New York City has represented more than just a new location to me. It’s new experiences, the biggest one probably being The Job Search. I’ve never endured the time-honored process of answering job ads, sending out resumes, and interviewing. I’d just ended the job that employed me for 6 years full-time in addition to a couple of years as a student. I got that job through a close friend.

In our new place, I planted myself in a very uncomfortable stool in front of the computer and delved into the aesthetically-displeasing world of Craigslist. The job listings on the site seem to range from multinational corporations to street vendors and anyone in between. Here’s a sampling of the job postings on Craigslist NYC right now:

ARE YOU FIGHTING WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER OVER THE HOLIDAYS? – (NYC) <

@@@Office/Project Manager@@@@ – (Flatiron)

Intern to the Office of the President, BBC Worldwide Americas – (Midtown East)

Females Needed for Beer Pong Tournament (B Real of Cypress Hill) – (Downtown)

Earn $100K+ Your 1st Year in RE! GREAT TRAINING!! PROVEN RESULTS!!$$$ – (Midtown East)

2009/2010 Harlem Village Academy High School Math Teacher – (Harlem / Morningside)

So sifting through these eBay-like headlines to find viable opportunities took some time. The good news is that once I got a feel for the site and how people use it, I started finding jobs that looked fun to me. But there was a problem.

Good, interesting jobs always had these outlandish requirements like “education” in that field or “previous experience.” I was annoyed that they weren’t open to hiring likeable ol’ me even if my credentials barely differed from the literal bum off the street. Hey, how many bums run a sometimes-humorous Christian parenting blog?!

Despite my difficulties, I still slung applications and resumes out there, and by God’s grace, I got one or two leads. And with much more grace, I got my first job interview in NYC! Actually, my first real job interview ever. And I laid a stink bomb.

I don’t know if I can handle retelling the story, so here are random points:

• Bringing two suitcases was great for easy transport between apartments, but I didn’t pack proper interview clothes. I wore a dress shirt and slacks – nice, not impressive though. I don’t know why I didn’t bring better clothes, but at least I had a collection of witty graphic tees at the apartment!
• I had submitted my resume using the company’s input form on their website, and added HTML for the appropriate boldfacing and italics. However, when the interviewer printed the resume, the HTML code was printed, too, making it a garbled mess. Lack of printer and foresight to go to Kinko’s meant that I didn’t have another copy of my resume. Bad move.
• When asked what I did at my previous job, I was all over the place in my explanation, and the interviewer cut me off to get to the point.
• And my most Uncool Dad moment – he asked me what is probably an interview standard: “If I have to decide between you and someone else who has prior experience using our software, why should I pick you?” My answer wasn’t just like fumbling the ball, it was running the wrong way to score for the other team.

  Me say something like, “Honestly, I’m not sure that you should. I would be an honest, likeable employee, but if I were you, I think I would choose the other person.”

  After a smile and slow shake of the head, his reply was “OK, from interviewer to interviewee, that was the wrong answer.” He then explained that I should’ve said that, while the other candidate has experience, I could quickly learn what he knows and offer a fresh perspective on things. Actually I didn’t score for the other team because at least half of the stadium would’ve been cheering for me. This was fumbling the ball and then plowing into a pyramid of beloved cheerleaders.

Miraculously, despite the stink bomb, I walked out of there smiling. After he explained the job to me, I realized that I didn’t want the job and I let him know. Too bad, I’m sure that he was about to offer me the job along with a full sack of cash with a $ sign on it.

It was a humbling learning experience – just what I needed. He was kind, but straightforward. He gave me feedback on the interview and wished me luck on the job search. Fortunately, I had a lot more than luck on my side.

Next time: In what should finally end the debate on the existence of God, I get a job (or two)

In an effort to help others avoid the same shame, this is a part of Works for Me Wednesday.

Related posts:

1. How God brought us to NYC, Part 4: I get a job (sort of)
2. How God brought us to NYC: part 2
3. How God brought us to NYC: part 1
4. "but I don’t want to stay in a place with rodents"
5. We’re here and soon to be homeless