Critical Thought

The subject of interviewing, in most people’s mind, brings about a sudden onset sensation of dread and anxiety, the likes of which are fully capable of ruining one’s perfectly good meal. And at “On the Border”, no less. In fact, I was recently talking with a good friend of mine over dinner and the subject of job hunting came up. He then proceeded to explain to me all the horrific feelings he felt at interviews, how incredibly difficult it was for him to actually even make it through the interview with composure, and how he would be shocked if the people in the room were even satisfied, much less, impressed, with his performance. I, on the other hand, have always seemed to be fairly good at pitching myself to a company, and getting a home run in return (see what I did there?). So here it is: my own, personal no bullshit guide to not just getting through, but slam-dunking interviews. Keep in mind that while some of these things may seem utterly ridiculous and even counter-productive, they work and have worked for me, and I think they’ll work for you too. Continue reading

I was recently listening to Fuel’s “Shimmer” (probably on the radio, since at any given point in time, it’s playing on either Q100 or Project  9-6-1). Then, out of no where, it hit me: Pip and Estella. Now, between the song’s debut in 1998 on the “Sunburn” album and it’s subsequent homicidal death by radio plays, I must have heard “She calls me from the cold” a million times if I’ve heard it once (hyperbole), but it only recently hit me what the song was about. At least, I seem to be able to – and without much work at all – cut pieces from various moments in the song and essentially recreate one of Dickens’ most memorable works: Great Expectations. However, considering the lyrics in “Shimmer” to be a literary act of epic proportions is a bit of a stretch.

(OK, John. Very good. Anything useful today?)

My point is that it’s not about the idea, it’s about the delivery.

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