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Bonnets, Closets, and the Courage to Show Up
- jobbeeacademy
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
Why Interview Prep Isn’t About Perfection
So many times when I log on for interview preparation, The Bees tell me, “Oh, I didn’t turn my camera on because I have my bonnet on.”
And every time, I remind them: this is a Black company, we all have bonnets on the counter. You don’t have to impress me. You don’t have to show up “PERFECT” You just have to show up. We are here to prepare, not perform.
A few weeks ago, I had an interview preparation session with a young woman. She hesitated to turn her camera on because she was sitting in her closet, on the floor. When she told me, I grabbed my laptop and sat in my closet too. We laughed, we cried, and we even started showing each other clothes off from our closets when the prep was over.
But her story was deeper than that. She had to sit in the closet because she lived with a partner who wasn’t supportive, who could walk in at any moment and tear her down. She had an 8 month old baby and an 8 year old son. Her son watched the baby while she sat in that closet preparing to take the next step toward freedom and stability.
That’s what interview prep is about. It’s not just resumes and talking points, It’s about meeting you where you are. Sometimes that means we prep in the closets, sometimes we prep in tears. But we always prep with hope, laughter, and purpose.
Bees, book your interview prep with Momma Bee. Come as you are, bonnet, closet, tears, and all. Together, we’ll get you ready to shine in that interview and land the job that moves you and your family forward
If you have ever been that girl in the closet, I want to hear from you. If you can relate to the girl in the closet, the girl on the side of the road in her car, I want to hear from you. If you have never been either, we definitely want to hear from you. Lets all encourage each other to do whatever it takes even if it means prepping in the closet
-Momma Bee
This instantly brought me to tears. I knew it would when it came across my news feed. As a black woman in corporate America this can be so hard especially if you are in spaces where you are the only one who looks like you. You have to fight that old saying you have to work twice as hard to be seen as HALF AS GOOD. When you were BETTER the entire time. Having a space to just be is a blessing. We have to fight for a place in the world then have to fight the negative connotations that men associate with women who are successful. I have been that bee with a man trying to destroy everything I…
Love it! Ya’ll meet people where they are and prep them to where they need to be! 💪🏾❤️
Love the encouragement, no matter what just show up!
Sometimes the battle is showing up. And whether you show up in a closet, car, staircase or restroom stall, it is a safe space with people that understand and are nurturing. Can't afford a service, ok, there is plenty of free Honey. You deserve so much more than what non supportive stinky bugs have told you. Just show up and get that honey!
Momma Bee - LISTENNNN!!! I definitely can relate to that Bee! Thank you for reminding us that BOTJ is OUR safe space ♥️