I Did It!

WooHOo! Alright! I did it... after submitting a lot of applications and sending my resume to places all over the salt lake valley I have gotten a job! I went into fashion place mall about 2 weeks ago to see if there were any stores I would like to work in that were hiring. I went into the hallmark there thinking that would be perfect. I asked if they were hiring and they were... I grabbed an application and headed on my way. Nearby was Bath and Body Work, where I stood outside the doors contemplating my feelings... I thought working there might be uncomfortable with all the surrounding fragrances, and scuttled away thankful to have come up with an excuse to avoid asking if they were hiring. I don't know why but I have anxieties about talking to people I don't know and asking them for opportunities. ... after a few days I had my application for hallmark all filled out and ready to go. I went in and asked for a manager and gave it to her... she didn't ask any questions or look interested... no proposal for an interview... :( I was disappointed. After looking at a few things in the store I left discouraged. Once again I passed Bath and Body Works... I pondered... again... Finally I thought, "Whats the matter with me, a job is a job, maybe they're hiring... Whats the worst that could happen? Get over yourself!" I walked right in and looked around at some of the merchandise when one of the associated asked if I needed any help or anything... Ok: "no, but I was wondering if you are hiring at all right now..." "Actually we are, would you like me to get you an application?" "yes please" I got it and headed for the door thinking I would take it home to finish it and then come back another day to turn it in, but since I had already prepared to hand in my application at hallmark I figured I'd get it over with and fill it out right then. I marched back into the store straight to the cash wrap and asked for the manager- "I have an application" I was surprised after my hallmark experience to hear her ask, "when can we schedule an interview for you... Thursday at 2:30 or Tuesday next week?" "Thursday" the sooner the better. Two days later I got to the mall around 2 anxious to be on time and make a good impression. After dallying around the store for a minute I talked to an associate who asked me to wait a little longer for the others to arrive. The others? It turned out I would get to take part in a group interview. It was easier to gauge the likeliness that this would work out in comparing my self to the other prospective employees. We went through the standard interview questions each of us getting a chance to answer. Easy enough. When we finished, the manager Kim asked to show us out... but told me and another girl we had some information missing on our applications... After she led the others out she returned to me puzzling to find what I had missed. "There's nothing wrong with your application, I just wanted to run through an additional interviewing exercise" OH! I get it... she was sifting out the lesser candidates. We then ran through one of the associates responsibilities: Demos... she gave us an example before having us give it a try... when we finished she told us that she would get a hold of us by 5 tomorrow to let us know. After that I was pretty optimistic that I would have a job soon. Now I do! Its great, I have had 2 days of training and will start stocking today. Its really fun playing in lotions and spa stuff all day :)
Meanwhile, while I had been looking for job opportunities I had e-mailed a place in Gardner village about a position they posted on craigslist. They responded with an e-mail including an application form attached inviting me to fill it in and e-mail it back in or bring it to the store in person. I went in on Friday hoping to deliver it to the manager, but she had left for the day, so I asked if she would be in Saturday... she would be. I made my way around the store I had never been in before finding how much I loved it! Its a pier 1 type of place with furnishings and home accessories. The style is kind of country with a modern flair, but still really cozy. I left excited to know more about the place I was applying to work, with a determination to get the job in a place I loved. I went straight to my computer to send an e-mail to Randi to let her know that I would be coming into the store Saturday to give her my application. The next day (saturday) I went to the village after spending the night in a RV on the west side of Utah lake...another story... refreshed myself in the bathroom and put on a nice shirt then entered "Down to Earth" I looked around a little at the front of the store making my way to the registers... once i got there I asked for Randi and it was her... "you must be Jessica" she said. "Yes, I am... here's my application" We chatted a little before she invited me to take a look around the store then had to go help a customer. After making my way around we bumped into each other and she asked about my attendance at LDSBC, how i liked the design program... and we chatted a little more. I thanked her for her consideration and left feeling confident that I had made a good impression. then, finally, Monday they called to schedule an interview the next day... YES! this was good. I had that interview Tuesday and it went really well... I felt like I was just talking with a friend. They had a few more interviews scheduled and told me they would contact my Thursday afternoon. When she called yesterday I was so excited just to hear from them. She asked me to come in for a second interview... which I have today at 4:30 after my shift at Bath and Body Works... I am anxious to see what will happen... I am so excited to have a prospective job in the field of my true interest! It would be so great to get experience in designing while I'm still in school... this is what I really love and want to be doing in my life.
I have to give credit though, I have been reading scriptures, praying and going to the temple consistently and I know that has made all this possible... I am so blessed! It is such a testimony to me that when you do what is right and best, you will be blessed!