The Agency

(If you want to start at the beginning of this series about getting a job straight out of school, scroll down to "Why A Lousy First Job Is Good For You."

I asked Margot about the interview schedule at the advertising agency.  Just somebody from HR.  Not good, I thought.  At best an introductory interview, at worst a blow off interview as a payoff to the headhunter that tossed the resume over the transom.  The interview was at 10:00 am. 

And, as usual, Dad was wrong.  After spending the day chewing fingernails, my phone finally rang about four thirty.  Margot had just finished at the agency, basically six hours of interviewing and she was really excited.  Tell me what happened, I said. 

Margot started.  Met with the HR lady, really nice, real young (all people at ad agencies are young except the owners), went through what the agency did, client list, size, reputation (voted one of the top ten best places to work in Houston).  And no trick questions for Margot--basically tell me about yourself, your goals, your interest in advertising, your interest in public relations, what classes you thought were most helpful in college, what job did you enjoy the most and why, why you think you will be successful here.  The seven week job that ended in disaster came up but the HR lady knew all about recruiters and they shared a few war stories.  All normal questions and answers, all designed to bring out strengths and weaknesses, no "If you were a tree, what kind of..." nonsense.

"What then?  What then?" I shouted.  Margot continued.  Margot had indicated a preference for the public relations side of the firm and the HR lady had three account executives lined up to meet with Margot.  (You have to admire this kind of planning.  The HR lady had obviously set up the interviews in advance and told the account execs that they would probably see Margot but if Margot was not 'suitable material' she would show Margot the door and not bother the account execs.  That is a pretty good HR lady.) 

Three hour long interviews and all went well according to Margot but "you never know, you know."  Pretty smart for 22 years old.  Where did you leave it?  They'll call.  The best that could be expected. 

But one fly in the ointment.  Actually, a good fly but a fly nonetheless.  There was a message on Margot's phone--please call the HR lady at the medical support company.  By now it was past five and too late to call but things were really starting to heat up.  In a good sense but heating up nonetheless. 

Comments

[Caitlin]

Ah yes...the tree question. I've heard a story about a guy interviewing for a coffee shop position that answered "a stump" -- he didn't get the job ;)