Its a two way street, with lots of construction

[Andrew Plato <intrepid_es -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

> Back when I was looking for my first job, I responded to this and other 
> such questions the way the interview guides said to. Now that I am an 
> experienced professional with an impressive portfolio (so I've been told), 
> inane questions such as this tell me a lot about the culture of the company 
> - mainly that I don't want to work there, and my response is something like 
> "can you tell me if this company will still be around in five years?"

Its a two-way street...Yes, you should question a company's plans, products,
etc. Those are good questions to ask any interviewer. But they also should
question you and your plans. Why should they invest in you, if you won't invest
in them? 

He street also has a lot of construction you have to navigate around. People
are not perfect and they go off on tangents. If you can't accept that they need
some reassurance that you can do your job, then move to Siberia and mate with
yaks. People just can't take a look at you and instantly respect your unique
genius. 

After years of interviewing people, there are just some traits that will
consistently get you work and others that will consistently get you ignored. If
you act like a prick, people will ignore you. If you're responsible,
personable, friendly, helpful, and diligent - you won't have any trouble
getting jobs. 

You also have a responsibility to put yourself in places where that two-way
street can be beneficial to all involved. If you accept a job at
www.blow-money-on-stupid-crap.com don't be surprised when they go under and
leave you hanging out in the wind. There is responsibility on both sides of the
equation. The company has NUMEROUS responsibilities written into laws and other
regulations. You have a responsibility to do you job and work hard and help the
company succeed. 

Taking a job is as much your choice as it is the company's.  Nobody is forcing
you to take a job. If the company sounds stupid, don't work there. If they lie
to you about their business, quit. In the same light, if you lie to an employer
about your skills, you should be fired. 

And if working for "The Man"* is just too much for you - start your own
business. You'll have a much deeper respect for "The Man" after you've had your
neck on the line with your own company. 

And stop eating all that rodent-based food.

Andrew Plato 

* "The Man" is a registered trademark of
Microsoft/Time-Warner/AOL/GE/GM/Oracle?Citigroup/DaimlerChrysler
MegloCorporation. Use, transmission, or misunderstanding the humorous content
of this phrase is grounds for immediate public ridicule. Yes, we deeply respect
you, now get back to work before we take away your birthday and sell it to the
North Koreans for spare parts. 

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