You own the whole block??

Researching the company you are interviewing is always suppose to be the first thing you do before you even step foot into their door... Because of the mass volume of interviews I have had, the researching is still completed but obviously in not the amount of detail as it should, and here is why...

I had an ad agency call me up for a media planning position a few weeks ago. They set up an interview for when I moved up to New York and that was great and all minus one fact- I have no desire to really work on the agency side- I want to explore the publishing side. So clearly I was not totally sold on the position but I figured, its a foot in the door, why not just go in for the interview, what could it hurt? I did a little research on the company the night before, pulled up the address and the directions needed to get there and went to bed.

That day, I also had a second round interview with a publication that if they offered on the spot, I would say yes and kiss the ground, and for this fact, I dressed for my second round interview because they had already seen me in my suit. I was wearing black pants, skinny belt, silk shirt and heals. For a second round interview I still looked business type, but more fashionable, which was the look I was aiming for. When I got off the subway at my first interview, I walked the 9 block trek from the subway to their building. Frustrated at that point because I got all sweaty, I started looking for their building and in no way wanted to deal with a door man. I'm looking, looking and finally find the building. I walk in the front door, expecting it to be like every other office building for them to have to buzz me to the right floor......

BUT NO.

They owned the entire building. The company is one of the top 3 ad agency's in the world with offices all over the world, and here I was, not in a suit, sweaty and flustered. I called my mom and had her re-research the company. Her response, "Leave, find the nearest clothing store and buy a suit, you need to look good for this. It's a big deal."

I do not think I need to go into detail about the rest of my little disaster. But lets just say, $100 dollars and a few hours later, I walked out with a second interview... The ending of the story to be completed....

Moral of this and Lesson Learned:

DO THE RESEARCH. Or at least find out if its a major company.. simple rule.

Peace, Love and Suiting Up,

B