My FA must attend a job interview - for her own job - and has to give a presentation. She asked if she could give a presentation on how to make Malteser Biscuits but the Head of H.R. said they'd rather have a Powerpoint presentation on care budgets and the implications of the Government Spending Review.
(I know which I'd rather watch, but hey-ho.)
After a couple of years back in education, I applied for a job and was summoned for interview. Unfortunately, the day before I'd torn my calf muscle quite badly and was on crutches.
(I'd crossed a road as a car was heading towards me and, whilst I did not actually break into a jog, I did attempt a sort of urgent shuffle in order to signal to the driver that I did not intend to slow his passage in an inconvenient manner. Who knew that shuffling tore calf muscles?).
As I limped and, er, crutched - ? - into the interview room, the panel scoured my application form in a panicked manner, clearly looking to see if I'd checked the Do you consider yourself to have a disability? box.
"Oh, don't worry," I said, as I collapsed into a chair. "The crutches are a temporary state of affairs. I've torn my calf muscle."
"How did you do that?" asked the person in the most expensive suit.
"Well," I said. "I'm telling everyone it was page 69 of the Kama Sutra because the real reason's far too embarrassing."
WHY?
Why did I say THAT?
Still, it is nowhere near as bad as a Great Friend who emigrated to New Zealand.
When one emigrates to New Zealand, one has to submit to all sorts of tests and checks to prove that one is road worthy. On the morning of Great Friend's first job interview - to be a Dental Nurse at a Holistic Dentist Practice (don't ask) - the results of all her various immigration tests and checks arrived in the post. She scanned them quickly before she left the house.
The interview went well. Great Friend was feeling quietly confident. At the end, came the standard question: "Is there anything you'd like to ask us?"
Great Friend: "No thank you. I think you've covered everything."
Dentist: "And finally, is there anything you'd like to tell us?"
Great Friend: "Yes, I don't have syphilis!"
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Reminds me of a post I applied for, once (twice would have been pushing it). I knew the role inside out and had thoroughly researched for what would have been an 'internal promotion' (unfortunate term). At the end of the interview came the question you mention, 'Is there anything you want to ask us?' There wasn't.
ReplyDeleteI failed to get the job and, was surprised to learn afterwards that it had been a very close run thing. The deciding factor? I didn't ask a question. So much for good preparation.