I don't care for your style of interviewing
Last night, instead of organizing papers, I was on the floor with an ironing board. I'm aware of the idea of using a stand to raise the board to waist-level, but, last week, in a fit of impatience and rage, I tore the legs off because they wouldn't fold down. In any case, I had some clothes to nicen up for an interview right before work today with an Office Staffing Firm. Part of the reason I'm leaving this job is for the almighty dollar, which I'm not making now, nor will I be in the future, because radio is on the downturn and no one is doing anything right to reverse it.
I felt priviledged to get an interview so soon after starting my new job quest. This particular firm was looking for paralegals, and it was made blatantly clear to the staffer that I had no legal experience, either on my resume or otherwise. Still, though, she wanted me in for an interview by the next day and, operating on the principle that interviews are a pain and therefore only given when absolutely necessary, in other words, when employment is a possibility, I gladly agreed.
I came and filled out a general application that seemed frivolous. After all, the most pertinent and individualized information could easily be culled from my resume, especially with the search engine technology availible. I filled it out hastily and got on to my interview, five minutes early, feeling absolutely sure of myself and my ability to learn a new job. The woman was nice and asked me briefly about my resume, mostly focusing Kansas, actually, because she wanted to know if it was nice in Kansas. I was not really in the mood to chit chat all morning, though, so I answered everything with brevity until she told me that, as I had no legal experience, she had nothing for me. She then suggested that I do some pro bono work, somewhere, somehow, so that I could gain the experience required to be a bigtime corporate legal heel. I told her that I was confused, because it was made clear before the interview that I didn't have this experience, to which she gave a stock answer that she wanted to get the meet-and-greet out of the way, in case anything more in my league came up.
Before I left, I made sure to tell her that I wouldn't work for any less, but only somewhat more, than what I'm making now. After all, I have a cush, pleasant job in radio. Why should I trade it for a bottom-rung carbon copy gig where I have to bust ass around a bunch of suits and ties all day? A law office must be what passes for a video arcade in the 9th circle of hell. Fun, you say? Stimulation? Not a chance! Everybody has a price, though, and mine is five grand more, which is only three grand less than I would ask to work for Heidi Fleiss.
I'm having a hard time picking up the staff and walking on this morning, I'm feeling the curse of the English Major heavy on my heart, which feels like a hungover attack of remorse that won't go away. I beg anyone looking at an English major to stay away, learn to read and write some other way. All those weekends I stayed in to study have only earned me the right to get suggestions from people. It still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Who does volunteer work to do office jobs for major corporate law firm? Ugh. I might as well scrub hood ornaments for charity or recycle cigarette butts to needy bums to get a look from some Big Shot auto manufacturer or tobacco company.
I felt priviledged to get an interview so soon after starting my new job quest. This particular firm was looking for paralegals, and it was made blatantly clear to the staffer that I had no legal experience, either on my resume or otherwise. Still, though, she wanted me in for an interview by the next day and, operating on the principle that interviews are a pain and therefore only given when absolutely necessary, in other words, when employment is a possibility, I gladly agreed.
I came and filled out a general application that seemed frivolous. After all, the most pertinent and individualized information could easily be culled from my resume, especially with the search engine technology availible. I filled it out hastily and got on to my interview, five minutes early, feeling absolutely sure of myself and my ability to learn a new job. The woman was nice and asked me briefly about my resume, mostly focusing Kansas, actually, because she wanted to know if it was nice in Kansas. I was not really in the mood to chit chat all morning, though, so I answered everything with brevity until she told me that, as I had no legal experience, she had nothing for me. She then suggested that I do some pro bono work, somewhere, somehow, so that I could gain the experience required to be a bigtime corporate legal heel. I told her that I was confused, because it was made clear before the interview that I didn't have this experience, to which she gave a stock answer that she wanted to get the meet-and-greet out of the way, in case anything more in my league came up.
Before I left, I made sure to tell her that I wouldn't work for any less, but only somewhat more, than what I'm making now. After all, I have a cush, pleasant job in radio. Why should I trade it for a bottom-rung carbon copy gig where I have to bust ass around a bunch of suits and ties all day? A law office must be what passes for a video arcade in the 9th circle of hell. Fun, you say? Stimulation? Not a chance! Everybody has a price, though, and mine is five grand more, which is only three grand less than I would ask to work for Heidi Fleiss.
I'm having a hard time picking up the staff and walking on this morning, I'm feeling the curse of the English Major heavy on my heart, which feels like a hungover attack of remorse that won't go away. I beg anyone looking at an English major to stay away, learn to read and write some other way. All those weekends I stayed in to study have only earned me the right to get suggestions from people. It still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Who does volunteer work to do office jobs for major corporate law firm? Ugh. I might as well scrub hood ornaments for charity or recycle cigarette butts to needy bums to get a look from some Big Shot auto manufacturer or tobacco company.
posted by Wellsmus at
7:00 AM
2 Comments:
My roommate who can't get "real" paralegal work because she can't have the right visa has to do this. Then she will use that to get into a good law school and experience when she gets out and can obtain the proper visa.
By
x, at 8:42 AM
Try not to let it get to you- If I were you I would try my best to find a smaller company that would appreciate your dedication and character a bit more. You're an extremely personable guy and You'd be surprised I think how much that can outshine someone with a more loaded resume to the right people. Try offices on Craigslist that are looking for younger, more eager and personable people. Take a look at this too- http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/Careers/01/20/cb.words.hurt.resume/
The thing with smaller offices is- they just require persistence. Follow up calls. Most smaller offices are hiring people because they are growing, which means that until someone is hired, they are technically understaffed and therefore extremely busy and not as likely to keep good track of resumes and so forth. Send one out, call them 2 days later to ensure its delivery and to request an interview. You'd be surprised how often that simple phonecall can get you some face time. They want someone motivated and this is a good first impression that you are not just waiting around for them to tell you what to do.
By
Dr. Paul Proteus, at 10:15 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home