Hunting Season

This week, the hunting season has been opened.
After several very interesting experiences with The Boston Trader, I must conclude it is a brand managed with a great deal of passion and dedication. Unfortunately, I must also conclude passion and management don't always match too harmoniously, and currently I shan't be finding myself on their payroll. Business simply wasn't "up" enough..
A shame indeed, as it would be a marvellous experience indeed. The team seems fun, knowledgeable and pleasant. The store a good place to learn.

While in The Hague, I discovered Inditex -the Spanish global textile company behind Zara and Bershka among other- is opening a new Massimo Dutti there. The up-brand version of Zara as it has been described to me on occasions, Massimo Dutti was founded as an independent company in 1985, and later became part of the Inditex universe. This soon to be branch was still heavily under construction last week.

Focussing on classy wear for the up-market segment, Massimo Dutti is certainly a lot more than simply a more expensive Zara. The products seem to be a bit more "down to earth", lacking the frivolities that sometimes quite aptly ruin Zara's designs, and feature far more attention to detail and fabric. The brand also provides sports-wear inspired apparel, based on mainly equestrianism and sailing/golf, albeit in a far more subtle way than, say, Ralph Lauran and its distinct prep-flavour.

After taking my knowledge of Inditex and Massimo out of the kiddy-pool and into the 2-feet deep last week, I went to the site to see if I might find a person of responsibility, and to my surprise, the shop had opened! Staff managed to inform me it had done so Friday last, which in itself has been an impressive feat.

Inside, I had a peak about and a chat with the (predominantly Spanish speaking) staff. The store looked good, with warm lighting and an intimate atmosphere. I had come here to find Paula Meesterburrie of Inditex NL (to whom applications should be directed according to the leaflet on the door last week), but she unfortunately wasn't there.

A few phone-calls later, I had discovered she also wasn't at the main office in Amsterdam, and generally a hard to track down woman if I might believe both the office and the staff in The Hague. I did manage to get hold of her mobile phone number, and had a chance to discover what her voice-mail sounds like.

Now, attentive readers might think: "why all this trouble? Doesn't she have an e-mail address?"

Well, naturally, she does. Moreover, a post and e-mail address were the only pieces of information initially provided. However, in this modern day and age, we seem to have made digital connections and the Social Media an almost absolute substitute for personal impressions. I am a great fan and value them greatly (which is why I feel at liberty to say this), but especially when looking for a job, I believe it to be key to actually see the person you're dealing with. That goes for both the potential employer, as the employee.

Sure, it's an extra effort. Sure some people might be put off by it even. But this is something that I want. It looks like a great company to work with, and I am willing to do what lies in my power to get a shot at doing so. I hope mevr. Meesterburrie will appreciate the effort, and I hope she'll be willing to give me 15 minutes of her time to make my case. And I trust someone in such a function will have the open mind to do just that.

So, today I will be venturing to try and "catch" Paula Meesterburrie of Inditex Nederland, and hopefully land me a job at Massimo Dutti. Should I fail to reach her, perhaps I will just send her my Curriculum and motivation (it's already waiting for the "send"-click), or leave a message on her voice-mail. I don't know what will happen, but can only hope for the best.

The Hunting Season is open.