I went on an interview recently at Lifetouch, I thought it would be a great place to check out and get some experience, and learn more about photography (especially lighting). I applied for a school photographer which was seasonal. I thought it would be perfect. I can see how well I do away from Claire, and get some more experience in photography. My first interview was awesome. The man who interviewed me was so nice and personable. I thought what a great place to work! It would be right up my alley. I got a second interview the following week. I went to this interview; I wore a dress thinking it's a creative type job, it's my second interview, and I really wanted this job. I went in so excited and a little nervous. I sat down for my second interview but it was nothing like the first. After an exchange of a couple sentences the interview turned into what felt like an interrogation on motherhood that went something like this:
"Do you have daycare for your daughter"? "Who is going to do your daycare". "Would they allow you to drop your child off early in the morning" (keep in mind I told her my daughter would mostly be with my husband and my mother). "Do you know what this job entails (it's my second fricken interview)". "How would you even handle this job". She kept rudely asking me how, HOW, HOW, HOW, and more HOW questions! Then I finally got this question: "How are you even going to get up in the morning (my eyes widen and I looked down)"..... Seriously! I could not believe it! This is when I got angry but I just let it all continue. Then, I told her Claire was 6 months old, her response was "OH! I didn't realize she was THAT young". I was caught off guard, in shock, and it's been this first time someone had been terrible to me about being a new mother. The interview continued in this tone and then finally the interview is almost over. I ask about their dress code because I noticed everyone was wearing something a little different. She tells me business causal, and explains it's khakis and polo's (keep in mind only two people in the office are wearing that and she is one of them). Then she looks at me and said "no low cut tops", rudely of course. I said "okay". Then she repeats it two more times. As I am walking out and the subject is more than over, she again says "no low cut tops". I finally respond with "yeah, I remember high school boys" and wondered to myself what was so wrong with wearing a dress?
I was so caught off guard I never stuck up for myself, I didn't put her in her place, and I let her allow me to feel badly about motherhood. Here I was with a resume that explains that I have obtained a license in Cosmetology, a degree in Law Enforcement, I have 10+ years of customer service experience, I still work in the salon, I have great job record, I write a blog, I sell my paintings, I do photography in my free-time, and I am full-time mother! Yet, not one question in the interview was about my job record or any other kind of work experience. I was even nice enough to explain to the woman that I have 5 different daycare options most of them being family that have already volunteered to help me if I were to get the job. The icing on the cake was when I got home my husband first response was " that not even a low cut top!" I got a letter in the mail a week later telling me I didn't get the job.
I wasn't mad I didn't get the job because clearly I didn't need that kind of negativity but I was mad that someone treated me so badly, and that I allowed someone to make me feel so small over a job that only required a high school education. I later wrote a letter to the company explaining my interview and asking them if I applied for a different position in the company if motherhood would be supported. They later called and apologized and I later realized it was a wake up call on how to value myself and everything I have accomplished. Motherhood is an amazing thing and if you can be a mother, you can be anything!
I continued the momentum and applied for an art exhibition at the art museum. I'm continuing to focus on painting, taking pictures, and gathering more creative ideas because someday... somehow it will all pay off.
Part of the reason I haven't blogged in so long is because I made myself finish these two paintings before I could post another blog. Here are the two painting I have been working on over the summer.
"Do you have daycare for your daughter"? "Who is going to do your daycare". "Would they allow you to drop your child off early in the morning" (keep in mind I told her my daughter would mostly be with my husband and my mother). "Do you know what this job entails (it's my second fricken interview)". "How would you even handle this job". She kept rudely asking me how, HOW, HOW, HOW, and more HOW questions! Then I finally got this question: "How are you even going to get up in the morning (my eyes widen and I looked down)"..... Seriously! I could not believe it! This is when I got angry but I just let it all continue. Then, I told her Claire was 6 months old, her response was "OH! I didn't realize she was THAT young". I was caught off guard, in shock, and it's been this first time someone had been terrible to me about being a new mother. The interview continued in this tone and then finally the interview is almost over. I ask about their dress code because I noticed everyone was wearing something a little different. She tells me business causal, and explains it's khakis and polo's (keep in mind only two people in the office are wearing that and she is one of them). Then she looks at me and said "no low cut tops", rudely of course. I said "okay". Then she repeats it two more times. As I am walking out and the subject is more than over, she again says "no low cut tops". I finally respond with "yeah, I remember high school boys" and wondered to myself what was so wrong with wearing a dress?
I was so caught off guard I never stuck up for myself, I didn't put her in her place, and I let her allow me to feel badly about motherhood. Here I was with a resume that explains that I have obtained a license in Cosmetology, a degree in Law Enforcement, I have 10+ years of customer service experience, I still work in the salon, I have great job record, I write a blog, I sell my paintings, I do photography in my free-time, and I am full-time mother! Yet, not one question in the interview was about my job record or any other kind of work experience. I was even nice enough to explain to the woman that I have 5 different daycare options most of them being family that have already volunteered to help me if I were to get the job. The icing on the cake was when I got home my husband first response was " that not even a low cut top!" I got a letter in the mail a week later telling me I didn't get the job.
I wasn't mad I didn't get the job because clearly I didn't need that kind of negativity but I was mad that someone treated me so badly, and that I allowed someone to make me feel so small over a job that only required a high school education. I later wrote a letter to the company explaining my interview and asking them if I applied for a different position in the company if motherhood would be supported. They later called and apologized and I later realized it was a wake up call on how to value myself and everything I have accomplished. Motherhood is an amazing thing and if you can be a mother, you can be anything!
I continued the momentum and applied for an art exhibition at the art museum. I'm continuing to focus on painting, taking pictures, and gathering more creative ideas because someday... somehow it will all pay off.
Part of the reason I haven't blogged in so long is because I made myself finish these two paintings before I could post another blog. Here are the two painting I have been working on over the summer.
This is Tigger.... My first dog painting EVER. I hope this lovely new owner of this painting is satisfied. I also hope it's a reminder that all dogs go to heaven.
This is a finished painting from years ago. I was finally able to figure out the look I wanted to give her and the details I wanted to embellish. This is my first finished oil painting.
She is green to symbolize her being naive yet beautiful.
I can't wait to blog more often now that summer is starting to wind down! This weekend I will be enjoying both family and art! I suggest if you're free this weekend to hit up Minneapolis for some great art fairs.
