years ago

  Good luck!
  Great outfit!

• fashionista replied 11 years ago

  I pray for the best job to land on your lap very soon. The one that you will enjyo doing and love.
  WOW!!! looking gorgeous. How I wish I could come out of my comfort zone (jeans n tees) and wear some dresses.........I love seeing you all wear dresses.......

  Very best of luck gorgeous.

• Sveta replied 11 years ago

  I think you looked great and very appropriate for the interview, Rae.
  Don't get put down by interview rejections, there is always another one around the corner. Instead of thinking that you were not good enough for them think that somebody else fitted their requirements better, that's all. :-) It is a number game after all.
  Good luck for today's interview!

• Glory replied 11 years ago

  Rae you look great and have a great optimistic approach. The right thing will come along!!

• Janet replied 11 years ago

  Oh, I missed the news of the first interview, but good luck on this one! You look perfect for the occasion -- I would hire you in a heartbeat. *fingers crossed*

• MNsara replied 11 years ago

  Wow, rae - this outfit was perfect! It has all the fnky Anthro vibe but very sophisticated :-)

  It IS their loss at the first store, but trust it's for a reason and hope that where you o get the offer will be a place you love to work!

  Congrats on all the other pieces of your life that are fulfilling, growing, and providing money! A big pat on your back for everything you already have going ((pat, pat))

• Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

  Perfect outfit for the interview Rae - I like the combination of colours here. You are gaining valuable experience at DFS and with your personal clients. Eventually you will land the right job and then you'll never look back!

• texstyle replied 11 years ago

  So glad to hear you have another interview - seems like you are on the right track. It is a competitive time of course so don't get discouraged.

  You look great!

  I said before I've interviewed quite a large number of people over the years so I can't help but offer some personal reflections. In your interview, I think you should try to make sure you are focusing on what the stores need to be focusing on -- increasing sales and revenue - and how you can contribute to that with your sales abilities and interest in helping people find great clothing and household items.

  I wouldn't talk too much about my side businesses (even if they seem related), the store may feel that these things will be a distraction for you from your regular job. If it were me and you told me you had a web site, e-bay business, personal styling business and you were volunteering for DFS I think I might feel like you had a lot going on already. Even if these things really don't take up much of your time it could sound like a lot to someone on the outside.

  Okay, just my two cents. Best wishes for a successful 2nd, second interview!

• lynne replied 11 years ago

  You look amazing; confident, competant, and cute!

• rae replied 11 years ago

  Thank you for the pep talks, and texstyle, thank you again for the pointers. I feel better knowing that I had been doing those things already. I briefly mention internet sales IF they ask one of their questions about my first experiences with the company, but that's it. I have been trying to talk up my sales role from the bank as well.

  This morning I've been remembering why I left the bank, too, and have come to think that I'm better off not getting hired if they don't like me or don't think I'll fit in - be it because I'm older or too businessy/stuffy or whatever. I didn't fit in at the last place, and that was the most uncomfortable thing of all. Better to wait for the place that loves me. :T

• bj1111 replied 11 years ago

  first of all, ylf and great job matching the store vibe.

  second, you're doing all the right things to get into the field of your dreams so hold on to that. success can be initially elusive but you'll be stronger from this experience.

  go, rae!!!

• catgirl replied 11 years ago

  You look just perfect. I'm really curious about the interviews - what do they ask you about? Does anyone ask why you left banking? I'm wondering if anyone is worried this is just a lark for you rather than a serious career move - because I CAN'T IMAGINE a retail store that wouldn't snap you up! Articulate, presentable, knowledgeable, responsible, gorgeous - geez what more could they want?!

• rae replied 11 years ago

  They all seem to read off the same list of questions. When they say "tell me about yourself" I make a point to say that I left banking because I wanted to follow my passion and work with clothing.

  Other questions are about how I see the ideal Anthro customer, why I chose to interview for Anthro, how I think about great customer service, how my past jobs have prepared me for this job, and "what kind of friend" I am. I'm definitely aiming to use these as openings to talk about all the reasons I'd be a good hire, rather than just answering... I dunno, maybe I come off too smooth, like a politician or something. o_0

• replied 11 years ago

  I'm totally late to the party but I just wanted to say that you looked gorgeous! They are CRAZY if they don't snatch you up! Good luck!

• rachylou replied 11 years ago

  You look cute.

  sidebar: Hey, it occurs to me that I can't see your makeup. What says you about makeup? I remember that being a fave topic of conversation when I worked in the boutiques.

  Anyways. Personality fit is the biggest deal. Shared attitude. I think it edges out skill, provided a certain minimum is met. When I went looking for a job as a baker... oh man. The world of food can be too much, and I'm straight laced. I don't want to smoke pot. Running cons and schemes is not a reason to be proud IMO. I don't think it's ok to call yourself a kosher bakery when you aren't. And I'm absolutely not interested in fist-fights between 40-yr-olds.

  sidebar: Another thought, esp. in this economic climate. Point blank: I have found high ambition doesn't please people these days. They're not looking for Big Ideas. People are looking for people who can be take it slow, be happy where they are, and lighten the load.

• JulieJohn replied 11 years ago

  To echo Una's thoughts, if they don't hire you I will seriously doubt their intelligence. Plus they don't even know how to spell anthropology! You look wonderful, and I love the fall colors creeping into your palette. Best of luck, you have a LOT to offer.

• replied 11 years ago

  And as a side note, it sucks you are nowhere near me because I would hire you to help with with my wardrobe in a NYC minute! I am not sure if I would be able to afford you, but let's pretend I could. You have an amazing eye for proportion, are very intuitive as to what works and have an amazing personality to boot! You would make a killing in this city!
  (Just planting a seed)

• Sandy replied 11 years ago

  Beautiful outfit, I love the bag with the blue.

• rae replied 11 years ago

  Rachy, I started with more makeup at the first place, but I lightened up on it because I noticed the interviewers and other employees were way more natural. Trying to fit in!

  That makes total sense about shared attitudes. It is probably good, actually. I *want* to be around like-minded people. I feel like I've gotten along really well with the other applicants, so hopefully that is a good sign. There have been a few people that I'll be kind of disappointed if i don't see again.

  Zap, I am actually flea-market shopping for one of my clients by mail - how is that for planting a seed? ;) Although you are making a business trip to NYC sound amaaaazing. Most businesses lose money the first year anyway, right?

• Ariadne replied 11 years ago

  rae, I love this outfit and I want to steal and/or copy it (too bad that dress is sold out in my size--I've been eyeing it for a while and waited too long!). That teal color is wonderful on you, and the cardi, bag and boots add so much interest and really show your eye for detail and style. I would hire you in a second if I could. Keep your head up and I'm sure the right job will come along. There's an amazing consignment store right near me that's had no luck finding a new consigner--they would love to have you--if only you lived here!