I just had a job interview with one of the firms here. I am an architect as well as urban designer. I worked with very very well known multidisciplinary companies in London before I moved here 3 months ago following my husband who moved here. I also have a chartered status and a very good portfolio.
I must say I was almost 70% certain that I will get this job because I am one of those confident and friendly and enthusiastic types (this is just a bare fact so sorry if you already feel that I blow my own trumpet).
I was interview by 1 Indian, 1 Austrian and 1 Chinese. I must say I was disappointed with their quality of works that framed around the office, no original idea there. Plus when I look at those who interviewed me, they look like ones of those people who will never get to work in places I worked for in the UK. Those who are not good enough to make it on London type. Plus those who lack social skills. They didn't even know how to start the interview until I helped them out by saying I will tell them about myself to start with, they were just sat there silent! Again this is a medium-large size international company, not some small studio.
I went through my portfolio, told them I'm keen to work with them blah blah the usual thing. They seem much taken by my portfolio and what I can do (computer graphic as well as freehand) and what I can offer to the company. The job requires me to travel to China, Middle East and India which I was fine with. They said my portfolio shows that I have worked in the large scale development before and compares with others, my portfolio is the best.
I left the meeting room smiling.
The next day the secretary emailed me to say they decided not to offer me the job. I must say I'm stunned. I can not think of the reason why and so quickly as well.
When I think back, I must say they were intimidated by me a little, that was not my intention at all. I mentioned a few names of authors who wrote good books or research but they just do not know any of these people.
Or when they showed me one of the projects on the boardroom in order to give me an idea of the scale of projects they are working on, I simply ask where is this project and guess what? They don't know, and that creates an awkward silent there.
So I can only come to the conclusion that I'm just too good for them. They only come here because they can not make it anywhere else and they don't want to be found out just yet. Or they are sexist because I am a woman. Or racist because I'm half thai/english.
So to those who think that they want to come here to find a job, thinking that they are well qualified enough to get a job easily think again. Luckily my husband got a good job and I don't really need to work. I just want to work because I am a career woman and passionate about my work.
I'm still stunned by this rejection. If anyone would like to enlighten me, please feel free. But don’t be too harsh, I'm still fragile!