Q:  How is the job search, Vivian?

A:  Well I went on another job interview yesterday. It was at the Pettit National Ice
Center. Now if anyone who watches the Olympic’s, they know that it’s one of the places that men and ITwomen go to to train. They also hold several events that lead up to Olympic trials and even several
US title events. Very important.

Q:  That’s interesting.

A:  So anyway, one of the questions that I was asked during the interview was if I was impressed or intimidated by any celebrities. Well, since I had had several jobs where I had encountered them, I knew that they wanted to be treated just like everyone else. They hated the “star” treatment. Sure it’s a perk. However, most of the time, they just want to be an average joe. Like before they were famous. So that’s I treated them. In a place like the Pettit, they are there to train. They don’t want people nagging them for autographs. They are there for a reason. So, I told the person that was interviewing me, that I would respect their privacy and keep people at bay. Knowing full well that they had a job to accomplish and that was utmost on the agenda. It was up to the PR people to set up any autograph sessions, not mine. So she knew that I got it.

Q:  Good answer.  Any other questions of interest?

A:  The other question that I got was, what I liked best about my old job. I told her that it was that it was like Christmas everyday. Since I had worked at an outlet store, you never knew what was coming in. So every box was like opening a gift at Christmas. I also told her that I liked the customers. They were interesting. Which they were. We had all kinds. From the high end to the very strange. I had one that was a slum lord. He knew that I knew. He always stank too. He always was looking for a bargain. When he came in, I stuck a Hall’s cough drop in my mouth so I could at least try to cover up the stink that I knew was coming to the register. The cashiers had a name for him because of what he usually bought, “stinky carpet tile guy”. The carpet tiles were the last of the bunch and never matched. You can imangine what the floors of his apartments looked like! Very unusual and unique.

Q:  How do you think overall?  Was she impressed, do you think?

A:  So anyway, the interview was interesting and I’d say went well. She did say that she was going to be doing more interviews for another week. That usually means that you made a good impression, but you didn’t get the job. I think that I am too old and over qualified. She asked if I had office skills. When I told her that I had been an administrative assistant, I believe that was a bit of over kill. It was like, why on earth would you give that up to work part time at a place like this? I told her that this was close to home and that’s what appealed to me. I also had other obligations that allowed me to work at place just like this with the qualifications that I have. I still think that she was leary.

Q:  Good point.  Sometimes people who interview wonder if you will stay if they think the job is beneath what you are used to.

A:  But I still have faith that there’s a job out there just for me. If not this one, so be it. I’ll be fine. I was myself and that’s what was important. I dressed appropriately and I was calm. I had no expectations. That’s most important. Never go into an interview thinking that you’re going to get the job. Then when you don’t, you’re going to have a huge let down. Move on and remember, it’s their loss and the job for you is out there and you just haven’t found it yet. It will come when the time is right. Just like everything else in life.