Well, I just blew my Life.

[Scott Campbell]

You didn't ruin your life. You think you blew the interview, but you can never understand the other person's perception of the same incident (unless of course he said, "Mr. Tarlam! you've blown this interview and we won't be hiring you."). You don't know until they hire someone.

A great example of this is that airplane story from last years Posters' Game. The two of your stories were completely different, with only the description of that girls endowment being relatively consistent.

[MJZiggy]

I believe we both agreed that he'd had a bit to drink...

[retailguy]

Ty,

It is exasperating to communicate with you sometimes. In the US, yes, employee fees are rare, but they exist. Nanny's (and as you stated models) are common.

My point was more geared to OUTSIDE the US. Things are different there.

If you back and read his original post, he was paying a company to generate leads, prepare and send his information. Plenty of companies do charge for that stuff.

Having applicants pay fees is becoming more common. The pendulum swings back and forth and we're headed that way again. Bluesteps.com, which if you worked in the field, then you know about it, does charge applicants for membership. There is a mac site, can't find it right now, that charges a nominal fee, so it can be free to employers to search resumes for people with mac experience, etc.

Do search firms in the US charge applicants a percentage fee? No. but that wasn't/isn't what Tarlam! paid for either. You know, if you'd stop arguing and read carefully, you might find that telling people they are "wrong" all the time isn't necessary. Let's help Tarlam!, OK?

Since you're familiar with the field, why don't you steer him towards a German search firm, so he can hit the ground running next week?

[the_idle_threat]

You remarried, Tar? Ohhh .... you said life.

[Partial]

Good luck Tar. You could sell a ketchup popsicle to a women in white gloves. I have no doubt you'll land on your feet in a great exec job.

[Tarlam!]

Thanks for all the encouragement! I blew it, because i really neglected preparation for the marketing aspect of the job. You see, the marketing department currently has a team of 3-4 people, while the sales team has over 100!

I've never had responsibility for a marketing team, although I've always worked very closely with marketing.

Anyways, it was a 2 hour interview and they spent at least 90 minutes drilling me on the marketing side! At one point, my potential boss said "so, Mr Tarlam, we are now going to leave you for 15 minutes. When we come back, we'd like for you to have sketched out on about 3 flipcharts how you approach a product relaunch for say, our iced coffee beverages".

I did my best, but, i wouldn't hire me based on that performance! Their feedback was 1. We think you're a great guy and you'd fit right into our team 2. We think your sales experience is phenomenal and we feel you'd be excellent at running our sales team. 3. You completely failed to provide a compelling argument that you are capable of running a marketing team.

Anyways, I still have 2 companies that have invited me back for a 3rd interview and I will receive word on a job next Tuesday.

Now, my consultants are paid in 2 allotments. 50% from the time they begin on my "case". 50% when I finally sign a new contract. So, they will keep working for me until I get a job. Or, they will forfeit 10K

BTW Notice periods in Germany are usually 6 weeks, but my last job was 3 months from my side and 6 months from the employers side. We can't just get fired or quit jobs like in the USA.

Headhunters charge employers here, not employees. I have a consultant that provides the services I described.

[Patler]

Their feedback was 1. We think you're a great guy and you'd fit right into our team 2. We think your sales experience is phenomenal and we feel you'd be excellent at running our sales team. 3. You completely failed to provide a compelling argument that you are capable of running a marketing team.

Do you know for sure (did they actually TELL you) that you are no longer under consideration for the position?

I suspect you are being unduly hard on yourself with #3 above. Isn't what they told you actually that they realize you have little experience leading a marketing team, not that you are not capable of doing so?

In the end I suspect they will consider many, many factors such as:
-Do your strengths in #1 and #2 outweigh your lack of experience in marketing?
-Can they really find a person who is at the top of all categories?
-Does their marketing team need leading, or just overseeing? There is a big difference.

Often hires are based on "feel" and "fit" as much as anything else. If you were honest and open with them, you may be seen as less of a risk than a candidate who was overselling herself/himself. I wouldn't give up hope just because you did not feel good about the interview.

Besides, even if they have told you they are no longer considering you, all is not lost until they actually hire someone. They may back away from you looking for a better candidate, only to realize a month or two down the road that they don't like the others that well, and reconsider you again at that time. I have seen that happen many times.

[mmmdk]

Re: Well, I just blew my Life.

they were looking for a Sales and Marketing VP for their professional( i.e. non retail) business.

Right up my alley.

Anyways, I blew the second interview, because I was so ill-prepared, arrogent, stupid, etc.

I just thought you should know, is all.

P-S. For J and Z: No, I wasn't drunk. but, I am now.

Back on the horse!

Take a sec though; re-read the above and ask yourself "why"?

[mraynrand]

When we come back, we'd like for you to have sketched out on about 3 flipcharts how you approach a product relaunch for say, our iced coffee beverages".

I'd fail at that too. I'd be like: "Hey, we've cooled down our coffee and added sugar and lard - now drink up!" or "Have you ever picked up a cup of coffee on Monday morning only to find out it's cold 'Friday' coffee? Well, we add mocha and sugar and bottle it up as 'ice coffee.' Enjoy that bitter, cold coffee taste!"

[MJZiggy]

Their feedback was 1. We think you're a great guy and you'd fit right into our team 2. We think your sales experience is phenomenal and we feel you'd be excellent at running our sales team. 3. You completely failed to provide a compelling argument that you are capable of running a marketing team.

Do you know for sure (did they actually TELL you) that you are no longer under consideration for the position?

I suspect you are being unduly hard on yourself with #3 above. Isn't what they told you actually that they realize you have little experience leading a marketing team, not that you are not capable of doing so?

In the end I suspect they will consider many, many factors such as:
-Do your strengths in #1 and #2 outweigh your lack of experience in marketing?
-Can they really find a person who is at the top of all categories?
-Does their marketing team need leading, or just overseeing? There is a big difference.

Often hires are based on "feel" and "fit" as much as anything else. If you were honest and open with them, you may be seen as less of a risk than a candidate who was overselling herself/himself. I wouldn't give up hope just because you did not feel good about the interview.

Besides, even if they have told you they are no longer considering you, all is not lost until they actually hire someone. They may back away from you looking for a better candidate, only to realize a month or two down the road that they don't like the others that well, and reconsider you again at that time. I have seen that happen many times.

Wow. He can even Patlerize negativity. Impressive. :P

[Patler]

Wow. He can even Patlerize negativity. Impressive. :P

Do you think there could be a book somewhere in there?
"Patlerize Your Negativity" by Patler.
$29.99 (+ s & h) on late-night infomercials!

[MJZiggy]

Need an editor?

[Scott Campbell]

I lost my job in June. It was a mixed blessing. It about killed me to see our start-up fail, but it had been clear for the past year that we were no longer playing to win. So my 12 year run at company X was over. I was pretty exhausted, and planned on taking a year or so off. It's a crappy time to be looking for a job anyway.

Then, one week after I was finished, the phone rang. A company that should have been in the business to begin with had finally decided to jump in. I told them I hadn't really been looking for a job, and didn't have my resume updated. I sent them a 6 year old resume - with no information on my pertinent experience. 2 weeks later they flew me out for a face to face interview, and 3 days later I had an offer - 14% higher than my previous job. This was a pretty stunning turn of events. And to top it off I'm double dipping with my severance package not running out until next April.

I didn't see any of this coming - especially in this economy. Luck can turn on a dime - in either direction. Keep your chin up.

[mmmdk]

Go to Glyngøre, Tarlam, or even better - PR game next month :P

[retailguy]

I lost my job in June. It was a mixed blessing. It about killed me to see our start-up fail, but it had been clear for the past year that we were no longer playing to win. So my 12 year run at company X was over. I was pretty exhausted, and planned on taking a year or so off. It's a crappy time to be looking for a job anyway.

Then, one week after I was finished, the phone rang. A company that should have been in the business to begin with had finally decided to jump in. I told them I hadn't really been looking for a job, and didn't have my resume updated. I sent them a 6 year old resume - with no information on my pertinent experience. 2 weeks later they flew me out for a face to face interview, and 3 days later I had an offer - 14% higher than my previous job. This was a pretty stunning turn of events. And to top it off I'm double dipping with my severance package not running out until next April.

I didn't see any of this coming - especially in this economy. Luck can turn on a dime - in either direction. Keep your chin up.

great story! Hope you are piling money into your mutual funds! that's fantastic.