Captain's Log #35 - Two Job Interviews & a Mug Shot
18 months; 78 applications; 17 interviews; 1 one-month job. I
should put Job Hunting on my resume. If you’re looking for a job: Be
prepared. Specifically work up some stories of 1.) how you’ve dealt will a
customer who was screaming at you; 2.) your team-work experience; 3.) how you
handled an employee who wouldn’t give you information you need to do your job;
stuff like that. I love to get questions I’m not prepared for like: “you get a
call from the parents of a Department of Rehabilitation client demanding to
know about changes to their child’s plan of action. The client is 22 and
not conserved. What do you do?” It’s kind of a trick question, the clue is,
“not conserved.” The answer is “it’s none of your business, your kid needs to
learn how to man-up and we’re here to help them.” Well, said with great tact.
By the way, I have the greatest respect for what the Department of
Rehabilitation is doing, really giving people self-determined goals, guidance
and support. They’re making positive differences in people’s lives.
Usually I dress for an interview in Business Casual (BC), which is
the haute couture of my wardrobe, everything else goes from the unusual to
truly strange. There’s not much need for an 1850s work dress, or 17th
century Scottish ensemble (what was I thinking?) Then there’s the hand-painted
silk vests; oh, and my shamanic, faux-fur parka with its dangling beads. But
there’s really no excuse for 8, 2-piece Kimono suits and 11 Kimono jackets.
(Maybe I have a problem.)
Interview 1
I went to a recent interview and answered all the
questions. Toward the end of the interview the eyes of the old guy sitting
across from me started drooping, he was going to sleep! I know I’m boring but
for crying out loud, how about some manners? Maybe his blood sugar was
plummeting, it was just before lunch. So at the end of interviews they always
ask “do you have any questions for us?” His eyes popped open when I pulled out
my stack of research and started asking questions.
Because I had “resigned” from my last job, with a “Memorandum of
Understanding” that will remain in my personnel record for a year, where I was
accused of insubordination AND stealing State property (not true), I have developed
a story to explain the situation – I don’t want a prospective employer
blindsided by the Memo. My story is a simple, what happened, a little sadness
because there were some good aspects, and a funny punch line (“I regret not
getting Kevin’s deep-dish, French toast casserole recipe.”) They laughed. One
asked the name of my supervisor. “R*** M*****.” Gales of laughter and hoots of
derision! Apparently there are two other employees who have come from her
office. I think they offered me the job, which I have accepted, because they
felt sorry for me.
Interview 2
I was invited to interview at the Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV). Now honey, hell would have to freeze over before I would work there but,
what the heck, it’s another practice interview. I thought I’d give them an
opportunity to reject me immediately by wearing one of my Kimono suits. “This
is me.” I got there in plenty of time and had to wait, so reviewed my flash
cards. The young black man behind the counter had the thickest ghetto accent I’ve
ever heard; this, in the Napa Valley office? Well, he’s lucky to have a
good-paying job with benefits. So there I am in my artistic-snob outfit and I
am invited into the manager’s office. At first I thought it was a super-sized
utility closet, the walls painted a café-au-lait tan, the only thing on the
wall was a 3-foot diameter, working, black antique clock-face from France. The
desk looked like a piece of airplane wreckage: silver bent aluminum. There was
a folding screen just inside the door and an electric keyboard both covered in
a black and tan African print. The chairs were the most comfortable I’ve ever
experienced in an interview (usually it is the most uncomfortable chair in the
entire facility) these were upholstered, cushy things, sort of like sitting in
a supportive cloud. It was nice to be comfortable for a change. The manager
looked to be ¾ white, ¼ black, maybe north African, with the most brilliant
blue eyes, tan skin and curly hair. If everything else wasn’t so interesting
I’d have taken a closer look at his shirt, light blue with abstract print.
There were pretty much the same standard questions but the
introduction to one was about Emotional
Intelligence! (the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and
those of others, discern between different feelings and label them
appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and
manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one's
goal(s)) I’ve read Daniel Goleman’s book and taken 3 years of Nonviolent
Communication workshops – to meet someone who speaks the same language – wow!
We were definitely in a groove. The funny thing was I had brought a flyer
for an Emotional Intelligence webinar put on by the State that I left behind. I
don’t think he appreciated my question, “what activities do you have in place
to develop the Emotions Intelligence of your employees?” I also suggested he
put a mirror next to the place you get your photo taken, that if a member of
the public gets a photo that looks like a mug shot, every time they pull out
their driver’s license they hate the DMV; with a good photo, they love the DMV.
My most recent one - a mug shot. I hope yours is better.
Let me know what’s going on with you.
Many blessings,
Karla, mom & k.j.
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