Chapter 23 of Should I Stay or Should I Go? explores how mock interviews, career coaching, and a surprising encounter with a L’Oréal recruiter helped Efraín Ochoa refine his post-MBA path—and discover what truly matters in a career.

Disclaimer

• All characters and events in this chapter —even those based on real people—are entirely fictional.
• The following chapters contain coarse language and situations and due to its content it should not be read by anyone.

Chapter 23 “Mock interviews”

With graduation on the horizon and my decision to return to Mexico firmly in place, I knew I had to approach recruiting differently. The U.S. job market was no longer my primary focus—I needed to pivot toward opportunities back home. That realization led me to the Parker Career Center, Anderson’s lifeline for job seekers.

The career coaches at Parker were nothing short of lifesavers. From refining my CV to conducting mock interviews, they helped me navigate the often intimidating world of job searching with clarity and purpose. Their advice was sharp, practical, and insightful, giving me a clearer sense of which roles would align best with my skills and ambitions.

With their guidance, I felt prepared—armed with the right tools to take on the Mexican job market. Knowing I had seasoned professionals in my corner was reassuring, especially as the uncertainty of post-graduation loomed.

Of all the advisors at Parker, Dave Cooley stood out. From the moment we met, we clicked. Bonding over a mutual love for the Green Bay Packers and music, we found plenty to talk about outside of career coaching. Dave even casually mentioned one day that he had appeared in the music video for Guns N’ Roses' “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” It was the kind of cool, unexpected detail that made him all the more relatable.

Dave's insights were instrumental in shaping my resume, refining my interview skills, and—perhaps most importantly—boosting my confidence. Our connection didn’t end after I graduated; Dave continued offering support and guidance even after I left Anderson. Now the head of Alumni Career Services, he remains a mentor and friend, a reminder of the long-term relationships the MBA program fostered.

Anderson’s push to attract international recruiters was commendable. Companies like Walmart Mexico and L’Oréal made regular appearances on campus, eager to connect with students interested in returning to Latin America.

For many of my Mexican classmates, this was a golden ticket. Interning with Walmart was an opportunity too good to pass up, and several eagerly pursued it. I, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic. The thought of working for Walmart or L’Oréal didn’t exactly ignite my imagination.

Still, fate has a funny way of intervening.

I found myself sitting across from a L’Oréal recruiter—not by choice, but as a favor to the school. Anderson wanted to maintain strong ties with the company, and when they realized few students had signed up for interviews, I agreed to fill a slot.

From the start, I knew it wasn’t for me. Selling shampoos and cosmetics wasn’t exactly part of my vision for the future. But I went through the motions, nodding along as the recruiter pitched the company’s global reach and market dominance.

I asked questions, played the part, but beneath the surface, I felt no real connection to the opportunity.

The recruiter could probably tell.

Sometimes, you just know when something isn’t a fit—and that’s okay.

As I left the interview, I felt no regret, only a sense of clarity. The experience reaffirmed what I already suspected: I wasn’t meant for a corporate career selling consumer goods.

And while L’Oréal wasn’t my path, I left grateful for the reminder of where my passions truly lay.