So, Why a Website? Why Now?
Look, I know what you’re thinking. It’s 2016, and you’re finally getting around to creating your own space on the Interwebs.
Yes, I’m late. Way late. I have my reasons as to why, but we don’t need to get into each one of those right now.
So, why now?
Over the last year, I’ve had a few job interviews, and have been a finalist in most of them. In July, I had an interview with a dot com in July as a public relations manager. Dream job? Maybe. It’s an industry I’d like to be in, and was considering donating a body part to land the position. I was honored to be asked to interview and prepared like crazy.
Alas, no dice.
“We’re looking for someone with more technology experience.”
Now, I think I could do the job without the tech experience, but that doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter I had an eWorld (Apple’s version of AOL) username back in 1994, used FTP sites to download MP3s back in 1999 (that’s pre-Napster for you youngsters) and it doesn’t matter that I can use Microsoft Word with the best of them.
What mattered: The company didn’t share those feelings.
So, left with two choices:
- Sulk/do nothing
- Learn and improve
I chose to learn and improve.
The first thing I did learn when applying for the Dream Job: Enough with the formality, and enough with holding back. I sent them a bold new cover letter with personality, and included a wedding ceremony rough draft as a writing sample. Hell, I told them there were errors in the rough draft, but felt they should see a different side of me, and how I write.
It was enough to land an interview, but not enough to land the job.
So, I’m doing something wrong. I need to do better. And this is my answer.