When did you discover your “work-you?” Or have you not met yet?
Have you ever had a moment in your career when it all fell into place? When you found your “work-you?” You know what I mean. That moment when you discover that person you are at work. When you make a choice on how you will conduct yourself and how you will move forward in your desired career path….that moment! Think back, what is that moment for you?
Mine occurred about 18 years ago. Back in ‘97, I wanted to learn about computers so I could be more “competitive in the workforce.” My husband is a chiropractor and had a patient whose husband was the Director of IT at this fancy Madison Avenue law firm. So, being my biggest cheerleader, he saw an opportunity and sang my praises. He told her that I was ambitious and a quick learner. She set everything up within days…I was terrified. I saw this interview as a polite gesture, but I didn’t stand a chance!
A few days later, there I was, in the lobby of their “partner floor.” For those not familiar, these are the floors in firms and agencies that are richly appointed in wood paneling, glass conference rooms, and a perimeter lined with full wall-windowed partner offices. These are also called “client floors” because they’re the only floors clients get to see. These floors are the shining "gloss coat" on top of the rest of the company that pretty much looks [and is treated] like a Cambodian sweatshop in the middle of summer.
Who was I kidding? Why was I here? I had ZERO computer experience other than working on DOS-based billing programs at various chiropractic and medical offices. But here I sat at a swanky NYC law firm. I had no business being there! It was a proper IT job at a law firm of 500+ people! I was going to be the punchline in a joke by the end of the day!
There was another young applicant there in the lobby waiting with me. The IT Director shook our hands and quickly began to walking back toward the elevator. Over his shoulder he warned, “Be careful they just washed the carpets. Any residual dampness may cause you to slip on the marble floors.” He was gracious but rushed and highly intimidating. In the elevator, we were told we would interview together. Great, there’d be an audience for my impending crash and burn!
We were brought into an office so small only the Director could sit at his desk. He glanced at our resumes – seemingly to secure our names in his head – and asked, “Let’s say one of our senior partners called you right now and said, “My PC is down,” what would you do?” My competition immediately starting talking about system-BIOS, control panels, and reboot procedures…at least that's all I could capture in his brilliant sounding tirade and methodical system of attack. He was dazzling, confident, and obviously able to solve any PC crisis all while also grabbing the team a latte at Starbucks to boot! I really disliked this guy.
After what seemed like a ½ hour of his tech-filled firework response, it was my turn. In one of my more horrid work-moments, I choked. Nothing. I had nothing. I extended my hand and said, “Thanks, but I’m wasting your time.” The director looked at my hand in what I could only call disgust and then told the other guy to wait outside and close the door. Once alone he said, “I want to hear your answer. You must have ONE thought.” I almost burst into tears…there was no thought, “No, I don’t have a thought because I have no knowledge of computers! The best I could do is check to make sure the computer is plugged in.” The room was spinning. I was having an out of body experience. I remember biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself lucid and from passing out.
“Why on earth would you check the plug?”
The fog in my head started to clear. I didn’t care anymore. He started this in the lobby and I was going to finish it in his hole of an office! I might not know computers, but I had a brain! “Because you said the carpets were cleaned on the partner floor. They’re still damp! I am assuming they took the computer towers off the floor to clean the carpets. They might have to unplug them to pick them up. Doesn’t that make sense?”
I vividly remember a smirk appear on his face. “You’re hired.”
I think I said “How?” or “Why” or something equally inappropriate and embarrassing. “Because you proved you listen and retain important information which you can use later, when it counts most. I can’t teach that. The rest of this job is computer crap that I can teach to any baboon. Just don't make me work so hard for it next time.”
It was a great 3-month contract. But I honestly learned more in that interview than in the 9 weeks I was there. That moment molded me into the “work me” I am today. I listen, retain what’s important and since that moment, I have the confidence to get out of my own way to get the job done. What’s your “work me” moment? Share!
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Mine occurred about 18 years ago. Back in ‘97, I wanted to learn about computers so I could be more “competitive in the workforce.” My husband is a chiropractor and had a patient whose husband was the Director of IT at this fancy Madison Avenue law firm. So, being my biggest cheerleader, he saw an opportunity and sang my praises. He told her that I was ambitious and a quick learner. She set everything up within days…I was terrified. I saw this interview as a polite gesture, but I didn’t stand a chance!
A few days later, there I was, in the lobby of their “partner floor.” For those not familiar, these are the floors in firms and agencies that are richly appointed in wood paneling, glass conference rooms, and a perimeter lined with full wall-windowed partner offices. These are also called “client floors” because they’re the only floors clients get to see. These floors are the shining "gloss coat" on top of the rest of the company that pretty much looks [and is treated] like a Cambodian sweatshop in the middle of summer.
Who was I kidding? Why was I here? I had ZERO computer experience other than working on DOS-based billing programs at various chiropractic and medical offices. But here I sat at a swanky NYC law firm. I had no business being there! It was a proper IT job at a law firm of 500+ people! I was going to be the punchline in a joke by the end of the day!
There was another young applicant there in the lobby waiting with me. The IT Director shook our hands and quickly began to walking back toward the elevator. Over his shoulder he warned, “Be careful they just washed the carpets. Any residual dampness may cause you to slip on the marble floors.” He was gracious but rushed and highly intimidating. In the elevator, we were told we would interview together. Great, there’d be an audience for my impending crash and burn!
We were brought into an office so small only the Director could sit at his desk. He glanced at our resumes – seemingly to secure our names in his head – and asked, “Let’s say one of our senior partners called you right now and said, “My PC is down,” what would you do?” My competition immediately starting talking about system-BIOS, control panels, and reboot procedures…at least that's all I could capture in his brilliant sounding tirade and methodical system of attack. He was dazzling, confident, and obviously able to solve any PC crisis all while also grabbing the team a latte at Starbucks to boot! I really disliked this guy.
After what seemed like a ½ hour of his tech-filled firework response, it was my turn. In one of my more horrid work-moments, I choked. Nothing. I had nothing. I extended my hand and said, “Thanks, but I’m wasting your time.” The director looked at my hand in what I could only call disgust and then told the other guy to wait outside and close the door. Once alone he said, “I want to hear your answer. You must have ONE thought.” I almost burst into tears…there was no thought, “No, I don’t have a thought because I have no knowledge of computers! The best I could do is check to make sure the computer is plugged in.” The room was spinning. I was having an out of body experience. I remember biting the inside of my cheek to keep myself lucid and from passing out.
“Why on earth would you check the plug?”
The fog in my head started to clear. I didn’t care anymore. He started this in the lobby and I was going to finish it in his hole of an office! I might not know computers, but I had a brain! “Because you said the carpets were cleaned on the partner floor. They’re still damp! I am assuming they took the computer towers off the floor to clean the carpets. They might have to unplug them to pick them up. Doesn’t that make sense?”
I vividly remember a smirk appear on his face. “You’re hired.”
I think I said “How?” or “Why” or something equally inappropriate and embarrassing. “Because you proved you listen and retain important information which you can use later, when it counts most. I can’t teach that. The rest of this job is computer crap that I can teach to any baboon. Just don't make me work so hard for it next time.”
It was a great 3-month contract. But I honestly learned more in that interview than in the 9 weeks I was there. That moment molded me into the “work me” I am today. I listen, retain what’s important and since that moment, I have the confidence to get out of my own way to get the job done. What’s your “work me” moment? Share!
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