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Topic: Job interviews

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LiteratinDC Posted – 11/24/2007 12:03:17 PM | show profile
Yes, this is well-traveled territory. Still, we all like telling stories.

I once had a job interview during which the editor interviewing me sat me down right next to a television. Yep, the TV was on, and about a foot from my right arm. I couldn't get it out of my line of sight. She seemed oblivious to the distraction, but then again perhaps it was a test -- a psych test to see how well I can concentrate. Will he fray under pressure? Can he compartmentalize? Next, please leap a tall building in a single bound.

Long story short: I'm not that good. I failed the test. The TV was a distraction. And I still can't forgive her.

I was so perfect for that job, too. What's your story?
stinking prague Posted – 11/24/2007 7:31:54 PM | show profile
if that was her idea of a test, the woman was a complete Nancy Tango. It shows no respect or courtesy. If you were already an employee that might be one thing. But anyone who can't give a job interviewee the basic courtesy of their undivided attention, is an asshole.

You should have asked her to turn the fucking thing off!
jkdscribe Posted – 11/25/2007 1:41:08 PM | show profile
Or turned it off yourself and asked why (politely) it was on in the first place. Might have even been what they were looking for.

But...woulda coulda shoulda. Sounds like, as interviews go, you've got nowhere but up to go. Good luck on the next one.
Marie Posted – 11/25/2007 4:25:10 PM | show profile
You should have asked to have it turned off. Given a Kafkaesque experience I had last week for a freelance job (can't reveal as it was so weird and specific it could blow my identity if that person reads these boards), asking to turn off the TV might have been part of the test to see how assertive you are. But it's hard to say if they were looking for assertiveness or not. You maybe you passed.

But here's the more likely scenario: The person wasn't even aware it was on. If this is a newsroom of any kind, the TV is always on, and it's likely she didn't notice, and most people just work through it.
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