Job Discussion Forums

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

I hope you get the job, Omeo. But, if you don't, keep your chin up and refine your interviewing technique, OK?

Good luck.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:46 am Post subject:

Yes, I want to second what South of Reality said and say I hope you get the job. It's never a bad thing to have your interview technique critiqued and so don't see our doing so as simply having a go at you. Besides, as you said your posting of your interview performance can help others in the same boat.

Good luck.

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Oh, no, I wasn't taking it personally at all. It's just that, as I said, I walked out of there feeling like I'd made a good impression and now I can't help worrying about these possible mistakes you've pointed out. I think that's a rather negative way of interpreting the story and I hope you're wrong, but I didn't take it personally.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Why is it so bad, though? I made it clear that the situation was out of my hands. I was not responsible for what happened. I made that clear. And I certainly made no attempt to gain sympathy for it. I just told her it was stressful but I pulled myself together and made it out.

supervisor133 · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Australia

Omeo, I don't think anyone is suggesting that you are incapable of doing the job or will be unsuccessful in the interview.

The advice that you speak in general terms about this experience is sage indeed. This is mostly a language thing. The word 'homeless' has a negative connotation and gives the indication that you were unable to take care of yourself. Not really the image you want to project to an employer that is desperately hoping you will complete a year long contract in a foreign country.

I agree with the thought process behind describing the experience, but listing reasons in the interview as to why it wasn't your fault would certainly ring alarm bells in my head if I was interviewing you. That is if the word 'homeless' hadn't already.

It sounds like you did well in the other parts of the interview and by telling them of prior experience living in S. Korea you may have balanced out any of the indiscretions of youth.

In future, the advice of other posters is very valid. I'd advise against bringing up a story which has the potential to be viewed negatively in an interview situation. Best of luck with finding out about the interview. Japan can be a lot of fun!

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

I understand the point that's been made. I understand how being homeless could make me look irresponsible, but I still don't see how this makes me look bad even after I explained the situation that lead up to my eviction and how I had not control over it and bore no responsibility for it. I'm not making that up just to blame my roommate; it really was her fault. When I explained all this to the interviewer, I wasn't trying to be defensive at all. I only explained the situation because she asked how I came to be homeless and I gave her the facts of the situation. I further explained that the reason we found a new place to live after a month was because I got a new job and found us a new apartment. I thought that made me look pretty good.

bellatrix13 · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:16 am Post subject:

While I generally agree with most of the posters that it is generally a bad idea to mention ANYTHING that could be interpreted badly or reflect poorly on one's character during an interview, I don't think the story Omeo told would ALWAYS be inappropriate to share. A lot depends on the rapport of the interviewer and interviewee, as well as the personal background of the interviewer and his or her life experiences. If Omeo's personality is fairly dynamic and her social skills are strong, she may have been able to tell the story with enough oomph to actually impress the interviewer. So much of interviewing is subjective and based on personalities that it's hard to say if this story would always be bad to share. I would certainly avoid telling it if I didn't think I could pull it off and leave the interviewer with a stellar impression of me, but who are we to say Omeo didn't knock her socks off with her survival story? Life is a series of shades of grey; maybe this interviewer was open-minded enough to appreciate the uniqueness of this story (and Omeo's honesty!!) Razz

Anyway Omeo, do tell us what happens and if you get the job! Best of luck!

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Does anyone know if an eviction would come up during the background check? No criminal charges were filed against us, but we were ordered by a court to pay back the rent we owed. Would a judgment like that pop up in the background check?

mapraopenrai · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Kyoto, Japan

Well, are they gonna pick up your airfare and get you into an apartment in return?

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

THEY'RE the ones paying for the apartment. Why would an eviction make them worry if they're paying for the apartment I'm getting?

mapraopenrai · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Kyoto, Japan

My question was not in response to yours, I was asking if these two conditions are included in the contract..

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Oh. Well, as I recall, they don't pick up your airfare, but they can arrange a cheap flight. And, yes, they find you an apartment and I believe they take it out of your check.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Well, I got SOME good news today. My boss called me to let me know that Nova called her to ask about me. She spoke highly of me and said the woman she spoke to sounded generally positive as they talked about me. There's hope yet.