As I rapidly approach commencement this upcoming Spring at

the University of California, Santa Barbara the increase of anxiety,

excitement and confusion set in. Applying for a job relates immensely
to the image of ourselves and the interactions that will take place. The
job I have chosen to apply for this assignment is Project Manager,
Special Events position for the American Heart Association. The
understanding of myself is grounded from past experiences, and social
interactions, that is constantly changing and adopting. As American
Heart Association called me for an interview the self identification
process hits as I evaluate the interview process and determine how to
act. The following questions directed the interview. First, Why should
we hire you? I am the perfect candidate for this job offer as I am
graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Communication from a well
known and highly ranked university. I have an educational background,
and within my degree I have taken a variety of classes from statistics,
research methods, advertising, and honors english making me a
stronger writer. On top of my educational background, I have
professional experience as well. I have a year long, unpaid internship
already at American Heart Association in the Santa Barbara office.
Already working for a year in this company sets me apart from other
candidates because I have experience and knowledge about American
Heart Association. I am the event coordinator intern and work hours
each week in the office and around town facilitating and coordinating
events that raise funds for life-saving research. Planning concurrent
events has helped refine my interpersonal skills making me a better
communicator and multi-tasker. I am well organized and very
responsible. Second, Why do I want this job? I want this job as over
the course of the year in this internship I have grown a passion for this
non-profit organization and developed experience needed for this
position that would require minimal training. Its also in a location that I
grew up so the locality will advance coordination as I am familiar with a
variety of locations and people around town that can assist in
expanding different events. A job at your company would be a natural
fit for me from my past experience. Lastly, Do you have any questions
to ask? Yes, I am curious at what the starting rate for this entry-level
position salary is. In addition, I would like a company that I can
constantly learn, grow, and improve my skills. Is there room to move
up in this company upon experience?
Part of the reason I feel confident about this position is based on
the reflected appraisal. I have received reflected appraisal from the
Intern Manager of my internship currently. I feel gratified [from my
intern manager] so I have developed high[er] self esteem (Sandstrom,
2010, p. 122). She continuously expresses how impressed she is by me
and thanking me for my hard work. Additionally social comparison

impacts how I feel my potential in this position can be, due to what I
feel I can accomplish. I compare myself to the other interns who are
not as motivated at our workplace, making my self-esteem higher, but
also who I feel at an equal playing field as. Using social comparison
impacts my motivation to work harder. For this interview the setting of
the interview takes a part of my performance. Depending on where the
location of the interview makes a difference. A coffee shop might be
too loud and take away from conversation. Meeting at the office of
American Heart Association makes it more formal and is probably most
fitting. My appearance is an important key to this interview, as
dressing a business formal attire, with on-point hygiene, hair, and
facial expressions can set me apart from others applying to this same
position. Dramatic realization will take place making sure the American
Heart Association knows I am the absolute best individual for this job
offer. The self is elaborate situation that can be related to job
interviews,with ones concept of self and the relationships with others
as well as how one presents themselves during the setting of the
interview. Overall, the self makes a huge impact on the interview
process and ultimately defines if you will receive the job or not. From
the looking glass self, how we think others see us, and how we think
they judge us makes up our self image. This self image is used in the
interview process from the actual questions being asked and how we
answer them, to after the interview is complete and our reflection of
the interview. We act in the front stage of an interview trying to give
the best image of our self. From the set up of the interview, the actual
interview, and the feedback from the company after the interview, we
learn more about our self and our identity.