The Business Diaries

Even though I’m posh, I’m not rich (yet) so have to work for a living.  This is a true story, early on in my illustrious career, when I found myself looking to change jobs – a disdainful process at the best of times.  However at this point in my life (mid twenties) I was given an opportunity to attend an interview for a job which was a jump up for me.

So with a time of 12 noon chosen on a weekday, I asked my generous Boss at the time to go and she said yes – she was aware I was looking to move on and was fine with it. At the allotted time I arrived at the interview address in West London.  

The interview was a bit strange to start with, I was ushered into a room and in the middle was a chair – no desk or table.  In front of me arranged in a fan shape were three chairs.  Shortly after two chaps and a lady cam in and sat in front of me staring.  Then the Lady started with the usual welcome and thanks for coming today, bit about the company and then asked why I was applying for this role.  Standard stuff so far.   Then, slowly the boys joined in, slowly at first then the questions came faster and faster – “You are in this situation, what do you do?”

“A User has broken xyz, whats wrong and how do you fix it?”

“A crititical system is down and people are jumping up and down screaming at you – how do you react?”.

Boom, boom, boom, on it went.  I’d just drawn breath from giving one answer and in came another question.  It was a bit like being a goalie with 3 strikers facing you at the same time and you don’t know which one is about to shoot.  Feedback on my answers?  They gave nothing away.

Suddenly there was a pause.  They looked at each other for a second, then one of the guys said “Right, lets see if he can drink”.

At that point I knew I’d passed there first test, so we all donned our jackets and walked round to the nearest watering hole.  Several pints and games of pool later – me on my best behaviour but struggling as the guys were knocking them back.  I just about held my own and after an hour said my goodbyes.

Thinking it was a great idea, I went back to work some two and a half hours later, steaming!  I collapsed into my chair at my desk and my boss took one look at me and just laughed. 

The outcome?  I got the job.