The Start

It all started when the mack truck that reality is hit me right in the faCHe (that CH is pronounced aggressively, "fa-CHE"). For some reason i was under the impression that my charm and whit would get me where i needed to be in life. I put off all the planning, and figured it would take care of itself. Unfortunately, as i assume most of you know by now, that is not how things go. 

My first reality check was when i applied for a job at the Apple Store in the Smith Haven Mall. A close friend of mine, Aybike, was currently working there. She had put in a good word with her manager and got me the opportunity for a first round interview. I showed up to the interview, which was in fact more of a group event, where myself and the other applicants went through a few different exercises. I was on coast; telling jokes, smiling, leading discussions in my group, taking charge in group tasks, an all around crushing. I left without a doubt in my mind that the job was mine. I told my dad how i would be able to get him a discount once a year, and even how great it would look on my resume. A few weeks later a received an email (which i will take a screen shot of) that informed me that i did not make it to the next interviewing stage. Later in passing my friend Aybike told me about a conversation that she had with her manager where she mentioned how all i had to say about Aybike was that "she is so little!". It was that one little sentence that i had completely forgot about saying. It was the one small thing i said as i was putting on my jacket and leaving that ruined all the prior work i had done. It was then that i learned i had a long way to come... 

E-mails: 

Letting me know i wasn't chosen:

"Hi Sebastian, 

We wanted to communicate that, with a multitude of incredible, qualified candidates interested in the store, we have certainly had many decisions to make. At this time, we have chosen to move forward with other candidates. Please know that we have carefully reviewed each candidate's experience and skill set before contacting him or her with our ultimate response.

I want to personally thank you for your time and interest in Apple. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,"

My response:

"Dear ****** *******,

Thank you for all of your help throughout this process, i am sure you have plenty of people's need to attend to. Might i ask one more favor from you? As unfortunate as it is that i wasn't asked to move on to the next step of the hiring process, it would do wonders for my personal growth to know why i wasn't selected. I don't ask because i am upset or doubt the methods; i ask so that i may improve my interviewing skills, as well as my demeanor in a proper corporate/business environment.

Once again,

Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Sebastian H Stryker
Stony Brook University, Business School"

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