My suspicions are confirmed. This job has nothing to do with being part of the campaignteam.
I clear my throat. “I’m very honored that you’ve asked me to be here today, but I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding. I’m not amodel.”
Harry and Leon both look atJim.
“Right,” he says carefully. “Your focus right now is on advertising, which is what makes you such a strong candidate for the position. A brand rep needs the kind of skills you have. What you’d be doing here would be just like what you did for your lingerie campaign: finding the right way to present yourself to personally market theproduct.”
This is starting to feel more like I’m being convinced to take the job, rather than convincingthemto give it tome.
“Would I work directly with the campaign team to develop those marketing strategies?” Iask.
“Most of the work would be done via correspondence. You’d create social media material and submit it for approval. You’d be involved in professional photo shoots and the like when they happen here, of course,” answersJim.
“How much decision making influence would accompany therole?”
Without even thinking about it, I’ve slipped into full on negotiation mode. I make sure to meet all of their eyes, and speak with the precision I use when presenting aproject.
“Like I said,” Jim responds, “you’d be responsible for creating your own social media material. You’d need approval for anything you post, but a lot of the idea generation would be up toyou.”
I draw in a breath. “It’s a privilege to be considered for this, but as someone with little modelling experience, and a much stronger background in advertising, I think I’d be better suited to being involved with the campaign in a different way. I’d be thrilled to share my ideas and work with other team members, but personally representing the brand online isn’t the kind of job I’m lookingfor.”
I swear I almost hear Harry sigh as he shoots a look at Jim. “That’s not what we have available, but thank you for cominganyways.”
The sentence sounds final, but I’m not ready to give up on worming my way into a job here. “If you find a model that suits the campaign but lacks the advertising skills you’re looking for, I’d be happy to help develop social media material with herdirectly.”
“We want someone who will modelandcome up with their own materials. Not to be inconsiderate, but that’s the entire point of the position, Miss Dominguez.” Harry sounds even testiernow.
“Then I thank you for considering me, but unfortunately, the role isn’t what I’m lookingfor.”
I stand up and approach the table, offering a handshake to each of the three men before walking out thedoor.
I feel the tips of my ears burning as I cross the waiting room filled with girls and step out into the hall. I don’t think models are unintelligent, and for the right kind of person this job would be a dream come true, but I can’t help feeling insulted that they offered it to me. The point of the showcase was to promote my progress in advertising, not how good I looked in lingerie. The fact that P&T doesn’t want my ideas unless they come with my body shows exactly how much they think those ideas areworth.
I almost pull out my phone to text Aaron. I know he’d come up with exactly the kind of one-liner I need to hear right now, one that would make me feel like strutting out of this place and flipping it the bird with a smile on my face. Then I remember that I can’t text Aaron, and that everything he said about this interview, everything I tried to ignore, was completely true allalong.
My anger chomps at the bit, trying to escape the control I’ve bridled it with. I still hurt when I think about him, but I’ve been channelling all those emotions into my drive to make this interview a success. Without that outlet, losing whatever it is I thought we had threatens to turn me into Coach Kelsey’s raging bullanalogy.
I pause in the hallway when I hear someone calling my name. Turning around, I find Jim Sanders walking up tome.
“Glad I caught you,” he says. “May I have aword?”
“Sure,” I answer, wondering what else he could have to say tome.
“My office is just to theleft.”
I enter the large space with an all-glass back wall that gives an impressive view of the downtown core. Jim offers me a leather chair and takes a seat behind his dark-stained woodendesk.
“I’m hoping you’ll reconsider your decision,” hebegins.
I consider telling him he’s wasting both of our time, but I decide to keep hold of myprofessionalism.
“As I said, I appreciate the offer, but I’m looking to be more involved in the ad developmentprocess.”
“If I can be frank with you, Miss Dominguez?” He tilts his head in question and I nod. “You aren’t yet finished with your advertising program, and you have little to no practical experience outside of that. At this point, you’d be hard pressed to find even an unpaid internship. I’m not saying you’re unskilled—quite the opposite, in fact— but this is a cutthroat industry, and you’re at the very bottom of the ladder. I’m offering a paid position at one of the most prestigious firms in thecountry.”
“As a model,” I can’t help butadd.
“As a brand representative,” he corrects. “The job may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but it can open doors. I can open doors.” He gives me a knowing look. “If your creative work on this role is up to par, it could lead to something else in thecompany.”
