In 2004, former Sex and the City writers Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo took the dating world by storm with the release of their book, He's Just Not That Into You. This tell-all book exposed what really goes through a guy's mind when he is dating a woman that, well, quite frankly, he is just not that into.
We've all heard those tell-tale excuses like, "sorry I haven't called but I have been really busy at work", and "I'd love to but I've got something else on", yet we women listen with absolute faith that what we are being told is in fact, the truth. The truth is that 100% of men surveyed for this book said that they have NEVER been too busy to call a girl that they are into. See that? One hundred percent. When it comes to successfully hooking a man in the 21st century, women are still expected to put down the phone and wait for the man to chase.
But what are the rules when a woman is trying to hook a job? When I first arrived in New York City 11 weeks ago, I picked up the phone and organised to meet with several potential employers in the very specialised and surprisingly small industry of Broadway theatre marketing and advertising. Those who did not have work available or who thought that my skills would be better suited elsewhere were honest about their situation when we met. "Good", I thought. Afterall, let's not waste each other's time. Then there were to two potential employers with whom, I decided, I would most like work.
With just over two weeks remaining on my current vistor's visa, it was time to again pick up the phone this week and pleed my case. As you will have gleened from previous blogs, I have been phoning them on a very regular basis since our first meeting. I've heard every excuse imaginable but managed to convince them that my time for excuses was up. Here's what happened:
Potential employer No.1: "We love you, we think you're excellent and we would love to have you on the team. We just don't have anything at a senior level at the moment." Unfortunately they don't have any mid-level jobs either for me to 'get a foot in the door'. The upshot though is that they are part of a world-wide group of advertising and marketing agencies and at my suggestion, agreed for the human resources department to add me to the database for other New York offices to reference. And the good news is, I've been invited to "keep in touch".
Potential employer No.2: This is a job I applied for from Australia in July this year. I interviewed over the phone from Perth, then met in-person in early October. Another difficult chap to catch by phone, I finally got through this week to say, "What do I have to do to convince you to hire me?". I have another meeting scheduled for this Tuesday.
It's a strange time of year to be unemployed. Usually this is a very, very busy time for me attending corporate Christmas parties as a guest, or even better, as a corporate entertainer. If it weren't for the stunning decorations lining 5th Avenue and the real Christmas trees for sale along Broadway, I wouldn't even know the festive season was upon us. Yes, this year will go down as the year I was invited to one and only one corporate Christmas party.
Last Thursday I took a cab outside my apartment and had great pleasure in saying, "Trump Tower please driver, on 5th Avenue". My friend Sandra had finally come up with a Trump card - an invitation to the Trump Models Christmas party. There couldn't have been more than 60 people crammed into the tiny bar space, but the buzz of beauty filled the room. A great night of cocktails and light conversation ensued and even after a couple of drinks, I refrained from asking Mr Trump's lawyer to introduce me to the entrepreneur, who was flitting through the crowd.
So what next? I wish I had a crystal ball because for the first time in my life, I don't know. What I do know is that I have to leave the country by December 23. I don't know where I'll spend Christmas and New Year and I have no idea with whom I'll spend it. If you're reading this and you're spending that time out of Australia/USA and you'd love the company of a fun blonde Aussie chick, then drop me a line! I'm open to offers, especially if it involves fine weather. Feel free to spread the word.
And what of The Canadian? Well, I guess he's just not that into me.
Sophia Loren once said: "Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent but with great inner drive, go so much further than people with vastly superior talent."
Rest assured, I still have the avid faith.
Until next week,
Kaylie
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