Interview

Just a few days ago I was writing a email response to a newspaper in California about a photojournalist position when the phone rang. Suprisingly, on the other end was the editor of the paper I was writing to. He had emailed several times over the past week, questioning on more detailed information not included in my resume. I had written back detailed answers to the interview-like questions (I.e. “what makes a good reporter?”), but didn’t really think anything of it. After all, I’d been passed over many times by various companies and publications, even after a reasonably extensive correspondence with HR. Anyway, despite my shock at just receiving a call (other editors specified a date and time in which they would call) I collected my thoughts, and tried to focus on the conversation at hand.

“What are plane tickets like from Maine?” he asked.

“Ahhh….” I droned. “ I couldn’t really say, I haven’t flown to California in a couple of years at least….”

“Why don’t you have a look at flights and I’ll call you back. I don’t hire via the internet, but we’ll reimburse you for your trip.” I sat there stupidly. Was I getting an interview? In California??

Sure enough, I checked out flights and later booked one after he had called back. I’m leaving Tuesday and am landing back in Boston on Thursday morning. Its very exciting, but weird at the same time; having applied for months without even the slightest chance at an interview, and then all of the sudden getting one. And across the country, no less.

Now, however, I have to deal with the stress of a first job interview. I’m going to do all the research and have questions for him, of course, but I am going to really focus on making a good impression. I think its safe to guess that my credentials are not really an issue; he wouldn’t be taking the time to interview me if they were not. So this, I’m guessing, should be more about getting to know the publication and the people who work for it, as well as the details of the job. My approach is going to be to make it as much like a casual conversation as possible; answer a question, ask one of my own based on that question, etc. I took a class on interviewing at a job fair back in October, and (based on the presented research) building a conversation is proven to be the biggest difference between those who are offered a position and those who are not. Who knows, though; things are often different in practice than on paper. At any rate, it will a good experience, even if I don’t get the job.