Life In Interview Hell
Apr. 14th, 2004 08:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hiddenmuseToday's interview was a debacle, to put it simply.
First, it took me about 45 minutes to get there (and I did get there on time). The interview - including time for filling out the application - lasted about a half-hour. Oh Good Gord ... since you all aren't my recruiter, I can be evil and snarky. I love you guys. 8-D
I was asked to sit down at a desk to complete an application - no problem. The application reminded me of those crappy forms that come from McDonalds or Hardees/Carl's Jr. - it asked for my education background going back to GRAMMAR SCHOOL!!!! *shakes head in disbelief* Also, the vibe I was getting from sitting in the office wasn't exactly the most friendly/ conducive to working/ whatever. The office looked and felt like it was stuck in a time warp of sorts, and someone forgot to rescue it from the early '80s. (Orange chairs in the ersatz reception area, anyone?!?)
It all went to Hell in a handbasket from there, I'm afraid. The interviewer, B., asked me how long I'd been looking for work - then told me about the ad he'd run in the Chronicle, and how there was no response. After that minor spiel, he read over my application and resume, asked me a few of the requisite questions, etc.
What really got me were a few of the questions. With regard to benefits, B. said (and I am NOT making this up), "Well, I guess that you'll want benefits?" No, actually, I was looking to be an indentured servant. Unless you'll pay me six figures to cover my medical expenses out-of-pocket, then yes, health insurance is a good thing. Then, it was onto my salary - prior salary in St. Louis, and the salary I was asking for now. He commented, "Well, that's quite a jump in salary." So, I explained that St. Louis' cost of living is less than SF's, thus explaining the difference. That got into a bit of a discussion about the cost of living in STL - as well as what the average premiums for home and auto are in Missouri. He asked more about the insurance market/climate in Missouri, told me about California, blah blah blah.
At the end of the interview, he asked me about my interview with the recruiter, and how that went. I told him the truth - that he reviewed my resume, we discussed my experience in Insurance, etc. Then B. asked if any of my listed references still worked at my prior agency, and reiterated his comment about having run the ad in the Chronicle.
I left and was glad to be out of there. My pantyhose were chafing me - so I tried to get into a restroom to take them off. Locked door. What do I do? Take them off in the elevator, of course! Only to end up with the elevator door opening at my destination - with me standing there, hose at my ankles and a maintenance man laughing, then telling me that all I'd have to do next time is hit the "door close" button.
So, yeah ... that's what happened at that interview from Hades. Tomorrow, I get to tell Bill (my recruiter) a modified version of what I've just written - mainly telling him about the questions, and the rude, condescending manner in which B. treated me. Also, if all went well, I may have a 2nd interview - this time with the president of the agency I'm hoping to work for. As I may have mentioned, I was concerned about how my decision to take the full 52 hours - instead of the 12 hours for Code and Ethics - might go over. It went over quite well, as my contact there was apparently impressed with my decision. That made me feel so good. It could've been risky as hell - the agency could've passed on me, since it's like I'm taking a week out - a week that I could spend working in the office. Yay on that! :)
Finally, thank you to Kellie![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sigmaration for the serenade, and to Mark wearingabeanie for the message. Mark, I'm loving the city so far - and I will give you a call sometime. Perhaps we can hang out soon - I'm just waiting to have a little money in the bank before I can splurge on going out!
First, it took me about 45 minutes to get there (and I did get there on time). The interview - including time for filling out the application - lasted about a half-hour. Oh Good Gord ... since you all aren't my recruiter, I can be evil and snarky. I love you guys. 8-D
I was asked to sit down at a desk to complete an application - no problem. The application reminded me of those crappy forms that come from McDonalds or Hardees/Carl's Jr. - it asked for my education background going back to GRAMMAR SCHOOL!!!! *shakes head in disbelief* Also, the vibe I was getting from sitting in the office wasn't exactly the most friendly/ conducive to working/ whatever. The office looked and felt like it was stuck in a time warp of sorts, and someone forgot to rescue it from the early '80s. (Orange chairs in the ersatz reception area, anyone?!?)
It all went to Hell in a handbasket from there, I'm afraid. The interviewer, B., asked me how long I'd been looking for work - then told me about the ad he'd run in the Chronicle, and how there was no response. After that minor spiel, he read over my application and resume, asked me a few of the requisite questions, etc.
What really got me were a few of the questions. With regard to benefits, B. said (and I am NOT making this up), "Well, I guess that you'll want benefits?" No, actually, I was looking to be an indentured servant. Unless you'll pay me six figures to cover my medical expenses out-of-pocket, then yes, health insurance is a good thing. Then, it was onto my salary - prior salary in St. Louis, and the salary I was asking for now. He commented, "Well, that's quite a jump in salary." So, I explained that St. Louis' cost of living is less than SF's, thus explaining the difference. That got into a bit of a discussion about the cost of living in STL - as well as what the average premiums for home and auto are in Missouri. He asked more about the insurance market/climate in Missouri, told me about California, blah blah blah.
At the end of the interview, he asked me about my interview with the recruiter, and how that went. I told him the truth - that he reviewed my resume, we discussed my experience in Insurance, etc. Then B. asked if any of my listed references still worked at my prior agency, and reiterated his comment about having run the ad in the Chronicle.
I left and was glad to be out of there. My pantyhose were chafing me - so I tried to get into a restroom to take them off. Locked door. What do I do? Take them off in the elevator, of course! Only to end up with the elevator door opening at my destination - with me standing there, hose at my ankles and a maintenance man laughing, then telling me that all I'd have to do next time is hit the "door close" button.
So, yeah ... that's what happened at that interview from Hades. Tomorrow, I get to tell Bill (my recruiter) a modified version of what I've just written - mainly telling him about the questions, and the rude, condescending manner in which B. treated me. Also, if all went well, I may have a 2nd interview - this time with the president of the agency I'm hoping to work for. As I may have mentioned, I was concerned about how my decision to take the full 52 hours - instead of the 12 hours for Code and Ethics - might go over. It went over quite well, as my contact there was apparently impressed with my decision. That made me feel so good. It could've been risky as hell - the agency could've passed on me, since it's like I'm taking a week out - a week that I could spend working in the office. Yay on that! :)
Finally, thank you to Kellie
sigmaration for the serenade, and to Mark wearingabeanie for the message. Mark, I'm loving the city so far - and I will give you a call sometime. Perhaps we can hang out soon - I'm just waiting to have a little money in the bank before I can splurge on going out!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-04-14 09:36 pm (UTC)Love the panty hose
*giggles*
*giggle snorts*
*looks around* i'm still at work... hope no one heard that
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-14 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-14 11:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 07:08 am (UTC)--consider yourself lucky!!! It's a cold day in hell before he graces my pace with even 2 keystrokes!!!!
LOL!!
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 07:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 12:28 am (UTC)- Kat
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:33 am (UTC)-Shawn
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 12:39 pm (UTC)And you would want to be that maintenance man, wouldn't you? *evil grin*
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 02:10 pm (UTC)I mean, um.. nothing. Carry on.
;)
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 02:31 pm (UTC)-shawn
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 02:59 pm (UTC)damned if I know anymore. ;)
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 05:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:07 pm (UTC)so confused now....
Shawn
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:25 pm (UTC)I try and be playful and show that I don't hate you, and it goes right over your head.
I don't hate you. You are a nice guy. Of course you are welcome in our home.
Just remember these two things.
1) She's mine
2) I know where your nuts are and I know how to twist.
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:44 pm (UTC)Just no busting out the talons or anyone keeling over. Remember: you're not gonna die while I'm around. Try to hold out for shift change, willya? ;)
no subject
Date: 2004-04-16 12:50 pm (UTC)so forgive me for now acknowledging blatant clues.....i am dense, thick and well...oblivious to most everything
and I thank you for the invite, I know she is yours and please....leave my manhood out of your "Reindeer games" :)
-shawn
no subject
Date: 2004-04-16 03:11 pm (UTC)Yes - do come over sometime. We don't bite, and I'm a fair-to-middling cook!
no subject
Date: 2004-04-15 10:42 pm (UTC)