What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front

Posted by admin on October 29, 2009 · 2 Comments

This week’s story from Neal Wiser will leave some of you shaking your head while others may wish to live vicariously through him. Wherever you fall, the story is entertaining and Neal’s parting comment: priceless.

I used to work in Hollywood and once interviewed with a “hot” production company who just had a pair of big hits. They were on the rise and rapidly expanding operations. The position I interviewed for was as Director of Development, a senior and very important position where my responsibilities were to find the next “insert name of big hit movie here.” The position required me to cultivate relationships with hot writers, studio executives, etc. I was excited even to be considered, not to mention being called back not just for a second, but a third interview.

The third interview was with both the President of the company and the CEO. I had met the President in the previous meeting and we really hit it off. This meeting, he had told me, was essentially the final approval meeting; merely a formality.

I was introduced to the CEO, a beautiful, 30-ish Ivy League alum who, rumor had it, was on a short list to run a studio in the next few years. We shook hands. Great, firm grip. She offered me a seat at the end of a plush leather couch amidst the usual pleasantries. I sat back, relaxed. I put my arm casually on the arm of the couch. The President sat across from me. Then the CEO took her seat.

She sat on the arm of the couch, right next to me, looking directly down upon me. If I didn’t have such quick reflexes she would have sat on my arm. I glanced at the President. He flinched. I glanced up at the CEO. “So, what can you do for me?” she said as she placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.

I glanced at back at the President. He turned white. Horrified.

I looked back to the CEO.

She was looking directly into my eyes. Hers were a deep blue. She squinted slightly, as if asking me a question.

“I need someone who can give me what I want, day or night,” she said as she stroked my back. “Can you do that?”

I glanced at the President again. He was sweating.

I looked back at the CEO. “I’m sorry, but I’m here to discuss the development position,” I said.

“Oh, you are,” she said, her eyes squinting again. “You’ll be doing a lot of development.” Gentle squeeze on my shoulder.

I faced the President. I think he was dead at that point.

I faced the CEO. “Am I being punked?” I asked.

I excused myself moments later and went home, disappointed. Later that day, the President called. I was surprised he was still alive. He clearly didn’t know what to say to me except to apologize every other sentence. He finally called the CEO’s behavior “unprofessional” and added that she’s never done anything like that before. I thought he was hoping that I wouldn’t sue, until he told me that he left the company that afternoon.

I had to ask, “So, you’re telling me I didn’t get the job?”

I didn’t.

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“What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front” is a weekly posting with the sole purpose of trying to infuse a little levity into your job search. For practical, tested and proven job search advice, please subscribe to my weekly ezine – Build the Career You Deserve – read by over 21,000 professionals.

Do you have strange tales from the job search? If so, please share them with us at ezine@careerattraction.com. (note – we will never reprint your story without your express consent).

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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!

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What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front

Posted by admin on October 22, 2009 · 4 Comments

Many times there is a “question behind a question” in an interview. But, this week’s “What the?” story from our reader Jean has me wondering what it might be. Take a read and then weigh in with what you think the interviewer was getting at –or- was he just off his meds?

This was back when I was 22, fresh faced to NYC from Michigan. Terrified and had never worked in an office before, much less a high rise building. I landed an interview at a PR firm. I’d been there for hours, meeting everyone under the sun and was cleared

for the final interview. It was apparently customary at this firm for the president to meet everyone, even super junior hires. As I am being walked down the hall toward his suite I am told, in a nervous tone by the worried-looking HR person, that “he’s a little unusual” and informed that “he likes to ask questions to throw you off”. And, “Some candidates have walked out” when he does this.

Hmm. Even I, a total rube in the big city, figured this was not good. Desperate to start my career and life in New York, I figured these questions must be pretty bad if people who’d made it all the way thru a day of interviews at the company would actually walk out of there due to questions from this guy. How hard could the questions be? Revenues from 10 years prior? Name of some small client and their latest news? I began to mentally review all my company research notes as I was ushered down the hall and then into his huge, luxurious office.

The handsome president waved me to sit in what I have since learned was a very expensive office chair.

The guy bores his eyes into me and holds up an expensive pen- Mont Blanc or something like that. Engraved.

“I have just one question. If you answer it right you will get the job. What do you see when you see this pen?”

Ensues the conversation:

“A pen – a very nice one. A tool for communication and revolution. A means of writing. A way to report news.”

“No. What do you see?” Not smiling.

“An implement mightier than the sword. ”

“No what else?” Still in an utterly solemn tone of voice.

I start to smile broadly, muster charm and dredge up an interviewing strategy tip I read somewhere: “Highlight your strengths.” (Remember this was like my 2nd job interview ever.) “Mr. Smith I’d like to talk about my strengths and how they relate to this position at your firm.” (Pretty ballsy, since the guy was clearly trying to intimidate me and frankly, it was starting to work.)

”No. I want to you tell me what you see. Just stay on the pen.”

”I see a pen. And I’d really like to talk to you about why my skills are a fit for this job.”

He leans back in his chair and stays silent. Just looks at me. Moments later there’s a knock on the door- it’s the HR lady – and he says “We’re done.”

As I hit the Manhattan streets even I, an innocent from Michigan thought, “What WAS that? Was that guy being a jerk?” I found out the next day that EVERYONE liked me but him so no job. I have never regretted trying to deflect that stupid, irrelevant question.

So, what do you think? Is there a method to his madness or has he been sniffing too much glue in his spare time? Chime in below.

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Do you have strange tales from the job search? If so, please share them with us at ezine@careerattraction.com. (note – we will never reprint your story without your express consent).

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What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front

Posted by admin on October 9, 2009 · 1 Comment

Today, Gary Unger, author of “How to Be a Creative Genius, recounts for us a rather unique interview experience he had when looking to hire an Art Director a few years back:

I interviewed a guy one time for an Art Director position at an Advertising Agency where I was the Creative Director. I had received about 200 resumes. This guy had some outstanding history of work, so I called him in. It started off rather rough when I called him. He seemed reluctant to come in and I finally coaxed him into telling me why. He “lied” that he was in Atlanta and that he was trying to move to town with a relative but had not done so. He was living three hours away. That didn’t bother me, so I made an appointment with him in the afternoon.

When he arrived, he looked a bit frazzled and I asked how his drive was. If I recall right, he had slept in too late and had to rush out the door to get to the interview on time. I like honesty, even when it hurts. So I let that go. I figured at least the guy won’t lie to me as to why he might miss work or will be late. As I looked over his portfolio I was very impressed with his art, style, and concepts. But, while I’m looking over his last few pieces, I realize he has his head down on the table. I asked if everything is alright. He didn’t even look up, but spoke to the table and said he’s fine, he’s “just a little nervous.”

I tell him I’m done looking at the portfolio and start asking him questions. He sits up and stares straight down at his shoes and answers the questions. I again tried to set him at ease. This time he says he has some nervous habits in interviews and apologizes. He can handle about two questions before he politely asks if I mind if he turns around. I said “Yes,” thinking he’d need a small break from the interview. Instead, after about a minute with his back to me (in a high back swivel chair), he waves his hand and says “you can continue with questions.”

I told him I’m on his side, I like his work and to not be so nervous. For the most part he has the job, but we just have to go through some formalities. He stayed facing the other way and says “Thank you.” I couldn’t resist and started asking him questions about his portfolio so he’d have to turn around and look at me. Instead he reaches his hand around behind him and asks me to hand him the piece in question. I did.

After about two pieces I couldn’t take it, I had to share this experience with someone else. I told him that the General Manager would likely want to talk to him before signing any paperwork. I went into the GM’s office and said “You won’t believe this.” The GM and I returned to the room where the interview was taking place and the guy had his head down on the desk. The GM introduced himself and he looks up slouched over the table and shakes the GM’s hand. Then promptly puts his head in his hands with his elbows on the table. The GM looked at me and had the biggest grin on his face. The GM then proceeded to ask him if he’s nervous and tries to get the guy to relax. The guy excuses himself to go to the bathroom. While he was out the GM and I had a good ‘ol laugh.

Upon his return the guy asks if there’d be more to the interview. I said yes. He sits down and turns around with his back to both me and the GM. Again, smiles between me and the GM. The GM asks a few questions that the guy answers. The GM while having fun decides he’s had his laugh for the day, stands up and walks in front of the guy and says, “well, you and Gary can work out the details but I thought you might like to see my face before I go.”

The guy confesses to me that he has some sort of fear of people. I told him his job is to interact with people. He asked if

there is a way around that. I said I can try, but I’m busy too and he’ll have to interact with the Account Execs pretty much on a daily basis. He politely tells me he may not be the guy for the job.

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Do you have strange tales from the job search? If so, please share them with us at ezine@careerattraction.com. (note – we will never reprint your story without your express consent).

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