I had always heard that a job interview is really where the interviewee gets to decide if the job is the right one for them – as well as the interviewers being able to decide on a candidate – but had never really experienced this in the past – and having changed jobs more times than I change my hairdo – I have had some practise.
This week I encountered a point in a discussion where I suddenly re-assessed my interest, capability and desire to do something that on paper had seemed so appealing – so right for me at this point and so well timed. It was about how the current incumbent views the role and the actual tasks involved – visiting septegenarians, taking tea, listening to them chat, and not coming back to the office until there was a nice pile of cheques. Now – I don’t have a problem with salespeople and face to face marketing – but this was not how the position was presented – it looked more like strategy, research, modernising and finding a new audience for this company’s “product”.
The description given to me of what half the week would actually entail made me want to turn tail and walk out the door post haste – and had me thinking that this is not at all the role for me in any way, shape or form.
It will be interesting to see if an offer is forthcoming – and whether there will be an opportunity to discuss clearly with the GM if that is really the direction the role will continue in – or whether the organisation wants to move on and embrace other ways (despite the demonstrated success of this approach).
It will be a wait and see. I won’t be disappointed if not made an offer – always other irons in the fire – but I look forward to a discussion of how the role might change with a new person in it.
