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So things went well today, and maybe I’m jinxing myself asking this prematurely, but: What has ultimately led you guys to taking the jobs you’ve taken, and how do you know when an offer is for you?
Burritos are always an appropriate date. There’s a meme online that says, “Ideal date: we go get tacos. I eat 13. You are very impressed and not at all grossed out.” That meme — and your burrito date — have me nodding in agreement.
@Rangerchic – I think I underestimated how sad I’d be to give a dog up. I’ve fostered cats before and it’s never been overly-emotional. I’ve only had him for a month and a half, and I’m so much more attached than I thought I’d be. He’s my little buddy with the I-love-you-do-you-love-me-too eyes. On Friday, the shelter I volunteer for set up a meet and greet for my foster pupper and his soon-to-be-mom. I knew he’d be coming back to me within a few hours, and I STILL cried when he left with the transport volunteer. If my job were a little less ridiculous, I would’ve considered keeping him. I want to cry just thinking about Wednesday.
Also, if asked why I left the job last spring, there are two truthful reasons:
– I wanted more responsibility and broader experience, and I just wasn’t going to get that if I stayed put.
– I was concerned about the company’s longer-term future and started seriously job hunting when they announced they were considering breaking the lease on our office space and having everyone work remotely.Is the second reason inappropriate to bring up in an interview when the companies do similar work and are a part of the same industry? (It’s legal-related, and it’s no secret that the legal industry has changed, but I don’t want them to worry that I’d leave quickly.) Both reasons combined are the genuine reasons I left, but I likely would’ve stayed longer if I hadn’t been worried about the company and my future there. (I’ve kept in touch with my supervisor and asked if anything ever came of that and he said no, that the whole breaking the lease thing was yet another scare tactic by the same director who liked to intimidate interviewees. Add that guy to the list of reasons I left.)
The second most surprising question I’ve ever been asked was back in November: What types of decisions do you struggle with the most in the workplace? In hindsight, this one isn’t that “out there” but in the moment I Just couldn’t think of a good (or even genuine) answer in the moment, and naturally an honest and acceptable answer dawned on me as I was going home.
The most surprising question went something along the lines of this:
Executive director: How long have you been at your company?
Me: About 2.5 years.
Executive director: So you’re a job hopper. Why should I hire a job hopper? Why would I hire you if you’re only going to stay 2.5 years?He also asked me if I knew why his office was decorated with zebras. I said no. It’s because he’s a Big 10 football ref, and he gave me a hard time for not putting two and two together.
This is with the director at the organization I left last spring. He liked to intimidate people during interviews to see how they react. Everyone at the company had horror stories from their interviews. Since Wednesday’s company is similar, I’m a little nervous it’ll be another similar personality and experience. I’m super excited about this job, moreso than the two recent interviews I’ve had, so it just feels like there’s more on the line this time.
@veritek – CONGRATS on the job offer! And yay for a great date! There’s a gigantic mall near my parents’ house with mostly outlet stores, and they also have an As Seen On TV Store and I could spend hours there.
I have no Valentine’s Day plans. I’ve been fostering a dog and he’s being adopted on Wednesday, so tomorrow he will be my little Valentine and on Wednesday I am banking on crying when he goes home with his new mom, so I’ll take advantage of discounted Valentine’s Day candy when I decide to eat my feelings. Haha.
So as I prep for Wednesday, I thought I’d ask: what’s the most difficult/surprising question you’ve been asked in an interview? I’m trying to prepare answers to likely questions, and hearing what you guys have been asked before may help me think of some ideas in case I’m asked anything I’m not expecting. 🙂
The company is similar to the one I left last spring, and even though I got that job, my final interview there with the executive director was just TERRIBLE.
Poor New Guy! Two job rejections in close such close succession has to suck. It’s great that you guys can hopefully pick up where you left off, though!
@nickel_5 I’m sorry, that sucks. 🙁 Good for you for not putting up with wishy washy behavior, though! How were your dates?
Everyone post their dating stories, please, because I stayed out late last night (which I rarely do during the week) and I’m just dying at work this today.
It’s scheduled for 1, so I’m going to “have a doctor’s appointment.” I do have a legitimate, recurring medical issue right now that will make people uncomfortable to hear about if I am asked what the appointment is for. I seriously just hate lying.
Most people don’t bother with lunch breaks where I am — we just stay at our desks for 10 sad hours per day since we’re all so busy — so if I disappear for an hour and a half-ish for lunch, it’d be super out of character. I also have an unimportant conference call at 1 that shouldn’t be difficult to get out of if I give the lead a heads up and an apology, but I’d need to have a reason that’s more legit than hanger.
Even though this job isn’t what I’ve been primarily targeting, I’m actually super excited for the possibility of it. So, fingers crossed!
That’s a good idea, actually. I live in a cold city, haha. I’m sure everyone lies when they’re interviewing but I truly hate doing it.
We’ll see how things shake out with what time we can agree on. Because lunch breaks are such a rarity around here I worry even THAT will look suspicious. I work in a meeting-heavy environment and it may be easier to think of a reason to be out for half of a day so that it doesn’t look like I’m bailing on meetings to eat lunch.
