A Tale of Two Sittings!

Well, devoted brethren,

I have rushed back from my inquisition(s) to update you all on my performance (or lack of same!).

The first interview was (supposedly) at 11.30am (keep me sweating(literally) for about 15 mins) and went pretty well. There was only one interviewer and we got on pretty well. She's a nice lady - she even bought me lunch afterwards!! She is head of the Design School there, which is not a place a logic oriented, artistically two left-footed individual like myself would usually get a job. She said she needed someone to teach the more technical aspects to her students, so who knows?

After the free(?) lunch, had the other interview at the IT School, where I thought beforehand I would be a better match. Supposedly at 2pm (another 15 mins wait), this time it was a bit of a grilling from three IT nerds. Was anyone ever at an interview where it was obvious that you were not the person for (or going to get) the job?! It ain't pretty, and this was the worst one of those that I can remember! It was partly my fault - I put up a poor defence as I couldn't remember what exactly I applied for (well it was ages since I applied!). After all the preparation and reading reams of information, the one thing I forgot to re-read (the original job description) cost me. No harm - it was quite funny in an excruciatingly painful sort of way as I sidestepped one dodgy question after another! I could be a TD with some of the tangential responses/escapes I came up with!

Ah well! Should know within two weeks if I qualify for the formal interview for the first post. If I was a betting man, I'd bet against it, given her body language on parting. But then again, since when can I read women?!!!

The Polytechnic is about 30 mins from my flat by bus (against the traffic though). It's in a nice area actually beside a reservoir (very lake like!) and the grounds are very well laid out and maintained. The facilities look great. I got there early and went for a look around. The work week is very long (surprise surprise!) - from 8.30am to 6pm Mon-Thurs and a whopping half an hour off on Fri evenings! Lecture load about 23 hours a week (high by Irish standards - I averaged 4 or 5 hours in NUIG!). Their semesters go from April to Aug and Oct to Jan roughly, which is pretty odd. I'd have to lecture during Christmas! The good thing about it is that I landed here at just the right time when they were looking for next year's staff! They have accommodation for lecturers, but not students which is also odd by our standards!

Boy, was I glad to get home though and get out of the interview clothes! In the likely event that I fail in my endeavours to get one of these posts, I suggest that you get the bunting ready, as the outlook here will be grim!

So concludes my longest articulation thus far to you, my loyal acolytes!!!!