It’s sooo crazy how things happen… I think the last blog I posted I was in search for a job that I would love, fingers crossed for Harpo, but eyes open to other opportunities. Well as it turns out I applied and applied and got an interview with a publishing company known as BG& H. I interviewed, got the job and enjoyed my time there for what it was. It was nice to be surrounded by all different people, giving me the chance to learn about different areas in Chicago and hang out with all different personalities. I made a lot of wonderful relationships there, but as far as it being something I can wake up and do for the rest of my life, absolutely not… At work we would constantly get told that if we weren’t meeting the goals set for us that it might be time to “start looking at the job postings on craigs list”. Now I do not do well with my job constantly getting threatened. If you want me, you want me, but if you don’t please get rid of me. I am a female, I have nesting issues and need to feel secure where I am. So with that I started opening my eyes to other things out there. I would start talking with people about my discontent for my job. Trying not to complain of course, but just making sure if anyone heard of anything to give me a holla.
As I believe you do know, I was working at the restaurant Sullivan’s and our clientele tends to be more businessmen. When I was having the interview with my boss from Sullivan’s he asked why of all places would you want to work here? Of course I just moved to the city, so I didn’t know why I wanted to work there, but checking out their website and talking to other people I knew it was a definite money maker and I also felt I would be offered my dream job working there. Working in the restaurant business for quite sometime and just being myself, I’ve learned how to kind of sell myself. Sometimes I don’t have to try, but whenever I’m working I try to be very personable so people feel comfortable talking with me and in talking that’s how people learn about my dreams and it’s all about connections. There would be many times guests would come in and talk with me asking why I would move from the sun to the windy city and a few people would extend themselves through business cards, but nothing I was ever interested in or thought suited me. Well this one day two gentlemen graced my presence and were extremely interested in me and my life. You can tell the difference when someone is genuinely interested and when they have ulterior motives and this was definitely on the positive end. So we got to talking and one gentleman was well known in the radio world in Chicago and gave me his card telling me he would be back and feels I would be great in radio. Of course I was like, hmm that would be nice, but I’m not putting all of my eggs in this basket. Time went on and I forgot all about this incident, and I went on with my lame day job still keeping my eyes out for others, but getting a little frustrated. Of course being positive Jasmine, I knew something was out there so I forged on. It was a Saturday and I got the first table in my shift at Sullivan’s. Sometimes other servers are vicious about getting tables there and I noticed that I got seated again. So I have two tables while no one else has a table and figured this would not turn out well, so I went to the manager and asked if that was someone else’s table and he assured me that this gentleman requested me. I look and guess who it was? Yep, the wonderful radio gentleman! He was very excited to see me, explaining he’s requested me a number of times, but I was not working, so he was happy I was there. Since the restaurant wasn’t busy we were able to really talk and he asked all sorts of questions. What exactly was I doing professionally? What am I looking to do? Telling me the difference between broadcasting and print… Asking what I’m looking to make financially, my background, my skills… It was crazy and I just answered honestly and in a very conversational manner. He gave me his card again and he emphasised I was supposed to be in broadcasting. For someone you hardly know to look inside of you and figure you out realizing your talents is hard to come by. He asked what I would really want to be doing? I of course shared my dreams of television and Harpo and he didn’t bash them, but he did say in working in television you do not have the freedom that radio gives you. Television producers will form you into who they want you to be instead of who you are. He told me that he can tell people like who I am and there would be no reason for me to change for anyone. I am unique and the qualities I have are often imitated, but never duplicated, lol! Everyone loves compliments, but that was just beautiful! Seeing as how he was well connected in the business he recommended me to send him my resume and he would in turn give me some contacts in the radio world. Of course I was thrilled because these things don’t always tend to happen, at least not for me and this would be a great opportunity, at least knowing someones name to drop. I sent my resume and I quickly got a response saying that we should meet for lunch to discuss further. I was a little hesitant, but I felt there was something good coming for me, I met with with him and he told me the reason for all of his questions was because he had a job opening working for him and thought I’d be perfect. Without my knowledge I was performing an interview and I didn’t have to study up on the company or anything. Jasmine alone got me this job and you have no idea how good that feels. I met with him and another gentleman I would be working for and badda bing badda boom I was in. In a matter of a week I was waking up working 8-5, hating my life with a job that wasn’t going anywhere- to working 9-5, loving every day, with a CAREER!
I am learning so much, I feel great because I have amazing boss’s that really teach me and feel I am valuable asset, which makes each day more exciting. What I was lacking was the ability to be creative, challenge myself daily, have a lot of responsibility and it’s like I was hand selected for a position that fills all of these. Changes are most certainly happening baby, things are lookin up… and it makes me feel so blessed! The last person that had this position now works for ESPN and who knows where I will be… I just know I’m going to be a big deal, so what out!
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