Weekly Homework Assignment

It's time once again for Mama Kat's weekly homework assignment! This week, I chose to talk about a memorable job interview ... actually, this one is one I'd rather like to forget, but I did learn an important lesson (let's see if you can guess what the lesson was).

I was fresh out of college, and had sent out tons of resumes, and quite predictably received about just as many rejection letters. One day, I received a phone call from a copy-machine company in Marlton, New Jersey ... I was excited ... and no, I never remember actually sending them a resume (although I confess that at the time I really never even looked at the companies, just the job openings at the time). The representative invited me in for an interview, and I happily accepted.

I was brimming with confidence, and really figured they'd be so impressed that they'd hand me the job ... probably even beg me to take it. I traveled the 30 minutes or so to the company, found the place rather easily (a good sign, right?), and strolled into the building, carrying my briefcase (which was really filled with nothing but a second resume ... looks are everything, right?).

I felt I aced the interview immediately after I completed it. I got home, and my mom informed me that I had already gotten a call from the company. Bingo! They loved me ... I mean they had to love me, right? I called back eagerly, and the representative informed me that I HAD LEFT MY BRIEFCASE AT THE INTERVIEW! Yep, I'm an idiot. I knew right then and there that there was no way I was getting the job.

Plus, I remember one of the standard questions asked, and sadly, I remember the ridiculous response I gave. The question - "Where do you want to be in 5 years?" I answered honestly, "I'm not really sure." Obviously, this is not the response the guy was looking for - I probably should've said something along the line of "I'm looking to be an impact player in this company ... a go-to guy." Oh well, the briefcase sealed the deal.