Hi World!
It's been forever since my last blog post. I've been so overwhelmed with life, put everything off, and I was lost in my own little world. I don't even remember the last time I posted, but there's been a lot that went down since then.
Let me give you a brief update..
I've been doing some soul-searching lately, and where else to find my source of nourishment than the great Oprah herself? I've been watching a lot of Oprah interviews, and I've been finding some common themes that ring true to me. One of which I found to be true to me was that everybody is seeking validation.
Oprah said that after each interview she does, and she's interviewed everyone, from Michael Jackson, to murderers, to celebrities, to the housewife, to everyone, Oprah said, everyone seeks for validation in life. After each interview, and after the cameras and lights are all off, each person has asked her, "Was I okay?" Oprah mentioned this tidbit, because she had a little anecdote when she was once a young and fresh news anchor who made $20,000 year, which was good money at that time and day.
One day, while she was working at this company, she learned that she was making less money than her male counterpart. She was shocked, upset, and went to the manager/boss to ask for a raise. When she went to the manager, the manager asked her "do you have a family to support?" Oprah said "no". The manager then asked "do you have a mortgage to pay off?" Oprah said "no", then the manager asked, "do you have any other reason to be paid as much as the male counterpart?" Oprah said "no, thank you for your time", and then left. Oprah then later quit that job and later became the Oprah that we all love and know today, but she said from that lesson, she learned that she didn't feel validated at that place, and it was her instincts that told her to leave.
For me, before I ventured off to working at Eugenia Kim and Macy's, I just wanted to get my foot in the door of fashion. I wasn't thinking of the realities of living and spending in New York. I thought that I'll just roll with the punches. So here was my reality, I was working at Macy's for $9/hr, and interning at Eugenia Kim for $8/hr. Later that $8 at Eugenia Kim went up to an outstanding $8.75! After my stint as an English Teacher in Guatemala and South Korea, living with such wages was shocking. In Korea, I was generating a comfortable income, so I didn't have to discipline myself with money. Upon moving to New York, and starting over as a waitress, intern and now entry-level employee was nothing short of easy. Over the course of 2014 in New York, I was really living the struggle, and I learned that I couldn't continue living with such low wages. The experience at Eugenia Kim was really cool at some points. I had the chance of breathing the same air as the creatives who were bringing to life this whole fashion brand, the luxurious people who bought the hats, and overall, feeling like I was a part of this glamorous movement, but still I knew I couldn't go on like this. I had to find a solution.
I went to the manager, and asked for a full time position at Eugenia Kim. My statistics were good, so I felt I had enough under my belt. As a sales intern, I participated in the Sample Sale and generated over $15,000 in sales, and tied in #1 in the sales rankings with another Sales Executive on the team. Mind you, I was an intern and beat some of the other full time, higher ups in the sales team. I had helped the sales team nail at least 4 buyers to come into the showroom in this upcoming Coterie event. I had helped increase the number of contacts in the total contact buyers list based on hours of hard-worked research. You get the idea, my numbers spoke for themselves. Unfortunately, Eugenia Kim was not hiring any full-timers currently, although (interestingly) they are constantly hiring new interns. I asked for a $16/hr rise, as an intern, and they declined, but offered $10/hr. I could have accepted it, but instinctively, I felt that it was my defeat. I had brought in thousands of dollars for this company, and they couldn't match up to my $16. In salary terms, that's somewhere around $32,000/year, which is still not that much considering the standard of living these days.
As I mentioned in the Oprah story earlier. Oprah went to her manager, and asked for a raise, but her manager denied her because in the manager's eyes Oprah didn't deserve it. I went to the manager in pursuits of a full time job, to continue the success of the brand, but for whatever reason the manager didn't feel that I deserved it. I too, now understand the importance of feeling validation in the workplace.
So now that part one is covered, I'm off to part two, which is my current JOB HUNT!
I've been pursuing a new job, and I think it's a really good opportunity to find something I feel is the right fit for me. Before, I just wanted to get my foot in the door, but now I want to be in a place where my intelligence, skills, and experience is valued and appreciated. I've been tirelessly sending out my CV to endless emails. I'll be honest, I use Craigslist, and you know what, I like Craigslist, because I get direct responses from it. Other more "official" platforms have such strict regulations, and slow administrative speed times, I prefer using Craigslist where you know real people, who are really searching for people, are posting stuff.
So far, I've gotten a handful of interviews. Let me tell you about my journey so far. Here are the places I've had interviews with so far..
1. Core Staffing Service (Employment Agency)
2. Solomon Page Group Fashion & Beauty (Fashion Employment Agency)
3. Fourth Floor (Fashion Employment Agency)
4. Small Business Expo
Just to let you know, since coming back to New York last year in April 2014, I hadn't gone to a Employment Agency to search for a job. In hindsight, I wish I had, but I'm doing it now, and I want to share all that I can to help you too! Find working through an Employment Agency in America is new adventure for me, and I'm learning a lot as I'm walking through it.
So far, I really liked working with CORE, and Fourth Floor. First off, CORE had a beautiful office located in the Trump Tower at Wall Street, so going there was a fun trip for me. CORE had reached out to me via email, entailing all these tasks I had to do. I didn't know, but these employment agencies ask for a number of things, when you meet with them for the first interview
1. 2 Forms of ID to prove that you are eligible to work in the US. I used my passport, which is enough to prove my identification, and eligibility to work in the US, so I only needed one form of ID
2. Resume
3. Employment References!
CORE had its standards, and I felt that asking for the hardcopy of the past employment references was so annoying, but I just bit the bullet and went along with it.
I met with one of the recruiters, (who I will call Jill*) who examined my resume, and coached me. Jill* told me that she was specifically taking care of the recruiting at the Luxury Goods Market, and she felt that a Marketing Position at NARS would be a good fit for me. I was thrilled to hear such news, and I told her I wanted my CV sent asap!
I've also been working with Fourth Floor to search for jobs, and they have asked me if I was interested in certain positions at many different amazing companies, but I'm not sure how long hiring process takes. I went to interview with a high-end Korean brand called O'2nd this week for a temporary position, but I just found out today that that position was given to someone else. I was a bit bummed, and skeptical of going through this whole process.. but what else do I have to lose?
I'm continuing with my JOBHUNT, and I'm going to trudge forward to something worth it because I'm worth it. It's so hard to find that perfect balance, of loving the brand, the company, and the staff, and also having that brand, company, and staff love you back. In the fashion world, it's particularly hard because it's a known thing that the first years are so difficult, and even when you give in your years, it's not certain that you're gonna make it big. It's a big gamble, sort to speak, and you have to play your cards right. You have to have the right connections, make the right moves, be at right place at the certain time.. and you need to have the guts to ask for things, you know most people wouldn't dare to ask for.. and it's daunting!
So for me, I'm open to a great job that's not necessarily in fashion, but well-paid, and will help me pursue my dreams in fashion. I want to utilize this blog, as a platform to help me get some of my ideas out, and to connect with all of you out there, but currently I'm still figuring out my situation.
So that's 2 for 4 on my updated list. Oh yes, and I never told you, but on to three.. I met a wonderful new person in my life, who has been supportive of me in every way, everyday.. and brings me newfound joy and hope. This new person is my boyfriend named Yeni! Yeni and I started talking in October, and we made things official in November, and now in February, I'd say things are pretty steady and smooth sailing. We see each other everyday, and make sure we eat at least one meal together. Being in love is great, and I feel happy. This love makes me feel strong, and secure. For a while, I didn't think that I could feel such security in love, again. I knew that love existed, and it was out there, and I knew I deserved it, but I didn't think that love believed in me. I thought love gave up on me, because it ran out of its cupid arrows to strike. I was so frustrated going on date after date after date, to meet a nice person, but not a true connection. Finally, one day the stars were aligned in my favor, and I met Yeni, who has treated me like queen ever since day one. He calls me his queen, as I now call him my king. Haha it's all fun, and cute, but I realize the importance of validation and respect in a relationship. Ladies, always choose the man who puts you first! It saves so many tears, and I've been in the dark pits of love.. but now I've got to say, I love my Yeni.
And that leads to 4, which is the brand new me! I've been through all these series of events, and it's been tough, but I've learned that everything is going to be okay, but I want new fish to fry. I want to find my new, wonderful job where I feel validated and secure. I want to give it a month, even less would be better, but realistically I'd like to find that special job in the next 50 days.
I'll keep you posted, and I'll be expecting you.
Keep warm, and positive!
Xo,
Susan
No comments:
Post a Comment