Collectibles, Dust and Memories: A Day in the Life Sunday

I don't collect things.

My aversion to having to pack and unpack a bunch of tiny little things each time I moved from home to college, college to military and station to station and then <here's my tipping point> having to dust the nooks and crannies of the not-so-precious figurines was enough for me to swear off collectibles as a young adult.

I'd be open to a nice collection of Swarvoski jewelry or another Charmed Memory for my bracelet but I don't have any interest in an accumulation of bric-a-brac, curios, whatnots or knickknacks.

Except for one - Vintage Josef Originals.

Likely a birthday gift for me as a young child, the August Birthstone Doll is a piece of my childhood sharing space with my adult life.

With a broken arm, chipped paint and dusty creases in her dress, the birthstone doll has traveled from home to college, college to military, and back home again.

I want to share the same with my January-born daughter.

The husband, kid and I like to peruse antique stores every now and then. My tolerance for too much stuff in one place is much less than theirs but I am on a quest.

The last January Birthstone Dolls were made in 1985. I know one could be on my doorstep tomorrow via eBay, Etsy, or Tias but I don't want to order, I want to discover.

In my quest, I discovered a graduation and a wedding dolls I didn't even know I was looking for. Score! I have the dolls set out  - not tucked away behind glass or in some closet  - so they are a part of our every day happenings.

Will they hold memories for the kid as she grows? Who knows but with 2 already here, another coming and my aversion to collectibles hovering in the background I've hit my limit with Josef Originals.

What have you carried with from your childhood to your adult life? What are you saving for your children? Do you collect? What do you collect? Why do you collect?

The Interviewer's Advantage

I have had the opportunity to interview for new HR staff lately. It's something I don't get to do often although lately it seems I've had the opportunity to do it more due to staff promotions, turnover and new HR positions.

People walk into an interview and it's unknown to me - and to you - what they have on the line at that moment. Whatever "it" is, it belongs to a person in one of the most uncomfortable situations a person could be in.

As the interviewer, I know - but sometimes forget, that I have the opportunity create the space for the person sitting across from me to shine. As I recently watched a candidate come into her own right before my eyes, it made me wonder, what do others do with the very same opportunity?

With this thought on my mind, I saw 10 Human Questions Interviewees Should Ask, from Paul Smith pop up in my Google Reader. Like Paul, I thought "about the anxiety of interviewees and how interviewers have most of the advantages in that environment."

Interviewers can set the stage for an interviewee to be at their best. Their anxious and nervous best, but their best nonetheless.

Why wouldn't every interviewer want to do that?

Is it easier to say, "no" to someone who did not fully step-up-to-the-plate? It is not possible to be both direct and nice? Shame on you if you quell confidence and pride and don't nourish, propup or cultivate every chance you get.

It's not all about the applicant you say? It's all about you? Ok, I get that so let me ask you this, "What impression do you want them to have of their interaction with you, of your department, and of your leadership?"

Interviewers, you have the advantage. Use it well.

Photo credit iStockPhoto