It's The Little Things That Count, Like Nice, New, Fresh Undies

I went for an interview at this small business for a clerk position in purchasing. It offered benefits and it was indoors. It was cold so I borrowed my mother's coat, and she bought me a dress at the Goodwill store. I was nervous and my hands were wet, I froze during the interview. The woman who was interviewing me gave me some water and sat beside me and comforted me. We talked about me, not interview questions.

The owner walked by and she asked him to come into the room to meet me, she told him I was starting Monday. Before I was leaving she asked me to wait and got her coat and purse and offered to take me shopping for some work clothes. She insisted on a coat, and a nice handbag. As well as tops, pants and shoes. As an afterthought we went into Victoria Secrets and she got me a g*ft certificate, because all girls need nice undies.

I was trained, after a while I felt like I could do the job. The lady recruited me to meet with and counsel young women learning to interview and dress for a job. A lot of high school girls, but a lot of older women too. She had a stack of Target g*ft certificates which we offered, depending on whether we felt there was a need for clothes or a hand bag, or 'undies'. One day I was there five years, I was the HR representative, and sat in on interviews. I was encouraged to dress well, and between birthday g*fts, or just because, I always had money for clothes.

The company hired blue collar men for the floor, and regularly raffled g*ft certificates for clothes, shoes, coats. I was the point person for this effort. We held fundraisings for children's coats and shoes. For women's undies, wives, daughters of the men on the floor. I never lacked for money, I had a real good salary, but still found hundred dollar bills in my coat. I was expected to have my hair done, manicures. Sometimes I found little blue boxes on my desk, with trinkets to wear.

It wasn't a secret where these g*fts came from, he always admired them when I wore them.

I was scared to date, in the proverbial gilded cage. I married him when I turned thirty, he was much older than me. My mentor who interviewed me that day made all the arrangements for me. Like me, and so many others, she and her brother had grown up poor. He started his business buying and selling scrap, and grew it into a fabrication shop.

Our efforts continue today, we work closely with city services helping young women dress and get their hair and nails done for an interview. And taking up the baton from my mentor, I carry g*ft cards in my purse, for young girls, young women, and older ladies too. If you have nice undies, it helps you feel good.