Weird title, I know.
But I had an interview for a job the other day and the principal asked me to tell him what in my career was I the most proud of. As soon as he asked, my mind went blank. See, I am not great at “tooting” my own horn and talking about some of the “great” things I have done. Matter of fact, I rarely discuss things like my college degrees and my children’s academic success because for me, I am just not comfortable and see it as bragging (a little). If I do, the information is vague and not specific at times. Do not get me wrong, I am proud of many things I have done in my life, I have just become accustom to not talking about it.
To make a long story short, I gave him my “uncomfortable” answer and I knew at that point, I blew it. I was on fire with all of the other questions, then he hit me with that one (how dare he? – lol). Then the phone call came… It was the Assistant Principal calling to inform me that they went with another candidate. Unexpectedly, she was very sweet and told me why. I was one of the top three from the first round of interviews and she and the other interviewers were so impressed with me and my background and technology knowledge. The principal did the second round with the top three. Then she hit me with it, “the only reason we went with the other candidate was because that person was able to answer the question about what they are most proud of. My first thought was, “really, that was it”? (YES) She then offered some helpful hints that will help me in the future with answering that question. I am so grateful to her because she did not have to do that. In all my years, that was the very first time I have been asked that question in an interview, but I will be prepared the next time.
I am great at what I do and I have so many things that make me who I am as an educator and librarian. Trust me that sentence is hard for me and as you can see, I am still not as specific as I should be, but I am realizing that I have to celebrate me and get out of my own way. My friends told me that, if you do not toot that horn, who will? I will be ready the next time!
Until Next Time!
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