West London Girl

WLG on finding fulfilling work

August
18

I thought the co-founder was interviewing me for a different role to the one I'd applied for

‘I love the irony of you bringing that book to the pool of a Four Seasons hotel,’ Monique laughed. She was referring to Finding Fulfilling Work: A 21st Century Career Guide For Millennials by Adele Barlow, which I was taking to the luxury Amnis Spa at Four Seasons Moscow. I’d attended the book launch a week previously and was hugely impressed by Adele’s networking skills. We’d never met before, yet she swiftly introduced me to an AI company founder searching for a marcomms manager and another start-up founder looking for a copywriter.

fourseasonshotelmoscow_fsa-g

‘You do jobless incredibly well,’ Ed, whom I’d met through work a year ago, messaged. ‘Free for a quick FT tomorrow – be great to catch up?’
‘Sure – I’m back tomorrow but what’s FT? Fermented tea? Firm touch?’
‘Fermented tea?!!! So smart but such a numpty xx’. That was how the flirt-texting started. Ed returns to London from Canada in a couple of months’ time…

Kate called the following afternoon, after my interview for a role at a lifestyle brand. ‘How did the interview go?,’ she asked.
‘Not well. It got to the point where I thought the co-founder was interviewing me for a different role to the one I’d applied for. I asked him if I had the correct job title.’
‘Did you ask him where the hidden cameras were?!’ Kate laughed.
‘He said, “This is a head of marketing role, leading a team for a global company with a salary to match”. I asked if he was referring to the marketing and communications manager role paying up to £40,000. He admitted he’d previously advertised for the same position as a head of marketing role.’
‘Typical start-up founder!’
‘His printer wasn’t even working.’

‘I’d arrived early for another interview and read the company magazine while I waited. It was so dull and had such a dated look. When the interviewer asked me if I had any data cleansing experience, I just said no. She even tried to help me out!’

But then Tom suggested I work for his company. I forwarded him my CV. The interview with him and his co-founder was more of a friendly chat about my role and their beautiful product. I start on Monday…

If you would like to stay up to date with WLG’s blog, subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.