After emailing a PR correspondent for just under a year and submitting my resume and statement of interest, I was extended a formal invitation for an in-person interview at Ralph Lauren's headquarters in Manhattan. Once I was gifted with this news, I scrambled to book my train ticket, do my research and, of course, find the perfect interview outfit.
9:45 am: All of a sudden I find myself restlessly standing outside of 625 Madison Avenue, awaiting my fate on the 7th floor. I check my phone one last time for the texts of encouragement, take a deep breath, and push through the revolving glass doors.
9:50 am: I officially made it on time. Phew. I take a right out of the elevator and my first steps into the office. I don't know what I had originally expected, but this office exceeds all expectations. The office is entirely paneled with dark stained wood, the walls decorated with glam old hollywood portraits. I decidedly take a seat on the leather L-shaped couch and wait for my interview. Although the front office was quiet, I can hear the chatter of work down the hallways. Using my peripherals, I spot the occasional fabulously dressed, determined employee on the move.
10 am: My interviewers greet me. That's right, interviewers, as in there were two of them. I pop up from the couch, we extend greetings (I attempted a firm I-mean-business handshake), and I am guided down the hall. "We'll just be interviewing in here," one of the interviewers says as she pushes through the set of double white doors. At the other side of these doors? It may as well be nirvana. My interview is actually taking place in a polished, white closet that is double the size of my bedroom. My eyes run over the gowns and runway outfits on the hangers of the organized compartments. Right behind our two chairs was a life size flatscreen built into the wall displaying their most recent runway collection. I try to keep my composure and collect my thoughts as I take my seat for the interview.
10:10 am: I extend two copies of my resume to both interviewers. "So, Emily, please tell us about yourself." Of course this is when my mouth decides to become as dry as the Sahara Desert. I attempt to answer while simultaneously remain discrete about the lack of saliva in my mouth.
10:15 am: I get through the first round of questions. The interviewers go on to explain the different facets of the position. They explain the duties expected of the PR intern, which, of course, are better than I could have imagined. I think they could've said it involved licking the floor and I would've been on board.
10:20 am: It's now my turn to ask questions. I know this is arguably the most important part of the interview so I take my time to construct one hard-hitting inquiry. "It seems as though both of you are extremely passionate about your careers here and I wanted to ask what makes your specific role at Ralph Lauren worth it to you?" They both seem excited about the question but take a moment to formulate their responses.
The first interviewer: She described how amazing the company culture is at Ralph Lauren. She explained that everyone is needed at the company and every opinion is encouraged. She finishes her answer by saying that she is excited to get up and go to work everyday.
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Wow. Is that not the best answer ever? I attempt to keep my composure.
The second interviewer: She explained how, of course, it is a lot of work and that she's put in countless late nights (usually right before shoots or runway shows); but what makes it all worth it in the end is seeing the final result and getting to show Ralph what they've accomplished.
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I'm sorry, what? I'm sitting in the same room as someone that's on a first name basis with Ralph Lauren? I think I could've died right there and then.
10:25 am: We say our goodbyes and the interview is officially over. I skip down the streets of Manhattan and count my lucky stars that nothing overwhelmingly bad happened and keep my fingers crossed that the interviewers actually thought it went well.
