Promising Job

So much going on! I had a job interview last week that I think went very well.

I met the 2 women I'd be working with and they were really nice - I think they liked me.. one was older and laughed a lot, one was young and lives in Malden.

I was their first interview and they have more next week. She wants to make a decision by Thursday but who knows.. they may bring people back - that's what the recruiter told me. The manager asked when could I start, and she didn't have a real problem that I'd scheduled some vacation days for the last week in August (just possibly going to my friend Debbie's cottage in Maine - IF it works out)... but I told her that I was totally flexible. BUT, when I said that I would need to take the Jewish holidays off, she saaid she did too, then she did a little dance in her seat and said "yay another Jew!!"... that could bode well for me : ).

I normally would never bring up religion... but she then told me how she loves to sing, that she got bat mitzvahed 7 years ago, that she isn't conservative, but not quite reform either. this was only at the end of the interview.

I wouldn't have brought up the vacation days either if it was a month or two away, but she asked how soon I could start... As for vacation - normally a few days off is not a deal breaker, but if it comes at the time they want you - I'd rather start and then be out - otherwise they'll have to push my start date to after labor day.

I hope they want me - I seemed to answer the women's questions well, laughed and felt comfortable with them, and the manager didn't really ask me anything - she told me about how the company is growing, changing, new systems, challenges, etc... and what her management style is.. she wants to be kept in the loop but won't micromanage.

I asked good questions, and showed that I'd read about the company, about what they do, and that I'm familiar with some of their clients and partners. A good interview doo-beee..

sent email thank yous to the 2 women I met with (and their manager, with whom I met also - more on that later) and one of them sent me back a reply:

" Hi Phyllis,
It was a pleasure meeting with you.
I was very impressed with your skills and experiences. The enthusiasm
and positive attitude that you've shown are key attributes necessary to
produce outstanding customer service. I feel that you will be a valuable asset to the team and hope to have the opportunity to work with you and getting your help moving the department forward. Thanks for taking the time to meet with us, and for the follow up email."

I think they all liked me. It is a very small company in Lexington, but they are moving next year to Kendall Square... pros and cons of that. I figured I'd stay over Alan's a few nights in the early part of the week, but it is a 10-6 position, which I love.. .commute from Malden wasn't bad - it might actually be worse from Newton, but they are moving to Kendall Square - probably harder to get there from Newton. And I'll only go if they subsidize parking - which I think they all want... There's only 60 people in the company but they are growing.