Interview With the Architect

Today I celebrate my one year anniversary working at Stampin' Up. In this time of arbitrary reflection, I am reminded that I spent the better part of last year job hunting. Actually that is inaccurate—it was the worst part of last year—job hunting stinks. At least the passing of time allows me to look back and laugh about experiences like this one.

By the middle of last summer, I had applied with all sorts of companies to no avail. But when I found an open graphic designer position at a downtown architecture firm, I felt a renewed excitement. I'm no George Costanza, but I like to think I have an eye for architecture. I sent off my resumé with an extra spring in my click. A week or so later, I was helping supervise a pack of cub scouts at Camp Tracy when my phone rang. They wanted an interview.

Their office was a repurposed industrial warehouse—contemporary and functional while preserving the character that made the old building special. (Would you expect anything less? They're architects.) As the interview progressed through the usual talking points, I played up my architectural appreciation by making repeated mentions of how impressive I thought their facility was.

Things seemed to go pretty well, and at the end of the interview, they offered to give me a tour of the building. That was my sign that I would surely be invited back—if they didn't like me, why bother giving me a tour? As they handed me business cards, I was encouraged to call with any questions. They also promised I would be hearing back about a second interview by a specific day.

But as it often happens, the promised day came and went with no phone call. I pulled out the business cards. I made several call attempts. I left messages. Of course, I'm pretty sure no one actually stays at their desk when they are hiring.

A few days later I eventually got a hold of one of the ladies from the interview. I had already come to terms with the likely rejection, but I went ahead and asked about the status of the position. She sounded slightly uncomfortable as she confirmed my assumption that I didn't make it past the initial group of candidates. There was an awkward pause as she searched for a positive way to end the brief conversation.

She finally blurted out, "But you are welcome to come back for another tour of our building anytime!"