I talked to someone recently about my struggles in finding a job. That person has worked with me on a number of video projects and said that I don't seem excited about media production. I was taken back by that because media production is how I spend most of my time: I have to communication degrees, I work in media, and I volunteer in media. If I just wanted to kill time there are a number of things in the world to choose from, and this is what I choose. But then when I thought about it, I remembered that this isn't the first time I've heard something similar.
I worked at Sears a while back and my manager would consistently give me a 1 out of 5 in enthusiasm. That really hurt my feelings because I worked really hard. I could keep up an area with no help, if I closed my area was always clean and organized as opposed to ALL other areas that would need everyone to pitch in so things would look presentable. I could smile and laugh all day long and appear enthusiastic but I don't see how that over shadows my work. People are always saying that non-verbal communication is 95% or some ridiculous number of communication but that's because people are too lazy to dig deeper. It isn't because people say more with their bodies.
At that same Sears job, one day there was a young lady who clearly had a sad demeanor. Even though her body language may have said that she didn't want to be at work, she was at work. She did everything that she was supposed to do. She greeted customers, she offered credit apps, and etc. Still several customers reported that she had "an attitude problem". The manager observed her demeanor and basically agreed and sent the young lady home. If anyone had bothered to talk to her, then they would have learned that her mother, father, and brother had been killed in a car accident a few days prior. To add to that, she was given custody of her only surviving brother. She didn't have a sad demeanor because she didn't want to be at work and she didn't have an attitude problem. If anyone had bothered to scratch beneath the surface then they would have learned the truth. I know a lot of people may wonder why she didn't tell anyone and blame her saying that she should have been transparent about the situation. I refuse to blame her. It isn't her fault that someone else made a judgement based on a shallow observation.
Thankfully, nothing that tragic has happened to me. But I don't think it's fair that people expect me to express myself the way that they express themselves. I show enthusiasm by investing my time and even if I tell you that with a straight face and a steady voice it doesn't make it any less valuable that your expression.
