Thursday 12 May 2011

Can I Do It?

Today, like yesterday, was fairly eventful. It is rare that I get 2 interesting weekdays in a row at this stage of my life but that is exactly what I got. After waking up fairly late, (Yep, back to usual then), I prepared for my 2nd interview in 2 days, and this one was the one to go for.

First though, I needed a photocopier. I needed this particular instrument to photocopy my driving licence, which is a grumpy looking me on a pink card, and my pay slip to prove I am who I say I am. After not using my brain and getting prepared yesterday, I went to the local library to find that it opens at 2pm on Wednesdays for an unknown reason, and for some reason, decided that my old school, that I left nearly 2 years ago, would suddenly let me use their photocopier. Somehow it worked, as the rather large food technology lady seemed to be in a bright mood, which as far as I can remember was quite a rarity, and before I could say 'Alan Sugar' I was on the road to the old home of Aston Martin. In this journey though, I realised I was not going to speak to a company, but an agent. This then, was not an interview, but an introductory session and a possible road to an interview at some stage in the future. All the hype and I had forgotten who I was actually talking to... Never mind.

I suppose this information relaxed me somewhat, because upon an early arrival, I stationed myself in the bar lounge of the Holiday Inn, (the agreed meeting place), and bought myself a cup of tea and waited. The place I had chosen to sit down in, was hideous. The surroundings were fine, but the people sitting around me could well have been 2012's set of candidates for 'The Apprentice'. Many a business meeting was happening, with graphs and laptops all over the place, and I overheard the sort of jargon only heard at in a meeting. The phrase, "Blue Sky Thinking". Please! People still use these cliched phrases?
Anyway, about 20 minutes later, a woman turned up and given that I had spoken to her squeaky voice on the phone, I quickly put a voice to face and introduced myself. Our discussion was professional and I think it went very well, even if it wasn't the job interview I had prepared myself for.

"What would you say your sales technique was?" .... "What portfolio of property did you rent out?" .... Etcetera, etcetera. My responses were top-notch. Exactly the sort of things she wanted to hear, I.e. "I saw my targets as a minimum number. I feel that if you're not reaching your target, you're not doing your job properly". HA! I was coming out with some amazing bullshit, and I'm afraid to say it, my arrogance, even if it wasn't true, could match up to the morons I have just watched pleading with Lord Sugar. However, the outcome was good. She was impressed by my ambition, (that was a complete lie), my drive, (that is completely fictional), and my confidence and direct approach, (which is quite unlike me, but just how I approached it). She offered me 3 possible vacancies that she may be able to get an interview for.

1) A Lettings Negotiator, which I know how to do, despite it being in Milton Keynes, where I don't know any road names or places, apart from the roundabouts. And who wants to live on a roundabout?

2) A "Sales Executive", selling all sorts of insurance directly face-to-face or over the phone. I would feel uncomfortable doing this, if truth be told, but I get the feeling this is my favoured choice. I shall tell you why in a second.

3) A "Sales Negotiator", which is pretty much an Estate Agent.

Why I'm drawn towards Number 2 is simple. I confessed at that interview that, "going into the property industry" was 100% what I want to do, (yes, a lie!). If I went with the job that sells insurance, 3-4 months down the line, I would find it easier to quit, citing I had been offered a job in my "preferred field". You must remember, I am completely lying to try and find work and gain money for university. Obviously, I have to go into these interviews claiming I am looking at "long-term career opportunities", and the like. I am not telling them I am going to quit in 4 months, to go to university. Obviously. That would be stupid. Why would they hire someone who is going to quit inside 4 months? They wouldn't.

This is my problem. The place I had an interview yesterday for is my idea of Hell if I'm to be honest with you. But it is just for the Summer, and I could leave without a severely guilty conscious. In fact, I'd be expected to leave. If I am to take a job that may be offered to me after today, (+ an interview), come the day I leave, which WILL happen, I am going to look like a right muppet. If I take the insurance job, that will be easier. If I quit my, "dream job" as a Lettings Agent after 4 months for no apparent reason? Some shits gonna go down. And not in a nice way.

I have never lied so much as I did today. And after the post I wrote a couple of days ago on lies and deceits, this is right up there with the best of them. However, I feel I need to start looking after number one a bit more, and not worry so much about the effects this will have on any company that may fall for my lies and employs me. I was incredibly surprised at my own ability to make up the right answers on the spot in today's interview, but if I do get employed... The day I quit... I will DREAD. Can you imagine the disappointment and anger that they will feel? Man....

I did a good job in deceiving the agent today, but can I continue to lie to get a job that I will quit in a few months? Can I continue the deceit? Do I have the heart to let down a company that may put their faith in me to become the "next best thing"? Can I do it? Time will tell. And let's be honest here, I may not even get an interview! Which will leave me bankrupt or in Hell.

A tough few months coming up, wherever I end up.

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