By Ace Starry
Extra Effort Needed When Getting A First Job
Let's talk jobs. I know that there are some of us out there who
are getting ulcers, fading out of reality, or sliding into
depression (along with the economy) over the potential job market. I
would like to tell you a story about how I got my first "real"
job. This may in some way show you that there is indeed hope for the
likes of you. If I can do it, gosh anyone can.
A number (many) years ago, my day job was a "night job"
as I was performing as a magician at various nightclubs, comedy
clubs and such around Houston. Fate would have it that I met and
fell in love with a woman at one of those very night clubs and of
course my life had to change. She soon got sick and tired of my
playboy life-style (Being out all night at clubs surrounded by women
whom were just a little tipsy to say the least. Remember that I was
a good lookin' guy back then.
One day she suggested that I get a "real" job. ( I
believe her exact suggestion was, "if you don't, then you can
get lost as far as I'm concerned.") I valued her subtle
suggestion and my response to her was "What would I do? I'm a
magician for crimeny (is that a word?) sakes!"
Since at the time she was an apartment manager, she suggest that I
could get into the apartment industry as a leasing agent. She'd seen
people do it with less experience than I had. Of cource she didn't
have a job for me, I'd have to find one on my own.
Dress The Part for Success on a Job Interview
At some time in my life I'd read a book called "Dress for
Success." It was influential in my decision making process at
that time. I knew that if I was going to get a job in the corporate
world, I'd have to look the part. So I went out and bought a blue
blazer and khaki slacks to replace the trusty olo' tuxedo, just in
case I ever got an interview. Then I spent my mornings perusing the
classified ads over a cup of coffee. (This was before the Internet,
so we had to actually read one of those paper things.) When I
finally came across an advertisement desiring a "marketing
representative" (which sounded so much more important than a
leasing agent) for an apartment community, I diligently called until
they finally decided that they would let me talk to the boss. For
some reason, they just wanted me to leave a number and they'd "get
back to me." Ha! What a joke.
The first words out of her mouth were, "What kind of
experience do you have?" I told her that I had more experience
than she could possibly believe a man of my age would have. (I
didn't tell her exactly what kind of experience at this point.)
After I used all the personality skills that I could muster, she
gave in and set up an appointment.
When I got to the interview, I sat in her office with her and told
her in the most reserved manner possible how her company could
benefit using the skills that I had developed as a magician.
(Believe it or not the most magical thing about being a magician is
selling the shows.)
I thought that she was buying into the whole thing about me
creating value, but at the end of the interview she simply thanked
me and said she would call and let me know. Of course I sat by the
phone for the next two days (big mistake) and then called to search
her down and find out whether or not she had hired someone else.
When I finally got a hold of her, she told me that she liked me and
that I was well dressed, charming and clever, but that she thought I
was just, "a little too laid back for the job."
I chuckled a little to myself, holding back tears of laughter.
(Come on! I even bought the suit!) We are talking about a man who
escaped from a straitjacket attached to a burning rope while hanging
from a crane! I was a security guard for Muhammad Ali. I'd performed
in comedy clubs, television, and nightclubs around the country. "Laid
back" was not a term with which I was vaguely familiar.
I thought about exactly what she had said after we hung up the
phone. (Nope - not a cell phone either, back in those days we had to
actually track someone down to call them.) I didn't feel that I was
too laid back. Certainly I must have given that impression, but I am
anything but laid back. So I decided that the next weekend I would
take the opportunity to show her I wasn't a laid back cat at all. I
came up with a crazy, insane idea. Read on to the next to find the
outcome.
Keep pushing the elevator buttons..
>>
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