I’ve had a bit of a disappointing month (other than the new job, which I love!) which might account in part for my recent silence. I had an audition for a grad school program, which went fine, but then I was interviewed by 7 people at once, which did not go as fine, leading to me being rejected (luckily I wasn’t attached to this school – I’ll be happier elsewhere I suspect!) Then I had a job interview for a part time gig, which I thought went really well, but again – they did not go with me, and I didn’t even get to the audition bit this time. I have a sneaking suspicion that I’m a terrible interview. I’m rather introverted – at least with new people – and I really don’t do well with large committees interviewing me all at once (both had 7 people asking me questions). Heck, I don’t even like to go to dinner with 7 people at once, because it’s overwhelming, much less have to answer questions about myself and pretend to be extroverted!
It’s frustrating because I don’t actually think there’s anything wrong with being introverted, but I feel as though I’m at a disadvantage in any sort of quick judgement/first impression sort of situation. I’m reading the book Quiet, (recommended by Robyn!) which I highly recommend to my fellow introverts – unlike other books I’ve read, it doesn’t try to make me feel like I have a disease that needs to be cured.
Anyway, I’ve been doing a lot of sewing to make myself feel better. I’m got several projects nearly completed, so here are some previews!
My tie-top curtains are nearly complete – they’re just awaiting a hem and curtain tiebacks. I love the little horses!
My jelly-roll floor pillow is almost done as well. You can see the top above – it wasn’t super hard, but it was a little boring. I sewed it to the backing and made piping. Unfortunately, I ran out of stuffing and had to order more. I’m using a shredded foam mix that I found on Amazon – it arrives vacuum packed and expands a ton, so I couldn’t predict the amount I needed. The cats don’t seem to care that it’s unfinished:
It took less than ten seconds for two cats to claim, and it’s not even fully stuffed yet. I think it’s a hit!
I’m about to make living room curtains, and I’m also working on this:
(not mine – I’m still waiting on my fabric!) I haven’t done any needlework in ages. I love this sampler -it’s called “The Garden of Eerie” and is designed by Plum Street Samplers. Love the little Frankenstein Adam and Eve and the “This Work Rot by” text at the bottom. This is technically Halloween themed, but I’ll keep it up all year – I have a little collection of macabre/day of the dead items in my dining room.
I also got an Ipad this week – one of my friends wasn’t using his, and was happy to pass it along.
I was reluctant to get an Ipad – I didn’t see myself using it, but it turns out that it works for me. First, since I work 2 places now, it’s nice to carry with me rather than a heavy laptop. It’s also pretty amazing for sewing – I used it when working on the floor pillow, and it was so much easier to keep the instructions that way (and I didn’t have to print anything!) I know, I’m behind on this, but I’m pretty excited about it. I want to make a case:
(pattern here: by SewCrafty Jess) It’s for a kindle, but I can adjust the size.
That’s my update for the day. I am starting to think about my fall wardrobe, but right now I can’t actually access my closet very easily to assess what I need. Hopefully soon!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
I’m sorry about the auditions. Don’t lose heart – there are so many people trying to get into programs right now, you never know what they base those decisions on.
I read the book Quiet a few months ago, and it was quite affirming for me, too!
I also don’t interview well being an introvert also…..sorry about the auditions. I have seen that book and think I’m going to order it also……
I’ll chime in as well…I’m somewhat of an introvert, but am definitely raising one (a now 14 yr old boy). I recommend the author Marti Olsen Laney; I read “the introvert advantage” and also “The hidden gifts of the introverted child”. I found them both helpful, but I think overall it’s important to know yourself (or your kid) and not push too hard in directions that are challenging (like panel interviews). I’m going to look into the book Quiet as well.
Take care!
I’m not an introvert but I also had an interview last week that was in a room by 7 people! That’s nerve wrecking for evn the most audacious confident person. I don’t think I got it either, but I’m trying not to get discouraged and neither should you!
I love the jelly roll pillow, your kitties sure look comfy! I find projects like that boring too but I’m always happy to have practical items in the end. Keep up the awesome house decor!
If it makes you feel any better, I have read that the people who do best in interviews are narcissists — they have no problem telling people how great they are! I think this may be true because some of the most narcissistic people I know consistently get good jobs; they just can’t keep them over the long haul.
Sorry to hear about your stressful interviews. It’s usually for the best – I’ve not passed several interviews in my life, some of them “great opportunities”, but I don’t regret it. It’s best to feel wanted and accepted and that you fit in the place. Which is where you’ll be accepted. I am hypersensitive, an introvert I guess, I would probably freak out in such occasions. But I have a defense mechanism where in stressful situations, since they are so stressful, I become very attentive to the interviewers and the situation, I smile and speak clearly, perhaps like an actor on a stage? I hope I am not fake though! But sometimes the stressful situation helps me cope with it, paradoxically!
Anyway, I love the floor pillow, and the cats’ approval makes it official! Your cats are very beautiful.
Here’s the thing about interviews for what it is worth nobody really does well with 7 people on a selection panel. That really is a difficult situation to manage and even the best at job interviews may struggle under those circumstances. I am not sure that people who do best at interviews are narcissists any more than you can really say on the basis of a couple of interviews that you are bad at them. Like everything they take practice and for me after doing 20 or 30 of them and being offered a lot of those jobs but not all of them I have learnt that often not getting a job is not always a comment on me. The thing you can’t know is who else went for the interview and what skills they had. See it from this perspective; you didn’t fail somebody was just a better fit that day and one day you will find that you are seen as a better fit and will be offered the job.
There is a lot of insight on interviews here! I’m an introvert, myself. I wonder about all the talent these expletive are missing out on by not being more thoughtful about their choices?
In any case, I love the floor pillow, it looks great! I’m glad the kitties like it.
uhm, I’m an introvert too! I read somewhere that introvert people do a lot of crafts very well 🙂 so, don’t give up, maybe you didn’t confortable with the job offers, you’ll see, when you will have one you will love to have your interview will go for best…. uhm, hope it make sense, it’s early here in Italy and my english is awful at this hour of the day. good luck and keep looking!
I’ll forever be an introvert, and I also recently found a book that has made social/professional situations bearable! It’s called Networking for People Who Hate Networking (http://www.forbes.com/2010/09/01/networking-career-communication-forbes-woman-leadership-work.html) and it’s networking advice from — gasp! — an introvert. I can’t stress how much this has boosted my confidence when meeting new people. Turns out introverts have a lot of natural strengths, it’s just that most networking advice is from extroverts. I’ve thrown countless copies of this book at fellow introverts, and couldn’t resist doing so here…
I’ve been in the exact situation as you these past few weeks. I’m terribly reserved when meeting new people and don’t do well talking about myself. This makes interviewing so difficult! Keep you chin up!
I so totally relate to the interview by committee problem! Talk about intimidation. Do we ever Work like that — one person being asked questions of 5 (in my case) or 7 (in yours)? Thanks for your book recommendation.
Aww, man, I’m so sorry that your interview was rough. Group interviews are HARD! I have to say, I’m a chatty extrovert, but I’ve always wished I was more of an introvert. I hate that all my personality is on display all the time. 😦
As a fellow introvert, I enjoyed Quiet as well. Feeling like being introverted actually ADDS value really helped me change from the mindset of thinking I just needed to try harder at being extroverted. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new job!