Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The interview..dun dun dah!!!!

Last year, towards the end of my degree I decided that it was time to get a job. I was desperately worried about finishing varsity and having nothing to do and no income. I would have to move back home and after three years of being on my own (sorta) I couldn't do that.

I spruced up my CV and started trawling the market. In three weeks I applied for 60 job offers and I sent 35 e mails to various publication companies asking about possible career opportunities(I counted them while I waited for a response).

How many replies did I get? One.

I had the good fortune one day to get a call asking me if I'd like to come in for an interview for one of the copywriter positions I applied for.

I said yes of course and a week later I walked into said companies offices all smart like, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

I was shit scared.

After my interview I thought I might have clinched the job but I wasn't sure. I didn't want to get my hopes up too high in the fear that if they called me and said they went with someone else I would be shattered. So I just forgot about it and three days later I left for a tour to Cape Town.

In the middle of the journey I was woken, something was buzzing. It was my phone.

Tom: Ugfghdfjndlns Hello?

Company: Hi tom this is Klaus (lets call him that) from The Company. Good news, you got the job.

Tom: That's great thank you!

Company: When can you start?

Tom: Um, can we meet next week to discuss the contract and everything? I'm just in Cape Town
Company: We really need you to start ASAP. I'll e mail you the contract. When do you get back?

Tom: Ok, I get back on Thursday

Company: So you can start on Friday?

Tom: Can we just meet up to talk about this?

Company: I'll call you tomorrow -click-

What I didn't know at the time was that the decision to take the job would result in three weeks of indecision, back and forths about contracts, salaries, you said this no you didn't until I got what I wanted.

Although I still had three months of University left I took it. I spent the rest of my varsity career getting up at 5:30 so I could drive 1h 30mins to work, work, drive 1h 30mins back, go to class, eat, go to gym, study/do assignments and sleep. It was stressful to say the least.

In November I wrote my final three exams and moved a whole bucket load closer. That was the end of that.

Now I'm working for the man full time.

So I'm pretty cool right? I got my first real job at my first real interview. The only problem lies in the fact that my job is agonizingly boring and repetitive, I also don't want to be a copywriter anymore.

Tomorrow I go for my second real interview. The job looks way cooler, pays better and the offices are only 2km's (1 mile) away from my house.

I'm shit scared again. I really really really want this job.

Anyone got any interview advice? I'm not exactly a veteran after all.

8 comments:

Andy - Instafather said...

Obviously, you're doing something right. But what they say about keeping eye contact, emphasizing your skills and being enthusiastic works- it's worked for me so far.

Also, you might have to put out.

Bella@That damn expat said...

Yeah, what Andy said.

The last sentence at least.

Tamara said...

Well, you've prbably already done the interview by now, but my advice would be:

1. Don't rock up drunk.
2. Wear pants.
3. Pop a breath mint beforehand.
4. Take your sunglasses off inside.
5. Be prepared to put out.

Janine / Being Brazen said...

Well, I just went for an interview and today I am going for my second interview with the same company -

My advice to you is:
Be yourself
never lie
always make eye contact
give a good hand shake
dress well
Smile alot
and most importantly - RELAX

:) Good luck

Ps - Tamara's advice is soo funny..love it

BioniKat said...

Just be natural and self-confident. If you believe in yourself you can get any job and if you have that self confidence it doesn't matter if you don't get the job first time. Its all good practice.

Thomas said...

Thanks guys! It all went pretty well, they were really happy with me!More about that when I hear back from them:)

Anonymous said...

I am coming in a bit late - hope it went well!

Only advice - be sure of what you want and who you are!! Even if you have to fake it somewhere along the line!

AngelConradie said...

crossing my fingers and holding thumbs dude- which is not easy!!