Interview

I have a job interview today. In three hours. I don't enjoy interviews. That's an understatement. I find nothing harder than sitting there talking about myself. But I am going along, and will let you know how it goes.

It sounds like a challenging role, leading a small studio for a print company. I actually don't have a lot of pre-press experience, and did mention this to the recruiter, who said that wasn't that important to the client. They want someone who can lead and drive the studio so the Production Manager can concentrate on other things. So for me, it would be a huge learning curve for both the pre-press knowledge, and managing people. At first I wasn't going to go for it, even though I was interested. But I spoke with my sister and some friends, asking if they thought I'd make an ok manager in their minds. They said yes (and trust me, they aren't the type to just placate me), so I started to think about it more seriously.

I do need a permanent job. I've decided it is time. It has been over 12 months since I left the evil multinational, and although I've mostly enjoyed the freelancing I've done, I have been frustrated with not being able to follow work through to its conclusion... to not be able to fully invest in something. Oh, and the inconsistent income and inability for me to get organised enough to have a 'proper' holiday is a factor as well. But it has to be the right job. I need to be learning and having new challenges. And I need to believe in what is being created. Or at least, not not believe in it. I turned down an interview for a cosmetics company when I discovered they didn't have a No Animal Testing policy. I couldn't work for them, no matter how good the money. And finally, I need to get on with the people I work with. Have some sort of relationship with them. Not a best buddies relationship, but one of mutual respect, and hopefully understanding.

I've had managers in my corporate past that treated me like I was something they would prefer to keep downwind and out of view. "She isn't really a BRAND person, is she" was the comment of one when they were discussing what to buy me for a wedding present [the irony being that that is actually a compliment in my eyes!]. Ok, I have the occassional tattoo and a pierced nose, but I'm hardly likely to devour your first born children in their beds. I don't smell and I do my job bloody well. Hmmm ok, I don't suffer fools particularly well, but hey, perhaps they could consider stopping being fools?

So anyway, I will go along to this interview. It is only round #1. The HR manager. If I get through this, then there will be a second interview with the Production Manager. Did I mention I hate interviews? Wish me luck.