Mock Interview and My New Perspective

Hello, I'm once again writing in this blog thing and there's really a lot of things I could talk about. I think tonight I should do some self-examination on here. Of course, you are all invited to tag along. I assure you though, there's not much worth seeing. However, before I get started I just want to make a shout out to my awesome friends who have all made me feel so grand this weekend. Both today, yesterday, and even the short time I was home Friday were really amazing and although nothing is perfect and I am tired, I will remember all the truly good times for a many years. Thanks guys. You know who you all are. As for the great folks I did not hang out with...I want to hang out with you too! I miss so many people. Honestly!

So, onward. About three weeks ago I went through something referred to as a "Mock Interview" for my Intro to Cooperative Education class. This basically consisted of me preparing my resume the night before, borrowing a tie after realizing mine was at home, walking out into the hot weather in a full suit, and answering questions posed to me by an older student while being critqued on my interview skills and resume. Get this though, folks. It went insanely well. I got compliments on my suit on the way there and the interviewer said not only was my resume excellent, but I displayed a good deal of confidence in the interview and answered even the tough questions very well. Funny thing part two: I was not nervous for this interview.

Now, by itself this story is stupid. It is a waste of time to make you read it. Honestly. But here's the catch. I have been significantly happier since this interview (or at least that day) and I have also been far more confident in myself.

Did you all know that calling people is really one of my greatest fears? I'll put it off like no one's business. So if I call you, you can say with a great degree of certainty that either I really trust you and know you like me and do not mind hearing from me, I really want to have a conversation specifically with you, or I have a pressing reason to speak with you and can't find a way to put it off. I don't mean to offend people by that. In fact, what I mean to say is, calling people is a huge thing for me for some reason and even if I have not called you, you still are likely to be a top notch friend of mine. But I digress. After the interview I have stopped putting off calling people I need to call and emailing official people I need to speak with. I'm getting over this odd apprehension.

So what about this interview or this day brought about these changes? Well, I think in a way this mock interview turned my eyes to the future and finally proved to me, really made me realize, that I could deal with people successfully just by being me. I've seen it time and time again, but for once it stuck. This complete stranger, meant to critique me, found me confident and competent. That was grand. Also, it allowed me to look past myself and see that other people are in the same place as me...and as a name on a list, I can make my own expectations for myself and fulfill or surpass them by my own choices. I can make myself who I want to be. It's pretty empowering. I feel odd for saying that, by the way. ;-)

I think I've changed for the positive...and as silly as it sounds, I am seriously considering laying the blame on a mock interview that I was cursing not 20 minutes before I took it.

It is amazing how one little thing can impact a person...and even more amazing when it is noticed. Hey, maybe I'm wrong here, but one thing is for sure: I am changing and I have been a lot happier lately, despite some tough times that would have killed me not a year ago. I have to be happy about that.

Here's wishing you all the best!