"I seriously hope you don't use this answer if an interviewer asks you to tell them about yourself. How does growing up in a cramped apartment translate into a job in communications?" Those are the words of someone who commented on my LinkedIn viral post (viral in comparison to my other posts). He eventually removed the comment and I never replied.
I wrote about growing up in a 500 square foot 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment with 7 other family members. As a kid, nothing was ever given to me, I had to earn it. I worked very hard to accomplish everything I have set my mind to.
To answer his question, yes, I've actually used that story when asked, "Tell me about yourself," in an interview. I believe it tells you what motivates me: 1) my family because as you can tell we're close and 2) where I came from. I've been able to become a well put together, ambitious, and driven individual because those factors.
That is the only out of the ordinary comment. One of my favorites was someone I had know for no more than an hour conversation. He commented:
"I've been in the staffing business for over twenty years and I can count on one hand the number of people who have impressed me as much as you have. You're super intelligent, ridiculously articulate and a genuine pleasure to chat with. I feel sorry for the competition of whoever ends up hiring you. You're one in a million. I'm a huge fan."
I am humbled, thank you, Kacy K.
The Post In Numbers
- +400% profile viewers since last week
- 528 profile views
- 23K plus views to post
- 73 likes (96 likes as of 11/30/17)
- 45 comments
- 14 people messaged me with feedback/support and/or job leads
Feedback
At least 14 people messaged me with feedback, job leads, and/or words of support. Two people messaged me with lengthy feedback about my website and also books that I should look into.The first feedback focused on my website and how I would benefit with adding metrics to my projects section which I have implemented. The second feedback included personality tests and books I should look into which included:
Personality Test
Books to Read
- Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type by Paul D. Tieger
- What's Your Type of Career?: Find Your Perfect Career by Using Your Personality Type by Donna Dunning
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
To Wrap It Up
I already knew this but this post exemplified it even more: LinkedIn is an incredible platform. My story reached more people than I could have ever imagined and many people reached out to help. They reached out with possible job openings, incredibly helpful feedback, and words of support.
The initial comment above really made me solidify the fact that my story makes me – me. I embrace my upbringing as it has guided me to be the person I am now and I by no means think it is irrelevant to presenting myself as a professional.
As Gandhi put it, I am being my true self.
"Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self." - Gandhi
If you want to talk about brand strategy, storytelling, content development, project management, and/or marketing communications, drop me a line.
