I usually think of a job interview as when you have to sell yourself to a company, so it’s surprising - and flattering - when a company starts selling themselves to you on the first interview.
Even my pre-meeting with the account manager from the recruiting firm was part pitch: the friendly culture of the company, the more mellow European management mentality, and their growth and prosperity. Of course, there are also the more visceral appeals: the two gorgeous Irish gals he saw in the lobby last time, or the quality of cars in the parking lot.
Actually, as I pulled into the parking lot behind the recruiter, the first car I saw was a Porsche Carerra. He denied my joking accusation that it was a plant
My first meeting with HR was what really got me. Instead of asking silly questions like looking for 10 years of experience with a technology that just came out or what my weaknesses are, he went right into the specifics of their benefits package.
As the battle for talent increases in the marketplace, this is what really sets employers apart. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that’s excited enough about you that the first interview is with two IT directors and a HR guy who’s practically handing you your first paycheck?
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