second interview


Well, I did it. I went in for my second interview with Cascade Hearing and Audiology. I prepared myself for a personality test and some work projects because that's what I was told to expect. I did not prepare myself for a second interview! As with the first one, I had to sit and wait about 15 minutes before being called "back."

Then, when I got there, There were three people waiting for me. The president who interviewed me the first time, the gal with whom I'd be replacing, and the bookkeeper with whom I'd be working closely with. It began with "tell us about yourself." In my head, there was a protest. "I thought I already did that! Where do I begin? What do I highlight? How do I best convey who I am? What do they want to hear?" It was an awkward moment. All I could think of was my blog. And I'd decided earlier that I really didn't want people I work with (or potentially work with) to read my blog. However, it was all I had and I didn't want to appear like a beauty queen at a pagaent or a deer in the headlights. So, I talked about my blogging and commentators and how I handle hostility in them. Blessedly, we got past that and onto other questions like "what is your management style?" and "how to do handle multi-tasking?" None of them had ever even heard of a blog, let alone know what it is. Phew.

No personality test. Which was a bummer because I like taking those. If you do too, here is a good place to go.

After about an hour and a half of this second interview, with questions like "what is your percentage of accuracy versus meeting deadlines and budgets?" to which I answered, "no matter what percentage my accuracy starts, I will always strive for 100%," they had me perform some tasks. I spent a few minutes with the bookkeeper who had me go through some big fat files searching for statements to pull and copy. However, when I found the one that was photocopied and stapled underneath some other bogus sheet of paper, she had me stop and glanced at the other other with a smirk. My thought is that I passed some test. Then, Laura, that gal who's job I want, gave me a list of tasks to perform such as install MS Publisher onto a computer and then use it to tailor a brochure, call the phone company to disconnect a phone number, compile a spreadsheet to compare prices and features of yellow page advertising books, and change some online listing information at a directory service.

All in all, I was there from 1pm to 5pm. I liked that. Wish I could just work part time. But I really want THIS job and it is full time. I want this job because of several reasons:
-it is a Christian company so I can feel free to live and share my faith
-it is easy to commute, highway the entire way and against the daily traffic flow
-relaxed management style, if I want to take a day off, I take it (without pay but without condemnation and same goes for long lunches)
-it will keep me busy (I was bored to tears at one of my jobs and eventually laid off due to lack of work)
-there is potential to prove my value and get rewarded financially for it (it is a growing company and the president has stated that he has no problem paying this position more money than he presently does)
-they want someone fun, and I am just that
-it is a move up for me... managing people. I've never really been responsible for others in a work environment before. I'll be learning new skills and it will look good on my resume
-I need it. The bill collectors are starting to call. Our credit is going to suffer if I don't get a job soon.
-I am tired of job hunting. It is wearing me down. I fight feeling unvaluable and unworthy with each lost opportunity, each time I get passed by
-my prospects are getting slimmer

Posted: Wed - October 20, 2004 at 09:28 AM           |

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