My name is Mallory. Nice to meet you!
My intention for this weekend was to go for part five of my makeup experiment. Specifically, I wanted to attempt a Bella Hadid-esque makeup look. Unfortunately, my skin is looking a little sad this week, so rather than cake it with foundation and bronzer and blush and contour, I’m going to give it a break to heal a bit before I dive back into that! For now, the only things going on my face are cleanser and acne patches (these acne patches, to be specific. A constant favorite).
Instead, today (tonight, really!) I want to try something a little out-of-the-box. If you’ve stumbled onto my blog before today, you’ll know that I’m ready to take that next step forward in my career. My current company and my current team rock the house, but I’m eager for a new challenge!
In the multitude of job applications I’ve filled out, and resumes submitted (to the companies that I’ve applied to that have said they want just a resume, no cover letter… I adore you. Never stop), I see regular requests for a portfolio or personal website. I totally get why! I’m applying to jobs where writing will be a prominent part of my day-to-day requirements. They should know my voice, my vocabulary, and overall style of writing.
To be perfectly honest, my portfolio of writing is on the minimal side. I’ve done plenty for coursework (including a screenplay for a TV screenwriting course and an essay about “Arrested Development” that I want preserved in the Smithsonian), but most of my writing on a professional level is limited to internal documentation and canned email responses. I’m proud of that writing, but I feel like that’s not enough to get a good grip on who you’re hiring.
So, this one is for the HR rep who decided to randomly skim some applicant’s blog. It’s me. I’m some applicant.
First of all:
My name is Mallory Joy. I am twenty-six years old and share a birthday with the Olsen twins.
When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was read. I’d read at recess, past my bedtime under the sheets, and I even went to a luncheon for being in the top ten list of readers in the entire school. Throughout middle school and high school, I developed a passion for television and theatre, which fostered a love of writing and public speaking. I became a strong communicator and a sharp writer quickly.
That love of reading, writing and performance paved the way for me to major in English. I partially wanted to major in English because my personal hero, Lorne Michaels, majored in English when he was in college. Lorne Michaels’ name adorns nearly every TV show and movie I love: Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Mean Girls, Portlandia, Documentary Now!, and as evidenced above, 30 Rock (and that’s just scratching the surface!). I wanted to be that definitive, and I figured majoring in the same subject might be a good first step. However, in case it wasn’t in the cards for me to be an iconic part of television history, I’d better also learn a computer programming language or two.
I learned how to write with style, in multiple formats. I wrote for the stage, for the camera, and a handful of analyses on modern poetry, the Gothic era, and the world of Stephen King. To be fair, it’s easy to write about things you enjoy. Outside the language I already spoke, I learned how to write in HTML and CSS (and dabbled in writing Java, Python, and SQL).
So, I’m a writer. We’ve got that straightened out now, so let’s move on to who I am away from a keyboard, a pen, and a Bachelor’s Degree.
If I hadn’t given it away, I’m a pop culture junkie. Firstly, if you shuffled my “Liked” playlist on Spotify, you’d stumble upon the score of “Phantom Thread,” Finnish Chillhop, and Ariana Grande. Secondly, to say I’ve seen “The Office” a thousand times would be an understatement. Thirdly, I will give any horror movie my full attention (except “The Poughkeepsie Tapes”. Don’t look it up. The Wiki summary alone will give you nightmares). Also, I could write you a Powerpoint presentation on every Youtube personality that’s trended on Twitter in the past two years. Don’t even get me started on my passion for all things Disney.
I want my career to not even feel like work. That said, if I woke up tomorrow and won seventy billion dollars in the lottery, and never had to work again, I would use that opportunity to travel the world. I grew up in Florida, but my extended family (my parents and their siblings) were all raised in suburbs of NYC. I consider Long Island a second home, with Burlington, Vermont (where I went to college) as my true happy place.
While in college I had the chance to study abroad. Oh, to study English in London! I spent my weekends gallivanting down every street, through every park, finding moments of zen across the Westminster Bridge. I have seen almost half of the United States, parts of Canada, and Western Europe, among other places. However, I have only seen the smallest fraction of all the world has to offer. In my life, I want to see it all.
In this dream life, I’d make some memories and eventually settle into a more permanent place somewhere in the United States (though my mom would surely not mind, say, a ten hour flight to Paris, I’m not sure she’d make the trip more than once a year). I like big cities, tall mountains, and I think there’s no problem a dip in the ocean can’t solve. Anywhere that has a quiet bookstore and a great vegan place within driving distance is okay with me.
I love working out, and will try any activity at least once. My “Bucket List” includes learning Mandarin and sitting front row at a show at New York Fashion Week. I am a dog person who loves cats. I pride myself on being the friend who will come to your aid at 2 in the morning, with ice cream, if you need it. “No” isn’t in my vocabulary. I’m a perfectionist with a perky can-do attitude. I work hard, and love to kick back when I know I can put my name on a day’s work with pride. You say “Go the extra mile,” I hear “Do a 5k sprint”. I always put my best foot forward, and I’ll try to make you laugh while I do it.
To summarize, I’m passionate, positive, and patient. And I want to be the best I can be. Give me a chance, and I won’t let you down.
Thank you for reading this, and… call me? Maybe?