This isn't really funny, more of a cautionary tale and 100% true. Not sure if I'm looking for sympathy or to blow off steam, but here goes...
Anyone remember that episode of Cheers where Norm gets the job at the beer factory? He's in total heaven for about 3 days and then he needs to just formalize his hiring with a quick chat with the plant manager. Beforehand, everyone gives him specific funny things not to do so he doesn't screw up. At the interview, he's so nervous he does those things exactly.
Well, I'm a game designer with almost 3 years experience that finally got a shot at my dream job. They loved my CV so much that they flew me sight unseen a few countries away to interview with them. The job was more or less in the bag and they were just rotating me through the staff on different projects to see which one to attach me to. I couldn't help myself, I just started with the negative vibes constantly. They asked about what I did at my old place and all I could think of was how screwed up it was and how desparate I was to get out, so I focused on how jacked up it was in every conversation...then proceeded to disagree vehemently with the company creative director on the completeness of the latest project of the company I was interviewing with. I was finished by 3pm and they were ready to carry me out of there. In the back of my mind I was screaming how incredibly perfect everything was, not just escaping hell but going towards something great...but my mouth wouldn't cooperate at any given time. The more it happened, the more my eyes lost focus until I couldn't even look anyone straight in the eye (the last 2 guys I talked to).
I've been in real combat with absolutely nothing but steady nerves, I've worked as a paramedic and combat medic and was never stressed to the point it affected my judgment. I've breezed through every job interview before this I've ever been to since I was 14, and by all rights I should have breezed through this one. But right now I'm still twitching 2 days later from that experience. It doesn't help that they told me on the way out that they'd "get back to me in a week".
So, word from hindsight...if your old job is hell and you're interviewing for a new one, take your time and prepare a list of GOOD things about what YOU did there before you go to the interview at the new place. Don't get caught with your pants down and blow your dream away.
Anyone remember that episode of Cheers where Norm gets the job at the beer factory? He's in total heaven for about 3 days and then he needs to just formalize his hiring with a quick chat with the plant manager. Beforehand, everyone gives him specific funny things not to do so he doesn't screw up. At the interview, he's so nervous he does those things exactly.
Well, I'm a game designer with almost 3 years experience that finally got a shot at my dream job. They loved my CV so much that they flew me sight unseen a few countries away to interview with them. The job was more or less in the bag and they were just rotating me through the staff on different projects to see which one to attach me to. I couldn't help myself, I just started with the negative vibes constantly. They asked about what I did at my old place and all I could think of was how screwed up it was and how desparate I was to get out, so I focused on how jacked up it was in every conversation...then proceeded to disagree vehemently with the company creative director on the completeness of the latest project of the company I was interviewing with. I was finished by 3pm and they were ready to carry me out of there. In the back of my mind I was screaming how incredibly perfect everything was, not just escaping hell but going towards something great...but my mouth wouldn't cooperate at any given time. The more it happened, the more my eyes lost focus until I couldn't even look anyone straight in the eye (the last 2 guys I talked to).
I've been in real combat with absolutely nothing but steady nerves, I've worked as a paramedic and combat medic and was never stressed to the point it affected my judgment. I've breezed through every job interview before this I've ever been to since I was 14, and by all rights I should have breezed through this one. But right now I'm still twitching 2 days later from that experience. It doesn't help that they told me on the way out that they'd "get back to me in a week".
So, word from hindsight...if your old job is hell and you're interviewing for a new one, take your time and prepare a list of GOOD things about what YOU did there before you go to the interview at the new place. Don't get caught with your pants down and blow your dream away.
Last edited by GorillaTicTacs (2006-11-21 16:10:16)
