I have to be careful, at times, because I do forget a potential employer, or even a current one, may read this and think it's about them. It's not. I can not say that for some coworkers. Although my first impression of them may be different from my current ones.
Yesterday, I posted something about first impressions, when I was slightly ticked off by someone I met, who I was introduced to by name, who reached out, gave me a flimsy handshake, no eye contact, didn't introduce himself, and made no facial expression, not even a fake "nice to meet you" smile.
It bothered me. It bothered me a lot. I have no control over whether or not I will see this person again, but I may very well see him every day. I don't like it. That first impression is important and one that this person will be challenged to reverse. The thing is, he will have to, or his life will be much more uncomfortable than mine. I do not change my ways, to cater to those without class, respect, or simple manners and etiquette. Ever!
The irony is, the same day I posted this, I had a job interview. Extreme heat, and a job to run to afterward left me no choice but to arrive dressed down. My first moments, was to greet my potential boss, apologize and explain, then prove my value. I believe, had the person not known I was given a stellar recommendation, it may have been different. I don't know. I tried to prove that my enthusiasm, my drive, and my experience, was more important than my shirt. Important to note: The shirt was of the business that had recommended me, so it wasn't random. All this being said, I felt uncomfortable because, despite me being broke and having no real dress clothes, I like to appear neat in these situations and I know I did not. I'll let you know if I got the job at another date, maybe another blog, since working for a place of religious involvement will be somewhat new for me.
I just wonder about people who don't value first impressions. Don't get me wrong, I realize much of the time it's a facade, but at least that white lie takes effort. It shows a desire to be looked upon in a brighter light than the truth. There's actually something noble oddly about that, as long as it doesn't continue. Believe me, I know enough people who have convinced themselves they are the fake persona they portray during first meetings. Those are people who have fully earned my disdain, generally a mutual feeling, when I point it out to them.
Yesterday was also the first day of school for many, and so many parents dressed their young children in their cutest outfits, while others made sure their kids had clean teeth, new haircuts, and fresh clothes. Some did not. I do not judge kids by their parents, but judge parents by their kids. I also think the teenagers show where they come from by how they represent themselves. Much of our lives are cyclical, no matter how much that teen angst rails against it.
People who know me realize my disdain for Internet memes and cliched sayings, but the old adage, You never get a second chance to make a first impression, is a pretty solid building block. It's the keeping that impression that many, including myself, need to work on.
Yesterday, I posted something about first impressions, when I was slightly ticked off by someone I met, who I was introduced to by name, who reached out, gave me a flimsy handshake, no eye contact, didn't introduce himself, and made no facial expression, not even a fake "nice to meet you" smile.
It bothered me. It bothered me a lot. I have no control over whether or not I will see this person again, but I may very well see him every day. I don't like it. That first impression is important and one that this person will be challenged to reverse. The thing is, he will have to, or his life will be much more uncomfortable than mine. I do not change my ways, to cater to those without class, respect, or simple manners and etiquette. Ever!
The irony is, the same day I posted this, I had a job interview. Extreme heat, and a job to run to afterward left me no choice but to arrive dressed down. My first moments, was to greet my potential boss, apologize and explain, then prove my value. I believe, had the person not known I was given a stellar recommendation, it may have been different. I don't know. I tried to prove that my enthusiasm, my drive, and my experience, was more important than my shirt. Important to note: The shirt was of the business that had recommended me, so it wasn't random. All this being said, I felt uncomfortable because, despite me being broke and having no real dress clothes, I like to appear neat in these situations and I know I did not. I'll let you know if I got the job at another date, maybe another blog, since working for a place of religious involvement will be somewhat new for me.
I just wonder about people who don't value first impressions. Don't get me wrong, I realize much of the time it's a facade, but at least that white lie takes effort. It shows a desire to be looked upon in a brighter light than the truth. There's actually something noble oddly about that, as long as it doesn't continue. Believe me, I know enough people who have convinced themselves they are the fake persona they portray during first meetings. Those are people who have fully earned my disdain, generally a mutual feeling, when I point it out to them.
Yesterday was also the first day of school for many, and so many parents dressed their young children in their cutest outfits, while others made sure their kids had clean teeth, new haircuts, and fresh clothes. Some did not. I do not judge kids by their parents, but judge parents by their kids. I also think the teenagers show where they come from by how they represent themselves. Much of our lives are cyclical, no matter how much that teen angst rails against it.
People who know me realize my disdain for Internet memes and cliched sayings, but the old adage, You never get a second chance to make a first impression, is a pretty solid building block. It's the keeping that impression that many, including myself, need to work on.
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