"Never again," I said to myself over and over. I must have been out of my mind when I chose Majestic Magnolia, a gorgeous design I simply couldn't resist. It didn't matter to me that I was still a beginner and I had never stitched on linen. I thought I could tackle any project. Today, it's my crowning achievement, one that would take five long years and several trips around the globe to complete.
The chart is barely legible anymore; faded, with coffee stains and who-knows-what-else. I saved it anyway. The magnolia with its creamy white blooms and dark lustrous leaves is a statement of beauty, even prettier that I originally imagined it. But, what a love-hate relationship we've had. "Never again," I repeated, too many times to count. This project wreaked havoc with my emotions, from tears of frustration and disappointment, to an incredible sense of pride and joy in the finished piece.
I was 20 the first time I met anyone who did cross stitch. She was a passenger on one of my flights. Fresh out of college, I had just accepted a job as a flight attendant with a major airline. I don't remember where we were going that day. I only remember walking up and down the aisle of the plane marveling over this woman's devotion to a craft that had always seemed so boring to me. Her work was stunning. I asked questions. I was hooked.
Up until that day, sewing had always been my passion. Self- taught all the way, I made my own clothes in high school, decorated my dorm room in college, sewed costumes for nieces and nephews, and made countless other projects over the years. But my glamorous new career took a toll on my sewing. I was fulfilling a childhood dream to be a flight attendant, jetting off to faraway places. Try as I might, my machine was too heavy to carry on the plane. My sewing was put on hold.
As a flight attendant I had a lot of down time; sitting in hotel rooms in foreign cities, fighting to stay awake in the middle of the night while passengers slept, sitting for hours between flights. I yearned for something to occupy my hands and my mind the way sewing did. I needed to create. Then I met my friend, the passenger who inspired me to try cross stitch. I was simply amazed at what a needle, a simple stitch and colored threads could do in the hands of an artist.
I jumped in with both feet buying cross stitch books and magazines, starter kits, threads, hoops, and anything else I could find. I was determined to learn as much as I could about this wonderful craft. I started with simple projects, and gradually expanded my skills. Before long I became a fairly decent stitcher. I was thrilled. Cross stitch was the perfect pastime for flying; relaxing, creative, and fun. Best of all, it was portable. I could do it anywhere.
And so I did. From Anchorage to Atlanta, and Bali to Bermuda, I stitched and stitched (and ripped out just as often) every chance I could. Mistakes and mishaps were an everyday occurrence. There were lots of pricked fingers. I constantly lost threads and had to replace them. The chart was accidentally thrown in the trash several times, and I left the whole project in more hotel rooms and airplanes around the world than I care to remember. Somehow it always found its way back to me.
Majestic Magnolia was a challenging project for a beginner but I was lured by its beauty. For the most part I had to work in daylight only in order to distinguish between the different shades of cream, ecru, and white flowers which were stitched on cream-colored linen. The leaves too were done in various shades of green. I was humbled and even slightly embarrassed when people would stop to admire my work, but it was always very encouraging.
This particular project will always bring back wonderful memories of my incredible career in the airline industry. What a glorious time in my life. I've had the opportunity to work on my cross stitch in some amazing places; at a park overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, sipping Italian wine outside the Vatican, and riding a ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
I said I'd never do it again. Famous last words. But I actually have done it again, many times. I'm passionate about cross stitch. I buy charts and kits everywhere I go. The truth is, when I look at my final masterpiece I'm astounded that I was able to create something so beautiful out of a blank canvas, thread and a pattern. Few things give me greater joy!
As a new resident of the Atlanta area, I've been to a fair amount of job interviews. Some of them have been good experiences. But to my surprise (and mild amusement,) many interviewers make me wonder if I'm the victim of a gag being recorded on hidden cameras. Of course, I do not claim to have perfect interviewing skills myself. I've stumbled upon a few really good questions that have taken me by surprise. But I've read enough career articles to know the basics about having a successful job interview. I do my homework. And for the most part, I'm prepared when I walk in the door. It's a shame I can't say the same thing about the employers that have recently brought me into their office to discuss a potential job.
One common attitude I find among bad interviewers is the idea that they don't have to impress the job candidate. Employers assume because they are the ones doing the hiring, that it is completely up to the job candidate to make an impression. It's true that it's up to the candidate to sell herself. But don't forget; job interviews work both ways. The employer is also being interviewed by the applicant. To the employer - If you blow it, you may let a superstar hire walk out the door wanting nothing more from your company than to share the interview experience for laughs during happy hour (or in a published article.)
Here are five tips that may save you some embarrassment while making the interview process more effective for both of you:
Tip #1:
Set time aside for the interview - and respect the applicant's time.
I've been on many interviews that were constantly interrupted. If my appointment wasn't completely forgotten about, I've certainly felt like it was the last thing on the employer's mind sometimes. I understand that businesses are very busy places. There are undoubtedly important phone calls and special situations that may put the interview on pause for a few minutes. But at least make an effort to give the interview your undivided attention. You, or someone at your workplace liked the person's resume and thought they were worth a look. You owe it to your company and the job candidate to take time for a productive meeting. Put your cell phone on vibrate. Stop checking your blackberry for email. Tell the secretary you are in a meeting and post a sign on the door. Oh, and it probably wouldn't hurt to make eye contact with the person you are interviewing. The person you have in your office could be that dream employee that could actually make your job easier. That's probably the reason you are hiring - to take some of the load off, right? Remember that as you multitask, placing your job candidate second.
Tip #2:
Look at the applicant's resume - before the interview.
"So, what is your name again?" It's a good thing job candidates take along copies of their resume to the interview because some interviewers have never even laid eyes on it. It's always obvious. When I get called on an interview I assume it's because something on my resume stood out and caught the employer's attention (or passed the barrage of keyword tests.) My resume made the cut. It got placed into the good pile. At the interview, I am prepared to give examples, explain, or answer questions about my experience (that is conveniently listed in chronological order on my resume.) But all too often, the interviewer hasn't bothered to preview my resume and I'm forced to recite the oral version to give them a starting point. (I DELETED STUFF HERE.) I don't think employers appreciate how much work goes into a resume. But more importantly, they can be a real time saver if you bother to read them. At the very least, gloss over the resume. Make notes and highlight the applicant's skills and experience you would like to know more about. It doesn't take much time, and it gives you a guide by which you can ask the candidate intelligent questions relevant to their work history.
Tip #3
Don't do all the talking.
While job seekers definitely want to know everything there is to know about the company, I don't suggest doing all the talking. I think some people feel uncomfortable conducting interviews. To hide the fact that they have not done their homework on the person sitting in front of them, they just start talking. Save the history of the business for later. As a job seeker, (and I think I speak for many of us) we don't need to know who founded the company on the first interview. What we really want to know is if we can (or want to) fill the position that was advertised. Most people want to succeed at their job. Job candidates need to know if they will be a valuable asset to the company. They are not concerned with getting familiar with all 5,784 of your products just yet. It's ok to run out of things to say or ask. Just be comfortable with silent pauses. It may prevent you from asking stupid questions (see tip # 5.) You can also tell more about a person when you keep quiet and let them ask questions. Which brings me to tip number four...
Tip #4:
Know enough about the position or job to answer questions about it.
I once got invited to an interview where the people from the department for which I was applying were not present. The person interviewing me could not answer my questions pertaining to the job. Not only was this frustrating, but it was a complete waste of time. No one was there to expand on the job description and determine if I had the skills necessary to fit the bill. So, after taking a rather lengthy personality test, I politely listened to a narrative about the company's history. After that, I was slightly amused by some of the most random and absurd questions I've ever heard. "What are your morals?" was one of those questions I'll never forget. I doubt it, but I hope that question pops up again one day. I'd love to see the interviewer's face when I reply; "I believe in working my way up the corporate ladder with sexual favors."
Tip #5:
Avoid Clich? Questions.
There are two reasons not to use those tired, clich? interview questions. 1. Applicants have heard them all before and they have the tired, clich? responses well-rehearsed. Even if they are young and inexperienced they have easy access to the recommended answers. As I write this now, I've come across an article from Associated Content entitled "How to Answer Clich? Interview Questions." 2. Clich? questions don't get to the meat of what you really want to know. Be direct and get to the point. "What is your favorite color" is not something that should be part of an adult conversation. Neither should; "If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?" And if you ask me; "what is your biggest weakness?", I might tell you tell you "chocolate."
Why beat around the bush? If you want to know if the candidate can stick to a plan, ask them. If you need to know that their personal goals are compatible with the company's goals, just go ahead and ask them! The "Where do you see yourself in five years?" question is like expecting someone to predict the future. Think of yourself five years ago. Did you see yourself where you are today? Let's get with the times. We live in an age where the business landscape can change radically from year to year. You should be asking candidates what they can do for you in the present. Instead of asking them to make predictions five or ten years from now, find out how quick they can adapt to ever-changing business conditions in the future.
Both John Wigham & April Norhanian are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Wigham has sinced written about articles on various topics from Arts, Crafts and Arts. John Wigham has been a professional author and editor for 20 years and is a co-founder of an online cross stitch club dedicated to counted. John Wigham's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
April Norhanian has sinced written about articles on various topics from Arts. April is the editor of -Life and Leisure in the Metro Atlanta Area.. April Norhanian's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.