But then, now that the interview was finally over. I'm actually glad I went there and let myself be "interrogated" for I totally had a good time. It's not bad after all, it was amazing actually. I felt really good about myself when I was in the "hotseat" being bombarded with questions that are quite unfamiliar to me. For the first in my entire experience of this "job interview" thing, I was really confident about giving all the "right" answers. I didn't provide what i could consider "first-rate" answers to those array of questions, but then, i just let my natural self to buoy that time. I responded to my interviewer's questions instinctively although i know that i could come up with better answers, but more importantly, my "honesty" is what let me blurt those words out of my mouth. My honesty let me, be me (by not being tactless, of course).
But before that interview, I first underwent a series of evaluation which comprises an essay writing and a grammar test, which is just okay, not really a biggie. I'd have to admit that I struggled with the essay part big time! They gave me an hour and a half to write a 700-word essay composition tackling any topic of my choice. At this point, I actually wanted to back out, I just couldn't seem to think of a darn topic, and my stomach's virtually empty. It's almost lunchtime and I'm starving like a dog (add the fact that i didn't have breakfast too). So i'm like, "Come one, you gotta do it, THINK of a topic!". Although i have an access to the internet there, i sure cannot copy-and-paste an article in my blog for they reminded me that this should be "on-the-spot", and again i'm like, "I'm sooo dead right now". So I've no choice whatsoever and i just thought of "Conforming to society's stereotypes as applied to blogging" as my winning (blah!) topic. You wanna know what i discussed in that rubbish? Well basically, it's all about me trying my best to swim against those stereotypes of blogging that i tried to avert most and how i was self-practicing some of those "fixed forms" before. That's as far as i could disclose right now. I'm actually in the process of rewriting that essay and I'll be posting that here real soon. While i was writing it down, I am so multitasking my head out as i simultaneously keep an eye of the time (for i was time-constrained), count the number of words (if it reaches the 700-word allowable entry) and of course think of how i should support ideas after ideas, sentence after sentence of what i exactly wanted to surface out of the context of that essay (oh it's 4-in-one actually, the fourth one being my grumbling belly). After that mental excruciation, at last, here comes the nirvana which is of course, the interview proper.
These are excerpts of questions that was thrown at me, and of course how i answered them (these are just few of those that are asked to me, I tried my very best to remember as much as i could but i guess this my best.. lol). Note that some actual words are altered but then the whole idea itself remained untampered.
Interviewer: What is the most important thing that you've learned from your previous work?
Myself: Well definitely, I'd have to say that "patience", above many, is what I learned most from my previous work. You know that in a call center, you get to meet a lot of customers who finds it so difficult to get instructions and of course those irate ones. You really have to pacify them by keeping your composure. Another thing is "professionalism", which comes hand in hand with patience. For even if you're really frustrated to the customer not being being able to follow, you should be as professional as you could not to have them feel that frustration in you.
Interviewer: How do you usually write an article?
Myself:I would say that I'm best in writing a substantial article if I'm inspired. I mean, it really brings out the best in me and of course, if you're gonna do an article you also have to put yourself in your work. I mean, for example, I was the Sports Editor of our Elementary and High School papers before and to tell you quite frankly, I'm really not a sports enthusiast myself, but then since it's my job, you really have to pretend that you like the sport that you're covering, for you to feel it and make a believable article out of it. Another thing is, of course, a good article should be well-versed and should be supported by intensive researching. Research is very important in writing. It's synonymous to "You have to know what you're talking about". I'll make another example, for instance, I'm gonna do a write-up about a historical place, which I love doing by the way, then what I'd do is I'd go to the National Library, Museums and the National Historical Institute to gather as much information as i could about that place. Also, I will talk to nearby folks who live there whom can share something about what they know of that place. Talking to a resource person is also a big help.
Interviewer: You mentioned something about inspiration right? So i was just about to ask this one actually. Where do you get your inspiration in writing?
Myself: Well I draw inspiration first from myself. From all the experiences that I've been especially during childhood for i really had a bad childhood life. So yeah, I get inspiration mostly from the hardships that i endured during that era of my existence.
Interviewer: What do you think of work extensions? Working on holidays/special holidays? And deadlines?
Myself: Overtime you mean? Or it's not paid?
Interviewer: It's actually not paid. But it's usually just an hour or less. Just to finish your article more likely.
Myself: Well it's okay for me as long it's not gonna be repetitive (i took a pause), or as long as it's not gonna be abusive.. yeah, that's the right term "abusive". But of course, if it's my fault that I have to extend myself to finish my assigned article, then i don't have a problem with it. Well about working on holidays, it's definitely okay for me for our family doesn't usually celebrate such occasions except New Year, so it's fine with me. And regarding deadlines, I'm very much aware that a writer is faced with deadlines after deadlines. Although i'm guilty of having poor exercise of proper time-management, I know that's if it's a job that i have to finish, then I'd finish that whatever the case may be. I'm being paid for that.
Interviewer: What do you think of Americans being your immediate supervisors?
Myself:Uhm, uhm, uhm, (i'm rolling my head around trying to come up with an answer but can't seem to do so).. Uhm, honestly, i didn't have an American boss yet as my immediate supervisor but I think, uh, uh, uh, (again my head's an empty space)
Interviewer: (butts in, noticing i'm having a hard time answering that one) Well I guess it's safe to answer, you don't have an idea. I'd understand that since you haven't experienced it yet like what you said. So it's okay, it's not really a big thing, don't worry.
Myself: (still tried to answer) I guess Americans are more lenient than Filipino bosses and are easier to deal with since they seem to be wearing a smiling face all the time (hahaha so dumb of me, now if people smile all the time then it follows they're more permissive? doesn't make sense to me. i shouldn't have said it.. clearly, just for the sake of not missing out on a question).
Interviewer: What do you think of "Plagiarism"?
Myself: Well, uhm, (something i remembered just came out on my mind).. Have you read Bob Ong's "Stainless Longganisa"?
Interviewer: No, I haven't. But I've heard of that author before. I haven't had the time to read any of his works yet though. Why?
Myself: Well because, in that book, the author, Bob Ong, actually stated his belief that all writers are guilty of committing plagiarism once (or even multiple times) in their entire career of writing and i firmly believe on that as well, for i'm guilty of doing the same thing before. But then, of course, I know that it's really unfair to those who have used their brains to come up with an excellent work and that suddenly, that's gonna be stolen from them. I don't really practice plagiarism and for me, if ever someone will do that, then make sure that you're gonna add something to it that will make it better and completely different from the original. If you're gonna copy, make sure that you'll OWN it.
The interview lasted for a good 30 minutes or so. I actually talked a lot and thankfully, the interviewer was so immense and he allowed me to keep my ball running as much as I could. That definitely gave me more windows to express myself more, and I'm so glad i did. I don't wanna sound to be over-confident about this whole thing but I'm just super happy that I did well, considerably.
We also talked about, you know, my expected salary and honestly, I told him that it's really the least of my concern for I'll be happy to earn like 10K or so only (even if i'm earning 19K+, exclusive of taxes, previously) if i have a job as a writer, which i know i WILL enjoy. Gratification should depend largely on whether you like what you're doing as a job rather than the compensation that you're getting out of it if you're not enjoying it in the first place. Then again, "money matters" in this material world and I'll not be hypocritical about that fact.
So as I've said I had blast with the interview, but then i'm open to a possibility that I might not get in because of a better option. The decision will still be theirs. I just have to sit and wait while keeping my fingers crossed. I know i'm potentially good, but not quite good enough as a Writer, per se.
Still, I'm optimistic. =)
Labels: Lalon Day-Day
in fairness... you've done a great job in your interview! i think you have answered all the questions correctly! hehehe
it's true when you said that money is not really that important, it's the love of the job that matters most! per se... bwehehhe