MASS INTERVIEW

The silly rabbit all dolled up for inspection!

Yesterday's interview was interesting.

The first thing I did, upon entering the site

where I hope to work...

was to watch the people who were

performing the task that I hope to do.

I took note of their clothing

and their attitudes.

The more I know in a group interview,

the better.

It also told me how many of my fellow

applicants were overdressed.

The rule I've heard is to dress only

one level above the expected work wear.

I'm not sure why group interviews exist now.

Is it the high number of people out of work

all applying for the same jobs?

Or is it just a new trend thought up

by some HR person eager to show off their creativity?

Whatever the reason,

there I was in a big group interview again.

There were 15 of us,

who were invited by a lead person,

one of 7 on the interview team,

to take a seat.

The chairs were formed in a square

with the team across the top, front.

I took a spot next to the end interviewer.

I wanted to be sure that I could hear what was said.

That made me first

when we were asked to introduce ourselves

and tell why we each wanted this position.

It gave me less time to think,

but this is a question that always comes up.

I had my answer prepared,

then sat quietly listening to the other's voices

and was able to watch their words' affect on the faces of the interviewers.

Each time someone spoke,

interviewers would begin to write things down

on their clip boards.

I looked for smiles, nods or frowns.

We each had a folder on the table in front of us.

We were told to split into groups

according to the color of dot on our folder,

then to read the two instructions...

and follow them.

The interviewers also broke into groups and followed us

with their pens and clip boards.

Cue number one...

was to pick a group leader.

A woman looked at me and said...

"You look like a good presenter."

I said

"Wow!  Okay then."

If I declined, would that be a sign of weakness?

Would accepting be a sign of vanity?

I don't know.

It felt like the right thing to do.

The presenter was to read the scenario given us,

then we were supposed to decide as a group

how to respond to the situation given us.

It was, I think, 

one of those situations where there could be many answers.

When our 5 minutes were over,

we were called back and I was called up to

present our solution.

I think I did okay.

Unusual for me as I tend to get weird in front of people.

But my voice was clear and light,

I laid our plan out with all the points that people

wanted to consider,

then addressed my group to verify it...

showing hopefully that I am a group player and my team's opinion matters.

When they agreed that I had covered all of it, 

I sat down.

After the other groups finished,

we were asked

"What experience have you had in the past

that would apply to this position."

Again I was the first to be given the question...

because I was in the first seat

and it followed around the table.

Not the most advantageous spot.

But far better than being on the end of the line,

where everyone had said just about

everything they could come up with that might apply.

You don't want to be the guy repeating

everyone else.

That feels lame.

Next, they handed out a test.

We were told to do the test and we would be free to go.

The test was a breeze!

Alphabetize nine first and last names.

Gee... that's what a library is all about,

when it comes to filing books on the shelves.

The second question was a math test where we

were asked to find an average number of three numbers.

Add three times and divide by three.

Easy!

Finally, we were given an essay question...

which happened to be about diversity.

Oh lucky day!

Thinking back to my days at the school...

which were filled with exercises in work shops like

this interview process...

and many actual workshops on diversity.

I know too that part of the reason to have us write by

hand was likely to see if our handwriting was easily read,

and that one can make sense with words.

Reports are part of this job.

I was not the first to finish.

I was the forth.

People were whispering as they handed in their folders

to the lead interviewer, 

who took them quickly and waved them on.

I followed suit, with my soft thank you.

Walking out to the parking lot felt great!

A few of us wished each other luck

and gave compliments on each others participation.

I don't think that I screwed up anywhere.

Nor do I think that any one of us out shown

the others.

There were no other people who talked about

having better qualifications than me...

three with about the same qualifications.

Most were people trying to get out

of low wage situations...

looking for a better life.

All in all, I had good feelings about it.

But this is just the first round in their interview process.

They will continue these group interviews

through next week.

That's 4 group interviews a day!

Those invited to the second round

will be notified by email

in two weeks or so.

If we do not get that email,

we were passed over.

I still think that is wrong...

if you take the time and trouble to interview,

you should at least get a polite

thank you and some explanation.

Even if its only a mass email saying that a more

qualified person was selected.

They will be filling 6 of these positions.
Way better than only 1.

I'm hoping!

Meanwhile... I'll be applying for other jobs.

No sense in sitting on my hands waiting.

But I will write my thank you note

and send a nice card.

It sure can't hurt.

.