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Time for a Remix

By Audrey Hoffman

Home Stager with VoteAudrey blog

March 18, 2008 09:45 AM

This week, I will not be following my usual blog format. Too much going on to think seriously! I'll hop back on the bandwagon next week, hopefully.

For now, I'd like to share with you a simple remix. Ever go on a job interview and get that HR folder about the company? Sure, you have! What do you do if you don't get the job? Such was the case with me recently. I applied for a spectacular communications position at in my specialty A/E/C industry (architecture, engineering, construction) and was ready for the second interview with the VPs of the firm.

Not so fast! Phone call at the end of the next week (after a call and email follow-up from me) and it looks like there won't be a second interview or job in my future! As much as I'd like to kick a stray cat (only kidding), I'm glad they've found a candidate they feel best meets their needs. I know one thing - the person they did hire may look good on paper, but I am more creative. Hands down. How do I know? Well, you've just got to be creative like me to know these kinds of things.

But alas, there is that lonely promotional HR folder. Should I chuck it? NO! I need a folder for some stuff. But it's got all that ~~propaganda~~ promotional logo stuff on it....have no fear, FOLDER STAGER SHALL APPEAR!

Here's how to perk up that portfolio:

First we start with the No-Fundler (that's No Fun Folder for those of you low on coffee).
Now we must mask the corporate imagery and all related logo paraphernalia, et cetera.
Find something fun from a magazine in the same vein in regards to color, lines and look. Take your image and glue stick it on.

Use stickers and painter's tape like me, or something better if you have it. The goal is to use household items, accessories and other various treasures versus actually spending money. (You could of course buy your very own folder versus customizing this one, after all)

Make sure you don't forget the interiors and back. You're the logo, not the company.
Now place your folder in a place of
prominence. Or simply hide it behind these flowers, like I did. There. All better now.

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Elaine Manes Gage

Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO

Staging done ONLINE!

Audrey- There is obviously no limit to your imagination! I hope the person they chose works out, but, BOY, did they miss out when they passed on you!!!!!

Mar 18, 2008 09:54 AM

Paul Slaybaugh

Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

This is precisely why I am an independent contractor. The only propaganda is my own. Great post, though. I flagged it for "proficient use of the term fundler."

Mar 18, 2008 09:56 AM

Audrey Hoffman

VoteAudrey blog - Columbia, SC

VoteAudrey

Elaine - Thanks Elaine :)

Paul- Check out Jason's last blog on hiring...I think there's efficient use of the word "Paulmadillo."

Mar 18, 2008 10:13 AM

I saw that, Audrey. I have never looked better.

Mar 18, 2008 10:19 AM

Paul--I could go there, but I won't.

Mar 18, 2008 12:12 PM

Audrey June-Forshey

RE/MAX Realty Services - Darnestown, MD

GRI, Gaithersburg, MD

Audrey, I give out my buyer/ seller packets. They are all put together in folders with my crap inside. You now make me wonder what people do with my stuff? Hmmmm. . . ?

Mar 18, 2008 12:21 PM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Audrey As usual you are showing your creative spirit and I love it!

Mar 18, 2008 12:26 PM

Audrey--I'll answer that one. When I was buying my house, my REA gave me a folder. It had useful information and I kept it. It got pretty bent up in the floorboard of my car, but I kept it. Now I have my house and it's in my Suze Orman kit thingee (housewarming gift from a friend) holding a few of the useful documents it originally contained. I still have his business card magnet on my fridge--here in Baltimore--even though the house and my REA are in Atlanta! I love my house, and buying it couldn't have gone better. I have my lender's magnet up too. If the experience is pleasant and room permits, things get kept. It's in people's nature to hold onto things they think they may need. If it's no longer applicable, it's up for re-use! (But of course I still have the HR person's business card, the department head's card from the folder in the blog post.)

So if there is value in what you give out, it will get kept or maybe even given to someone else (I gave a few pamphlets out to friends, just like I loaned out books on buying a house) who can use it. If it's not useful --and benefits for a company you won't be working for and all the great things about them are certainly not useful - then it's toss or transform. So don't think all your kits are remixed!

Mar 18, 2008 12:32 PM

Sharon--It overflows, I know

Mar 18, 2008 12:33 PM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Audrey, you would REALLY get along with my daughter. Her degree is in Communication Design; the daughter that is now a flight attendant. She still has that creative side going though.

Mar 18, 2008 01:53 PM

Marchel--Maybe one day I can catch an international flight with her! Wouldn't that be a fun chat?

Mar 18, 2008 02:58 PM

Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant

Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Audrey- I have more than a few of those "folders" lying around along with about 10 years worth of conference materials and gosh knows what else. Yes, I am a serial paper rat. I'll have to give your folder renovations a try.

Mar 18, 2008 03:08 PM

Rebecca--When I have things I want to save (articles, design ideas, conference stuff, etc.), I put it in a binder. Have a few different categories like career improvement strategies, design ideas, architecture news, etc. I use the folders for the more of-the-moment things or smaller niche filing needs. And then there's the "bucket." We won't talk about the bucket...

Mar 18, 2008 03:36 PM

Julianna Hind

eXp Realty - Tacoma, WA

REALTOR, 206-679-4768, Tacoma Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, WA

Audrey, way to re-use re-cycle and re-purpose!!! can I say you are Re-markably talented?

Mar 18, 2008 04:45 PM

Julianna--I think I'd RE-ally like that :)

Mar 18, 2008 05:11 PM

Tom Plant

WINEormous.com - Murrieta, CA

Audrey - You're incredibly creative. Staging is perfect for you!

Apr 01, 2008 11:18 AM

Bevin Googer

First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC

www.StagingAndRedesign.com

I'm sorry you did not get the job, but clearly they missed out! You should send them this just to let them know :)

Apr 02, 2008 03:40 PM

Comments(18)

Audrey Hoffman

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