I should have been a girl scout.

I should have been a girl scout. Apparently, being a girl scout would have totally prepared me for life. I would have learned leadership, how to sew badges on a sash, self-confidence, sales, and that if I eat enough cookies I can win a prize.  Most importantly, I would have learned to live my life by their motto: Be Prepared.

Unfortunately, I was not a girl scout. (I was a brownie for exactly 1 meeting and quit – long story involving pigs and crafts and cheesecake)

Yesterday, was quite possibly the busiest day I have had so far this year. I had more calls scheduled yesterday than I typically have all week. It was back to back to back all day. On top of it – I realize that this time next week I will be in London. I didn’t so much realize, as I was bombarded with “aren’t you so excited for london” messages yesterday.

In this carefully crafted and planned day –  I took an unknown call that wasn’t on the schedule from a number I didn’t recognize. I was totally not prepared. In my world – I assume if I email, people will email me back – when they call – well, it catches me by surprise. In this case,  I was falling over my words and am pretty sure I sounded like a bigger geek than I really am – and as I got off the call I thought – “Why did I even answer that when I was in the middle of something and totally unprepared for what was on the other end?”  Then I sent an apology message and asked to reschedule.  Which then made me think “really?  wow – I’m only making it worse – maybe they didn’t think it was as bad as I did.”  I did end up scheduling a followup – so either maybe it didn’t go as bad as I thought, or they want to see if it is possible that I can trip all over my words. Again.”   Ugh. Welcome to my life.

Anyway….Yesterday, CornontheJob did a post on the benefit (or lack there of) of dressing professionally for phone screens. I’ve done a post recently on why I am totally OK dressing in yoga pants and a tank top when on the call with anyone I am on a call with.  Like many other great debates of our time, its never going to get resolved – there are people on both side of the discussion that make valid points.  But I think the real argument that people make (but miss) is the fact that not “mentally” putting yourself in that (work) place can make you unprepared.  Being unprepared makes you less productive and not accomplish what you are set out to accomplish.  This is especially true if you are new to a flex/life or working from home.  When I first started – I needed to dress up a little more – I had been doing it for a long time and it felt right.  Now, I don’t.  At all.   I can be rock it anytime – except when I am not at all prepared.  Then I suck.

I so should have been a girl scout.

Tags: hr, jobseeker, organization, planning, prepared, recruiter, recruiting, working from home