You Interviewed Well
Inscrutable said this to me after a meeting today. One thing I had hoped was that he and I might have an opportunity to bury the hatchet and I think this qualifies. We had a bit of a minor misunderstanding right near the end of my time in Ops and never really had a chance to resolve it.
But there’s more to it than that. Everything has nuance these days. Details are important. For example he said this to me as I was standing next to someone who they had interviewed on the same day and he didn’t even acknowledge her existence. And what’s more my former boss was standing next to her and was similarly ignored. Could mean nothing, could mean a lot.
It could mean nothing because he works with both of them far frequently than I. Were he interested in commenting to either of them he may have already done so or will make use of ample opportunity ahead.
It could be good because it seemed like a sincere compliment. In that regard it meant a lot. If nothing else, a tertiary objective accomplished.
It could be bad vis-a-vis my non-existent chances because he could be laying track for what they would think I would see as bad news.
Some other things struck me as odd. The two women were openly discussing the interview, which of the 3 of us only my former boss had yet to take, within earshot of him! They didn’t seem to care and neither did he. Far be it for me to judge my elders and superiors but that seemed unprofessional in the extreme and not just a little bit rude.
Never one not to take advantage of an opportunity I ‘overheard’ parts of the conversation including some questions she had been asked. None were the same as mine. I even mentioned this and my former boss suggested they were tailoring the interviews to examine our weaknesses. It also seems I’m the only one of the three to have done any kind of preparation. One didn’t even have a current resume!
I found myself wondering if they actually wanted the job.
It’s interesting, I had heard a rumour that they had 3 specific candidates in mind before even posting the position. I wonder, what if it were us 3? That would have been ironic. But it was good, the 3 of us sitting together, working together on a project, and sharing some laughs. The very antithesis of cold adversaries locked in competition which we aren’t. We’ve worked together well in the past and with a little luck will again.
So almost all of my fears have been lifted. So long as the front line folks in the rumour mill are well informed there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings.
And, as always, the fair will provide. All you have to do is serve with honour to share it’s bounty.
Note: We’re home from the hospital now, no longer blogging in real time.
