Day 24 - WHERE IS MY SUIT?

Today was my "meeting" to discuss talent acquisition and I wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I organized a packet of information of my accomplishments for the interviewers, I reviewed the company information and tried to think of any type of scenario that could play out.

I took a shower and then went to work on my hair which is a multi step process including product, towel drying, blowing and flat ironing (OK TMI). I applied my make-up and minimal jewelery. I had about 10 minutes left before I had to leave. I go into my closet to get my interview power suit. It is like my superman's cape. In this outfit I am indestructible and gain magical and infectious enthusiasm. I look in my newly organized closet of clothes and can't find it anywhere. I take deep breadths and tell myself to relax. Soon I am flinging through hangers and running through the house. I am looking in other closets, the office, the car, the dirty clothes anywhere I can think.. it is no where to be found. Now I have 5 minutes to leave the house to give myself adequate travel time and had to go to Plan B. Keep in mind, I didn't actually have a Plan B outfit. I grab a pair of dress pants and a nice sweater blazer. It was OK, but nothing like my coat of armor.

Fast forward to the interview. As I mentioned before, I worked for this company earlier in my career and began to get that nagging question in my head... I wonder what my reputation was like when I left??? You always hope people sing your praises but you never know when you leave. All of sudden you can become the dirt bag or scape goat for bad HR work that leaves current employees unscathed.

Luckily I had a warm reception but as the conversation progressed it was clear that the role they had was not at the level that I had hoped. The end of the meeting, turned to the doomed, maybe I can consult for you and help you out until you find that person? discussion.

Walking away I felt the high and then the low. I wish this would have been the right fit. I wallowed a little and called a few friends about the potential for contract work and then got back to the emergency at hand... Where is my suit?

Then a scary thought occurred... I just went through a major purging of clothes and delivered about 6 bags of clothes to the Salvation Army. Did I give my suit away? I broke this problem down into an action plan: 1. Call cleaner asking if they have a suit hanging out with no owner and 2. If necessary, run over to Salvation Army and try to buy my suit back. Well needless to say, action step 1 was a flop and I had to do the Salvation Army rummage. There were about 1000 black pants and 500 black jackets stocked together. I had to look through everyone and see if there was a match - unsuccessful on that front.

I am going to sleep on it and maybe the suit will magically appear tomorrow. This phenomenon has actually occurred in my life.

On another miraculous note, the company I interviewed with called and wants me to come back and explore with them... yeah...

Realization - Network connections and last minute interviews tend to be some of the strongest links to finding positions. Realization 2 - Have more than one power suit to go to for situations like this one. Also, do not underestimate the power of the last minute fall back outfit --- got me another interview.