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I'm sorry :( I hope the next one goes better.

Posted by: DG at February 3, 2005 07:21 AM

I'm sorry about your interview, but ha! That made me laugh. I laugh at others' pain! I AM a lawyer! Waaaaauuugh!

Posted by: Mary at February 3, 2005 07:59 AM

Sorry to hear it... It's so rare to find a job that I actually _want_ that when you do, and the interview goes bad, it does really, really suck.

I feel your pain.

Posted by: -Dave! at February 3, 2005 10:25 AM

Well you know the saying, "when the right interview comes along, you'll know it." Here's hoping that the next one rocks your world.

Posted by: Meandering Law Student at February 3, 2005 11:08 AM

Thanks all. I'm actually debating whether Meandering is right and this was just a sign that this job was not right for me, or whether I should take measures to try to "fix" the situation w/followup contact, etc. I doubt there's much I can actually do to replace a poor first impression, though...

Next time I'll follow those other sayings about interviewing: "Prior to an interview, always thoroughly read and understand every single detail you can possibly glean from a prospective employer's website. Also, anticipate questions you are likely to be asked and have possible answers well-prepared. For example, 'Why do you want to do this job? What do you expect or hope to gain from this position? What are you best at in this type of law?' -- these are all common interview questions that you're bound to hear in one form or another. Do not drop the ball on these or you will look like a complete incompetent."

Yeah, those are good sayings. I'll try them in the future...

Posted by: ambimb at February 3, 2005 11:30 AM

I am sure it wasn't THAT bad! At the same time, if this is a job you were extremely interested in, I cannot see the harm in follow up contact to "fix" things. I bet they get people all the time who make bad first impressions. They probably never hear from those folks again, as they are hanging their heads in shame. I say do something to stand out from them and make sure your interviewers know that wasn't the real you.

Posted by: Law-Rah at February 3, 2005 01:15 PM

Sorry to hear that. But maybe you have a web art career ahead of you.

Posted by: CM at February 3, 2005 04:03 PM

I'm trying to decide whether to believe your bleak portrayal of the interview -- I know your midwestern tendency toward the occasional pessimism and self-denigration.

Anyway, I think you should do what you can, and if it doesn't work out, then just believe that it happened for a reason (I realize that sounded terribly cheesey and Hallmark-cardy, but writing a dissertation does terrible things to a person's soul).

Play the Marx song I sent you -- maybe it will help cheer you up? :)

Posted by: pt at February 3, 2005 07:22 PM

Dude...that artpad thing is fantastic. Thanks for clueing me into it. Unfortunately, as a result, I will likely lose my job after spending the entire afternoon sending pictures to people. Hey -- you can have my job....you know, not that you would want it...

Posted by: M at February 3, 2005 08:28 PM

pt: it was bad, I promise. But I wil survive. More interviews w/other (though somewhat less appealing) jobs next week.

M: So where's the painting you made for me? Oh, and I won't take your job (I'd be fired in about two minutes), but please feel free to share your paycheck. ;-)

Posted by: ambimb at February 3, 2005 11:49 PM

I'm sorry - I hate bad interviews.

I agree that if you really didn't hit it off with the interviewer, then this probably wasn't the job for you anyhow. Personality differences can ruin the best job in the world.

Posted by: transmogriflaw at February 4, 2005 12:42 AM

Did you mention militia groups? Did you ask if they discriminate against women? Did you say any of these words/phrases "nazi", "white trash", and "right-wing extremeists"? If so, I totally relate.

If not, I still feel for ya! : )

(Hey, I got a summer job off of the interview in which I said both "white trash" AND "nazi." Crazy stuff happens; they probably loved you.)

Posted by: E. McPan at February 4, 2005 04:02 PM