Quiet April

Anyone wondering why I didn’t post anything in April? There are reasons. Most are more of excuses than reasons when you boil them down like a nice red wine reduction. But either way, one is that I had a big job interview. I took my staycation that I mentioned a spell ago and part of why it failed for me was because I took a full day to prepare for this interview. As you also know, my company was purchased last year. Relevant to the interview prep, that meant two companies worth of HR questions, valued competencies, and processes. Naturally, I was familiar with my company’s methods but wasn’t clear on the new rig’s process. I decided to do both. I memorized all the questions for both. Then I wrote answers tying into positives for the new opportunity. Figured I’d better memorize those too. Then I answered all the old company’s questions with answers. Then I wrote a list of my relevant skills and experience outside of the answers. I was ready. I got dressed up, eventually, I’d popped the button off my khaki’s which messed up my pre-planned outfit pretty bad. I was super early, classic. I studied the questions, answers, competencies, and list of experience more and went in. One of the interviews I’ve known for a long time went on a bit of a rant half way through the process and roasted me. It was fairly bizarre. I tried to keep my composure and be forthright in my answers to his questions. I finally got my turn to respond and did what I could. Otherwise I thought it was a decent performance on my part. But I did leave the room feeling crushed, like there was no chance I came close. I don’t remember the drive but I ended up parked at a pub and just sat, devastated, staring at my steering wheel for awhile. I’d pre-arranged to meet a friend for lunch at this pub so that worked out. We commiserated about the experience before going our separate ways. I resigned myself to not getting the job and focused on my remaining vacation. Weeks later, I got the job. More on that later.