5:26pm Friday 26th February 2010
By Pencils Down
If you are feeling miserable today, please accept my apologies for I am feeling somewhat chipper (yeah, I just said ‘chipper’).
The sun’s shining, people are smiling and I managed to bag myself an empty table seat on the train. I’m heading back to Swindon after spending a gorgeous week on the south coast with friends, celebrating a special birthday, eating home-made macaroni cheese and having a couple of interviews.
The role I went for involved marketing and online copywriting, areas I gained an understanding of at University (I know, I couldn’t believe it either). And when hearing they wanted to meet me I chucked together a portfolio, filled my bag with my cleanest white shirt and various ties, and prepared answers to the inevitable questions: “Why should we hire you?” “What would you bring to the role?” “What are your strengths?” etc.
It was an eventful week which included: working my way around the unfamiliar Southampton to find the office I was having the interview in; being called back for a second interview two days later; persuading a beautiful friend of mine to lend me his shirt (as I only packed the one); working my way around the unfamiliar Southampton to find the office I was having the second interview in and catching up with friends with the odd drink.
But despite all the adventures, the one thing that is sticking in my mind is one doozy of a question posed to me on the second meeting: “In five ways, how would your Mum describe you?”
How would my Mum describe me?
How would my MUM describe me?
Of course I went for the obvious answers: Uniquely elegant, overwhelmingly powerful, increasingly inspirational, undeniably heroic and her one and only reason for living.
OK, that’s what I WANTED to say. I actually went for five safe options: Funny, considerate, too laid back, silly and – due to her liking my jaw line – chiselled (we’re a close family).
It was a great ice breaker but I doubt they realise just how much the question has stayed with me. I understand that it’s used as a way to see what a) an individual thinks about them self and b) what they WANT people to think about them. But it really got me thinking: I really hope my Mum likes me!
As you get older, in my case anyway, your Mum and Dad become more like friends. Just like you would be truly appreciative if a friend from school, college, or university helped you through tough times, with age comes more gratitude to your parents when they do the same. No longer do I see them as washing machines and cookers, they are selfless individuals with nothing but love and concern for their kids. Living on my own for three years, as well as the past six or so months of unemployment, certainly made me realise how much I rely on them. When asked the question it was hard not to think they had negative opinions because of all they’ve put up with. But I did smile when I posed the question to my Mum and she (obviously to humour me) agreed with my answers (despite me praying she’d reel off the first list).
So for those (and by those I mean ‘the one and only person’) who read this blog, have a think about how your Mum or Dad would describe you and write them in the comments section below. I challenge you to not panic about some of the things that may crop up in your head and to not fret about what answers they may actually give! You’ll be straight on the phone dialling “home”.
Happy Friday.
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