How Shopping and Fashion Helps Me With My Job Search

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It’s no secret that I love fashion.  Hip, fashionable clothing and accessories make me feel like I’m on top of the world.  I feel better about myself when I’m confident in my looks, and staying in fashion always helps me in this regard.  Yep, nothing like a new pair of shoes, a new outfit or some new bling to make this girl feel great. 

I’ve learned a lot about fashion over the years, especially what works for me and what doesn’t.  Things like proper fit, accessorizing in proportion to my size and what constitutes a great handbag.  Success, when it comes to fashion, means understanding that while something may be “in” and look great on others, if it doesn’t look good or work for me, then it’s not going to do one thing for me confidence-wise.  Not to mention the stares I would receive walking down the street.  Nicki Minaj is willing to go where no person should go when it comes to fashion, but for most of us that kind of styling is just wrong on so many levels.   

It’s amazing how this can be applied to my job search/career.  

  • Shoes – For me, shoes can be summed up in one word: fit.  Despite what many will tell you, most shoes will not magically “stretch” to fit better.  If they are not comfortable in the store, they will not get better at home.  My feet have experienced enough blisters trying this.  With narrow feet I have difficulty finding stylish (read “hip”) shoes that will stay on my feet.  Oh, I can find narrow shoes – as long as I don’t mind plain, utilitarian, granny shoes.  Ick!   When I do find shoes that are both stylish and stay on my feet, I will pay almost any price for them – and purchase them in multiple colors.

 

  • Handbags – Architects tend to argue “form over function”.  So do fashion designers. Yet those of us who must schlep our necessities, including 3 shades of lipstick need more than good form. When it comes to handbags there should be a balance; the bag must look good but also be functional, with enough pockets and zippers as well as a comfortable handle/strap.

 

  • Clothing – So much to say here.  Let’s start with overall fit – with everything from petite to plus sizes; juniors, slim fit, low rise, etc. – there is almost enough variety to make things work right off the rack.  I’m not a fan of alterations, which in some cases means almost remaking the item entirely.  If it doesn’t fit properly to begin with, why try to force it?                                                                                                         Same thing with the styles.  Runway fashion is not for the masses.  Not to mention that those six foot tall, 90 lb models could wear a trash bag and make it look great.  For the rest of us, we have to work with our body type.  Age-appropriate clothing is another thing.  While I don’t 100% agree that I need to dress a certain way because I’m slightly older than fresh out of college, there are some styles that are just plain wrong for anyone over the age of 35.  Yes, I can still shop at Forever 21. I just make sure to put my age-filter glasses on to avoid choosing the wrong pieces.  I certainly don’t want to show up wearing the exact same outfit as my college-aged nieces.

So what does any of this have to do with my career?  

  • The company and job have to be right for me.  Just like shoes, fit is everything. If anything – company culture, job responsibilities, commute – is not a fit, then it’s not the right opportunity.  As with my quest for stylish shoes in my size, it may take time to find the right job, but when I do, it’s worth the effort.

 

  • Like a great handbag, there has to be the right mix of “form and function”: the right blend of opportunity, responsibilities and benefits that work for me as well as the company.

 

  • Unlike clothing, companies cannot be altered to fit my needs.  None of us should expect the company or boss to suddenly change because we’ve been hired.  If the culture is not something I feel comfortable in, that’s not a good sign – almost as much as the type of work I’ll be doing.  Just like fashion, I can try to be “one of them” by wearing the same styles, yet it probably won’t work in the long run.

Who knew that all that time spent at the mall was actually good for my career?  Remember: good fit applies to work as well as a great outfit.

Do I Hear Flushing?

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It’s easier to get a job if you have job.  At least that’s what I’ve always been told. 
To be honest, it has never really seemed that easy to get a job if I’m currently employed.  Mainly because I’m too busy working to put much time and energy into looking for another gig.  Not to mention the difficulty trying to have confidential job interview calls with recruiters or potential employers, especially while working in cubicle-land.  
With conference rooms booked and stairwells that echo, that leaves the bathroom or possibly the car.  Flushing is not a sound anyone wants to hear over the phone, much less a potential employer. And sitting in a stuffy car is hardly conducive to intelligent phone conversation. Yep, interviewing for a new job while I’m working has always added even more stress to my life.
The simple solution would be to prepare financially, then to leave the current job in order to focus my energy on finding a new one. 
On paper, this looks great. Yet somehow I’ve never been able to do that. I’ve come to realize that I have a hard time letting go of things.  No, I’m not a hoarder; I can purge my closet of clothes and I don’t purchase toilet paper by the truckload.  It’s just that I have an innate sense of wanting to finish whatever I start.  And the word “quit” is not in my vocabulary.  Nope; mom and dad did not raise a quitter. 
Most of the time, this is actually a good trait.  I had a boss once who told me I was like a bulldog.  It was a compliment, although it took some explanation. He said he knew that he could give me any project and, just like a bulldog holding onto his favorite squeaky toy for dear life, I would never let the project defeat me.  He could count on me to be successful.
Unfortunately, my bulldog instinct can sometimes get in the way.  Like when I realize that a job is no longer right for me.  It’s quite a predicament.
Sometimes it’s not easy for me to recognize that I’ve outgrown my job.  The feelings of uneasiness may be confused with the occasional frustration we all experience from time to time at our jobs.  It takes time to truly identify the signs. 
For me, it’s the lingering day-in, day-out frustration that is so frequent it feels like a huge boulder is on my chest and I’m about to buckle from the sheer weight.  It’s not about being incapable of doing my job; it’s about no longer getting satisfaction from it. It’s the time when the bad feelings begin to outweigh the good. A no-win situation.
I remember being in this position some years ago.  It felt like I was trapped, unable to escape.  Hubby will tell you I’m a commitment-phobe on many levels, which is partially true. I have a hard time committing to a pair of new shoes, much less a new job. And don’t get me started on my commitment fears when it came time to get married; Hubby still wonders if I’m in this for the long-haul.
In the case of this particular job, I felt trapped, like a wild animal who just wanted to run as fast as I could away from whatever was trying to hold me down.  But the bulldog in me would not let go, especially without another job to go to.
Which leads to my question: Is it ever OK to walk away from a job without another one waiting in the wings? 
Seems like it should be, yet for me this is almost impossible and unthinkable.  I get worried about things that are rational and even some things that are not: Will we have enough money? How will I explain this during an interview? What if the new job is a mistake? Will I ever work again? 
But my biggest concern is my reputation – even though logic tells me that 99% of my friends will not care. I simply don’t want to be known as a quitter.   
All this to say that my bulldog tendencies + my aversion to commitment + illogical thinking under stress = more stress when looking for a new job.  It sure makes for tough interviewing.
As I continue to be open to new opportunities, I’m hoping the commitment-phobe in me stays locked away.  I don’t want to miss anything good simply because I’m afraid to make a mistake. 
In the meantime, if you hear a muffled conversation in the bathroom, it’s just me trying to interview. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t flush.