Lush Interview and Aftermath

So, anyone who has been bought here from my youtube channel will know, or have seen my video about me going to a LUSH interview.
I apologise right now, but this is most likely going to be a LONG blog. I advise anyone who is thinking about going for a job at LUSH to read this, it may help you!!!

So back story....
A new lush store was opening near my hometown. Its the first in this close area, and about 15 miles away from me. As it opened in November, they were advertising for christmas jobs. These adverts were quite hard to find, it was only by chance that I stumbled upon one on gumtree.com.
I am not a mad LUSH fan. I have knowledge of a few of the products, especially their christmas ones, of which I have bought and used quite a few. I still decided to go for it as I needed a christmas job.
I submit my cv and a quick couple of sentences as a "cover letter".

Hear nothing for a couple of days..........

Get an email, inviting me to an interview in 2 days time!!! RIGHT!
I brush up a bit of my product knowledge, check out the internet for possible things that could happen at the interview, sort my cv out and write a cover letter.

INTERVIEW DAY!
I try to make myself look presentable. Smart casual. Turn up with plenty of time to breathe.
As i sit, a young "couple" near me also attending the interview. Boy clearly gay (NOTHING against gay people!!!!) and the girl "typical young student dress code". They have HAND WRITTEN their cover letters and drawn silly little pictures and stars on it. Staring down at my professional looking letter, I PANIC. Im desperate for this job, and i know how "qwerky" lush are as a company.....maybe I'm being too "posh"?? I grab a pen, and quickly doodle some pictures of lush products on my letter. I feel like shit defacing it, but remember people, I'm DESPERATE to work for the company and i feel i need to do anything!!! The interviewers were managers from shops in and near London, NOT EVEN from our store!!!
The "interview" is more of a group based activity, team building morning thing. Lots of silly tasks to do, to get you working as a team. 
NOTHING was done in order to highlight our knowledge of the company! To me, this was a bit stupid. I know that teamwork is important, but surely product knowledge is of equal importance?
There were only 2 boys in the group. The rest was generally young girls....a couple of older ladies too. Some chatty, some quiet. 
We had to make models that represented us out of the FUN product. Create a new product and just general stuff like that.
At the end they asked us for our cover letters and to write what days we can work. I wrote ALL DAYS ALL HOURS!!! <- to me this was going to put me in a good light!
They said if we hadn't heard in 5 days time, we were unsuccessful and that they would ring those who were successful. We were allowed to email her if unsuccessful to ask for some feedback......

2 Days later......
I'd been pacing up and down ALOT.
The phone went, it was on silent and i missed it. But i got a voicemail. Lady from lush asking me to ring back. I was SOOOOOO excited, I knew i'd got it. I got a pen and paper ready to write everything down.......
"Cut to the chase you have been unsuccessful".........G.U.T.T.E.D :( She said I had "the wrong dynamics for the shop, but was good on the day". I put the phone down....and burst into floods of tears. I was devastated.

*and breathe*

So where had I gone wrong???? I quickly emailed the lady anyway to ask for some (more) feedback.......that was 4 days ago (at time of writing) and she hasn't got back to me. Im not impressed.
Up until yesterday, i was at a total loss as to where i had gone wrong, but then.....


5 days after interview day......
I log onto the new shops Facebook page, and see to my HORROR that they have re-advertised for PART TIME christmas staff. At first I'm confused. But i apply!!!!! I send a cv and a NEW cover letter DIRECT to the store.

1 day later.....
Heard nothing about the re-application. Remembering the name of someone at the interview (one of the boys) i check his Facebook. He got a job.....BUT he found out 2 DAYS AFTER I WAS TOLD. (mum said generally successful applicants are told FIRST)

NOW, it all makes sense.
LUSH clearly hire a certain type of person. If you don't fit that type, your out.
I didn't fit it. 
Nothing to do with my education, outgoingness, personality, or skills. I just didn't "LOOK RIGHT" At the interview she said they encourage you to be an individual, so if you have tattoos its ok, if you have piercings its ok etc etc. Thats fine with me, but what ISNT fine is to NOT hire people just because they DON'T have tattoos. 

Of course, naturally the interviewers couldn't say "you don't look right" as this is technically prejudice. But its clear.
I was phoned so early, because i didn't stand a chance. Because i was too clean cut.
NEVER MIND my damn knowledge of the company!

I AM DEVASTATED.
LUSH is a company i really really wanted to work for. I wanted to build a career there!!!
Im upset that there is possibility of discrimination. Surely it shouldn't matter what you look like, as long as you are approachable, reliable and knowledgable???
*sigh*

I feel there is so much more to this story. And i've been totally cheated out of "the perfect job". 
At the next interview i shall backcomb my hair, wear red lipstick and say nothing......that way i might bloody get in!

It's a quiet evening, you have nothing that needs doing, its dark outside, you stick on a song.........stare out the window, and contemplate. 

I do this a lot. Especially those evenings where I have nothing on, and maybe I'm in bed by 8:30. Up comes iTunes, and straight to my sad/thought provoking song list. 

Contemplation can be a blessing, for those who are busy and never seem to get any ME time. Its a chance for you to unwind, clear your mind and contemplate life. 

Or it can be an awful opportunity for bad experiences to momentarily re-surface. Life's regrets to come and hit you in the face. Or perhaps to wish for something to be done differently. 

Just a thought.......

Where have i been???

HI EVERYBODY!!!!

Wow, so it has officially been ages since I wrote anything properly on here!! Sorry to have abandoned you all :(

BUT WHAT A SUMMER I HAVE HAD!

The Olympic Opening ceremony was officially amazing. One of the most special things I have ever done. I even managed to see myself on the television which was a bonus.

Then working in London over the Olympics was hard HARD work. Long hours, and on your feet all day, selling programmes in Excel Center. The pay was very rewarding though, even if the general public at that venue where a bit of a nightmare!!

Then to be invited back to do the Paralympic Opening Ceremony was just the icing on the cake. This routine was totally different from the Olympics, and on the whole felt more relaxed. I really only had about 10 rehearsals for this segment. Once again we were onstage for a long time, and yes did catch myself on tv :)

I am a bit sad that I saw so little sport over the summer. Working meant that I missed out on many of Britains sporting highlights, however I did manage to watch AND CHEER Usain Bolt in the 100m finals. EPIC. I did get tickets to a couple of events. I saw Water Polo in the Olynpics, and Para Equestrian and Para Swimming. The paralympic athletes really were an inspiration and it was quite emotional watching them. Talking of athletes, on Monday I went to watch the Athletes parade in London. I was given a special "ceremonies volunteer ticket" along the mall. It was incredible. I have never cheered and clapped so much in my life, and I stood wonderfully close to all of Britains great athletes. 

SO BLIMEY! What a summer!!!!

So what happens to me now??? 
Im back to normality with a massive crash. lol
Currently applying to jobs around the country, just so I can move out and start earning money. I had set my hopes on getting a Beauty Therapy job at Center Parcs, and unfortunately didn't get it. :( BUT never mind, job applications are still rolling.

LATEST NEWS: teehee, mind you many people are going to KILL me for saying this, seeing as I have been so against university in the past.....
- I have decided to try and study for a degree. But being me, I'm not going to take the usual path....
- I have signed up to a degree from the OPEN UNIVERSITY doing Natural Science (BSc), this is going to be a mega challenge for me as although I consider myself to be quite good at Biology and Geography, I'm not so hot at Maths or Physics. 

So where does this take me?
Well I will keep my options open with it. Im not ruling out University for 2013. At least with OU, i have a choice whether to continue studying with them or to convert the course to another University.

I shall keep you posted!!!
ANYWAYS, that was my quick catch up for you all. Will be checking in again soon!
xx

LONDON 2012 is here!!!

This is a blog for all those people who perhaps haven't quite grasped the whole concept of the games!

Its here! London 2012 kicked off last night with an outstanding opening ceremony. it was a thrill to be part of it and an experience that no one can take away from me. The cast was primarily made up of volunteers who had not been paid at all for their contribution.

Our rehearsals called for us to give up father's day, jubilee celebrations, family events and seeing the flame in our local counties. New skills were learnt and many lifelong friendships have been created. 

The games makers are a 10,000+ strong team of volunteers. Without them the games would not be able to run. Again they are volunteers, no money paid, all they gain is the pride in taking part and representing their country.

The games have created over 6,000 new permanent jobs across the U.K, boosting the employment rates in Britain. The games is also all about "inspiring a generation". Last night at the ceremony the cauldron was lit by a team of young olympic hopefuls. Their achievements and aspirations are an inspiration to other young people across the world. 

As for the buildings of the olympic parks, many will be kept beyond the games, and will provide sporting facilities for a wide area of London. Stratford has been completely transformed thanks to the presence of these beautiful buildings (anyone remember the wasteland it used to be???)

And for the athletes. Competing in the Olympic games is a goal that many may dream of, yet few achieve. The very best athletes from around the world have descended upon London to compete in the biggest sporting event in their lives. Proud mums, dad and coaches have all followed them here and stood by them. And really, this is what the Olympics is all about, the athletes. 

SO, to anyone that wants to rant and rage, please don't. Its so hard for us volunteers to be met with such abuse from people. We are merely volunteers, wanting to be a part of this amazing experience.

Look at the bigger picture.

Look at what we gained.

Be proud to be British!

Any ranting is a fast track to a Facebook friend removal. Because we don't need it. Britain on the whole is proud, and excited. YOUR the minority and the people with the problem. Trust me, don't bother voicing it cos we ain't gonna listen! Don't ruin this opportunity for all involved.

15 days to go!!!!

OH MY GOLLYGOSH!

15 DAYS TO GO UNTIL LONDON 2012 KICKS OFF!!

We are in the Stadium rehearsing now. Trust me it's quite a sight, however it's definitely bigger on the outside (in my opinion anyway!)

The choreography is learnt, its now just a case of blocking, entrants, exists and cues.

The atmosphere is electric in there, once the music starts blasting and the lights start strobing........AAAAAAAAAAH.

I hope you will all be watching! Beijing is a tough act to follow, but believe me, we will leave you all amazed, enlightened and empowered! 

I've recently had a local radio interview which was so much fun, but i've just had to turn down a television appearance.....sad, but the journalists have a job to do and I can't AND WON'T reveal anything!!

Another piece of excitement......I'M IN THE PARALYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY!

wooohooo. Joined quite late so having to pick up the routines very quickly! I hopefully will do a separate blog on this!

Moving up to London on Monday for a month. Renting a flat. WOOP

God its all happening!

THANKS again for reading! REALLY hope you all support London 2012. Support us and SUPPORT your team!! Whatever country your from!!

WoW 3000+ views!

Thanks for reading! :o)

Haven't posted on here much lately.

Times are a changin' and things keep moving forward.

I'm sure many of you have read the "leaking" of information about the Olympic Opening Ceremony.I for one was quite surprised upon hearing this information, nothing Danny Boyle said in the interviews was news to me, us volunteers had been told all this information before and we get to see it all happening at rehearsals.I was just surprised that information has been "leaked". We were under such scrutiny to keep everything a secret!!!Mind you, Danny has only revealed a TINY fraction of the ceremony plans. PLEASE don't look at his plans and say "oh how boring, not gonna watch that!". The ceremony will be a celebration of all things British. There will be something in it for everyone and I know you will love it! It is such an honor being a part of it all, and the realisation of the scale of what I am part of is slowly dawning on me!


I can always create a flip side here.

I still have the ongoing battle against university goers. People STILL looking down their noses at me, mind you not much about my life has changed (I did pass my driving test a couple of weeks ago with 2 minors! SO HA BEAT THAT!) 


I'm sure "friends" rather acquaintances will calm down in the next year or two. Most people my age have just completed their uni studies (I defy you to walk into a job in September)
And by next summer the vast majority of people I was around at school will have finished.


SOME DAYS I can get away with saying to myself "I don't need to prove anything to anyone" yet others I think "Oh god i really am a waster".


No I will not be earning a six figure salary, no I may not accept promotions nor even be offered them. No I won't live in a mansion, but hey what is exactly wrong with a council house? And if I change my career every 5 years, there is NOTHING wrong with that. 


Some people need to be careful. I have already turned my back on people that once cared about me, because they couldn't accept my choices, believe me I WILL do it again. < - Man is that UBER bitch or what?! Another UBER bitchy thing I do is to somethings coax things out of people.....let me explain.....
- If someone starts down the old "university is it" road, I will try and coax out their real feelings, usually by pretending that what they are saying either 
a) Doesn't hurt me
b) I pretend to agree with what they are saying, acting as if I have had a "change of heart"


Based on their comments during this conversation I either EMBRACE or DITCH. Be warned people.


But seriously, do NOT let others judge you. Turn your back on people who cannot accept you for who you really are, it's they who have the problem not you!

EUROVISION 2012

That title was a warning!!!

If you have NOT watched Eurovision 2012 yet then please do not read any further!!!

So ladies and gentlemen what a night! What a Show!
Azerbaijan hosted the competition in Baku.
Great Britain started the ball rolling with Englebert Humperdink. Oh dear, and where did we finish? Second to last, poor old Norway at the bottom (although I thought there's was pretty good!)


Who were my favourites?
Russia - Singing grannies, and i'm so so pleased they came second, well deserved!
Iceland - Never Forget - Possibly the best song of the night, deserved to do so much better than they did!
Norway - Just failed
Jedward - Well done boys a valliant effort. Not as good as last year, the novelty has worn off!!


My shock/ memorable moments?
ALBANIA - Just wtf????? Its a singing competition isn't it? NOT shouting! Jesus christ woman!
Israel - quite catchy, enjoyed the song
Moldova - The woman dancing in the pink tutu......too much red bull? 
I liked the Greek entry, typical eurovision pop!


And LORDI doing the votes from Finland! An added bonus!


Also well done to Graham Norton on his flawless commentary, always makes us chuckle!


And we have our winner!
Euphoria - Sweden. When I first heard it in the semi-finals I knew it had to do well and I believed it would win. A worthy winner. That sort of sound is very in (even if the dance moves aren't!)