During my last post, I mentioned a telephone interview with the manager of a higher learning institution. I was so excited about the prospects of being part of this institution. I thought it would have been a great fit.
I had a total of four interviews, three of which (I believe) went very well. I felt confident, qualified, and personable. Unfortunately, the organization proved to be highly dysfunctional and chaotic. In a two-week time frame, no two people of the six possible interviewers were able to coordinate their schedules at any single time. Although I was supposed to interview with the final two, it never happened. It seems clear why the existing contractor wanted "out."
I soon realized that the fit was no longer a great one, and ironically, I would receive no tuition reimbursement, which is one of my top priorities. Had I been hired, I would have been able to attend classes at no charge, but my area of study wasn't offered, so educational benefits would have done me no good.
Back to the drawing board.
Yesterday, I had a telephone interview with a former associate from my previous place of employment. We had a good interview (although I've been known to misjudge in this area). The position is for a six-month contract, which could be extended to 12 months. If I take this position, I will continue in my job search endeavors, but I would at least be back in the work force and again perceived as marketable.
This manager and my former manager were peers, which forced me to mention that my former manager and I had a disagreement during the end of our time together. I was forced to exercise the open-door policy, which involved HR and upper management. The resulting decision was found in my favor. The resulting decision is also what forced me to take early retirement, as my former manager chose to dissolve my position instead of allowing me to stay on board.
I try not to wish him ill will---that he should have to experience what it's like to search for work in this hostile environment. I have enough negativity in my life right now. I don't need more, but sometimes those thoughts are hard to avoid. Fortunately, I have the fortitude to devote most of my energy, which is positive, toward moving forward and focusing on my future successes.
I just spoke with another recruiter about a FT writer job. My resume will be forwarded to the employer. They want someone with experience writing about RFID (radio frequency/wireless technology) which is something I don't have specifically, but something that can be perceived as related to my area of expertise. I could definitely use a tutor in the interviewing process to help me put a positive spin on this scenario.
Calling all tutors. If you're out there, please give me a holler.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Art of Interviewing...or is it a Science?
I have had a few interviews since my last posting. None of them resulted in an offer, but, in all honesty, none of the positions really got me excited anyway. I simply wanted to end the dreaded job search process, which is grueling, often demeaning, and extremely exhausting.
Interview #1 was for an enterprise organization that was very similar to that of my former employer. I was being considered at first for two positions. One was a contract position and the other was full-time. The contract position was a better fit, but I had initiated contact with regard to the full-time position first and was supposedly being considered for a second round of interviews. After hearing that bit of information, the manager overseeing the contract position decided to bow out and seek another candidate.
I don't think I was ever a real consideration for the full-time position. My telephone interview didn't seem to go all that great and I was actually surprised when I was contacted to participate in the next round of interviews.
As soon as the hiring manager met me in the lobby, I knew right then and there that I was not what she was looking for. She was not at all impressed and I could see it on her face and in her demeanor. The interview process lasted three hours. I knew when I left that I was not a consideration.
Interview #2: About a month later, I was contacted about a writer position at a start-up company. In preparation for the interview, I had to prepare a presentation to be given to a panel of interviewers, after which, I would be interviewed by each person separately. The interview process lasted six hours.
I thought I did very well during the interview, but wasn't sure if I wanted the job if it were offered to me. The money wasn't great and the benefits were not enough to compensate for the lower salary. After doing the math, I realized that I couldn't pay my bills on what was being offered. It turns out, I didn't have to worry about whether or not to take the position, as it was offered to another candidate.
One of the interviewers was kind enough to offer feedback and tell me why I didn't get the job. She had mentioned that prior to the interview, I was their number #1 choice based on my writing samples. During the interview, however, I was exhausted and nervous, which was interpreted by interviewers as a lack of self-confidence, verging on negativity.
I had to laugh because in my mind, I felt more at ease at this interview than at any of my previous ones. I thought I had come across as both knowledgeable and congenial, and was a strong candidate. Her feedback was most helpful.
Interview #3: I had a telephone interview the other day with the hiring manager at a higher-learning institution. The interview went very well and I am being scheduled for another round of interviews with system architects and the director. This is a position I can finally get excited about. I really want this job. The only thing standing in my way is the interview process. I know I can do this. I have to get this right, because unless I get the interview process down to a science, I can pretty much kiss future employment good bye.
Wish me (good) luck and stay tuned.
Interview #1 was for an enterprise organization that was very similar to that of my former employer. I was being considered at first for two positions. One was a contract position and the other was full-time. The contract position was a better fit, but I had initiated contact with regard to the full-time position first and was supposedly being considered for a second round of interviews. After hearing that bit of information, the manager overseeing the contract position decided to bow out and seek another candidate.
I don't think I was ever a real consideration for the full-time position. My telephone interview didn't seem to go all that great and I was actually surprised when I was contacted to participate in the next round of interviews.
As soon as the hiring manager met me in the lobby, I knew right then and there that I was not what she was looking for. She was not at all impressed and I could see it on her face and in her demeanor. The interview process lasted three hours. I knew when I left that I was not a consideration.
Interview #2: About a month later, I was contacted about a writer position at a start-up company. In preparation for the interview, I had to prepare a presentation to be given to a panel of interviewers, after which, I would be interviewed by each person separately. The interview process lasted six hours.
I thought I did very well during the interview, but wasn't sure if I wanted the job if it were offered to me. The money wasn't great and the benefits were not enough to compensate for the lower salary. After doing the math, I realized that I couldn't pay my bills on what was being offered. It turns out, I didn't have to worry about whether or not to take the position, as it was offered to another candidate.
One of the interviewers was kind enough to offer feedback and tell me why I didn't get the job. She had mentioned that prior to the interview, I was their number #1 choice based on my writing samples. During the interview, however, I was exhausted and nervous, which was interpreted by interviewers as a lack of self-confidence, verging on negativity.
I had to laugh because in my mind, I felt more at ease at this interview than at any of my previous ones. I thought I had come across as both knowledgeable and congenial, and was a strong candidate. Her feedback was most helpful.
Interview #3: I had a telephone interview the other day with the hiring manager at a higher-learning institution. The interview went very well and I am being scheduled for another round of interviews with system architects and the director. This is a position I can finally get excited about. I really want this job. The only thing standing in my way is the interview process. I know I can do this. I have to get this right, because unless I get the interview process down to a science, I can pretty much kiss future employment good bye.
Wish me (good) luck and stay tuned.
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