Thank you for your consideration #12

Interview #2

First off, this place is DEE-luxe. Driving up I saw the large glass green-technology building, then parked in the heated garage. For a girl coming from the social services and used to working with donated computers and mis-matched office furniture, this place made my jaw drop. And made me extra jumpy at the thought of executives in suits.

Nervously, I flip my hair to change the part, and decide to put on my glasses to help conceal  my facial piercing. Clip-clip-clip go my high heels on the tile.

The first thing they had me do was meet with an HR rep for a half hour to go over the benefits in a round glass room that they referred to as 'The Fishbowl'.  This threw me off. Not the room, the benefits talk.  I mean, it was great they were educating me about the benefits package and options, but I hadn't even interviewed yet! And there wasn't a phone interview, just an 'are you still interested?' type of conversation via phone. So, I was a bit taken back that they would potentially waste time on someone who they might not see as a top candidate...because at this point all they have is a one page resume from me. But, maybe it's their HR policy to do things this way, who am I to question? This corporate world is new to me.

After the drool-worthy benefit package discussion (during which I tried to remain calm and poker faced), I was lead upstairs.  The interview was nearly the complete opposite of my last one. Only one person. And hardly ANY questions ! No crazy 'give me an example of a time you solved a problem', or 'what is your biggest weakness'. Huzzah.  It was mostly a time for ME to ask questions, which was fantastic. I admit, I asked some questions that I already knew the answers to, just to keep the conversation going and appear to be actively thinking while I was freaking out on the inside.

However, about 15  minutes into the interview, my interviewer didn't seem to have much else to say. I had the distinct feeling that his mind was mind up already. But I wasn't sure which way!  Was he done with me? Did my cover letter and resume really do all my work for me in showing my potential as a employee??  Was this just a obligatory interview of on outside candidate to meet some HR standard when they were really just planning on hiring on inside candidate?

I kept asking questions and trying to get in more face time for another 10 minutes, and then let things wind up and let him close the interview.

Afterwards, I met my mother for lunch. Of course, her immediate question was "How did it go, was it good?" Not sure. My overall impression was thath it was more weird than good, but nothing was bad.