The Most Amazing Interview Experience

I had the most amazing interview experience, not the most amazing interview (which would've brought me closer to employment). I knew I never belonged at the salon. Yet I felt like I wasn't finished with the whole salon life- the crazy life of a salon girl! This salon also used aveda products. The interviewer is this vibrant, confident, sexy, friendly, and passionate woman. I felt her emotional presence when I was exposed to her. I've never experienced that before. It must be amazing to love your job that much.

I was applying for the front desk position. I was amazed by how gorgeous the other candidates were. Of course, we ALL had fabulous hair. It's the first interview I've been to where virtually everyone arrived more than 30 minutes early. We filled out name cards. There was water available. The salon was arranged like a classroom with rows of seats. There were Mission Statements and posters.

We were first asked to write any concerns or circulating thoughts in our minds on a piece of paper that no one else will look at. Being who I am, my list was long! (Everyone's early. Everyone has gorgeous hair. This is the most elaborate interview I've been to. I'm intimidated. etc.,) We were asked to toss the note aside in your purse. It was meant to free our mind. Then we proceeded to an Aveda ritual using blu oil. This natural oil is meant to personalize on your skin based on what sort of balance you need. It's scented with chamomile for relaxation and peppermint for an energy booster. You pour a little on your hand and rub it in. Either the chamomile or the peppermint scent will surface based on whether you need to be relaxed or rejuvenated. So the smell varies from person to person. Doesn't that sound like the oddest and most appealing interview?

A background about the company, Aveda, was provided. This was when I could see the interviewer's passion. Her eyes were fluid, watery, and emotional. She loves Aveda, both as a professional and a consumer. She talked about her Mission Statement, which included words and ideas like give, take, beauty is a mirror, etc. I can't remember the details, but it was very philosophical and not at all frivolous. Afterwards, we were all asked to write down words that spoke to us and elaborate what it means for us in front of everyone.

I selected Beauty is something or another. I can't remember anymore. But I liked what the message symbolized; it's very balancing. How we look on the outside is a reflection of what's going on in the inside. I think that balancing element can be applied to other areas, as well. I believe everything in moderation is important because I truly believe in diversity. Beauty is often perceived as frivolous and vain, but it also helps us to feel confident about ourselves. I do believe that we should all have more substance than something so superficial, but physical attraction is a part of it. We can't deny that. It's important to make our appearance a priority, to have balance in our lives. It's also a good way for us to prioritize ourselves in this busy hectic lives. Something as small as styling our hair for a few minutes before we walk out of the door or putting on a shade of soft lipstick can do wonders for any girl's self-esteem. It's easier to forget about it, but it doesn't mean that it should.

After we all discussed what stood out to us, the interviewer was disappointed (in a kind way) that no one mentioned give and take. She said that in this world there are givers and takers. She's a giver. She gives her clients what they desire, she gives them the tools to feel confident about themselves, she gives them the power to feel good, she gives them the knowledge to look fabulous through Aveda products and styling techniques, etc. She emphasized the importance that people who work for her have to be givers by nature. She said that she has takers in her life because she's a giver. It's the balance of the universe. But in her line of work, everyone has to be givers.

So true. That's when I realized the value of going to this interview. A little earlier, I realized that this job isn't for me because she said she wanted to hire people who want to work there forever. I sure as Hell don't want to work at a salon as a receptionist or any job FOREVER! She welcomed anyone not interested to leave, that she won't take offense. I believed that, but I really wanted to stay, and I'm glad I did. I'm not a giver, fully anyways.

I do give a lot. I'm insightful. For someone so complicated, I make clarifications for my friends. I'm the hostess. I cook. I'm the voice of reason. I give my friends rational advice. I give them incentive to work hard when they procrastinate. I give my friends courage by giving them the right perspective. I give my knowledge to the people around me. I give because there's value in it for me. Value and growing is important to me. I have to take in order to continue that cycle. I take knowledge and insights from others so that I can do the same. I'm a combination. Diversity and a dynamic lifestyle is ingrained so deeply within me that I'm never just one thing. But that's what I need to be to work at a salon and be fully happy. That's why I never quite belonged at the salon. I'm not a giver. I was pretending to be someone I'm not.

At first when I believed I was just a taker, I felt bad. But the truth is the truth, regardless of how you feel about it. At one point, I was just a taker. Now, I'm both. Maybe I'll change again. Who knows? But right now, I'm not a giver. I don't belong there. Knowing that helped me.

Each candidate also stood in front of the panel and talked a little about ourselves and what we're looking for. It was a good exercise. I enjoy tasks like these. At the end, I thanked my interviewer for this amazing experience. I told her that someday I would love to work for her, but I'm not ready to commit to that right now. I was wrongly axed because of dishonesty; I don't want to do the same to her. As unrealistic as I think her expectations are, she was upfront about what she's seeking.

After talking to my friend, EriK, I realized that it was like a cult. I didn't belong there because of who I am, but I also didn't belong there because I didn't agree with her approach, although I can appreciate the sentiment. She has an all-black dress code so that everyone looks beautiful. Everyone looks like they're making the same amount of money. She basically removed discrimination to prevent discrimination, but it also stripped away everyone's individuality. For my emotional well-being, I can't work at a place that only permits such a dark color. Vibrant reds are uplifting for me. I want that. I need that. She only uses Aveda products and desires an environment that mirrors that. I'm way into diversity to conform to that. I think it's great that she found the perfect product for her, something she's so satisfied with that she doesn't have the desire to look elsewhere. I wish I can find that kind of contentment, but I also enjoy the learning experience. That can't exist in such a stifling environment.

I'm not saying that this woman or her salon is flawed; I'm saying that it's not for me. But it was the most amazing interview experience. I love events like that. This woman gave me something, assurance that this outcome was right for me. It felt like getting fired and losing my financial security happened to me like an attack. I finally felt like it was done for me. I wasn't strong enough to quit, so the universe made it so I'll proceed to my destination. It's the first time I went against the logical choice. I "self-sabotaged" my only likely source to income in this economic downfall, but it felt right to me. Never in my life have I ever felt such certainty and absence of doubt.