As an introvert, Ying faced many obstacles in her professional life – particularly in her job search. Once she moved to Vancouver, she found the job hunt in a more competitive, bigger centre even more difficult. Thanks to Dress for Success Vancouver, Ying found ways to express her personality without abandoning who she is as a person.
As a 96% introvert, I have quietly made my mark on the world.
When I am in a room, I hide and wish nobody would notice me. But I can’t hide when I am standing in front of an interviewer.
My name is Ying Lin. I grew up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and moved to Canada to learn English when I was eighteen. I got two diplomas and a BA in Graphic Design and worked as a Graphic Designer in Nanaimo for almost five years, then travelled the world. After a couple years of adventuring, it was time to look for work.
I didn’t have trouble finding a job in Nanaimo before my trip, but Vancouver was a different story. I sent out over 150 resumes in 8 months and got no response. I was really frustrated.
I found a WorkBC Centre in Burnaby. When I chatted with the front desk staff, one of them asked me if I have interview clothes.
“What are formal clothes?” I asked.
“What I’m wearing,” she replied.
“Oh, I don’t have that.” I told her.
“You need formal clothes to find a job in Vancouver. I will give you some of my old clothes for the time being, but you should call Dress for Success. They can provide you with free clothes suitable for your interviews.”
Getting In Touch with Dress for Success Vancouver
I called and set up a Dressing Services appointment with them. Someone was there to greet me at the door when I arrived.
“Your designer is just with another client, and she will be with you shortly,” she said.
I didn’t know what to expect. I thought they were just going to hand me some clothes.
When the designer came, I realized she was helping me with more than clothes. She asked me questions about my job title, what clothes I felt comfortable in, and what colours I liked. The process was designed to ensure the clothes fit both me as a person and the job I was hoping to get.
The designer gave me a few different options to try out. Eventually, I found something I really loved.
I was surprised at how much fun I had trying on the different clothes. Looking at myself in the mirror, fully dressed with the jacket, coat, shoes, and a handbag, I felt amazing. I have never seen myself like that before. I was confident and I felt like I could do anything.
Moments of Success
Finally, I got a call for the first interview. There were six steps to the interview, and I passed them all. After starting my new job, my interviewer told me that I was picked out of over a thousand resumes, and my clothes were one of the reasons I was hired.
Eight years later, I am still with the same business consultant company – now as a Creative Media & Finance Coordinator in Yaletown. Somewhere along the way, I completed a full year program with Working Women’s Group at Dress For Success, and that experience changed something in me. Now, I am giving back as an ambassador, as a volunteer, showing up for women who remind me of where I started. I am still an introvert, but my clothes changed how I carry myself. I never expected something as simple as clothing could rebuild my confidence and help me get the job.
With Dress For Success by my side, I have learnt and grown in ways I never expected. I am no longer hidden. People see me — and finally, so do I.
Donate today to empower possibility for more women like Ying