Interviewing is like dating… or is it dating is like interviewing?…Either way, I was screwed. I hadn’t been on a formal job interview since my junior year of college when I interviewed for an internship with KPMG and where the hiring decisions were based off if I was cute and had a good attitude (thankfully this was well before I gained the KPMG 15 and became a bitter old accountant). And I haven’t been on a first date in at least 3 years. Needless to say, it was a humbling, exhausting and eye opening experience. One which I hope to not have to repeat anytime soon - just like dating.
My first interview was with a great PE firm and I was really excited; I had my new suit laid out the night before, I had my list of questions that made me sound smart and knowledgeable and I had done my research not only about the Company but who I was meeting as well. I was ready. Unfortunately my interviewer was not, I got stood up. I was given the polite message that he was caught up in another meeting and wouldn’t be done for at least 30 minutes and therefore wanted to reschedule. In reality he had overslept and missed his train into the city. At least he was honest with me when we finally met.
On my second interview, I suffered from the standard bait and switch routine…I thought I was meeting with 2 individuals and had prepared accordingly, in the end I was stuck with a potential peer who wasn’t ready or prepared to conduct an interview (he had only been asked 10 minutes before I arrived). Let’s just say, I was less than impressed.
The third one I knew I wasn’t right for, but persuade by friends/recruiter I gave them a shot…needless to say it wasn’t a good fit.
Then I met the One. The one job I had dreamed about and checked all of my boxes. I was so nervous going in that I accidentally hit a car while trying to park. Nerves aside, the conversation went well; I thought they liked me, I thought it had potential…and then I was blindsided, just like the car I hit… I was given the half hearted “it’s not you, you are great, it is us, we are just afraid you will get bored.” But I knew what they were saying. They didn’t like me
So then I tried something different, and then I stopped trying all together, coming to terms that I would be that single lonely girl looking for the perfect job forever, growing bitter and desperate in the process. I continued to interview, but my heart wasn’t in it…I was beginning to lose faith, thinking I would have better odds if I was applying for an apprenticeship with the tooth fairy. I even stooped as low as half heartedly trying to make myself presentable before one interview in the Company’s parking lot.
And then, when I was at my darkest moment, not looking for anything, I found the one that wanted me and I, in return, couldn’t say no. It wasn’t what I had originally thought I wanted, but in the end, it was exactly what I needed. A great job, that will be challenging but rewarding, working for smart people at a Company that values and incentivizes their employees via fun perks and a great culture.
Ladies and gentleman, on September 6th, I will be the new Senior Manager of Technical Accounting for SalesForce. What that exactly means is yet to be seen, but I am excited! Here’s to the next Chapter!
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