So I finally got one of those things you hear about:
Digital Photograph, 2025
“Red Team at Yacht Rock Night, Squirrels vs Senators W 8–3”
Corporate Aftercare Series
An interview.
175 applications. First real one (outside of a weird scam).
With numbers like that, maybe don’t look to me for career advice.
I asked ChatGPT how to prepare. It gave me a 48-hour checklist and roleplay scripts that I ignored. Not because they’re wrong, but because I’m shyyyy. At my core, I’m an introvert- and I hate roleplaying.
This is coming from someone who played DnD as a kid (Well, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Vampire the Masquerade, Rifts, TMNT, and a bunch of others - Shoutout to Palladium Books’ whole catalog tbh), toured in bands, promoted, DJ'd and have lead more meetings and 1-on-1’s than I care to admit. It’s a learned behavior and it took a LOT of practice. But interviews? This was my first. So I white-knuckled it.
I wasn’t an idiot:
• Studied the company and product.
• Looked up my interviewers.
• Dug into Glassdoor and Reddit.
But I *knew* this role. I felt scripting would only get in the way of showing I’m actually qualified. So I kept it conversational.
I don’t know? Did I screw up? I don’t know.
Two rounds in, jitters mostly gone. HR round was fine (that one just makes sure you are who you say you are and can do things like show up for a meeting ).This last one was pretty good I think? I asked real questions about their process. I matched my experience to the nuances of the role. I didn't just stammer out bullet points.
But, being jobless when you’ve been told your whole life to “get a job” really messes with your head. I’m already pre-gaming the rejection breakdown if I don’t get it.
One of the things I like about *not* over-scripting for an interview is the what-you-see-is-what-you-get of it. Look, these are my skills and this is my personality.
If I don’t get it, I wasn’t the right fit.
There could be people out there more qualified for the role (though this one feels custom made for my experience).
It’s a super brutal market right now.
Networking is key:
I keep reading stories of retail places turning away PhD's and all that. I continue to make headway locally, through networking but that can be a long warm up when you’re shyyyy. It takes consistent effort and that can be a challenge for those with a low social battery. If you come out to one of these and you see me, say hi. I'll be your networking buddy (plot twist: you will be mine). But it's a great place to get out of your head.
So wish me luck.
And wish us all luck.
(Also: if you’re building something cool and need a Creative Director, Project Manager, or Video Editor—hit me up.)
