The 3 minute interview

Over the last month and a bit I have been working for a brokerage firm, and although it has been really great experience and I've learnt loads about the financial markets the work they have for me to do is drying up... which is great, its like being on holiday but in a suit everyday,

So my official job at the moment is tea maker and spreadsheet format man, but recently the boss has set me paper jet making assignments so that I can really "quantify the paper work that I've been exposed to" on my CV, I think he was sufficiently impressed when I included aeronautical engineer as my job title.

They have opened some really great doors for me though, loads of interviews with firms that I wouldn't be able to speak with otherwise, and they let me head through during work hours which is rad. But the problem with opened doors that should stay closed is that the prospective employers are perhaps at times pressured into meeting me, having either no position for me, or more specifically expecting someone with work experience or just a completely different qualification... doh
This has meant for really useful interview experience, and, and more importantly, some absolutely unbelievably awesomely incredibly awkward moments... I'll dive right in and say that last week I had a 3 minute interview.

I walking in. I was greeted. We sat down. He looked up at me, he looked down at my CV. He put his pen in his pocket and said, "hmmmm, so tell me about your experience in international sales...", I said, "well firstly I am from South Africa, so all my experience is international to you..." I chuckled, he did not. His eye brows folded together as he starred seriously at my CV, then, slicing an awkward pause in half, I said "well, I have done some promotions work, I have worked for various financial providers in South Africa, informing clients as to their various investment decisions" (I failed to mention that this took the form of several leaflets that I handed out in the rain, not an important detail).

He asked if I had any actual sales experience at all, at this point I went large, with gusto, I said "yes, I worked for I&J selling their hake surprise boxes." He looked both confused and unhappy at the same time, so I went on, "I had to wear the gum boots and full fishing outfit and everything, and I did really well, I broke company records", at this I let out a smile, I thought this might at the very least help him feel some form of pity for me, he did not. He tapped his pen on the table, about to give his final verdict. He said, "so yeah there's nothing here for you, we only consider candidates with at least 2 years work experience". He stood up to show me out and delivered a final nicety, "this isn't a no, its a not yet, I would love to see you in 6 months if you spend that time in sales, we can afford a gamble", I muttered something about risk-reward payoffs but apparently that was unconvincing so, headed back to the suit filled holiday...

But as they say, work your butt off till you get the power to fire all the mean people :) that's the plan