New Voyage Part IV (What color crayon are you?)

Once again after work, Dan and I head up to Bear Lake. We get to his parents late, well after midnight. The drive up was rainy and foggy, a repeat of last week. We tried to get settled in, but didn't sleep a wink. My interview was at 11:00 a.m. and I was much more nervous this time 'round. We got up early, got "interview ready", had a quick breakfast and were on our way to Traverse City.

I got to the interview and greeted Todd, along with two of his managers. I instantly liked both of them. They were a pretty tough interview. I was hanging in there *I hoped*. Todd asked me to fill them in on what we had talked about during the first interview, an overview. So, I told them about my career, how I started in hospitality by way of funeral service to eventually end up in club management. I explained why Cherry Republic and the opportunity to challenge myself and grow professional. Upon the conclusion of my dialogue, the one manager says "Wow." I was feeling very good at that moment.

They asked me lots of standard interview questions, how I would change things, what my management style is, computer skills, and so on. What did I do in my free time, well if you know me, the first words out of my mouth was about college football. I found out that the COO is a SPARTAN! Oh NO! We would have some good fun with rivalry I joked. Good laugh, back to interviewing, customer service, financial background experience.

Then the shocker: If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why? Huh, well, I am a pretty good on my feet, so I didn't let it rattle me. I am a yellow crayon. (As if you didn't know that!) It is cheery, happy, pale yet bright. Fair is fair so I asked each of them as well. (Todd is GREEN.)

More interview questions, then: If you are getting ready to board a flight, you pass the magazine kiosk, what three magazines do you pick up? This question did jolt me. I am really afraid of flying and don't care so much to read (too trashed really). And it had to be somewhat real, right? (Remember Sarah Palin, oooh I read all the magazines. You know, all of them. How would you answer? Well, I am Readers Digest, National Geographic and Cosmo.

During this part of the interview, one of them asked me to further explain how I would improve the office. They said I had mentioned this example, this and one more thing (why bore you with the boring details). But tell us specifically how you would improve the office. We are meeting with other qualified candidates, all heads nod up and down, up and down, and they have been able to tell us very specifically how they will improve the office. I say the same answer with a slight new twist. What am I not saying that they have heard? What are the other (QUALIFIED) candidates saying? What am I missing? Pass. (If only.)

Then came time for me to ask questions. Two questions in and Todd stops me and says is there anything, really, ANYTING I HAVE to know about the position? Ummm, yep, that is why I took notes and have about 4 more questions here. But, okay. Times up! Nope, we are all set, how perfectly each of you have filled me in on everything I need to know. Abruptly, we are done. Todd did tell me that he would be letting me know by Wednesday.

So, through (most of it) I thought we were clicking, but the ending was like a timer. I came out and told Dan that it went well, it was long (Hour and fifteen minutes) but it did not look good. I went away very confused. I told Dan the closer it gets to Wednesday, the less likely I would get the position.

Off to Glen Arbor to see what may or may not be my new work place.