Contract Web Developer
Took a train to St Leonards around late morning. Walked at least two kilometres westward when I was supposed to have only stepped one east. In that time, ventured three suburbs in the wrong direction in sweat of the midday sun. Trekked through Crows Nest and Atarmon, taking in the sight of an old ABC signal tower. Took some time to rest at a bus stop just outside the Royal North Shore Hospital. Pit stops in the wrong direction.
Took at least another hour getting back to St Leonards station. Walked another kilometre and hour around the city of North Sydney. Side streets, main streets, pass the police station. Almost ended up back on the south side of the Harbour Bridge.
Asked both a mailman and a taxi driver for directions but were giving different directions.
Finally found the building wherein
Freestyle Media were supposedly located. Walked around the building and the block double checking because there was no clear indication on the doors and such.
The time was 15:00 on ringing their bell. Left St Leonards at 12:00.
Friend on the inside was less than impressed by the attire of jeans and a top mixed with a monoburn. Haircut day was a couple of weeks away still. Next to him, the manager checked his watch and was surprised at the time. Since they were now retroactively expecting a 16:00 interview time, the time of 13:00 was clearly erroneous.
Three hours of sweating constantly in the midday and afternoon sun made the offer of a glass of water from a visibly dusty glass the best thing in the world. Tasted quite sweet, given perhaps due to the salt levels that had seeped out.
Just before stepping into their meeting room for the one-on-one interview, noticed the chin was feeling rather rough. Throughout the entire interview, could not stop touching and rubbing the face, feeling for the dried up sweat which had now turned into salt pellets.
Paid more attention to the crumbs than the guy interviewing. At the role playing part of the interview, dealing with an irate customer facing a downed website, couldn't understand a single word he mumbled throughout the side of his mouth. As such, the expectations were on a skew, not actually knowing what the hypothetical problem at hand was. Asking again was as bad as hearing it the first time around.
Later on, he mentioned something about a communication problem in the assessment.
Interview then went over to showing him some of the portfolio work, meagre at best, to which he dismissed as being "rather simple." No use of Flash or heavy use of graphics going against their style of design.
Frustration was at a high point at this juncture, eyes were about to close and knowing there was no chance of getting the contract gig, turned around and critiqued their website. The sloppy writing and grammar, coding of a haphazard nature and over reliance on graphics. All these discrepancies found in a five minute sitting.
Did the closest thing to slinking out and forgetting to even ask for a ride back to the station.
Freestyle Media
Address: 81-91 Military Road, Neutral Bay
Wearing: Cream white jeans with a blue cotton top. Colorado boots on foot. Salt crystals on the face.
Saturday, 15 February 2003 - 07:59
Unsuccessful
Earlier interviews