A second speech for the Toasties

    Today I am presenting my second speech at the Toastmaster meeting. (Actually, I am a back up speaker if someone scheduled to speak is a no show, so I have to be ready to speak.) I'm a wreck again, only not so bad as last time. The second speech is all about "Organizing your speech". I decided to write about my entering the workforce outside my home....here's my speech:

Second in the “My not so ordinary life” Series,

June Cleaver goes corporate

  Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests,

     Fashion can be a powerful thing.

      After staying home and raising babies for more than 2 decades it was time for me to get a job outside of my home. But, what kind of job?

    Oh, I had dabbled in a few stints as a retail clerk, one Christmas at Macy's in the holiday department, and at JCPenney’s for a year part time.
     Although I loved the socializing part of these jobs, and the store discounts, these jobs were really not what I was looking for…No. After soul searching and a long, deep talk with myself, I knew what I wanted.
     I wanted a job, no, I wanted a career, where I could work up the corporate step ladder. In short, a career I could dress in those sassy suits and separates I’d see each week in the Sunday paper. That’s right people; I wanted a job where I could wear cute shoes.
    I began combing the classifieds for “office jobs” although all I had going for me was that I had taught myself a few computer skills. (OK, I knew how to type a basic correspondence letter in word)
    I confided my plan to work in an office where I could wear cute shoes to my best friend. She said she was not sure, but she thought her husband’s organization was looking for a part-time receptionist.
    Oh. My. Gosh.
    Perfect! I was looking for a position where I could continue the nurturing and caregiving, like I had done for my children and husband for so many years, with that added perk of cute shoes, and this sounded like this was it.
     I put on my dressiest mom clothes and headed over to this organization. This place was called "EDAWN". For the life of me I had no idea what an EDAWN was, but no matter, that was a small detail I could figure out after they hired me.
     I burst into the office, and whisking my windblown hair out of my face, asked the receptionist for an application.
     “An application?” Asked the perky receptionist in the cute black suit. “Do you have a resume?”
Oh.
   A resume. Brilliant. (Why didn’t I think of that?) Well, no I didn’t have one, I told her. She rummaged around and thank you, sweet Jesus, she found some actual old school applications in a drawer. She came around the counter in her oh, so terribly cute shoes (of course) and handed me the form. I sat down right there and filled it in. I handed it back to her with a smile. “Here you go”, I said fluffing my hair again.
   “ Thanks so much, we’ll be in touch,” she replied.
    Huh? In touch?
Oh, ya. Sure. Gotcha. Obviously they needed a few hours to look at my app and call me back. Days went by. Ok, actually a week and a half. They finally called me to come in for an interview.
   OK. So, this would be the day they would hire me, I thought.
   At this interview, the CEO’s assistant explained to me what this part time receptionist job entailed. I tell you, it was a dream job. Welcome guests, set up for meetings, be warm and fuzzy. In general- be me! A June Cleaver of the corporate world, if you will.  I wanted that job so bad I could taste it.
    At the end of the 30 minute interview the exec assistant said, “We have several more candidates to interview. We’ll be in touch.” There was that damned “We’ll be in touch” thing again. Couldn’t she see I was the one for the job? Apparently not.
    Another week and half went by before I got a follow up call. Could I come for another interview? Why, yes, of course.
    “I get it”, I thought. They want to offer me the job in person. I googled EDAWN and discovered it meant Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. Ok, whatever. That’s a mouthful. Sheesh, no wonder they went by EDAWN…still slightly confused on what EDAWN did, I read on, and discovered that they worked with companies moving to the area and they had members…so it was like this kind of hip club of business people and they did good things for the community. Cool. I was jiggy with that.
     I put on the last daytime dressy-ish outfit I owned (For the record- Stay at home moms types do not usually have more than 3 dressy outfits, as they are usually cleaning, dining at Qdoba with other stay at home types or entertaining the dog.)
     This second interview was with the CEO and the exec assistant and it seemed to go well, at least from my perspective. Again, they said they’d be in touch.
     Right…
A week went by, and no word. I had to accept the cold reality. I was not what they wanted. Dejected, I decided I must be meant to sell appliances, or foundation garments for women or some such thing, without the benefits of a sassy suit or cute shoes and so... I began to look else ware.
      I got out of the shower to find I had a voice mail waiting for me from EDAWN.
     “Please give us a call,” said the woman’s monotone voice on my machine. I played it back 72 times trying to decipher the tone in her voice. Clearly they didn’t want me. Clearly they wanted to let me down easy, which explained the phone call. I was convinced that God was having a huge laugh at my expense, watching me struggle and now he was going to laugh again as I was denied by this organization filled with friendly people that dressed with such style. Obviously this was some sick character building episode in my life.
    It was 9 a.m. I called the office. To my surprise (shock really) I was told they wanted me. THEY wanted ME.  Could I start that very morning at 11? Yes!

    Oh, and they were having a board retreat. Yes! (Whatever a board retreat was…count me in, baby!) I hurried on in and was baptized into the EDAWN culture that day, at the Peppermill Hotel, at a “board retreat”. They gave me an EDAWN issued men’s size extra large blue wrinkled chambray shirt, emblazoned with the EDAWN logo, that fit me like a paint smock to wear at the board retreat. I didn’t care. I was high on life. (So high in fact that I never even asked my pay rate until a full two weeks later.)

*sigh* I had a job. No, I had a career. And I was going to wear cute shoes. Every. day.

Thank you Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests.

Comments

[Connie]

*clapping*
Very good Tracey! As awesome as that speech is, I'm almost hoping the other speech is a no show so you can give it. Very well prepared, interesting...I love how you tie your humble beginnings and your "June Cleaver" flair into the whole thing. Good luck! (oh, and um...by the way...as a 22 yr veteran of the "stay at home mom club"...I sooooo covet your shoe rack)

[Patsy]

Your speech is very entertaining and well written. Just wear some killer shoes and you can't miss!

[linda]

I can so identify with you. When I got my first grownup job out of college, many moons ago, I didn't even know what my salary was until I got my first paycheck. I was just excited and grateful to have that job that I didn't even ask. You have such a flair for telling a story. I hope you get to give your speech.

[Janet]

Bravo, no need for nerves!! The speech is excellent and since I can't think of the word I wanted to use ( ahem...does this happen to anyone else of a certain age??) I will stop here!! Oh yeah, your *presentation* will make the speech a real winner :>)
Janet

[Lora]

In reading this one, it seems you're much more comfortable this go 'round...more yourself. I hope you get the opportunity to present it- good luck!

Lora

[Mockingbird Hill]

Great story = great speech! Go get 'em, Tracey...we'll be thinking about you ;)

Cassie

[Cheryl - Toronto]

Tracey,
That was absolutely DELIGHTFUL! I am still smiling after laughing out loud reading the end of the story! Ha! ;0 I could see myself doing the same thing!...being so enthralled about the new job that you forgot to ask about the salary! LOL! Once again..like your last Toastmasters speach, it is such a "REAL" story, and extremely entertaining too! Well done!

Cheryl-Toronto

[Mary Jane Smith]

Hi Tracey:

Love it ... very well done! So ... how many cute pairs of shoes do you have?????

~~Mary Jane~~

[The Sewing Queen]

For being a "backup speaker", you "done good" kid. I could visualize you giving that speech. Hope you backed up the missing speaker.

[Sherry aka haus frau]

You're absolutely delightful!

I married a tich later than you..spent my post college years working in marketing and catering then married at 30 and had our daughter at 32. Back to work at 44.

Before I got married I had 72 pair of shoes. A gorgeous mixed variety of shoesies that I absolutely adored. I'd buy a pair of 'wonder heels' THEN buy the outfit, usually it's the other way around.

Too many years of cute/pretty/s*xy/impractical footwear (and years as a dancer too) ruined my little feet and now at 50 (come April) I'm into sensible, sturdy numbers that fit orthodics. heavvvvvvy sigh. I did keep a few pair of my favorites though and *do* wear a pair for a special occasion, ignoring the horrid pain til I crawl in my car and pry those leather beauties from my mangled peds. Totally worth it. :o)

[Dawn]

You go, girl!
:^D

[GiantsPrincess]

I can so totally relate to your interview. My first jobs were: Operator at an answering service and Check Filer for Bank of America (yes back in the 80's when you got your checks back in your statement they were filed by hand).

I decided to try a "real" job and went to interview for the Executive Assistant to the Vice President/General Manager of a huge company. Here is part of my interview: "Do you know how to use a computer?" - "No"; "Do you know how to send a fax?" - "No"; "Do you know how to send a Telex?" - "No". . .Get the picture?

I found out later that I wasn't hired for my skills (ya think) but because I was a tall, skinny blonde which was considered a status symbol for the Japanese VP/GM. I should have been upset but the experience I received there has been invaluable!

[Adrienne]

Great speech! I hope you get to share it. They need to hear it. I can so identify with much of your story. At the interview for one of my first jobs the boss asked me how much money I wanted from a job. I took a deep breath and (shaking inside) told him a figure. He looked at me in a very serious way and said he couldn't possibly pay me that amount. I began to think if there was some way I could make it on less when he said we will start you at XXXX with a review and increase in 6 months. Much more money that what I had asked for! Whew. I got the job and worked there for over 2 years before I married and moved out of the area. I learned a lot there and never again gave a low figure when asked about the pay. Please let us know what happens today. ~Adrienne~

[bride-to-be]

Love, love, love the speech! Yet one more thing you do better than anyone I know! I was laughing all the way through, remembering the discussions we had during that hiring process.

[Kelly]

Love the story and your a great writer...keep it up..
Kelly

[Joyce]

L-O-V-E it!!! (Personally, I think interviews are a joke! Much like marriage, at our big girl jobs you never really know someone until you work with them 40+ hours a week!!). And if you don't get to share your speech at your club tonight, no doubt all your blog friends have been thoroughly entertained! Hope you've had a wonderful day!

[itrustYou]

I can't seem to subscribe to your feed. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I don't usually have that problem.

[Emilie]

Okay with all this practice public speaking...when are you going to put out your next dvd? Maybe it should be on refinishing/embellishing furniture?! Great speech!

[Rosemary]

Bravo Tracey!!!
Rosemary

[Arlene McComas]

Long time lurker...I love you. I love your blog. You are the bomb...in high heels!

[Elaine L.]

THIS speech is better than the last. I LOVED it! I hope you get to present it, if not, I guess you will be able to use it in the future.

~elaine~