Re: Recent unusual interview experiences

[Kathryn Marshall <Kathryn -dot- E -dot- Marshall -at- jpl -dot- nasa -dot- gov>]

S. Ryan: You have my sympathy. My longest unemployment stint was 5 months, 
but my frustration was more along the lines of, "I've sent out one 
gazillion resumes and haven't gotten so much as an automated response." On 
the one hand, I think it's positive that you're at least getting a phone 
interview. I do think employment prospects now are a bit better than they 
were, say, 6 months ago. But as for the WAY you've been interviewed, there 
could be many reasons:
- employer trying to get dirt on your previous companies and essentially 
wasting your time  (I hate to think that people would do this!)
- inexperienced hiring managers not having the social skills to conduct a 
proper interview - and by proper, I mean one in which you make the 
candidate feel at ease.
- too many tech writers and not enough positions - it's a tough job market 
and hiring managers can be as picky and they wanna be
- you're misinterpreting their tone of voice (I know you're been around the 
block, but it's still possible especially if you're a bit "on edge" from 
being unemployed)

I agree with what several people said about taking that time to interview 
them as well. But I also strongly believe that if the interview is going 
astray, you have the right to nip it in the bud. If you know at a certain 
point that you wouldn't want to work there AND the person is making you 
feel uncomfortable, I say don't waste your time. (And I do think you can do 
this tactfully without burning bridges.)

My $0.02,
Kathryn

At 5/8/2002 05:36 PM, S Ryan wrote: