Would You Hire This Woman?

Here's the hard and fast truth. Most people won't. Maybe not most...but most of those I've talked to since I'm approaching a point where I need someone to. It could be that I am admittedly a bit long in the tooth for them. But then I would argue that experience is something you can't fake. It takes years to establish. In fact that's what I did try and push... but to no avail.

It turns out that with furthering your education, there's a little catch-22 no one mentions...that if you have any experience in an actual job, you are over-qualified for the actual work placements that you need to complete just to get your advanced degree.  Now that sure makes it seem like there's something wrong with the education system. But as I have learned this year, sometimes you have to just accept what is, and work around it. And to me, I was easily convinced it was because of my age.

I went to a placement interview in Dublin last week and after what I thought was a lovely conversation about radio and television and the differences between the industries in Ireland and the United States, I didn't get the placement. What I did get was an e-mail explaining that I was overqualified for any internship, I should clearly have my own show and that wasn't a possibility, so good luck in my pursuits.

Whaaaaat? I wrote and thanked them for their time and asked if I should dumb down my resume. I figured when you're competing with students who have never set foot in a newsroom and you have spent three decades there, have two Emmy's and two books under your belt, maybe I should.

Okay so my ego was bruised. I am the only one in my class with actual experience, and yet the only one not to be placed anywhere. ???  And I admit I whined about it for a few days. Then I did what my dad always told me to...got over it and start looking elsewhere. I am older than everyone else. I see that as an asset, selling it as one looks like it's going to be a challenge.

I'll admit I hated those games as a child, where no one ever picked me. I was never any king of an athletic star but that feeling that no one wants you on your team is a tough one.  And here I am facing that same feeling again....so many years later.

And a few more interviews later I landed a placement at News Talk Radio in Dublin. Sometimes, even when life seems to be telling you,”no”…if you just keep at it you find just where you’re supposed to be.