Cross Reclycler.

Having given up a life of continuous educational pursuits, I find (like most people do) the main alternative is a career path -- Something I haven't really had since 2001. In tribute to Jerri Blank, I'm attempting to pick up that same career path just where I left off. Yesterday was my first interview with a potential employer (after meeting twice with a recruitment agency). At first all was great -- I was looking good, wearing my luckiest clothing -- grandpa's old tie clip, holding my favourite Vivienne Westwood tie in place, and my 'jason' socks (to remind me who I am). After about 20 minutes of lovely and casual getting-to-know-you conversation, the gears shift and suddenly and we're in hardcore interview mode.

"Tell me about a time you worked in a team when things didn't go according to plan and why things went wrong and what you would do differently in the future." That was seriously put to me as a single enquiry. The problem with these questions is they are so scripted and unnaturally worded that they create a self-conscious interview. Instead of a conversation, the environment is suddenly an Interview! and I'm being judged by my responses. It's a strange situation -- and so far removed from any reflection of real ability and skills related to the job.

On the upside, the interview went for more than an hour which is perhaps a good sign. I'll find out next week. In the meantime, applying to 10-15 jobs per week -- being a bit more choosy than usual -- grateful that I'm not in a desperate situation, forced to take a job I'd hate... like car salesman, taxi driver, or truck driver. Speaking of, I saw the best truck today. It was for a company called Southern Cross Metal Reclyclers (they have a surprisingly interesting website), but the way the words were laid out on the back doors of the truck, it seemed to read "Southern Metal" on one door and "Cross Recyclers" on the other. One side, a genre of harcore rock music featuring fiddles and harmonicas, banjos and mouth harps. The other side, disgruntled workers who find new uses for religious icons, giving them a second life -- resurrections.

Along with "Teller" and "Control Officer" (jobs I've actually applied for), I reckon "Cross Recycler" is an excellent job title -- one I'd be proud to have on a business card.