This entry originally appeared on my disability blog, I hate stairs.
Today, I went to a hiring seminar hosted by Apple. If you haven’t yet heard the news, Mississippi is getting an Apple Retail Store at the Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland. This is a huge, huge opportunity for me. I found out that they have a group focused on serving small to medium-sized businesses. I was immediately interested in that role, given my background in BIS and my MBA-in-progress.
I will hopefully be interviewed later this week by the manager. The only thing I’m worried about is my one year delay (school) until I’m available. And, well, there is one more thing that is in the back of my mind.
It’s what this blog is about. It’s why I started this blog. Yep, you guessed it. My disability. Don’t worry about bringing out those violins yet. I’m just saying. It’s there.
It hasn’t really stopped me yet. But school is different. They’re getting paid. But when it comes to the workforce, especially when the economy isn’t great, businesses are going to be really choosy. Because they’re spending money. I’m not saying that my disability in and of itself will rule me out, but it would probably be an unintentional, unconscious factor. Like maybe a lack a body language. Or communication that isn’t engaging. Or the fact that I wear no shoes (but really nice socks!!).
I’m going to be honest. I am a little apprehensive about how customers might respond. The last thing I would want is for a potential customer to feel awkward. If I’m having these thoughts, it would seem that the manager/staffer at Apple could have these thoughts, in some form or another.
Like I said though. These are in the back of my mind. You can believe I’m going to be as confident as ever in the interview. I’m not going to let this turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy of negativity. I want to work at Apple far too much to let that happen. But these are things I have thought about.
We were promised that the hiring process would not be “drug out.” The store is going to opening near the end of August, and they will need a team of about 30 by then.
So, I should know more soon. I’ll keep you posted. There’s a chance I won’t make the cut, but I’m planning for the best. Long live Appleheads!
Lloyd: What are the chances of a guy like you and a girl like me… ending up together?
Mary: Well, that’s pretty difficult to say.
Lloyd: Hit me with it! I’ve come a long way to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary: I’d say more like one out of a million.
[pause]
Lloyd: So you’re telling me there’s a chance!