Susan Boyle: Medium as Message

“The medium is the message.” Marshall McLuhan
Susan Boyle: Does the medium truly dictate or convey the message?
Through all the hoopla that has been Susan Boyle’s lot, I’ve been curiously watching to see how well this unabashed song maven holds up to the media messages filtering through our collective psyches.

Susan belted out “I dreamed a dream…” and instantly became the symbol of fait accompli for every day dreamer (or for that matter – night dreamer) that imagined the impossible and got it. It was just a matter of time before the stylistas zoomed in, took their rose tinted glasses off and declared “MAKEOVER!”

Susan retorted, “I know what they are thinking but why should it matter as long as I can sing? It’s not a beauty contest…” Precisely. It should not matter but in many circles it does… Why? Why do we care if Susan stays the same or saunters off into the horizon in leather and a new hairdo?

New hair color and wardrobe

Nevertheless, as the winds carried the Susan Boyle message through the powerful medium
we call the mass media, Suzy got a makeover. Tsk, tsk you might say, “She fell for the hype!”

Well, how many people have watched a video of you singing 43,682,423 times and counting on YouTube? How many have formed instant fan clubs and chanted your name like a mantra in anticipation of a quick song and definitely not in sotto voce? Do you care about her wardrobe? Which side of the fence are you sitting on and why? I’d really like to know… Be my guest.

Sometimes, I wonder how difficult it must be to live under that dizzying spell called “celebrity.” The intoxicating vibe of the clamoring crowds clawing at you, holding on to every word, seeking the favored glance, could make even the most modest believe their own press… Suzy, we understand.

The road to fame is perilous; it can lift you up and tear you down. Many want a piece of the action. Many say to embrace it with clarity of mind and enjoy the ride; because when your 15 minutes is up, you want to look back and recall the way you touched other people’s lives. hmmm

Thumps Up MiLady!

I trust Susan will touch more lives… even though for now, she has conceded to the wardrobe concerns of the powerful medium that dictates the message.

She did mull it over before switching gears… “Maybe I’ll consider a makeover later on,” she laughs. “For now I’m happy the way I am — short and plump. I would not go in for Botox or anything like that. I’m content with the way I look. What’s wrong with looking like Susan Boyle? What’s the matter with that?”

Exactly my dear, you’ve moved millions of people to get off their …. and take charge of their dreams; at least, for one more time!

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Want a Stress-free Job Interview? 12 Tips – Before. During. After.

The interview starts here.

12 Tips for a Stress-free Job Interview: Before. During. After.
In a previous post, on tips for job seekers, I posed a few questions to get you thinking about ways to get out of a job search malaise … I suggested that you pause, take stock of your strategies and consider these questions:

Have you reviewed your resume, interview skills and elevator pitch? Have you considered other career paths/options? Have you put your life on hold while chasing job leads and appointments? Have you taken care to keep yourself fresh, focused, engaged and involved in YOUR life so you can convey same at an interview with a prospective employer? These questions are particularly relevant when you snag an interview.

Recently, Seth Godin wrote an excellent blog/vlog on job interviewing tips that got me thinking about other tips I would add to the topic again. Then, when problogger.net’s master blogger/instructor, Darren Rowse, instructed participants of the 31 Day Challenge to revisit an old post, I knew this would work…
If the job search saga continues for you or if you have an interview pending, take a moment, grab a cup of tea and consider these tips:

BEFORE
* Do you know how to get there? Before the interview day arrives, take a test drive or train/bus ride to the location. How long did it take? Did you get lost? Note any special markers.
* Reconfirm the date/time for your interview. It’s important to touch base before hand to ensure everyone is on board as planned… You’d be surprised how easy it is for either side to mix up dates/times.
* Edit, update and pre-print those extra copies of your resume for the interview. Sometimes the interviewer brings a committee to the process; be prepared – a jury awaits you.
* Before you show up, do your homework. Review your notes, the company and clarify why you want this job. What assets will you bring to the company? Practice with a friend.

DURING
* And your name is…? Botched up names can pose an interview nightmare so get everyone’s name straight – spelling and pronunciation included. Ask, remember, and refer to them by name during the interview.
* This is not a dress rehearsal. You are the star of this show. Are you focused? Are you listening to the questions? Asking questions? Making eye contact? Breathe. Smile. Relax.
* Tell me about you? Strengths and weaknesses? Uh huh, not what you twittered or ate for lunch. This is not therapy either so focus on relevant work examples.
* You built rapport and the interview flowed; now it’s over. Please ask for the job; start dates, other considerations, and decision-making schedule. How soon will they let you know…? You’ve earned the right to ask.

AFTER
* Before you leave, ask for business cards if they were not offered. You will need them for contact and correct name spelling.
* Do send an email thank you afterward with some reflections on the discussions. Things you wanted to say but couldn’t because of time constraints. Be brief.
* And then to trump your competition, send a handwritten “Thank you” note to everyone who interviewed you. Trust me, this is magic!
* Follow-up and stay in touch; unless they say don’t call us, we’ll call you… Either way, you’re a winner in my book. Go for it.
Did I miss something? Do share…

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank