No.6 Discussion Board

I figure this is a good time for me to throw in some of my own experiences since I've had quite a few jobs considering my age. Only two of them had a formal interview before I was hired, which was a bit stressful... I'm actually pretty good at interviews since I've done a lot of academic competitions in high school that required that skill, plus I smile a lot when I'm nervous, so it's hard for anyone else to tell that I'm internally freaking out. But what I've found for really stressful situations that make me sick with nerves, doing something right before that is easy and fun for you helps! Right before my jury in December (where I had to play my euphonium in front of four music professors who know more about my instrument than I ever will and they decide if I get to stay in the music program at the university), I hula hooped outside the room for the ten minutes before I had to go inside. Usually playing in front of anyone makes me panic enough that I can't breathe and sometimes start crying, but I totally nailed it that time. All the professors scoring me were surprised by how well I did and my teacher was super happy with me. I don't know what would make you mentally chill out like hula hooping does for me, but it's the general concept that matters. Also the breathe in for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, exhale for eight seconds trick works really well, too, if you're getting really anxious.

My very first job was at a bakery my English teacher's family ran and I happened to get that job when he asked my friend if she'd be interested in working for them. My very first day of work was my interview itself and involved selling baked goods at a farmers' market. I had to pick up on doing fast mental math which scared me a lot at first, but I got the hang of it! That was one of my favorite jobs, but my first job with a larger company that required a formal interview was at Target. It was a reliable way to get income, but I personally got tired of it pretty fast. My fourth job was my favorite, which was baking treats for a coffee shop. I got to schedule my own hours just as long as it was when the place was closed and I got everything done. Since I was working two other jobs with set hours then, there were a lot of 2AM baking sessions. That's the only job I was really sad to quit.