That Time I... Demanded A Job

Well, sort of demanded a job.

Let me paint the scene for you: I just finished school. I applied to a couple jobs and I immediately got an interview at an agency for one. Boom. Did the interview with the agency. Aced some aptitude tests. Passed the agency interview. Then I was sent off to an interview with the actual company. It was my first "real" interview. In a boardroom. With two other people. Was I intimidated? Not at all. 

I passed that interview and was invited to a third. Third and final interview.

This was the mother of all interviews. This is the interview that would make or break it for me.

I walked into my third interview confident. I was back in the same boardroom I had interviewed in before. This time, I was interviewing with four employees that ran the office, including the President and CEO of the company.

Small chit-chat. More questions. Lots of smiles. "They like me," I thought to myself. "I've got this." As the interview went on, I felt relaxed. I felt like I belonged there.

Then came the question of all questions.

The CEO looked at me and said, "Do you have any questions for us?"

I looked him dead in the eye and said it.

"Yes. When do I start?"

Silence. Everyone exchanges awkward glances.

"Shit," I think myself.

Then I hear it.

A chuckle. Followed by another chuckle.

Then the CEO is standing up, stretching out his hand for me to shake and telling me it was great to meet me.

I say my goodbye's and thank you's and head off to the hotel; the job I was working at at the time.

"Did I just screw that up?" I can't help but wonder.

Now I'm in the hotel change room, putting my uniform on, feeling pretty stupid.

"What the hell was I thinking?"

I'm putting my shirt on when I hear my phone ring. It's the job agency! I answer. I can barely hear the hiring woman tell me what my salary is over her saying, "They'd like to offer you the job."

I'm thrilled. I'm on top of the world!

I got the job!

Before I start my shift at the hotel, I find my boss and tell her I'm quitting.

What I did was bold. Really bold. What I later learned was that they liked how bold I was. The CEO was impressed by me and I stood out against the other candidates.

Would I do it again? It depends. 

My advice to others is to know your audience. Not all employers will appreciate a question like that. If you feel comfortable with those that are interviewing you, there's a chance that question may go over well. However, this is not to say I recommend it. So, if you do try to be that bold in an interview and you don't get the job, don't blame me.

Instead, go meet Emily and read her That Time I! She's seriously awesome!

P.S. That interview was for the job that I have now (and have been at for two years); I'm an administrative assistant for a private investment firm. I'd say I'm pretty damn lucky.