Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[All7OfUs]

6 HOURS!!??

You need some Simpsons or Lost or whatever it is people are watching these days that cooks the brain. A good bottle of wine or a margharita wouldn't be wasted on such a time as this either!

No wonder you are tired!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

My brain would have hurt, too, after six hours of interviewing! Hope the trashy tv, Thai food, and some rest have restored you! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[carissanboys]

Hope you were able to get some rest! Can't wait to hear more about it, but glad it went well.

 

[Angies1274]

Can't wait to hear how your interview went! Wow...6 hours!! I hope the TV and the Thai food worked and you were able to get some rest!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Get some rest!

Congrats on what sounds like a great day of interviews!

You must be beat.....

I was! Still waking up, I overslept which almost never happens!

6 HOURS!!??

You need some Simpsons or Lost or whatever it is people are watching these days that cooks the brain. A good bottle of wine or a margharita wouldn't be wasted on such a time as this either!

No wonder you are tired!!

I will confess that we watched all 3 hours of the Bachelor last night.
It's pathetic really.

No wine though. I was mildy annoyed that Jeff didn't pick any up when he picked up dinner but really it was just as well, it would have put me to sleep.

My brain would have hurt, too, after six hours of interviewing! Hope the trashy tv, Thai food, and some rest have restored you! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Another cup of coffee and I should be good! We all overslept which never happens, guess the boys were tired by association? Or they remembered just how busy our day today is.

Hope you were able to get some rest! Can't wait to hear more about it, but glad it went well.

Thanks! I slept like a rock.

Can't wait to hear how your interview went! Wow...6 hours!! I hope the TV and the Thai food worked and you were able to get some rest!!!!

I know, 6 hours! Crazy. The Thai food was SOOO yummy!

 

[winkers]

6 hours??? Are you sure it wasn't an interagation by undercover FBI?

 

[englishrose47]

6 hours??? Are you sure it wasn't an interagation by undercover FBI?

I agree , sounds like an awful long interview , hope everything goes well !!!

 

[eandesmom]

6 hours??? Are you sure it wasn't an interagation by undercover FBI?

oh there was interrogation involved....it is a forensic engineering firm after all!

I agree , sounds like an awful long interview , hope everything goes well !!!

Thanks Rosie!

 

[eandesmom]

If there were 8 people in the room, none of whom you knew, from different walks of life and backgrounds....and you had to come up with a unified solution to a problem....how would you....


Tell me about me...what do I do..what do you know about me...

And thus the grilling, investigation and interrogation of Cynthia began....

Good morning!

As promised, an interview update.

I arrived at 10 and we got started right away. The original schedule went like this.

10:00 – 11:00am – Principles

11:00 – 11:30am – Client Services Manager & Director, Property Services Division

11:30 – 12:00pm – HR & Office Manager & Controller

12:00 – 1:00pm – Lunch

1:00 – 1:30pm – Portland BD Manager / Office Manager & Denver BD Manager (via phone), , Seattle Business Development Support

1:30 – 2:00pm – wrap up

​

Here’s what actually happened (mind you, these times are approximate; I actually wasn’t looking at the clock the entire time). The Director of Special projects was present for all interviews except for 1.

10:00 – 10:30 – Director Special Projects (the guy I’d already interviewed with and would be reporting to)

10:30 -11:45am – Principle #1

11:45 – 12:15pm – Director, Property Services Division

12:15 – 12:45pm – Portland BD Manager / Office Manager & Denver BD Manager (via phone)

12:45 – 2:00pm – Lunch with both Principles and the Director Special Projects.

2:00-3:00 – Principle #2 (in his office, rest were in the conference room with the Special Projects Director present)

3:00 – 3:30pm – Seattle Business Development Support (would report to me) & Controller

3:30 – 3:45pm – wrap up

​

Ok so it was really only about 5 hours, 45 minutes. I did round up. I was literally driving up my street as the kids were walking up from the bus stop. LOVE the 7 minutes from my house aspect!!! Two of the folks on the original list (Office manager and HR) were not available to meet yesterday. Kind of like a Disney tour plan, didn’t exactly go as planned and took longer than you thought to get less accomplished! There was NO downtime between meetings, none.

You know, it’s kind of funny. Thinking about it after a night of sleep and realizing these are guys who give expert testimony and spend their life solving puzzles that have big bucks riding on them, I should have expected to be grilled. It’s not that I didn’t expect it, I just didn’t know what to expect, not really, it’s such a different line of business.

The principles (owners) were tough! I can tell I’ve been out of the interview loop for a while, or maybe it’s just that it’s a different industry but you know you usually get some pretty standard questions at an interview. They had their own standards for sure but they were new to me!

But you know, regardless of how it went and what happens, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed being pushed and made to think about scenarios that would not be the norm in my current or former worlds but are in theirs. A lot of” group think” type of grilling questions which was intriguing. I enjoyed a real feeling of just being able to be ME in the interview and hold true to what I thought without caving when pushed in areas. And push they did. As they should. It’s a big investment for everyone.

A lot of it was pretty standard stuff. The first Principle is my friends husband. I enjoyed seeing that side of him and didn’t find it awkward at all and I don’t think he did either. I’m pretty good at compartmentalizing work and home and just see it as a really different animal without any conflicts spilling over. I liked that he didn’t hold back at all and the reality is, I don’t really “know” him, just his wife.

Lunch was a little brutal. A lot of them informing me how much I’d need to learn. I do not have a science background, at all. Their business is based on science. I would need a crash, intensive course in it, actually going on and participating in investigations (picture me digging through the wreckage of a fire in a hazmat suit uncovering evidence) to really “get” what they do and the personalities of all the engineers whose services I’d be “selling”. They also think I will be very surprised at what a different business model it is than what I’m used to. Maybe, maybe not, every business is unique in my book so I’d expect it to be true there as well. Still, I appreciated the brutal honestly and the healthy sense of fear they gave me. I do need to consider. Am I up for this? Am I overstating my ability to grasp all of this and truly “get” it? Maybe. I don’t know.

What I do know is this.

I don’t like not knowing. Not at all. Not in my comfort zone. They liked that response. I work very hard to get out of that spot when I find myself in it. As the guy I’d be reporting to said “you strike me as a person who just straps on the boots and goes for it”. Yeah. Pretty much. I also know that a healthy dose of fear is not a bad thing. Not at all.

Funny part of the lunch. They asked about best personal traits. I said I was a “half full” person. They were like…."you know this is an engineering firm….most of us are half empty". I said I know, I’m married to one (both an engineer and half empty lol). It was a good conversation and showed that I am used to, get, and am not fazed by, half full attitudes.

After lunch I met with the second Principle. Wow. Here is a guy who would push me. In a really really good way. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been pushed by someone I worked for? For so long it’s been me pushing them. I could really grow, he’s the kind of guy you’d want to perform for, and exceed. You don’t realize how much you miss that kind of leadership, or how long it’s been missing from your life until you are presented with that opportunity.

He was TOUGH. A perfectionist. Extremely competitive. Yet. Humble. Realistic. High high expectations of his people, with unconditional support. I am so glad we were able to meet in his office 1:1, I think that was really important for his dynamic. Did I ace it? No, I don’t think so. Did I do well? Yes, I think I did. Was I true to myself and honest with him. Yes. That went over well. We did have one of those “aha” moments. Cliched but true. Talking in general about sales strategy and I made the “like water on stone” analogy. Which is how I truly feel about it. It has not always been something people have agreed with or “gotten” going for the quick hit and reward over the long haul strategy.

He gets up, runs over and opens a print he’d ordered for his office but hadn’t hung up yet.

Colorado River, running through the Grand Canyon. Water on Stone.

Perserverance.

So. We will see.

We did talk some about benefits and package (both structure and total $$) and all looks very very good. The controller (of all people, seemed a bit out of context but whatever) asked me about what vacation plans I had. So I outlined the 3 weeks currently on my “books” (actually there is 4 but that would have been pushing it) and no one seemed to think it was a problem. That said, we didn’t talk about what the vacation package looks like. As I don’t need insurance vacation is a much bigger deal to me.

Here is where it stands. I need to write 7 of the dreaded follow up letters today. They do want me to meet with the HR person and Office Manager either this Friday, or next week, depending on their schedules. They are not decision makers but certainly influencers

Tough guy told me that it was between myself and one other candidate. Special projects guy told me I’d done well (he had touched base with the Principles while stepping out) and that the other candidate did have industry experience. We were both happy to find ourselves in the same ballpark financially. I dread those conversations and am glad it's over.

So. We will see.

What I can say is this. I was very impressed with everyone I met. Long term employees who are clearly happy, enjoy what they do and are fiercely loyal. Smart smart people. Scary smart. Nice people. Fun people. Who take their job seriously but also have a life.

What a concept.

 

[glennbo123]

What a great run-down of the day! You are always so thorough in describing what you're feeling. How awesome is that that you mentioned "water on stone" and he grabbed a print he hadn't put up yet. That obviously showed that you "got it" and were on the same wavelength as he was.

I have a feeling that you could tackle anything you set your mind to and I hope it works out in your favor.

 

[eandesmom]

What a great run-down of the day! You are always so thorough in describing what you're feeling. How awesome is that that you mentioned "water on stone" and he grabbed a print he hadn't put up yet. That obviously showed that you "got it" and were on the same wavelength as he was.

I have a feeling that you could tackle anything you set your mind to and I hope it works out in your favor.

It was a trip, he was like "I can't believe you said that" and I'm thinking oh great, I sounded cliched and trite and he runs over and pulls it out.

He said he'd bought as people were often coming to him and asking why or how to get things done/finished/closed and he was going to just point to it when they asked the question.

Like water on stone.

It was a good moment to be sure.

I had a similar moment with the Property Services Guy though for the life of me I can't recall what it was! I said something and he chuckled and said...."you know when my wife says that it means she thinks I'm wrong. It's such a polite way to disagree". Good thing is that it wasn't him that I was disagreeing with, we were discussing the evolution of one of my previous companies.

I just finished the written interview for the other company that contacted me, OY!

Now I need to do the follow up letters. Those are always so hard for some reason.

Don't think I've ever done 7 at once before.

I might need more coffee.

I will say one thing, if this goes through and I start before the DCA trip, which is probable, my brain will need that mini vacation even more than it does now as the science stuff is going to be really overwhelming at first.

Just the word metallurgical....

 

[carissanboys]

As someone who has never had a "career" and doesn't have a ton of interview experience, that was really interesting to read through. Sounds like a great fit for you. I hope it all works out the way you want.

 

[eandesmom]

As someone who has never had a "career" and doesn't have a ton of interview experience, that was really interesting to read through. Sounds like a great fit for you. I hope it all works out the way you want.

Are you kidding?

You have a career. Not only are you the general manager, operations manager and controller, you are a teacher.

I could absolutely not do it. In fact I have been discouraged at times thinking I am really flunking this whole stay at home thing...I'm abysmal at best. Add homeschool on top of it?



Talk about water on stone!

 

[carissanboys]

Are you kidding?

You have a career. Not only are you the general manager, operations manager and controller, you are a teacher.

I could absolutely not do it. In fact I have been discouraged at times thinking I am really flunking this whole stay at home thing...I'm abysmal at best. Add homeschool on top of it?



Talk about water on stone!

I wasn't diminishing what I do, which is kind of why I put career in quotes. I do think what I do is extremely important. If I didn't, it would sure make the difficult days hard to bare! But, I don't get a look into that kind of world which is the point I was trying to make. Thanks for giving me an inside peek.

 

[eandesmom]

I wasn't diminishing what I do, which is kind of why I put career in quotes. I do think what I do is extremely important. If I didn't, it would sure make the difficult days hard to bare! But, I don't get a look into that kind of world which is the point I was trying to make. Thanks for giving me an inside peek.

Good. I get very mad at my girlfriends that do occasionally diminish what they do.

Then again I think we all do. It's part of being female!

Hopefully it didn't make your eyes glaze over!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I would need a crash, intensive course in it, actually going on and participating in investigations (picture me digging through the wreckage of a fire in a hazmat suit uncovering evidence) to really “get” what they do and the personalities of all the engineers whose services I’d be “selling”.

How exciting! I would love the idea of jumping into something so foreign and learning something completely new. Overwhelming? Yes. But exhilarating.

It sounds like you have a great chance at this. And what great timing to have another interview come along to take the pressure off.

Yuck, have fun with your thank you letters!

 

[glennbo123]

Add homeschool on top of it?



Talk about water on stone!

"LOL" gets overused....but I did laugh out loud at this.

 

[eandesmom]

How exciting! I would love the idea of jumping into something so foreign and learning something completely new. Overwhelming? Yes. But exhilarating.

It sounds like you have a great chance at this. And what great timing to have another interview come along to take the pressure off.

Yuck, have fun with your thank you letters!

Exactly. Overwhelming but really exciting. Invigorating.

50/50 chance at this point. I sense that I am the leading candidate with the guy I'd be reporting to. Everyone else? No clue.

3 letters (emails) down, 4 to go.

Need to try to get hand written notes out today too but that might be tough.

"LOL" gets overused....but I did laugh out loud at this.

it is overused but sometimes, really really appropriate!

 

[eandesmom]

aack! 5 down...2 to go and I need to fix a baseball glove, take a shower, get Eric from Math Olympiad, drive a friend of his home, go to the bank, pick up Evan from Lego Mindstorm, take Evan to baseball, have a baseball meeting and go to science night. And write handwritten ones if possible.

Not enough hours in the day for 7 follow up letters.

AACK!

Got the hardest and the easiest ones done....am left with the peer ones.

Bleh.

Going to have to step away and come back to it tonight which really annoys me!

 

[winkers]

yikes!! I'm tired just from reading about your day! I'm afraid I would be a blubbering mess if I had to go through all of those. I have applied for 3 jobs in my life, all of which I got.

My first was in high school working at the local chinese restraunt...the only qualification was being 16 and capable of serving without spilling things all over the customer.....obviously the guy didn't realize what a clutz I was.

Just the thought of getting out there in a few years when I'm done with school scares the holy heck out of me.