Unforgetable Job Interviews (or better) Job Interviews Better Forgotten

  I am determined to keep a positive attitude and in keeping I believe that several signs have come to me this weekend to make me believe that I will find a job soon.  So, while the frustration and raw nerves are still very real I want to share some of my more interesting and insane job interviews.

  The first interview I had back in September was with a company called "The Bra'tender".  I replied for an adminstrative support job more out of curiosity than anything, and the company did not disappoint. The company supplies undergarments to the Broadway, London's West End, and Broadway touring companies with under garments for their productions. Who would have thought, but somone has to do it.  The owner was a very enthusiastic and dedicated New Yorker who was able to speak about women's undergarments as easily as most men discuss sports statistics. The weak point in the interview was that I was going to be his executive assistant's assistant and as I observed her from across the room she was a mild mannered young woman (may-be 35) wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and her hair in a ponytail.  As the owner and I carried on a lively conversation about his business and I enthusiastically explained why I was the perfect candidate for the position I observed her reserved personality from across the room.  I'm sure that after I left he asked her opinion and she gave a definiative "no".  Although I have no problem learing new job skills and taking directions from more experienced coworkers of any age I think she may have had a probelm with training someone who had a particularly strong personlity.

  I don't want to mention the name of the company, but they sell medical emergency detectors. They had a position for a receptionist. There were so many good things about this job, but the hours were less than desireable, 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. I had an interview with the hiring manager and everything went perfectly. I had the experience, the enthusiasm and the availability. As the hiring manager approached the human resources adminisrator to send me to the next phase of employment she was on the phone, so she had a minutes to chat with me while we waited for her to finish her call.  During the interview she asked me why I had moved from Colorado to New York.  I explained that my two children were in college, so my husband and I were free to pursue new opportunities.  But in this limbo interview she asked the pointed question, "So how old are your children?"  I had no choice but to answer honestly, "I have a 22 year old daughter who just graduated, a 20 year old son in college, and a 13 yearl old caboose baby in the 8th grade."  A saw a shadow cross her face.  I could see her mind calculating the number of upcoming evening school functions that would require my attendance over the next few months, the number of personal phone calls I would receive on a daily basis from my husband and daughter regarding homework, schedules, and other personal issues.  After hearing that I have a middel school aged daughter at home I believe that the candidate with the two hour commute from Staten Island that I was interviewing in conjunction with shown very brigh in the hiring manager's mind. In this case the job was right, but the available hours were wrong and may-be the hiring manager did the best thing for all of us by passing me by, Although, I still wonder if the question she asked me about the age of my children was actually a legal question to ask a job applicant.

  One medical practice with several locations had a job for a receptionist that would float to the different locations.  They offered medical receptionist training and the boutique practice sounded very desireable.  I sent in my resume and got an email back requesting that I call in for an initial phone interview.  If the girl I spoke to was 24 I would be surprised.  She told me all about the practice and how tightly knit the team was and how important it was for them to find a candidate that would join the team in smooth transiition. I felt like I was in a sorority rush interview.  After about ten minutes of her talking she began to wrap things up, then asked, "Do you have any questions?"  Honestly, I just wanted to laugh and say "no", but I am looking for a job, so I pressed forward by replying, "Well, let me tell you a little bit about myself."  Of course she had tuned out probablyy in the first 30 seconds of the interview when she realized that I was more her mother's age than her own. Even as I spoke I wanted to stop mid sentcence, but I continued on with the painful drill.

  I would say that my interview at a bowling alley (think neon lights, disco music, and music videos) had to be one of the most frustrating.  I had a four o'clock interview and the hiring manager did not show up until 6:00.  You may wonder why I waited for two hours, but I am desperating looking for a job and the position as an party/event manager was something that I was more than qualified for and it actually sounded interesting in the sea of security desk jobs and cashier positions that I was swimming through in the help wanted ads. Waiting for the guy to arrive was myself and two other girls (may-be 20 years old).  When I finally met the guy I was glad to see that he was in his early 40's and he made me think that it was just a matter of interviewing with the Director of Special Events to get me started.  The call never came.  What?  Rejected by a bowling alley?  That was definately a low point.

  The one that got away was a job as a floor manager at a busy  Upper West restaurant near Columbia University. The pay was great, the hours were good and I was more than qualified.  I would basically oversee the floor staff and bar, handle the cash at the end of the shift, and provide customer service as needed.  The one thing that I did not have was a rapport with the hiring manager. I imagine he summers in the Hamptons and prides himself of his sailings skills, and there is nothing wrong with this except that we had absolutely no connection.  Our conversation was flat and forced.  I just didn't shine.  Most people like me, but there was nothing that I could have said or done that would have made this man think that coming into work with me every day was going to be of any interest to him.

  As you can imagine these experiences have left me feeling rather minimized and humbled. But I can't quit.  I have contacted everyone I can think of as a possible contact and some long lost friends have even contacted me to say that they have put my job search in their thoughts to share with friends who might be in hiring modes in their professional lives. One day very soon it will click.  Someone will call or email and in my interview with them they will see my enthusiasm and abudant work expereience and offer me a dream job.  We have come too far to retreat.  I am too employable to be unemployable (several recuriters have actually told me that).  Prayer, persistance, and the support of my family and friends will see me through this hard time and into my next phase as a full time employee in a dream job in Manhattan!  You can guess what I'll be asking Santa for this year.