Interviews ... good, bad, and ugly

Wow ... it's been a while!  But I am still alive.  I have a couple blog post ideas, but for now let's pick up where we left off ... interviews.

Good thing is, I don't have to do this anymore, but I also would like to share with you some experiences that I have ... good, bad, and ugly.  Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

The Good

1) Ricky's Autos: An Italian chop shop, been around when grandpa's still sucking his thumb.  After almost four generations, it still has a very mom-and-pop feel to it.  Signor Ricky himself saved the day when I was asked questions to which I couldn't answer (there was only one, and it turned out they weren't looking for an answer at all).  Most of all, throughout the process, they treated Mugu with a helluva respect.  Respect, Ricky.

2) JC cells: Another mom-and-pop joint, this time they sell batteries.  It was probably the most relaxing interview Mugu ever had.  For two and a half hours, we talked more about economics and politics, more than we talked about batteries.  It's also a good sign when the HR lady could take jokes about them being evil (that means they really like you, too).  Don't try this, even if you think they can take these sucker punches; I got lucky this time.

The Bad

1) Oswald Lighting:  These people sell light bulbs.  Most of the time they were busy protecting their trade secrets than interviewing.  If they treat every interviewee like a potential industrial spy, you wonder what happens if you do end up working for them?

2) A-La-Pee Urinals.  Granted, this is not a dream job, and I don't qualify.  At least they could have ended it there. Instead they said they wanted me back for a second, then gave lame excuses with each follow up until they sent me a PFO for finding the other-than-you-right-person. I should have pissed on them.

The Ugly

1) Janice's Last Gig.  Got this lead through a friend of a friend of a friend.  I guess the fine folks at Janice didn't like this kind of wheel-greasing to ruin their reputation, so they decided to make an example out of me.  Invited me down to an interview, then again, and was told that an offer would come in two weeks' time.  After two weeks, I called them up, and they Mugu was told what the "right way" should be to get a job at Janice's -- start as an intern.

2) Money Shot Thrusters.  No, it's not a porn studio.  Somehow they got Mugu's CV, and decided to bring me down for an ambush interview.  Mugu knew that sometimes interviewers pretend to be assholes, but these people weren't pretending.  The "key grip" thought he was Johnny Wadd, and the "director" seemed to be getting a kick out being a jerk.  At least they reimbursed my expenses on time (to HR ... you know what "being on time" means).