Had the big (and first) interview

[icarus]

Yes. They loved my qualifications and vast experience. Yes. We laughed when I told her my weakness -- overcommiting -- as it was obvious from the resume. No. I don't think I have the job. I learned of it through an agency, not through seeking the 'right' employer. So what I knew of the company was from working with them in the past, doing a little research on the challenges they face and from their website. They wanted more.

Time was, secretaries (alright, what's the latest exaggerated title? Executive support or some such?) weren't expected to do the 'career' thing. *sigh*

The second interview was over before it began. Hilarious. I was dressed up to do the 'Executive' look -- and I walked into a room full of 20-somethings in T-shirts, piles of papers everywhere, crammed into every crevice. Their jaw dropped at my experience, and both the interviewer and I were wondering 'why am I here?'

So I call the agency, and we jammed about what I thought the company was really looking for -- since I was exactly what the company asked for (qualifications and computer skills up the yin-yang). The agency rep threw up her hands 'They don't know what they want!' I said, 'They want a particular personality, a real go-getter, a sharpie.'

Good news: I have a very affectionate kitty, who has insisted on climbing into my arms and purring. Kitty break.

Comments

Don't feel bad.

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

I walk into alot alot of companies and *they* wonder why I am there, too. And I am not that much younger than you!

Re: Don't feel bad.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

It's not an age-thing. I look the same as I did when I was in high school, it's almost bizarre. People guess my age about ten years short. It was about qualifications. I told them my last position was executive support. "How long were you there?" Oh, about three years? When her jaw dropped I knew they were looking for someone with about a year of entry-level experience, tops. Not fifteen years, with the last six at a senior level. I suppose the interviewer never saw my resume. Strange.

Actually, the second interview really boosted my spirits. I was so overwhelmingly over-qualified for the position, it felt great. Especially after being shot down in an interview for something similar to my last job.

~Icarus

Re: Don't feel bad.

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

Yay!
The silly sales job I currently have is so unstable that I consider it a temp job. And yet, I am so woeful overqualified in some jobs and underqualified i others that i have a hard time getting a stable position.
But part of that is also chosing an artistic life- so finacial stability suffers.

[switchknife.livejournal.com]

Oooh. Ouch. The over-dressed interview. *cringes in sympathy*

Perseverance is, unfortunately, the only solution.

Kitty breaks are good. Myself only ever had puppy breaks, :), but that was long ago... My only companion now is this lovely box of silicon, which I have been called a freak for becoming so attached to.

Good vibes from me for all your interviews. :) Something will work out--it always does...

Thank you

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

After years of being underqualified, it amuses me to be at the other end. The end result is the same: you don't get the job. But it feels a little bit better.

Kitty breaks... mmmm... purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

~Icarus