Many of you know that I am currently looking for work. The company that I had thought would be my home away from home experienced financial difficulties of the devastating kind, leaving me on the prowl again after only ten months of employment.

Today was hotter than I can stand. My interview was scheduled for 10:45 a.m. I put my make up on, did my hair, and put on my nylons, suit, and heels and went down to Irvine. (Thank God I had the TL today or I would have melted on the way there and back).

When I finally found the right building, I parked the car and walked in to the office of a marketing and advertising firm. I was greeted by a very perky Allison. What does this girl eat for breakfast? “It’s a great day here at [said marketing/advertising firm] how can I help you?” I have a feeling that every day is a “great” day.

There were about three other people already filling out paperwork sitting in chairs. I introduced myself and Allison gave me her spiel about the paperwork. Included, she explained, was a little quiz that is a lot of fun. Kill joy. Just a little something so they could get to know me better. It ended up being a questionnaire to discover if I have the right stuff to be a sales person…which I don’t. So I’m thinking…they want sales people.

But I should start from the beginning. I responded to this company’s ad on Monster.com. The following day I received a telephone call from the perky Allison. Supposedly they were extremely impressed with my resume and wanted to invite me in for a preliminary interview. I’m thinking great! When I asked about the position, all I got was some more fluff about the company and how successful they are…but she did give me a title…Marketing Manager.

I tried to find the company on the internet…nothing. So…I have nothing to go on when I interview. I don’t know what they’re looking for because their ad was so completely obscure…and when I asked the perky Allison, I was met with another road block. So…needless to say…I had my doubts about the company and was thinking there was no way this could be a match. But…I need a job, so I tend to follow through despite my instincts. (Remind me not to in the future because so far my instincts have been dead on!)

So…I’m trying to concentrate on the “FUN” personality test after filling out the application but am having a bit of difficulty concentrating over the music that is blaring out of the lobby speakers. The station of choice was KROQ…the teenybopper station down here in Southern California. Now…I’m a fairly young person…27 years old. I have an eclectic taste in music and actually liked a few of the songs that came on while I was sitting there, but please. Is it necessary to blare the music? And…do your CLIENTS like this music?

Allison is making nice with the other applicants that have already finished their paperwork and were waiting for their turn with Sara Beth…the manager we were all to interview with. She just happened to mention that she had graduated in 1999. Ummm…it took me 7 years to graduate from college, and I got my degree in 2000. I looked up and realized that I was the oldest person in the room. Quite a change of pace. I’m dressed the most conservatively and I had specifically chosen my trendy suit.

“Do you guys like this band?” says Allison to us. We all nod and say yes. “I just saw these guys in concert and they were pretty good. The concert was for Green Day, Blink 182, and Jimmy Eats World.” We were listening to Jimmy Eats World as she continued on. “Yeah, my friend had these tickets and I wasn’t really hot on going but I thought, hey free tickets. I mean, when you think of Green Day you go back to 8th grade. I was thinking, Green Day…they’ll probably be a bore. But they rocked compared to Blink 182. They were actually really good!”

This is when the age thing really hit me. Green Day is a band from Northern California that has been around for quite some time. I bought their second album, Kerplunk, in 1992 while I was still in High School. Their first really popular album was released in 1994, Dookie. So, when I was a Sophomore in college, Allison was in 8th grade. Allison then asks one of the other candidates what kind of music that she likes…while I’m praying for her not to ask me. But I digress…

So after 20 minutes…the lobby fills up with people from all walks of life. Some girls in trendy, little Wet Seal outfits…a guy with a red furry portfolio case and shoes with flames on them…you get the picture. Allison apologizes for the wait…they had some visitors that morning from out of town. Great.

I was finally called into the manager’s office for my interview after an hour and 15 minutes of waiting. I noticed that the nice folder with my business card, references, letters of recommendations, resume, and cover letter have all been stapled together. No folder in sight. Nice.

Ms. Sara Beth asked me about my last position. I explained it the way that I had in all of my other interviews and she didn’t get it. So, I started over and said it in a different way, and she still didn’t seem to get it. Then she said something, which I can’t remember now, that prompted me to ask for information about the actual position that they have available. I explained that the ad on Monster.com didn’t give any details about the job they were trying to fill. She cut me off and asked me what I was looking for in a position.

I explained that after my last experience, I was looking for a stable company. A long-term opportunity. Then I explained that I understand that Sales and Marketing go hand in hand. I said that I understand that some firms hire a sales staff and a marketing staff, while others combine the two. I told her that I was interested in staying on the marketing side. That’s where the interview ended…after five minutes. She said they’d keep my resume on file. I thought, don’t bother.

I mean…what a waste of everyone’s time! If they had just explained what they were looking for in the ad, then I wouldn’t have applied for it. I mean, it’s just like a marketing firm to be all show….just give them enough info to reel them in…don’t volunteer. If I learned something from my last job, it’s that Marketing Firms are like Junior High…looks are EVERYTHING!

I thanked Allison. She at least was nice. I walked out to my car, drove to the parking attendant booth, and rolled down my window.

“That will be $4.50,” she said.
“WHAT?????”
“That will be $4.50,” she repeated.

This is where I go Berserk.

“$4.50? I was only here for a little over an hour!” I yelled.

She then started to explain the hourly cost and additional minutes…I wasn’t listening at that point. I pulled out a five and waited for my change.

Then I called Joe…poor thing. He just let me rant and rave for a bit. He knows me too well. He knows what I need.

So…that’s my horrible hot day. All I can say is…the Sharks had better win tonight. It’s not a good day to let me down! =p