Job interview with Xtreme Lashes

Hey Lovlies,

So, today was a totally exciting day. I had a job interview for a management position with Xtreme Lashes.

Sooooo, if you don't know what Xtreme lashes are about they offer luxurious eyelash extensions. These extensions are bonded to individual eyelashes to create the look of longer, fuller lashes. I'm impressed with their products and techniques, they are hands down some of the most natural and long lasting lashes I've ever seen. They also have techniques that include eyelighting and extreme colored lashes. The eyelighting is a technique that adds soft colored lashes mixed in with your natural color match. As a result you have a look that is natural, subtle & soft but it also creatively adds a little drama to the eye.

As seen here. Honey colored lashes are added to create drama but soften the look

A full set of lashes are about 60 individual lashes per eye. The process takes about 2hours and cost ranges about $200-$350.

Sounds steep?!?! I know... but get this. It's a semi-permanent beauty enhancement. This means the lashes lasts as long as the natural lash. The only time you loose your new beauty investment is when your real lashes naturally shed. So this means there will be a period of time when you may need to get lash touch ups but it's going to take a little while to shed enough lashes before this needs to happen. It's a win-win situation.

So, let me stop yapping and share the scoop on the interview. I totally think it went great. I was relaxed and prepared for all of the thousands of questions that were threw at me. All except one....

"Why would you be a good manager?"

How on earth I stumbled over such a simple question is beyond me. I even prepped myself for this one, but when it was asked my brain totally shut-down and you could hear the crickets chirping in the background. Talk about embarrassing. Later I had to ask myself, out of all the questions I was asked why did I draw a blank or feel so uncertain about the answer to this question. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm confident in my capacity and ability to lead others. I'm certain I can manage a project and the team. So what was the deal? Why was this question like uncharted territory?

Then it hit me... I've never been officially designated the title of "manager". I've done just about everything that comes with that job but I've never taken on the formal position. So, was my brain fart me subconsciously saying, "I'm not sure why I would be a good manager?". Honestly, I thought for a minute that it might have been, but after getting over the initial shock I had no immediate answer, my mind had a moment to recover. If that was true I don't think I would have been able to regroup and answer the question as well as I did.

 Due to my ability to save on the question, I realized I drew a blank because I was unfamiliar with accepting being an "Official" authoritative figure. I've done the job, I've delegated the tasks... I've even lead the teams but no one has ever called me their boss or supervisor. They never had to because I never took on the official role, even when it was offered to me. Once I realized that, I quickly recalled all of the things I've carried out (befitting of a manager) and like magic I recovered on this fumble.

In order to know your value in the workplace you need to know the true level you're performing on. I've always been told I was management material, but why it just whizzed over my head is beyond me. I would usually write it off because I felt I wasn't ready. Now I realize I was ready a long time-ago I just didn't know it. I even literally gave my opportunities away to people that were usually less deserving due to my lack of comfort with and disdain for being the title that goes along with high performance.

"What's in a name?" "What's in a title?"... definitely more than I realized. Before I felt I didn't need a title. Why? Let's rewind back a bit... I'll try to keep it short and to the point.

I rejected titles and official recognition due to being denied a proper title for unjust reasons in my first real job. My first real job was active duty Air Force. During that time, I was singled out for being 6lbs over the weight standard. I lost the weight but little did I know that this would hang a dark cloud over the head of my military career. I was put on a weight management program that required I kept off the 6lbs plus meet an additional measuring tape requirement that was impossible for my body structure. I needed to have a 27inch waist and a 13inch neck.... needless to say it wasn't happening (what woman do you know of with a wasp waist and the neck of a man!).

As a result I was punished...

Even though I was known for my awesome performance and work ethic, I was not allowed the opportunity to be recommended for coveted military awards, special assignments or prestigious titles. Being young, ashamed and devastated that my efforts would never be recognized the way they should have been I decided a title meant nothing if I did my best at my job. At that time, this was the only way for me to keep my sense of self worth and esteem. However, I didn't realize that even after the military I continued to maintain high levels of performance without taking on the "title" that goes with it. Talk about self-sabotage!!! 

This interview really opened my eyes to that and I'm confident if they pick me I'll do wonders for the 6-man stylist team and the company. I'm feeling really positive about getting this position. However, even if they decide to pass me up, the lesson I learned from the interview was well worth the time and effort.


-GokiChan
Mega Pinky Love Lashes