Job interviews and names

[vilakins]

Like snowgrouse, I have a job interview on Monday. I'll have to sort out something suitable to wear. I was going wear my cream ethnic-style cotton jacket from Thailand (very cool, mandarin collar and unusual fastenings), but I read that conservative in dark colours is best. So it may be the blazer and striped shirt.

I also had a phone interview yesterday for a job doing some desk-top and web publishing plus admin for a real-estate agent company. They said they were considering me; I hope it's true. It would be funny if I got that job. The company's called LJ Hooker! I'm so used to seeing their signs around I think nothing of it, but the combination of name and initials--now I'm on live journal--suddenly struck me as very funny today.

Considering the fact I used to laugh at Neasden and ended up living there, it would serve me right!

Neasden
My father and I used to watch and listen to a lot of British comedy, and this innocuous London suburb used to pop up a lot. The name alone got a laugh. I asked my father why, but all he could come up with was that the name was intrinsically funny.

When I went to Europe and was working in London, I ended up flatting in Neasden--in Neasden Lane, Neasden no less. People used to introduce me to their friends and make me tell them my address: "See? It's true!" they'd say. "I wasn't lying!"

Once, on my way home from work, the underground was full of football fans on their way to a game at Wembley. Most were from out of town, and I sat there listening to them talking about the route map.

"Hey, there really is a place called Neasden!"
"Wonder who lives there."
"Who'd want to?" etc etc

When the train stopped at Neasden, two of us got out to a mix of cheers and laughter. I just grinned and waved, but the other person turned his collar up, ducked his head, and slunk off in an exaggerated act of shame.

Ah, yes, Neasden, home of the famous Nobel Prize winner Solly Neasden, and the football team Neasden United and their manager Ron Knee. I even have a whole book of Neasden humour somewhere, put out by Private Eye and found in a second-hand bookshop to my delight. And on The Kumars last night there was a Neasden joke. Took me back, that did!

Comments

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

I worried a little over what to wear for interviews but eventually concluded that the most important thing is to wear something that looks smart but, more importantly, that I feel comfortable in.

Good luck anyhow,

Gina

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Very true. If I don't feel like me, it won't do my confidence much good. Thanks. :-)

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Shockingly my new boss was a little concerned about my confidence as I never relaxed completely when he was interviewing me. We had a nice phone chat today though so hopefully I'm capable of being normal around him now.

Gina

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I've done a lot of amateur drama and know about body-language, so I can do a very good imitation of a confident out-going person for the length of an interview. It's too draining to do for an extended time though, so I always hope I'll fit in well enough in the job for it to be true.

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling very confident about the new job. From conversations with nurses and other para-veterinary types yesterday it sounds like I'm welcome at quite a few big practices already, even if it's just for coffee with them rather than to see the bosses. And getting in there in the first place is what it's all about.

I'm also invited to call on a former classmate at his business. I'll be interested to see what he makes of me with spikey hair and a fancy suit.

Gina

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Cool! Go, you!

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Neasden? And there's me thought you were in NZ for some reason!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I am! But I spent four years overseas after uni, living in Israel, London, and Frankfurt. Pause for wistful nostalgia.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the interview!