Fabulous Financials

It went well…I think.

One of the two interviewers was late so we stopped in the break room to chat over coffee.  Let me tell you something.  I hate “non-Starbucks” coffee, but I nursed a cup anyway. *gag*  Over the next 10 minutes, I learned what the kids wanted for Christmas, where the family was going on vacation next year, and thoughts about the current economy.  On cue, I used the economy as a segue to redirect our “informal” chat to the position of interest.  I expressed how thankful I am for the career field I chose and how much I enjoy what I do.  Then the real interview began before it really began…if you know what I mean.

It’s a new position that was created as a result of a re-org.  The main office is local but the chosen candidate would be in charge of multiple offices all over the country (mostly up and down the east coast, 1 office in the mid-west, 2 offices on the west coast).  This means frequent travel is required.  Shoot!  The local staff is only about 20 people with another 40-50 throughout the country.  The starting salary is ~$17k more than I currently earn and the responsibilities are very similar to what I do now, just on a larger scale.

After finishing our coffee, we moved to the conference room and began the formal interview – just the two of us.  Around question 3, or 15 minutes into it, the 2nd interviewer arrived.  Apparently, he was stuck in traffic.  Typical in DC.  Especially when it’s raining.  He apologized profusely, observed our interaction for a few minutes, then jumped in around question 6.

I was expecting a very relaxed conversational interview, but I was surprised to learn they had about 20 canned questions for me.  Some of them were redundant because they already know me and my work ethic, some were poorly written and difficult to understand, and others were standard “how would your subordinates/supervisor describe you?” or “what do you like most/least about your job?” or “describe a time when you…” or “How would you handle …”  I kept my answers short and sweet and provided relevant examples when necessary.  I wasn’t nervous but it felt awkward talking to my previous bosses about my previous work experience and using them in my examples. LOL  With most of my answers, they’d say “oh yea, I remember when you did xxx…that was very helpful.”

After the red tape was over, we all seemed to relax and have a real conversation.  I asked a few questions about the re-org, the new vision, reporting structure, resource issues, major initiatives, etc.  They asked me if I’d be willing to commute into the city (it was a known issue before the re-org).  My response was a typical interviewee response, but it really depends on the entire offer.  As we were wrapping up, I noticed a handwritten note at the top of my resume, it said “previous employee, well known, very good.”  That made me smile.

I don’t know if I will get the job or not, but it’s in God’s hands now.  Due to the holidays and other red tape, it may be January or February before a selection decision is made.  Whatever is meant for me is for me.  I’m patient.