Monday, August 30, 2010

Noticing a theme

Well, I just got back from another interview.  I'd like to say it went well, but I'm just not sure.

In case you haven't noticed, my interviews pretty much always end the same way.  First, they tell me how well I interview and how much they like talking to me.  Then, they say that I don't have enough experience.  This interview was no exception.

On the bright side, this guy was way nicer than the guy at my previous interview.  Rather than saying, "you effectively have no experience doing anything worthwhile," this guy simply said, "my only concern is if we want to spend the time training you."  Isn't that a nicer way of phrasing things?  I think it is.

There was one strange part worth mentioning.  He asked if I was married (which I find odd to begin with) and then looked legitimately worried when I said that I'm not.  Then, when I quickly told him that I have a serious girlfriend, he seemed genuinely relieved.  What's that all about?

5 comments:

  1. This happened over and over again to me and my fiance. They *love* when men are in serious relationships (taken care of/stable/has someone to make sure he has matching socks) and hate it when women are (has some one to take care of/ that person potentially makes her nuts/may or may not make it out the door with her own matching socks). For him, it was great and employers ate.it.up. I ended up shedding my ring towards the end of the interview process. It's old school and silly, but such is life.

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  2. Ooooh, illegal interview question. Problem is, you can't just look at him and say, "I'm sorry sir, but you are not allowed to ask me about my marital status."

    And? Weird.

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  3. law firms aren't supposed to ask about your relationship status. it can get the in trouble with NALP, which is, of course, completely meaningless.

    they want to know that you're a stable person. married men are more likely to be willing to work longer hours, less likely to leave the area, and more likely to take more shit from bosses if it keeps them employed. it also suggests that they're less likely to hit on secretaries, offend clients, or show up late to work on a weekday because you were out boozing on a tuesday night.

    or so i've seen at my firms.

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  4. That scene from "The Departed," sums it up best, I think. The Matt Damon character was meeting with his chief, and the chief explained the importance of being married as evidence that, "your dick works and at least one person can stand you." Being married provides a big notice function. I may not know what you are, but I know some things you are not if you are married, and have been married for a while. This only applies to men - married women will always suffer in the law if their marital status is known.

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