Something my father always said to me growing up: “You should learn something new every day.”  Well, I learned a lot today.  I learned a lot about value of time, perception, and courtesy in the job hunt.  

I had three interviews lined up today!  Back to back!  First off let me just say how this job hunt has been different.  The world of applying for jobs has changed a lot in the last three years and has challenged everything I think I know about hiring, interviewing, and the job market as a whole.  And I know I am not alone in this twilight zone.  Everyone I talk to also going through their own job hunts are having similar experiences.

To put things into perspective I have had only three face to face interviews in the last four months prior to today.  So to have THREE in ONE DAY!!!!   Right?!

Even if nothing pans…   even if I’m not interested in the opportunity, the experience and practice is invaluable.  Let’s face it.  I’m rusty.  I’ve spent all my time on the other side of the desk doing the interviewing.  The hot seat requires practice.

So I am ready.  I am caffeinated.  I am sharp.  I am dressed impeccably professional with just enough Jarvis class to grab attention.

What am I interviewing for you ask?  Marketing Event Management.  Sounds glamorous, right?  Yeah…  not so much.  But I am realistic about what the opportunities are.  These are marketing firms contracted by companies to market and sell their product.  I’ve done it.  I worked for a company back in college while summering in Indianapolis called TMG, The Marketing Group.  I was hired into a division contracted by Toys R Us to market and demonstrate specific toys on location to drive revenue for targeted product.  Great gig for a college kid.  The company had some internal hiccups, but at 20, who cares?  At 35…  Well…  I’m going to be a bit more picky about the organization….

First stop?  Go Get Em Marketing.  Yes.  Yes.  This is for real.  There were some red flags going in…  like their name….   and the screw up in my interview time…  and not returning emails or phone calls regarding it.  But,  like I mentioned: practice.

I walk in ten minutes early.  They are running perfectly on schedule…   I love that!  I am invited in to an office, and shake hands with a very young post adolescent male child attempting to look professional in his expensive suit and his faux single 1 carat solitaire earring in one ear.  Do not judge, do not judge, do not judge.

Young Buck asks me if I found the location ok.  Asks about full-time or part-time desires and starting availability.  Asks the ever annoying “where do you see yourself in 3-5 years” question which I give my coined response: “Happy and motivated.” Then he launches into a script, asking very few questions most of which require one word answers.  He tells me what they do, what type of products they market, and the type of candidate they are seeking.  I learn they market exclusively in Costcos and Sams Clubs,  an environment unsuited to my needs.  After about a two-minute dialogue he asked if I had any questions.  Knowing the value of my time and energy, and respecting the value of his, I assure him that, no, I have no questions for him, stand, shake his hand, and thank him for his time.  

Fastest.  Interview.  Ever.  

But that is ok!  Because I have two more!

Off to interview number two!!  Again, they are running right on schedule.  Did I mention I love that?  But this place is sad looking….   this is not a permanent office space for them.  Very sparse.  Very Empty.  I know spaces like this.  I know companies that rent spaces like this.  They have not been here long at all.

The interview goes so much better.  I am asked the 3-5 year question immediately following my all time favorite “Tell me about yourself!”  There are more questions about me and I have a great opportunity to sell my work ethic, my personality, my drive for continued improvement, as well as my ability to build relationships like nothing anyone has ever seen.  I’m not bragging about that, by the way….

This interview is less panned.  But it soon begins to sound very much like what I just heard.  In my head I ask myself, “Are these the same people?”  What in the world…  Same products….  and same exclusive environment.  Sams and Costco.  Ok.  No biggee.   I got a good interview in.  

NEXT!

I’m still hopeful something fruitful might come of this day as I hop in the car and make my way cross town to Roseville.  I walk into this office space and breathe a sigh of relief.  There are signs of permanency everywhere!  Their logo is painted on their walls.  The logo of their two main clients are on the walls.  Plaques from the BBB are up there as well.  Thank God!  These people have some history.  My brief research of them came back with a taste of sleazy marketing/sales firm, but this office is the classiest I’ve stepped foot in all day.

Or so I thought.

I arrived 15 minutes early and was directed to sit down on a nice leather chair in their decent sized reception area where two other very well dressed professional looking men also waited.  

Now, I have always felt the importance of showing up early to an interview.  Not because it looks professional and is courteous, but because it gives you an incredible opportunity to observe the environment.  We all know that culture is a huge part of what we look for when hunting down the perfect job.  It has to be the right environment.  What better time to observe the ongoings of an office, retail location, or whatever?!  In the retail world you get to see the sales staff on the floor interacting with customers and each other.  You get to look at what lies with in the four walls you are applying to work within.  How do they interact?  How does the atmosphere FEEL?  Is it clean?  So much can be learned!!  And never has it served me better than in this moment.

Some young kid in a toxic lime green shirt was in the nearest office with a guy in a suit acting very important, who I soon learn is the gentleman I will be interviewing with after hearing his name.  

Mr. Important seems to be doing an on-boarding with Mr. Lime Green.  But doesn’t seem to know what he is doing.  He shouts to the receptionist several times for direction and assistance.  After her calm and rather impressive guidance he shuts the door.  Miss Receptionist goes back behind the desk area she shares with some quiet blonde that never really seems to fill a role.

Time passes…

I watch first as one gentleman waiting with me is called into a second office… and watch him leave…. as well as the second gentleman get called into that second office. 

Once, Mr. Important did step out of his office, look directly at me and let me know he would be with me soon.  I nod.

And I wait.

A third gentleman in street clothes waltzes in and asks for Mr. Important. Mr. Street Clothes is told he is busy, and Mr. Street Clothes says he can wait, takes a seat on the leather couch adjacent to me recently vacated by gentleman number two.  The receptionist asks if she can help with anything and he announces he’s just here for his check.  OH!  Well then… Miss Receptionists marches around her desk and barges into Mr Important’s office.  You can see Mr. Important pull out a folder, pull out an envelope, and then the door opens and Mr. Important is calling for Mr. Street Clothes who then joins the party in Mr. Important’s office.

At this time…   my appointment was 15 minutes past.  

I’m kinda irritated.  I mean…   Ok.  Fine.  Maybe they are behind schedule.  Maybe they suck at time management. However… CLEARLY Mr. Important is more busy at looking important than being competent.  Do not judge, do not judge, do no judge…

Miss Receptionist returns to her desk.

Mr. Street Clothes leaves.

Mr. Important steps out of his office and walks toward the front door.  He stops and, as if an after thought,  addresses Miss Receptionist.  I do not hear all of what he says but it is clear he is inquiring something about payroll.

Now, side note:  Miss Receptionist is pretty cool.  She totally has my vote.  She and I have spoken on the phone several times. She has come across as effective, efficient, AND I have now spent the last half hour witnessing her flawlessly manage-up Mr. Important.  Trust me.  That is not an easy thing to do.  Props.

So, it is alarming to watch the face of the lovely Miss Receptionist turn beat red, and hear her quietly and discreetly inquire, “Was that a question?”

Mr. Important response sharply with a “What do you think?”   

Silence.

They stare at each other.  Miss Receptionist has a look like she cannot believe the situation as I am sure that at least she is highly aware of the presence of a third party within hearing distance.  Mr. Important’s body language is aggressive, seeking dominance.  He tells her to come with him.  She hesitates.  He says, “no, come now.”  And he storms out of the office.  Poor Miss Receptionist grabs her sweater, and slowly follows.

And there I sit.  Just me and the quiet blonde.  And all I can think is:  SERIOUSLY?!   Seriously.  Mr. Important was not winning anyone over with his superior attitude, nor his blatant disregard for someone else’s time.  But you never, NEVER, correct an employee in front of someone.  Regardless of the fact that he requested her presence elsewhere, their interaction, an interaction he perpetuated, was completely inappropriate.   

My heart hurt for Miss Receptionist.

And I continued to sit.  And I asked myself how long would this man keep me waiting so rudely.  To LEAVE the premises while the appointment you are late for watches…

Blink.  Blink. Blink.

Then the real question hit.  

“What in hell am I still doing here?”

There is no way I would find value in waiting long enough to sit down with this man only if for the opportunity to give Mr. Important a piece of my mind and school him a bit on how to better treat people.  I would only get angry.  And I hate being angry.  Such a waste of energy.

And so was this.  

I got up.  I walked up to Miss Quiet Blonde, who looks up, saying nothing…   And I tell her to please let Miss Receptionist and Mr. Important know I said thank you, but that I am no longer interested.  And I left.

Surprisingly, I feel good about my day. Like I said, I learned a lot.  But the most valuable lesson I learned today?   I am not ready to settle.  My hunt for the right fit is still a priority.  You see…   I applied to these three jobs last week in a knee jerk freaked out reaction to approaching the four month mark of unemployment.  It has been an ugly four months.  The longest period of unemployment in my adult life.  I had a brief mindset of “Apply to ANYTHING!!   Just. Get. A. Job.”  But that isnt what I want.   Who wants to work for the Mr. Importants of the world?  I sure don’t.  

My only regret? Not calling Miss Receptionist afterward and telling her she’s better than that.  I still could…