I was just told that I was under-qualified to work at a fireworks stand. (July '08)

Jul 30, 2008

Well, chalk up another strike-out for this batter. I was so confident that I had nailed that 2nd interview too. I suppose it’s my own fault. I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. I think my first mistake was when I accidentally addressed the interviewer as “Dave”. Turns out his name is “Dale” and I had written it down wrong in my notes. He said to me: “Mister Jones, I did not earn the title of Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources here at Dixie’s Explosion Barn ... only to have people like yourself get my name wrong.”

I can’t say that I blame him. But I think he was going to at least let it slide. After all, he seemed to like my resume. I had no prior felonies. He was impressed that I knew Powerpoint. But then it happened. That one part of the interview that we all dread…

“Name THREE types of fireworks you would use to describe yourself and why."

Oh god.

I paused for a moment and answered with the following…

1) Whistling Bottle Rocket – “a typical day for me usually consists of a high-pitched ear-splitting shriek followed by a quick unsatisfying climax”

2) Smoke Bomb – “cheap, boring, and smells like egg farts”

3) Sparkler – “completely flaming and loved by four-year-olds”


So, I really don’t see where I could have messed up.

Oh well. There’s always next year I guess.

-Jonesy