Bunny Corcoran

I’m now back from the second interview. Unlike the first, which lasted maybe 45-50 mins, this lasted 1h20m.

I was interviewed by FOUR people simultaneously, 2 of whom are Partners. Unlike the first interview which was in a very nice meeting room, but on the smallish-side and windowless (but still very comfortable), this one was in an amazing, huge, wood-panelled room (it could have sat 20) with floor to ceiling glass windows of London. It was jaw-dropping.

Anyway. To cut a long story short I gave a pretty darn good interview. Not saying I will get the job. I don’t know that. They’re taking a minor gamble on me if they were to offer me the job as I HAVEN’T worked in their sector before (professional services is quite broad), but I do have 7 years B2B professional services under my belt and there are a lot of commonalities.

I wasn’t nervous. I didn’t shake. I didn’t stammer. I engaged them all - I was confident, chatty, a good listener and asked all the right questions. I used every trick in the book from the 7 years I’ve been in the sector. I talked about how everything I do maximises shareholder value (in a tough, hard-core private sector organisation, everyone who isn’t a fee-earner MUST add value to the business) and I know this. I talked about reconciling expectations with perceptions. I talked at length about the importance of positioning, of competitor parity, of thought leadership and of what ‘great’ looks like.

One of the partners (we are talking about people earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, I kid you not - on paper such people can be quite intimidating) was a bit of a cold-fish, the other, however, was absolutely charming. He spoke at length on a question I asked. Really took the time to answer. I was drawn to him in a way, was uncanny. My honest opinion is that if I don’t go further, it will be because the cold-fish would have vetoed it. There was one question (the cold-fish asked what I thought about how and where their firm is rated in the industry, specifically their practice) that I didn’t answer well. And very stupidly, the agency had warmed me to swot up on this bit, and I didn’t. Ah well, you can’t expect the entire thing to be flawless.

I’ve now met 5 different people from the firm. The very last question I was asked as I was leaving, by the main guy I’ve been dealing with (who I also met last time) - was “what notice period are you on again?”. It’s hard to describe, but there was something about how he said it that… well, one shouldn’t get ahead of oneself. Also, though I think he’s keen - he won’t be the final decision maker I doubt.

I’m almost sure now that if they offered I would accept. The practice itself is one of the top in its (sub)sector in Europe and is generally at the forefront. Now is a good time to get in, by all accounts. Business is booming and their revenues are hugely up on last year. We haven’t talked package yet (one doesn’t tend to unless they make a formal offer at which point one negotiates). The sub-sector is one of the most high profile there is - it would set me up hugely for the future in terms of career potential, I really believe that. It was just filled with an energy, drive, glitz and dynamism that is so totally lacking in my current company.

Let’s just see what tomorrow brings. As soon as I hear anything I’ll post.