It Really is a Small and Sometimes Unprofessional World
Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 07:06PM I've been a contractor and freelancer for eight years now. This means that I have done more than my share of interviews and conference calls. So much so, that I've kept a running tab and have just done my 57th since 2002. I'm fairly good at them now. In fact, I could pretty much interview myself while they just take notes. The plus here is that the interviewer has a lot less work to do and they can be appreciative. The minus is that I can be too comfortable, which brings me to Wednesday.
Five people from all over the country. 50 minutes into the hour-long call, we finish up and say our goodbyes and thank yous and we'll-be-in-touches.
Hiring Manager(HM) in Charleston, SC: Soooo, you don't sound like you're from Indiana.**
**It feels a little like this was obvious on my resume, but people don't often go back that far.
Me: No, I was born in Memphis and spent most of my life in Atlanta.
HM: Atlanta? Really? What part?
Me: In a suburb called Dunwoody.
HM: Really? I grew up in Dunwoody!
Me: SHUT UP!!**
**This is where the too comfortable part begins - this shouting SHUT UP to the guy in charge.
HM: Yep, I lived across from Dunwoody High School.
Me: SHUT UP!!!!!!!! I lived across from Vanderly Elementary right next door to the high school, in Meadowlake subdivision.
HM: No way. I TOO lived in Meadowlake subdivision.
Me: SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you go to Dunwoody High?
HM: No, I went to Pius.
Me: SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DID NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!**
**There's no turning back now anyway.
HM: Why? Did you go to Pius? Please don't tell me you went to Marist!!**
**Pius and Marist were THE rival Catholic high schools in Atlanta at the time, which was convenient since we were also the only Catholic high schools at the time.
Me: Yep, Marist. 1981.
HM: Pius. 1980.
Me: Well, this is just nuts! But, it's a really good sign. I mean, you have to hire me now, right?
HM: Well, I don't know. I remember Marist kicking our ass on the football field every weekend and the pain is still pretty fresh.
Me: Well, that's not how I remember it at all. I remember us as best friends.
I haven't thought much about high school since leaving it, and it has never even remotely come up in a conversation, much less an interview in Indiana. After a little more laughter, we talked for a minute about football games, college, Atlanta, how true it is that you can't go home again, and what a small world it is at times. Even though I'm pretty sure I won't land this project, all is not lost. I do have a new and very valuable Note to Self: No matter how much they shock ya, don't tell "The Decider" to shut up.
Update: Score! Did get it. Currently working out details.
Karen Rutherford | 5 Comments | Email | Share | Print | in But what did I learn..., Technical Writing, Working
Reader Comments (5)
This is awesome news! Congratulations - and may it be the best of all the 8 years so far...
I know, right?? Although, NO WAY would've probably been better in for me to say in this situation. Ha.
Dannie,
Thank you and yes. ma'am. I have always needed to work on my "what comes up, comes out" problem!! I think aloud a lot, it seems. Ha. But I was just SO shocked!!! I hadn't thought of that area in YEARS!
Melody,
THANK YOU!!! Wouldn't that be nice.