2 interviews in as many days...

Job interviewing is hard y'all!

Well, back up... Getting to the point where you get a call for an interview is hard first. I have sent countless resumes to different companies, and I have said it before, but most of them go to a black hole where resumes and time consuming custom-tailored cover-letters go to die a slow death. (Not to mention the fact that I wanted to do something more creative, but the more practical I try to be about that, the more I realize how difficult it would actually be, and it wouldn't pay the bills :() But a light shown threw the clouds last week when I got emails from not one, but two of the companies I had sent my resume to. I had one interview yesterday, and one today, both at 9AM. Luckily, I am a morning person these days. (I say these days because I used to be a "rise at noon" kind of gal, but somehow in my old age I have started to get up earlier and earlier, something I always thought would never happen to me.) Let's call yesterday's interview Company A and today's Company B.

Let's start with A, because I knew pretty much the moment I walked in that it was not somewhere I could see myself working. You know, sometimes you just get a feeling. And as I walked into this place, I was stunned by the mess and clutter. Now, I have been in this field for a while now, and I know as much as the next gal that clutter happens, but really? Even on my worst day in my last office job my desk never looked liked that. I mean boxes, papers, wires, coffee cups strewn across the place. Not to mention the walls were painted the brightest shade of fuchsia pink I have ever seen. And then the woman who I was having the interview with said the strangest thing to me. It went something like this: "I am divorced, with a two-year old, and the other partner here is also recently divorced, but don't worry, we wont rain on your married parade." And she followed that amazing statement with this gem: "So, I imagine you have a thick skin, and if things get crazy and we start yelling you understand not to take it personally?" Ummkay. Ohhh boy. The minute she said it, I want to run for the door. This was the sort of place that sucked the life out of you, I know because I have seen it before. I have been in it before, and I ain't going back. The girl (who I would be replacing, she is high-tailing it back to the east coast) emailed me and asked if I could come in for a 2nd interview to meet the other partner. After sleeping on it, I am going to politely pass. That is just not the place for me.

Now, Company B. Very cute, chic office, in a great neighborhood not far from my house. Small company. Almost Zen-like. A candle burning during the interview, pale blue painted walls and a starfish on the table. And the owner, one of the nicest, most down to earth women I have met in this industry. I felt a real connection with her and her company. It genuinely seemed like a great place to work. She asked me to come in for another interview to meet another senior person there next week, so I am excited about that. I sent her thank you email as soon as I got home, and also a handwritten one mailed today, hopefully that will set me apart from other candidates. So everyone keep your fingers crossed and send me positive vibes, hopefully I will be gainfully employed soon! Then my husband can stop calling me the desperate housewife of brentwood county.