The Strangest Interview Ever...

Date: 17 September 2008
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Rm 604 Crowne Plaza Building, Sheikh Zayed Road
Position: Executive Assistant for an advertising company

Having survived my pick-up girl moment (see previous blog entry Are You Marriage?), I continued to psyche myself for the interview. I managed to come on time, thanks to Mr. Hussail.

I was ushered to a mini-conference room upon my arrival. An Indian girl arrived before me. We were immediately given some sheets to fill up. The fun had just begun...

After answering the usual personal profile questions (name, age, religion, expected salary, etc.), I then turned to page two. It said "General Information Questions". Interesting.

Question 1. What is the international currency code of the United Arab Emirates?

Thinking it was asking for the dialing code, I answered 971. After reviewing my answers, I promptly erased that and answered AED (which is the correct answer).

I was to answer 9 more questions (I don't remember them in the exact order anymore and I am missing one question ) and here are my answers (in blue):

• What is the capital of Spain? Madrid
  
• What was Mozart's occupation? composer?
  
• Which country won the World Cup in 2002? France?
• What does www stand for? world wide web
  
• Who is the current US Secretary of Foreign Affairs? Condoleezza Rice?
  
• Who wrote Romeo and Juliet? William Shakespeare
  
• Who is the founder of Microsoft? Bill Gates
  
• What is the code for Dubai International Airport? DXB
  

The next part consisted of several computer-related questions, which thankfully were multiple choice. Only somebody from advertising would think of such crazy questions to ask an applicant. I felt I was part of a quiz bee/game show. The only difference is the prize. It was a job at stake and not merely a medal or a cash prize or a kitchen showcase. I can only imagine what the interviewer would be like.

After spending half an hour waiting to be called by the interviewer (who turns out to be the big boss), it was finally my turn. In true bizarre fashion, the interview felt like a beauty pageant.

The secretary introduced me to the boss as Roma.

Boss: Roma?
Roma: Yes, Roma, like the city in Italy. (I proceed to sit down.)
Boss: Would you like to visit Rome?
Roma: Of course! I want to see what it's like...
Boss: Oh, but it's not a nice place to visit. You can get robbed, raped or killed. Rome is full of criminals. (Wow, thanks for dousing my enthusiasm!)
Roma: Really? How do you know all of these?
Boss: I've lived there.
Roma: Well, I would still like to go. Anyway, criminals are everywhere.

Boss: How would you describe yourself in terms of organization? Are you very organized, messy, or somewhere in-between?
Roma: I would say in-between. When it comes to tasks, I even go to the extent of listing down the steps required in order to complete the task. When it comes to my personal things, however, I have what I call an organized mess. I have my own way of arranging things and if somebody attempts to fix them, I have trouble finding my stuff. (This is already somewhat paraphrased. Boss writes something down on the upper right corner of my CV.)

Boss: What is advertising for you? (At this point, my mind goes, YIKKKESSS!!!)
Roma: It's about creating an image for a product and communicating that image to a target audience. (Ha! Good thinking on this one...hehehe..I don't know how I managed to compose this answer!)

Boss: So you speak Spanish..Habla espanol? (Do you speak Spanish?)
Roma: Un poco, si. (A little, yes.) Boss smiles. But I don't speak that well.
Boss: Por que? (Why?)
Roma: Por que no practicar. (Literally, because no practice.) People in the Philippines only speak Filipino and English. There's no one to converse with. (Uy, palusot!)
Boss smiles again. I feel like a beauty pageant contestant greeting the host country in its native language.

Boss: How do you entertain yourself? (Ano raw? Gawin ba akong autistic...hahaha!)
Roma: I'm sorry, you were asking about what I do in my free time? (Gusto ko lang ipaintindi na hindi ako baliw na umaaliw sa sarili...hahaha!)
Boss: Yes.
Roma: Well, I watch TV and movies, read books and sing.
Boss: You sing...Do you sing well? (Aba'y naghahamon ata ito eh...)
Roma: (Smiles and says in all confidence) Of course! Would you want me to sing for you? (Aba, bibo na kung bibo no! Todo na ito!)
Boss: (Smiles in amusement) No, no, it's too early for that...
Roma: What do you mean it's too early? Are you saying it's only reserved for nighttime?
Boss: No, I mean, we don't know you that well yet to ask you to do that. Besides, you might break the windows with your singing...(Uyy, nakikipagbiruan na! Cheee!)

Anyway, I was so glad to have this interview over and done with. Boy, was I kept on my toes! On hindsight, I enjoyed the experience probably because I love trivia games and beauty pageants. It was certainly the most bizarre application process I have ever experienced. As to whether I get short-listed or not, we have yet to see. Nevertheless, I feel proud of what I have accomplished that day (after having a tearful outburst, being offered a ride by a stranger, and this strange interview). I can look back and say, "No, I don't feel, any pressure, right now!" (to borrow one of Bb. Pilipinas-World 2008 Janina San Miguel's quotable quotes). :)