Help Me Get a Facelift!

Story of my life.

To all of you here for a freakshow post about cosmetic surgery, the door is that way. Hallo! My baby is turning three! Of course by 'baby' I'm referring to this little piece of the blogosphere - you can exhale now, dad. I started this blog sitting in my aunt's kitchen in Amman, a mere handful of weeks after completing my postgrad, having already been told by two companies in the capital that I was a) overqualified, and b) without enough experience. Swimming start to my professional career, but it explains the blog name.

I wasn't unemployed for very long, but the name stuck. Although incredibly poorly written in parts and totally useless in others, this blog has seen me through many a change, both good and bad. I've ranted about cultural injustices, whined about triathlons and training sessions and produced odes of worship to the world's of fantasy and pop culture. It's been a struggle, at times, to try and express myself in a politically correct manner and I have experienced periods of complete disinterest and frustration with trying to continue this scribe journey.

However, I feel, and for the first time in a long time, that I'm officially in a place that is a lot more stable than I have been in for many years. This is not to say things are perfect. Far from it, actually. Life is probably more confusing and testing than ever. The big lesson here is: it always will be. Why didn't anyone tell me this before, hmm?

So! It is officially time to shed this skin and bring on a new, shiny and, of course, sassy feel to this - my portal to the internets and all thirteen of you, following me. If you've read through to here, congratulations! You now know that I will be giving away a 'mini Reem' hamper, full of my favourite things, to the person who proposes that new, winning title to my blog. Easy. The hamper will include one of each of my fave things, including a film, a CD (yes, I'm serious), a book, a food item (again, yes, I'm serious) and more - photo to come.

How to communicate your entries to me? You can:

a) Tweet me @itssilverfox

b) Leave a message on here

c) Smoke signal

The deadline for this competition is Friday 18th May, which gives you 10 days to make my blogging facelift happen! To help you along, my colleague was telling me about a sandwich called the 'Unlawful Falafel.' I almost immediately changed the blog title to that. Go crazy.

ENTRY UPDATES:

Kevin: Confessions of Perpetual Delirium
Ben P: Desert Fox, Fox in the Desert
James: Shaddady Issues, D-Reem, A Midsummer Night's Reem, Reem Embers, Reem-edial, Dreaded Mash
Martin: Things to do in Doha when You're Not Quite Dead, Requiem for a Reem, The Good, The Shaddad & The Ugly, Private Fears in Public Places
Steven: Romantic Walks to the Fridge
Adam S: A Woman in Heat
Sanna: All Lies in Wonderland
Ben A: Life of a Modern Lover

Is It The End of the World Yet?

Hello and Happy (belated) New Year! Here’s hoping all three of my faithful readers have had a joyous break and a positive start to the year prophesised to mark the end of humanity as we know it. Anywho, I’m popping in simply to confirm that a) I am still alive and well (mostly) and b) I haven’t allowed myself the luxury of sinking into the abyss of utter melancholy or depression (thank goodness).

What Would Alexander Supertramp Do?

One of the things I love best is listening to people talk about their childhoods. The smallest details thrill me. I can almost taste the crispy bacon sandwiches, hear mums raise their voices over suspicious smoke-infused clothing, visualise the garish neon of a 70s wild child and suffer a broken heart with stories of broken homes. I suppose it isn’t strange really, especially with my love of story telling and the way I tend to immerse myself in music, literature, film and most importantly people’s lives. I've always partially lived in my own dream world. I also have a thing for names. It’s always easier to picture a Frank, Julia or a Steve than simply 'mum', 'cousin' or 'nan'.

So You Think You're Depressed

I’ve done a lot of moaning recently about my current state of emotions, which frankly, is rather dismal. The issues range from work to home related stresses, relationship woes to fitness regime frustrations and so on, and so forth. The past couple of months have been nothing short of a roller-coaster and if I was going to be honest, most of the ride has indulged those horrific, heart-in-mouth dips. 

I realise my blog posts have been rare and somewhat negative/pessimistic of late, but if I was going to be completely honest, it’s only because I can’t bring myself to feign interest in social media trends, or marketing scandals right now. I’m still struggling to make it through everyday.

Careers, Immigration, SIA and SEO

As it stands thus far, I am pretty much where I started with this job hunt. Or at least that's how it feels. It's been a roller coaster ride of late, what with trying to tap into a million (slight exaggeration) different avenues to try and get somewhere with this whole networking business.

SKY Is Not The Limit

So here I am, up after a gorgeous nap (have to get my beauty sleep in sometime). I'd had a lovely day thus far. Woke up in good spirits in spite of my late night slumber, with a 'go get em' attitude and a whole lot of job applications bookmarked for hard labour during the day.

Now, although I know the ethics of applying for jobs whilst at your current place of work may be somewhat... hmm... questionable, let's say, I do have to point out that the publication with which I work has quite literally just gone to print, meaning we are on the cusp of a PR drought - which will typically only ease a fun two weeks before the next deadline, but this is besides the point. 

In effect, there's not much I could have been doing, and with my seniors knowing full well my intention of departing our buzzing towers of literary genius, and their blessings (there were also tears, rude words and a fun rendition of Phil Collins's 'You'll be in My Heart') in tow, let's just say I wasn't exactly fighting with my conscience over this one. 

Anyway, back to my rude awakening, courtesy of the Sky Talent Resourcing Team.

A couple of days ago I had confidently applied for a job posting with the renowned network for a position as Fashion & Beauty Journalist. I like Sky. I think they are one of the least nonsense ridden, concise and 'true to their nature' networks on television. Which isn't to say I wouldn't work for them if I thought they were as biased as FOX during the American elections in '08, but this was a bonus. Besides, who isn't biased, really? Also, considering the job I was applying for, there was no fear of me getting tangled up in any heated political debate, much less an ill-fitting mascara wand or Paris Hilton's latest substance abuse disaster or whatever the kids are doing these days so, yeah. Sky. 

No. Not Sky. Not this time anyway. This is what they said,

"We really appreciate the time and effort you put into your application, however after due consideration, we're unable to take your application any further in relation to this position.  Unfortunately due to the high number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback on your application."

Ok, so let me get this right. The criteria for the job included:

* Sourcing and originating content, images and video

* Researching and writing content

* Subbing copy and checking for legal issues

* Publishing content onto the site

* Monitoring site statistics

* Keeping on top of the fashion and beauty news

* Dealing with PRs and agents

* Conducting interviews and attending press conferences

* Covering major fashion and beauty events

You get the gist. Potential candidates should ideally possess the following:

* NCTJ or equivalent qualification and educated to degree level.

* Specialist knowledge of entertainment including fashion, beauty entertainment and celebrities.

* Demonstrable experience as a fashion and beauty journalist with Online experience

* Experience of writing for a web audience

* Excellent and accurate English

* Full understanding of MS Internet Explorer & HTML

* Intense interest and love of fashion, beauty, entertainment and celebrity gossip

* Strong instinct and news judgment for the Sky Showbiz audience

Are you all with me so far? Ok. So here I am. I am a media major from one of the top universities in Australia. I have a postgraduate degree in a field that allows me a better understanding of cultural traditions and expectations via the media. Last time I checked, England was a multicultural nation, no? So, for the sake of this argument, let's make this a score on my side of the tally board.

I have been a writer and an editor for an internationally renowned LUXURY LIFESTYLE  publication (ahem, yea, hello Sky? Really? No light bulbs going off for ya?), which has allowed me the pleasure (and sometimes, the horror) of working with some of the most renowned names in fashion (Marc Jacobs, Dior), international couturiers (Stéphane Rolland) and cosmetic brands alike (Nexus, Clarins, Make Up 4ever). The publication rests in such a comfortable position within its 'counterparts' that we find ourselves spoilt for choice in terms of content, guaranteeing a long list of eager contacts, with which I have built successful working relationships. Oh, and just as an afterthought, I can rattle off the Paris Fashion Week runway line up off the top of my head. Another point on my side of the tally? Don't mind if I do.

I have freelanced and catered for the campaign needs of magnanimous fairs organisers and headed a massive project, that was the first of my duties as deputy editor, putting together a 172 page travel publication for one of the most notoriously picky clients, in under two months. Working under pressure? Tick. Writing for an online audience? Tick. Dealing with PR agents and attending conferences? Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. 

Please let me clarify at this point. I am not bullying Sky's decision. On the contrary. If I felt there had been an injustice (ah, maybe a little one, considering how ridiculously awesome I am) the tone of this post would have been ENTIRELY different. 

My point is this: I am beyond qualified for this position. I understand and wholly appreciate the role extensive experience may play in a decision like this. I, however, am stuck in the purgatory that is the space of time between being considered a 'Graduate/Apprentice' applicant and a 'Young Professional'. What's with all the labels anyway? To be honest, considering the outstanding number of dedicated, creative, little fashionista bloggers, Im not all that surprised. 

What I am, is disappointed.

Frankly, I feel I've been overlooked. I do not count this as an injustice because as the lovely Sky recruitment team noted in their email to me (and as above) they must get outstanding numbers of applications avalanching through daily, therefore logically, replying to every other failed applicant is not an option. Which leaves me at a crossroads. 

Applications take time, applications take tremendous effort and as you would all know, rejection is draining. When (if ever) will I be considered good enough for Sky? Will someone tell me when I am right for them? Will I ever get the feedback I need to understand what it is I am lacking? If I seem such a bloody perfect fit for this particular application on paper, I must be missing something if I did not even get an inquisitive phone call? 

I do not question my capabilities or my ambition. I do not question my inevitable success or my determination. I do not question Sky's professionalism and would still love the chance to work amidst their "culture of opportunity" and to be able to do "the best work of my life". 

But where do I go from here? I am open to your suggestions.

Note: This is a wholly personal expression of experience and is in no way meant to dissuade/influence individuals' decisions to work with Sky. My job hunt is ongoing and this is by no means a white flag. And before any of you smart arses say anything, I am working applications faster and harder than a shearer with a hand piece in a scorching New Zealand summer. And I will continue to do so. 

Ps. I will be moving from the blogspot address soon - too many glitches. Will keep you all posted.