What Will You Gain When You Lose
What Will You Gain When You Lose
Graduating college means getting a “good job” and making it big…right?
As an ad for a religious advertising agency once professed, “Be part of something bigger that makes a difference in the real world.” As if to say, staying within the confines of the “Jewish Working World” is second tier.
Regardless, that was my initial thought process. Here I am, age 21, with a degree in marketing; it’s time to do something with my education, submit my resume to “real firms” and see where the wind blows.
My first plan of action was to apply through company websites. I knew that if I wanted to work in the nonreligious world, and semi-sacrifice my religious integrity, it should be at a worthwhile company!
It was a couple of weeks before I heard back from anyone.
I decided to try my “LinkedIn hacking.” I direct messaged CEOs of companies I was interested in, and it worked! I wrote a fancy letter about how I’ve always been a fan of the company’s work, and how much I would appreciate the opportunity to meet and discuss career possibilities. I landed my first two interviews at top tier firms. I revamped my resume with career services, beefed up the nature of my job characteristics, and donned a new blazer. I was on my way!
My journey began on the train into the city. I was clutching my Wall Street Journal and a Tehillim (What else can a girl need?). The energy that permeated the station after I boarded the train was imbuing. I felt like one of them. I wasn’t just venturing to the city on a shopping excursion…I had bigger goals! It wasn’t until I reached the building for the first interview that it hit me: I was nervous. Granted, this wasn’t my first job interview, but still, the interview process is never a natural feeling.
I shook off all my worried notions; this is what I planned for! All the articles spewing “Top ten ways to land your dream job” had gotten me well prepared. When I rose to the designated floor of my interview, I was overwhelmed. It was everything and nothing like I imagined! There was such a diverse group of people shuffling busily through the hallways - I’d be the anomaly: “The Jewish One.”
At first, I felt uncomfortable: what was I doing here? Is this the environment I’m choosing to spend the better half of my week in? A niggling voice in my head kept saying, “This could lead to tremendous opportunities.” It would be a step to getting your foot in the door! They’ll train you!
Suddenly the recruiters started calling names. I realized with a start that I would have to be that girl. The one who tells my interviewee “For religious reasons I don’t shake hands with men.” I noticed there was one female recruiter, and I recognized her from the pictures on the company website. I davened fervently that I could evade the inevitable uncomfortable moment. I even promised that if I were to have her as my interviewer, I’d “learn my lesson” and admit that this wasn’t the environment for me.
Yes, this was my dream job. And yes, this was “Corporate America.” But honestly, I find that the city is overrated. Yeah, it sounds impressive to say you work in Manhattan, and yes we are fortunate to be a mere train ride away from one of the greatest corporate cultures in the world, but...what was that Special K campaign tagline again? Oh yeah: “What will you gain when you lose?”
I was lucky to be interviewed by the only female recruiter. We hit it off right away, and when we were saying our goodbyes, she unofficially asked me what would be the best avenue of reaching me should I be invited back for round two of the recruitment process. I gave her my work email address. But that night, I didn’t even have a hard decision to make. My mind was made up as soon as I exited the corporate revolving doors.
Read Seminary Letter, the piece that started it all.
