Oh leftovers! You make lunch so easy.
Today’s midday meal included reheated butternut squash and wheatberry mock risotto paired with a whole wheat tortilla microwaved with two sticks of Colby jack string cheese (aka a super-fast quesadilla)!
And yes, I just microwaved the ‘dilla on a paper towel that I then used as my napkin in an effort to avoid more dirty dishes. Lazy or efficient?
Interviewing
A couple of days ago, I was talking with a friend of mine who is in the market for a new job. We started laughing about our past job interview experiences and had a good time sharing stories.
I remember interviewing for a position with the Orlando Museum of Art’s public relations and marketing department. The interview took place at the museum, about 30 minutes from my apartment at the time. I gave myself 50 minutes to get there, figuring I would use the extra time to compose myself and answer mock questions in my head.
Well, road construction coupled with detours that took me way out of the way made me about 10 minutes late. I was mortified. I am a very punctual person and couldn’t believe I was late and apologized profusely. Fortunately I got the job, but the experience left me totally paranoid and I’ve arrived at every other job interview way in advance.
One of the cooler interview experiences I had occurred when I interviewed for a marketing position with a new Whole Foods store that was opening in the area. After an initial interview, they had me put together a marketing campaign for the new store that I then presented to a panel of employees.
It was nerve wracking but I loved it because I was able to showcase ideas I had for the store and also interact with the people I’d be working with should I get the job. (The job was offered to a woman with more experience who was the marketing manager at another Whole Foods in the area and I was then asked to interview for a marketing position with one of their stores in South Florida, which I politely declined since I didn’t want to leave Central Florida at the time.)
I think the one question that I was asked in an interview that threw me off guard the most was, “If you could have breakfast with one famous person – dead or alive – who would you choose?”
It was a hard one because I wanted to give the right answer and I wasn’t sure if they were looking for an answer like George Washington or something less “cookie cutter” (and honest!).
Questions of the Afternoon
- Do you have any interviewing horror stories?
- What was the hardest question you’ve been asked in a job interview?
- How would you have answered the breakfast with a famous person question in an interview setting?
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Interviewing is so nervewracking! I hate it the entire process! The worst questions are when they ask you, “tell me a time when you…(fill in the blank).” I cannot stand those!
I’d love to have breakfast with my great grandmother! Because breakfast would be in her little English kitchen, with homemade treats. And I would have loved the chance to actually meet her
Maybe I’d say breakfast with YOU and you can make a PBFingers famous smoothie. 🙂
Ohh that is a hard interview question! I would pick J.K. Rowling. I am SO inspired by people who completely make their own success in life, and the fact she used utillized the power of words to do it. That and I would love to get to experience an English breakfast!
All of my interviews have been pretty normal, but one of my good friend is on the job hunt and seems to specialize in strange interviews. For example: she was interviewing to be the activity coordinator at a retirement village. We are still not entirely sure what this job would have entailed as that was never made clear in the job posting or during the interview. She gets there and they tell her that it will be a group interview–and not like a group of people all interviewing one candidate (that is intimidating but pretty normal) this would be one interviewer and a bunch of candidates. She said that there were about 10 people there to interview and they sat in a circle and the director asked them all to introduce themselves and answer a question, something like, “what interests you about this position.” Rachel introduced herself and gave a concise but well thought out answer. Some people did the same and some people got rather verbose with their answers. Rachel thought that there would be more questions for her to answer so they might get a chance to know her from the person she was sitting next to, but no, that was apparently her only talking opportunity. After the group of interviewees did their introductions the director talked for about an hour about their philosophy at this retirement community. We are still not sure how they selected someone for the job because they hadn’t really talked to any of the candidates and they never really told the group what the job would entail. However, it does make for a good ‘terrible interview’ story.
I would have breakfast with Tina Fey, Dan Savage or David Sadaris. They are the 3 celebrities that I want to be friends with in real life.
I was late to a job interview once and the guy that was supposed to interview me only had a few minutes. So he didn’t have time to meet me 🙁
I felt SO horrible. But in the end, I know it was for the better. The interview was with another gigantic PR firm, and the job wouldn’t have been right for me.
I should have read this first! I just replied with pretty much the exact same thing…funny. Mine didn’t tell me it was the wrong answer, but she didn’t say it was right either.
Katie – How ridiculous this interviewer is… They wanted you to say what, that : “ The Triumph of Capitalism” is your favourite book? 🙂 I’m curious, was the interviewer a male with prejudice, a woman with issues, someone having a power trip or just that they needed a reason to give you one wrong answer?!
I had an interview at an investment bank and was asked my favorite book. I read a lot so I told the truth–“The Awakening” by Kate Chopin. The interviewer replied “wrong answer.”
About the breakfast question : I would have said Oprah…. or any powerful and famous woman in the world : in order to ask them how they made it! 🙂 lol (Remember you always need to give explanation to your answers)
Worst question : “where do you see yourself in 10-20-30 years from now?” (another way to see your ambition) I just want to say : “Just give me this job first and we’ll see later! lol”
Congrats on the nomination of the blog! All this hard work is really paying off. Proud of you, and im sure your family is 100X’s more proud! Voted for you!
As for the interviews, no off the questions, but with no pressure and a few seconds to think, I would love to eat breakfast with Julia Child’s or Ryan Hall, one of Americas best marathon runner. I think Julia would just be a laugh the whole time. The cooking network shows her old episodes everyday now and can just sit and listen to..what a hoot!
And would love to pick one of the best runners mind on how he fuels his body pre and more importantly what he indulges in POST race!
Oh my gut reaction was something like “JESUS!” but that is so cliche, even though, that would be probably pretty cool.
I’d have to go with Jimmy Fallon if I’m being honest, or if it was a “clothing optional” brunch, maybe Ryan Reynolds? 🙂
I have a story from the other side of the interview table – we once interviewed someone (1st interview, they were told if we were interested there would be a second) and they pulled out a two page, typed, single space sheet with questions for us. Um, ok, this is a first interview. I started to let him ask a few questions and then it became very clear that it wasn’t necessary to let him continue on – once he asked how much memory his computer would have, I knew it was over. (No, this wasn’t a remotely IT-related job).
I usually do well in interview settings, but one question in particular really threw me for a loop. It was for an investment bank, and one of the analysts asked me which book I was currently reading. Luckily I was actually reading a book (Three Cups of Tea), but I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to say something more *significant*.
My first two REAL jobs I got were interviews over the phone LOL! I don’t remember anything all that taxing but I did have one question (can’t remember what it was) and I couldn’t think of an answer in time and I sat silent for a moment and then the person was like “Hello?” so I said “Oh I’m sorry you cut out there, what was the question? And that gave me enough time to compose myself and rock out a brilliant answer .. atleast I think cause I got the job LOL!
My last job interview for my position now was a real in person face to face with three different managers and I was super nervous when I sat down but everyone was so down to earth and fun it made it way easier.
If I could have breakfast with anyone famous I’d probably go with Sylvia Plath or Angelina Jolie.
My answer would be Walt Disney. Anyone who can create an empire around himself and his creations has got to be a wonderfully entertaining breakfast date. I wish he were still alive…
Jesus Christ. (I am not cursing, that’s my answer for the breakfast question.) 🙂
Totally! That’s what i put 🙂
The only interviewing horror story I have is when I interviewed at a running store during college. I really wanted this job and during my interview I was thoroughly questioned by both owners and the store manager. It was the most intense interview I have ever had and I was just 21 trying to work at a small local running store.
During my last interview they asked me if I was at a restaurant for a working lunch with bigwigs from my company and I ordered a steak medium but received the steak well done would I ask the waiter to take it back? I said no and then I made the two women interviewing me answer the question. 🙂
I have no idea who I would have said, but after reading through the replies I have some good answers! I love both Julia Child & Eleanor Roosevelt. Strong women who stood up for themselves – love that!
Reusing your paper towel is the jam! 😀
I’ve never really had a job interview before because I mainly just babysit and now with my college schedule becoming so hectic I barely have time to even do that.
However, I would’ve answered that interview question with Princess Diana because she took everything in stride with such grace.
One part of me finds that question bizarre, but on the other hand, it would demonstrate a slice of your “real” personality – I’ve always thought it would be so fun to be the interviewER and brainstorm the questions that would really give you insights into a person!
I would want to eat breakfast with Yogi Berra – I’m a huge baseball fan, he’s from St. Louis like me, and how hilarious would that be?
Mmmm… leftovers are so delicious and convenient.
On a completely different note, I have been obsessively playing songs that Pentatonix has performed on The Sing-Off this season. They are phenomenal!! Thank you for introducing me to the show as well- love it!
Do you find that Scott looks a lot like Bentley? I was trying to place where I had seen him before when it hit me and the horror set in.
Although, Scott does happen to be far better looking and immensely talented.
And what did you answer to the breakfast question?
I would actually say a very honest answer, with my grandpa who I never got to meet.
see answer to comment #2! 🙂
I was interviewing for an internship (INTERNSHIP!) at Comedy Central. The first question was, What is your dream? I made something up because I was SO unprepared for that question. The woman then lectured me on how I wasn’t fit for it if I didn’t have the right dreams. HA!
holy crap! what a cool opportunity though – comedy central!?!?
That breakfast question is extremely random! I would’ve sat there stunned. I hate questions that make you pick 1 thing or “the best thing.” I find them impossible!
I have the hugest fear of being late! I was late once to an interview and did get offered the job, regardless. Still, the anxiety I feel being late makes me feel so flustered and unable to really focus on the questions.
I hate the whole what are your 5 year, 10 year goals. I still have no clue how to answer that question. I even got one ‘what would you do in the event of an emergency?’. Seriously?! Ummm, call 911…..
Who to have breakfast with? I think I would like to have breakfast with my great-grandmother from my mom’s side who passed when I was too young to remember much about her.
So off-topic but just had to add it. Remember that question posted a while back about songs we get the words wrong to. How about? She’s So High by Kurt Nil-something…..
I used to think it was ‘she’s so fine’. Not totally off the mark but still. Now I have to share why that came up. I was cleaning out some markers here in the office, you know checking to be sure they were still good. I found a few nice smelling ones. So I IM’d a friend and said I was so hiiigghhh. Which reminded me of the song, which reminded me how I used to get the word wrong, which reminded me about the question posted here. I’m not sure all the fumes have cleared yet. : )
I hate being asked what my biggest flaw is in an interview -_-
I was once interviewing for a job that involved doing a lot of counter-narcotics work in Afghanistan, and my interviewer must’ve had that on the brain – because when I jokingly mentioned how much I like puppies, he thought I said poppies (the plants that are used to produce opium, heroin, and other scary things). He thought I was some sort of crazy narco-trafficker, and I was totally mortified. I tried to set the record straight (“I’m sorry, sir, but I said *puppies* – you know, small baby dogs?”), but needless to say, I didn’t get the job.
BTW: using paper towel to avoid more dishes? Totally normal – I do the exact same thing. 🙂
My worst interview story – I was interviewing for my first job as a lawyer right out of law school – at a big Philadelphia law firm. I was in with a really obnoxious male partner who decided to clip his nails while interviewing me. The nail clippings were flying all over, including towards me. I was trying to figure out what I would do if one hit me (do I brush it off, pretend I don’t notice, etc.) and completely missed what he asked me. I had to ask him to repeat himself. Needless to say, I did not get the job – but I think that is a good thing.
I was interviewing for a sales job and the guy handed me a blue ball point pen and said “now, lastly, sell me this pen”. I paused smiled and said “you know, they say blue is the new black”…it’s always been humor that got me thru interviews. Someone else I made fun of for being a Yankees fan (I’m from Boston)…yes I made fun of the person interviewing me…
I’d definitely say Jackie Kennedy!
I’ve only had one job interview (current job) and it was the easiest thing EVER! I knew the owner of the gymnasium haha. I literally walked in was explained how the place ran, what i’d be doing, and then told “I’ll see you next Tuesday.” It was so nice to have it so easy for my first interview lol.
I don’t have any horror stories, but I’ve had some weird interviews – as in, I didn’t know I would be interviewing! When I interview for my last job, I’d been working there part-time, and HR asked that I stop in for a few minutes next time I was in (which I told her would be for an event). I thought it was just to set up an interview time or formally introduce myself, but no – it was an interview. So I interviewed in a T-shirt, running shorts and sneakers.
I got the job, but I felt a little unprepared.
Ahh job interviews are so nerve wracking! I’m going to graduate soon and have many job interviews in my near future! I would love to breakfast with Julia Child, love her attitude and love her cookbook.
Ohh next time you have leftover risotto- I have a great recipe for risotto pancakes. I hate link dropping but it’s easier than retyping it:
http://kthadani.com/2011/10/15/insert-witty-title/
What a hard interview question – way to put you on the spot! Job interviews must be one of the most nerve wrecking. The last job interview I went for I was asked: ‘tell me what your biggest flaw is.’ Had to quickly think of a way to make myself look good while answering this. My answer was ‘I am a perfectionist so sometimes I may take a little longer on a certain task so that it’s perfect – I think my boss was pretty happy with the answer and offered me the job an hour later.
The worst/most awkward/most weird interview ever was also my first “grown up” job interview- it was a phone interview for a company that places advertisements in college planners. Every question I got asked was weird, but the worst was “Do you have a planner?” to which I lied, “Yes, of course”. And then he asked me what it looked like- “Plaid.” I lied again. THEN he asked me to take a picture of it as soon as we hung up and send it to him! I literally ran out of my house in my pajamas, drove to CVS, got on my hands and knees in the school supplies aisle only to find that they didn’t have a plaid planner, so I had to rip notebooks and papers apart to create a “plaid planner” to take a picture of and send to him.
He believed it, but I declined the position after being so freaked out by the guy.