I should be a professional job interviewer

So lately I have been applying for/ interviewing for jobs. Only makes sense seeing that I'm out of college, living with my parents, and broke. So, with all of my interviews going on lately, I've started to discover a pattern; about my own behavior and the interview itself.

My behavior: I obsess over what I'm wearing...typical girl thing but seriously, what do you wear to an interview these days? Is a suit too formal? what exactly defines business casual? I didn't learn these things in school..and if they were taught I obviously wasn't paying attention. Needless to say I give myself a good amount of time to get ready.

Also, on the drive to the interview I am NOT nervous at all. It is kinda strange. I'm just in this weird calm, relaxed mood.

BUT THEN, as soon as I pull in the parking space at the interview I start to panic. I sweat profusely, and my heart is racing. So, after a 5 minute pep talk in the car I pull myself together and go inside.

To be completely honest, I have what I like to call, a bitch face. I don't actually act like a bitch, but my face in its relaxed, natural state, looks like I want to smack someone in the face. I have been told this many times and I've come to accept it. So, this makes the interviewing process even more challenging. I have to constantly remind myself not to stare at people like I hate them, and SMILEEEEEE like I'm on a crest white strips commercial. I'm working on developing a new happier face as we speak, don't worry.

So the interview always starts with the introductions, the hand shake, ice breakers, how are you doing today, nice weather, cute shirt, etc.

THEN WE GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

What kind of leadership experience have you had?
Name 3 people, dead or alive, who you would like to meet.
Tell me about a time where you had to make a difficult decision.
What is your biggest strength?
What is your biggest weakness?
What qualities would you bring to this job?
Why do you think this job is right for you?
(I'm not listing these for the sake of typing...I know there are some of you out there who might need these one day!)

So the hour long interview flies by in what seems like ten minutes and I can't even remember anything that I said other than "nice to meet you" and "thank you for the opportunity". Most of the time I remember more about the decor of the room or what the interview person was wearing. It honestly feels like I blackout while I'm talking and then finally come around when they say "well I think that's all."

The drive home is always longer than the drive there. I'm over-analyzing, mass texting everyone who wants to know about the interview (thanks guys!) and usually listening to my mom give me the run down on what I did well and what I should have done instead...always a fun conversation.

Then the waiting begins. I mean, how soon after someone says "you'll hear from us soon" is too soon? Wew. A couple days? A week? And I am a total phone call screener too. So when I see a random number I think to myself...could this be the interview person calling or some creeper I gave my number to. So then I let it go to voicemail and panic when someone from the company says to call them back as soon as possible.

I take a few deep breaths and call them back. When the phone is still ringing I imagine my most friendly voice and happy greeting. I swear I would make a killing in telemarketing. Who can resist this voice? Its like an angel.

Well, now you know the inner workings of my mind/ how I get ready for an interview. Take from this what you will. But hey, I must be doing something right...the phone keeps on ringing. A little thing I like to call opportunity is on the line...

You're just jealous cuz we're young and in love.

Yesterday I had a super emo moment listening to one of my favorite bands, Brand New. In high school I was obsessed with Brand New. I used their lyrics to apply to my life and pasted them all over my myspace and AIM profile. The title of this blog, comes from a Brand New song (posted below). I can remember living and breathing for this song and thinking that people were jealous of my high school boyfriend and I because we were young and in love. How precious/corny. But listening to those old songs got me thinking about how much I miss high school and how simple life was back then. I miss my volcom hoodies, my black and pink vans, concerts in smokey bars, the feeling of finding your first "true love" and thinking it will last forever, connecting with people through the words in a song, feeling emotions and not being afraid to express them, not worrying about what the future holds, living for the moment.

Not to say that I have a super complicated life now or anything, but things back then were just so much easier. My biggest problem back then was whether or not my mom would let me stay out past curfew. I had forgotten what it feels like to listen to a song and be completely taken away to a different place. Music has always been a big part of my life..I think I just forgot how big of a part it used to be.


"Soco Amaretto Lime" Brand New

Passed out on the overpass
Sunday best and broken glass
Broken down from the bikes and bars
Suspended like spirits over speeding cars
You and me were kings over the parkway tonight
And tonight will go on forever while we
walk around this town like we own the streets
and stay awake through summer like we own the heat
Singing "everybody wake up (wake up) it's time to get down"
(everybody, everybody wake up its time to get down)
And when I pass the bottle back to Pete
on the overpass tonight, I bet we laugh

I'm gonna stay eighteen forever (cut me open)
So we can stay like this forever (sun poisoned)
And we'll never miss a party (this offer...)
cause we keep them going constantly (...stands forever)
And we'll never have to listen (new haircut)
to anyone about anything (new bracelet)
cause it's all been done and it's all been said (eyeliner)
we're the coolest kids and we take what we can get

The hell out of this town
Find some conversation
The low fuel lights been on for days
It doesn't mean anything
I've got another 500, 'nother 500 miles
before we shut this engine down,
we shut it down

I'm gonna stay eighteen forever (cut me open)
So we can stay like this forever (sun poisoned)
And we'll never miss a party (this offer...)
cause we keep them going constantly (...stands forever)
And we'll never have to listen (new haircut)
to anyone about anything (new bracelet)
cause it's all been done and it's all been said (eyeliner)
we're the coolest kids and we take what we can get (wait forever)

(you're just jealous cause I'm young and in love)
Eighteen forever (first kisses)
(your stomach's filled up but you're starved for conversation)
So we can stay like this forever (new stitches)
(you're spending all your nights growing old in your bed)
And we'll never miss a party (collar weekend)
(and your tearin up your photos cause you wanna forget... it's over)
cause we keep them going constantly (appearance ticket)
(you're just jealous cause I'm young and in love)
And we'll never have to listen (November to...)
(your stomach's filled up but you're starved for conversation)
to anyone about anything cause it's all been done (...remember)
(you're spending all your nights growing old in your bed)
and it's all been said (nightswimmers)
(and your tearin up your photos cause you wanna forget... it's over)
we're the coolest kids and we take what we can get

Just jealous cause we're young and in love
You're just jealous cause we're young and in love
You're just jealous cause we're young and in love
You're just jealous cause we're young and in love
You're just jealous cause we're young and in love

He's only ever let you down...

I've said this before but, the truth hurts. Especially when its staring you in the face and you can't pretend that you don't see it. So hit the game over button and start all over again. I was getting tired of playing that game anyway...



Use Somebody- Kings of Leon

I've been roaming around always lookin down at all I see.
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach.
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
And all you know and how you speak
Countless lovers undercover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shake the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me

Don't get your hopes up...

So lately there have been alot of things that I have been hoping for. I've had my hopes up for job opportunities, personal relationships, etc. But why is it that whenever you start hoping for something people always say, "Don't get your hopes up?" Is that just something people say or are they really trying to protect you from getting hurt/ being disappointed. Either way, I like having my hopes up. I like the feeling of waiting to see what is going to happen next and hoping it is something great. Of course I've had my hopes up many times before, and the results do not always turn out in my favor. Naturally, I then tell myself to not get my hopes up anymore and avoid the heartbreak/ disappointment all together. But how long can we really tell ourselves not to get our hopes up? Maybe we all like hoping that this time won't turn out like the last. This time things will work out like we've dreamed they would in our minds. This time we'll skip the heart ache and the doubt and head straight towards the happiness and joy. Here's to hoping...

Updates

Sorry for the gap in posts! I don't want you guys to think that I'm not thinking about writing. I just get stuck on what to write about. Feel free to share any ideas you have on what I should write about.

So I decided that this blog should be updates on what I've been up to lately/random thoughts about life. Here ya go.

1. Summer camp officially ended on Friday. Mixed feelings...I enjoyed the job very much but I have never been so tired in my life!

2. Interview on Monday and I'm excited! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

3. Used the pick up line, "Where do I know you from?" at a bar last weekend. AND it worked.

4. Zac Efron is GORGEOUS. period.

5. Cancer sucks. Why isn't there a cure yet? It seems like everyday someone I know is being diagnosed.

6. Did karaoke at a bar last weekend where the average age was 50. Belted out "How Will I know" by Whitney Houston and got a good laugh from the crowd.

7. Learned the everything in life happens for a reason. I'm pretty sure I already knew that but I was just reminded recently.

8. Also was reminded that there are few things in life that we have total control over. Sometimes you just have to learn to let go and trust.

9. Saw a movie last night and I've been trying to remember this great quote from it.
It went something like, "Half the fun in life is trying to figure out what you want to do. The other half, the more important half, is figuring out who you want to spend it with."

10. As much as I miss Blacksburg, I am SO glad to not be in school right now. This past couple months have been stressful, but a learning experience. I am excited for what the future holds.

May Angels Lead You In

I've had the song "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World in my head for the last couple of days. I've always loved this song but it seems fitting for the way things are going right now. Never take life for granted, tomorrow is not guaranteed. Rest in peace Emily.

For the life of me, I could not find the Jimmy Eat World video, so I settled for one that goes with some scenes from One Tree Hill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZb9OGDpNCw&feature=related


"Hear You Me"

There's no one in town I know
You gave us some place to go.
I never said thank you for that.
I thought I might get one more chance.

What would you think of me now,
So lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
Now I'll never have a chance.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

Now what would you think of me now,
So lucky, so strong, so proud?
I never said thank you for that,
Now I'll never have a chance.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

And if you were with me tonight,
I'd sing to you just one more time.
A song for a heart so big,
God couldn't let it live.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.

May angels lead you in.
Hear you me my friends.
On sleepless roads the sleepless go.
May angels lead you in.
May angels lead you in.

Water on the rocks, please

Last night some friends and I attempted to go to the free Jason Aldean concert in Norfolk. After waiting in traffic FOREVER, we reached the gate only to be turned away by 2 huge military dudes. Needless to say we were not happy. So, since we were already dressed up and ready for a good night, we ventured out to Va Beach and ended up at this place called Kokamoes. (Cool place by the way).

For those of you who don't know, I've been pretty sick the past couple of days. Going out last night was probably against my better judgment, but I was going nuts sitting in my house. So I had some good,sober fun at a bar full of wasted people.

Whenever I'm sober at bars I always get to thinking. Here were some of my thoughts last night:

Why do people go to bars?
Why do guys come to bars alone?
Why do guys think its okay to dance on you without asking?
Am I going to meet my future boyfriend/husband in a bar? (God I hope not)
Why do white people dance...at all? Seriously just don't.


So, my answer to the first question, why do people go to bars, is this. People go to bars with the hopes of meeting other people, preferably of the opposite sex. If their attempts to meet people don't go as planned, they just continue to drink more until it doesn't matter anymore. But here's where my problem comes in. When I'm getting ready to go to a bar, I'm doing my hair, makeup, picking out a nice outfit, all the while I'm imagining the "perfect" guy I will meet when I get to the bar. Now the problem, is when I get to the bar I think to myself, ew I don't want to talk to any of these creeps. Guys in bars are socially awkward. They either stare at you until you're forced to look away, make up a random question to ask you, or ask you to dance when you are clearly happy just dancing with your girlfriends. So, the lesson I learned from this is, I need to stop expecting to meet someone at a bar.

But seriously, how do guys and girls meet each other after college? The bars in college were so much different than they are now. At least at Tech I knew that everyone in the bar was a college student, so that took away from their creepiness. But now, when I go out in Norfolk or Va Beach, I never know who I'm going to end up talking to. I don't mean to sound like a prude or anything, but there are just some people out there that I do not want to talk to. Maybe I'm being a little harsh and judgmental, but its hard to know who to trust these days. I guess I'm just not ready to accept the idea that "Mr. Perfect" could be out at the bar drinking his bud light and waiting for me to meet him. Can't I just meet someone in the gym? Or grocery store line for that matter? See, this is what is wrong with the world today. We think our lives should mirror movies and fiction novels. But let's be serious, the odds of me meeting someone in the grocery line are about as good as me winning the lottery.

But then that fear starts to creep in. You know, the little voice in the back of your head that warns you, you better meet someone or you'll never get married and be single forever. I HATE that voice. And sometimes I do let the voice get to me and the idea of not finding someone does scare me. But on the other hand, I'm young, and its too early to settle for just anyone. And maybe being single forever isn't as terrible as it sounds. I could make a great cougar some day...

The Ugly Truth

Monday night marked a first in my less than wonderful dating life. I went on a blind date with someone significantly older than me. Not that the age matters, but just going on a blind date in general was intimidating! Unfortunately, fire works did not go off, horns did not sound in the background, and it was not love at first sight. But I definitely learned a few life lessons. And we all know how much I love learning new things. Especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Anyway, here are some things I learned.

Blind dates in real life aren't the same as they are on tv. To be honest, it was pretty normal. I thought I would be super nervous and awkward, but I surprised myself with how calm I was. Sure, I felt a little like I'd be "matched" like the website match.com but I am NOT above that. haha. I also reaffirmed something that I already knew. If you continue to ask people questions about themselves, you will never run out of things to talk about. People are self-centered, they like to hear the sound of their own voice, and they like to brag about their job, finances, hot bod, etc.

Now, perhaps the most important lesson that came from the date is this: Before you can fall in love, live happily ever after, have a house with a white fence, you must, absolutely MUST have a physical connection with the person. Maybe it sounds like a "no duh" type lesson but seriously, when is the last time you approached a guy in a bar because he looked like he had a nice personality? People don't even want to hold conversations with people unless they find them physically attractive. Think about your friends, usually pretty people hang out with other pretty people. Think about your past relationships, did you not look at him when you first met and think oh, he's hot? Well, maybe it's just me, but I've realized that I have GOT to like what I'm looking at physically before I even begin to connect emotionally.

Maybe it sounds like I've got things backwards, but I really think I'm on to something here. Why would you want to spend time getting to know someone's personality if you already know that there's no potential for chemistry? And who doesn't have "the list" of physical features that they want their ideal boyfriend/girlfriend to have. We all want that tall, dark, handsome, preferably well off, guy. It's the ugly truth, and it stings a bit. It might sound shallow or judgmental, but just give it some thought. For me, I'm a shoe person. If a guy has bad shoes, I know that things aren't going anywhere. Some people get hung up about crooked teeth, for others its height. I am a shoe person! What are you?

I LOVE THIS SONG!

I don't know how old/new this song is but I am obsessed with it. It's called "Broken" and it is by Lifehouse.

Broken

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
And I am here still waiting though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
And I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain (In the pain) there's the healing
In your name (In your name) I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, (I'm still holdin')
I'm holdin' on, (I'm still holdin')
I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin')
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hanging on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on to the words you say
You said that I would, would be ok

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain (In the pain) there is healing
In your name (In your name) I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, (I'm still holdin)
I'm holdin' on, (I'm still holdin')
I'm holdin' on, (I'm still holdin')
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin')
I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin')
I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin')
I'm barely holdin' on to you