I’m not going to blab about several weeks of interviewing. Instead I thought I’d describe one high and one low moment.
Low
It was a 3 on 1 interview with three gloomy consultants on one side of the table and me on the other. No warmth, no friendliness, all business. I felt like a lamb in a lion’s den. Let me preface that if I were in their shoes and looking to hire someone, I would be completely normal. I’d ask the candidate about their background. I’d tell them about the position. Then I’d have them talk about why they’re interested and qualified. Simple enough.
That’s not what was on their agenda. All they cared about was hiring the smartest person for the position. Are you smart enough to work along side us? That’s what they wanted to know. People, this isn’t a Mckinsey or Pimco interview! Besides, we’re peers. We work for the same company and that’s how you treat me?
I asked for more clarification on the job description since it was written very generically. Bad move. I offended them. “What do you mean the job description was vague? What was vague about it?”
After a painful hour, they asked if I had any final questions. The interview had gone so poorly, I honestly thought to make a joke of it. I was so tempted to say, “Look, it’s obvious you guys don’t like me. And I sure as hell am scared of you. So I’ll just see myself out.”
But instead, the little lamb said, “No, I think I”m done.”
High
Several highs more than compensated for the low I described, but I was excited when an email came through this morning from one of the companies I’d been interviewing with. I’d told them bluntly via email that my search was over, so there wasn’t any point in continuing to interview with them. They asked if there was any way I would reconsider, and if not, they wanted me to know that there was always a direct line of communication to them if my plans change in the future. Super nice. Now that’s a company I’ll always have in the back of my mind.
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