It's been weeks since I've had anything to say about the job front. If you've forgotten - and I don't blame you, I've been looking on and off for a senior comms role since middle of Sept. 08. The fact that it's been weeks is merely a reflection of the tough times many of us are going through but yesterday I did have an interview for an in-house communications role at a big brand - I'm talking huge.
I feel I've been practising all my life for these interviews when really it only seems that way because I've never had such a hard time of it. One positive is that I don't really get nervous any more; another is that it forces you to strive for excellence from first contact. Under any other circumstances (i.e if the market were buoyant) it would not be wise to admit to having had quite so much interview practice but these are not normal times and actually truth be told, I haven't had that many interviews. I'm not sure what is worse. In my defence I am still quite discerning about what I go for. This is a career I'm planning, not lunch.
It's sink or swim time both for candidates and companies. Many companies are interviewing during hiring freezes - go figure the logic. As my friend's American dad used to say..."the world doesn't know whether to s**t or go blind."
Yesterday's interview was like my experience of having a baby in that if you knew how hard and painful it was going to be, you'd become a nun and be done with the whole scene. And like labour once it's starts there is no turning back. The interviewers were absolutely delightful, I mean genuinely. In retrospect I guess they knew what I was in for and felt it best to put me at ease from the start. So after the usual "Tell us a bit about yourself," I was expecting the left hook: "What do you know about us?"; right hook: "What would you do for us?' and knock-out: "Why should we hire you?" though I would be picking my teeth up off the floor at about this time metaphorically speaking, I do always go prepared with insightful answers to these questions (least I hope.)
Except at this interview there was an employment specialist present - I let it fly. These places are denizens of excellence and monitor everything so I didn't really think twice about having an HR person present so early in the game. But they are not silly. By having such a person there it eliminates the need for second interviews. This is a lean mean employing machine. He told me he had 5 questions. I was to take my time and he was happy to repeat the questions as often as I needed. The tinkle of a far away fire alarm began to sound in my head. Now I was nervous. The questions were from the MENSA version of the Krypton Factor. But. I. Got. Through. Them. And I believe I did as well as only practice can facilitate. On top of this I also did my best which is different to giving practiced answers. Be warned. It will show.
So now it's in the laps of the gods. Weathered as I've become to this economic storm I'm not thinking about it now and am moving onto the next opportunity. If this one pays off...I'll be very very happy. Until then it's networking as usual. Chin up boys and girls. We will get through this.
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