Bad Interview?

It seems like everyone can tell you a story about a bad interview experience they have had. I have several friends who freak out and get super anxious when faced with a job interview. I am not an anxious person and I haven't had any horrible interviews, but today's interview will live on in infamy.

Last week I posted an advertisment on a local online bulletin board. I offered my english skills to those wishing to improve their conversation skills. I got several responses, but most of them aren't going to work out because of time conflicts. As much as I would like to make extra money while here, I don't want to give up my weekends. One of the responses I recieved was from a small language school that wanted to meet with me about "joining their team." It sounded like a great opportunity to find local students who could study when I was available. I emailed with the woman several times, sent my resume, and made an appointment to meet this afternoon at 11:30.

I got out the door a little later then I would have liked, but I got on a bus and headed toward the neighborhood the office was at. Since I wasn't really sure where the place was I got off the bus as soon as I saw the first sign that mentioned the name of the area I wanted to be in. I asked a lady who was walking by if she knew where the street I was looking for was. She said something about this part of town being very confusing and that it could be anywhere in the area. But mostly she pointed to my right. So I went right and looked for numbers to help me out. I had about ten minutes to wander before I was late. I ended up walking all the way through the whole neighborhood and ended up on the street I needed to be on. Incidentally I was in the exact opposite place the lady had told me to go. She had pointed down and to the right, but I should have gone up and to the left. Oh well.

I wandered a bit more and found the office at exactly 11:30! The lady in the office was waiting for me and had me sit down. She started speaking in spanish and told her I really didn't understand her. She tried to keep it simple and I think I pretty much got the jist of what she was telling me, but my responses seemed to confuse her. After about ten minutes of her saying something, me not understanding, me saying something and her not understanding she told me she would email me and I could have a friend help me respond. Heh. That was it. Then I left.

Why would a ten minute interview live on in infamy? Well the way I figure is that if I can get a job, in Spain, with a woman who doesn't even speak the same language as me, then any other job interview I have will be a snap. I am pretty sure that most every other job interview I will ever go to will be in English. So I'm already ahead! And if I don't get the job, eh, I didn't know what she was talking about anyway. =)