Some career-related comments just sort of linger in your mind
When you spend most of your days running around after a 12-month-old (and a sort of clingy cocker spaniel), you don’t have a lot of time to do stuff, but you definitely have time to think about stuff. And this week, as I perambulated with the small creatures in my life, I found myself reflecting on some of the more memorable things that have been said to me over the course of my career.
Since they’ve now turned into a sort of verbal earworm, I offer them to you now in the hopes that in doing so, I will be free to think of other, possibly more important, things.
1987
The manager of the drugstore where I worked in the dispensary during high school:
“You’re a good worker, Sarah, and I’m glad to have you. But I’m glad you’re not my daughter.”
1990
The office manager of the real estate office in which I worked part-time during university:
“If you don’t learn how to clean the coffee pot correctly, I’m afraid we won’t be able to keep you on.” [in writing]
1994
Co-worker (who was a fairly devout Baptist):
“But how does it feel to be a heathen? I mean, aren’t you worried you’re going to hell for all eternity?”
1995
Co-worker at the first ad agency I worked in:
“Well, when we saw your short haircut, we knew you’d get the job.”
1996
Senior copywriter at the same ad agency, who is now quite well-known:
“Sarah, you’re probably smarter than I am, but you’ll never be a copywriter.”
1997
Recruiter in Philadelphia, where I had just moved, prior to an interview at Anderson Consulting:
“Do you think you could sort of fluff up your hair for the interview? I’m afraid they’ll think you’re too cosmopolitan.”
1998
Recruiter in Toronto, upon hearing I had been offered the job he’d sent me to interview for:
“Gee – I thought you’d never get a job, but you’ve been my easiest placement in months!”
2000
President of the agency I was leaving, when I told him my new job was a promotion (and a big jump in salary):
“Well, it’s a nice opportunity, but I hope it’s not too much for you.”
2001:
My boss, to others, in my presence:
“Sarah needed kneepads to get this job. Ha! Ha!”
(I didn’t get it at first, either)
2002
A new junior who reported to me, but who was hired without my input, at the end of her first week:
“At the beginning of the week I thought you were really kind of weird, but you really know your stuff.”
2005
New communications director at a Montreal-based company who had hired me to consult to improve sales in the English market:
“I don’t know why we hired you anyway – you don’t even speak French!”
2007:
Member of the senior management team at a company where I was director of marketing (and had been for a couple of years):
“I just don’t see how you add any value to the business, so you’ll have to convince me.”
2012:
Client with whom I’d been working for 3 years:
“Wow, I always thought you were just sort of a wacky creative thinker – I didn’t realize you were so good with P&Ls.”
2014:
New(ish) client, upon asking me to edit a 40-page report:
“I just figured you’d do it for nothing – I mean, it’s not like it’s actual work, and you’re just at home with the baby, right?”
[Some years have been changed to protect the guilty. Heck, some years have been redacted entirely for the same reason.]