Sometimes, I even surprise myself...

I went into an interview with no expectations...but before I did, I actually went with a girlfriend for her first bridal dress fitting as moral support because of the disaster she had previously...so I was rushing left, right, and centre.

I thought I was running late for my interview at 2pm...in St Leonards...but I ended up being 10-15 minutes early. I decided with the wind, it would be best to hide in the foyer behind closed doors, rather than brave the strong gusts outside. I spoke to the receptionist, signed in, sat down and waited.

It was an interview for nothing specific. They were sent a resume, my resume and for some reason two Program Managers liked what they saw. They asked if I would meet them. So, here I was.

One came down, introduced himself and shook my hand and ushered me outside to a cafe, apologising for the other's delay and explaining why we were going to a cafe and not a meeting room. Apparently, meeting rooms are hard to come by in this office. I wonder to myself if this is a good sign?

We sit down, he orders a flat white, I order a hot chocolate...little bit of intro and the other manager appears. A little more of an intro and then I get grilled. Then comes the compliments..."you're so confident, where does that come from?" "Thats a good answer, but don't you think it could be this, or that?" etc...

I clarify with my "confident" answers...I'm confident because I'm not riding on this interview to get me a job. I had no expectations...which is always the best way to walk into an interview. After having a 3-way conversation, talking about the projects more in detail, I basically made them feel good about me and my skills and talent.

I'm asked about whether I am "technical", there is hesitation...I explain myself...they are extremely happy with my answer...I get asked what the difference between a URL and the IP Address? I think to myself...don't you know? How do I answer this??? *panic* Well, one is the web address in human terms - words; while the IP is the techie, computer version of the address, were talking numerics. My response sufficed...apparently their PMs wouldn't be able to answer that...and i'm thinking they are bs-ing with me.

I am asked what kind of manager I am? I tell them I focus on people. I always try to balance things for my engineers. Yes, I understand that deliverables need to be met by yesterday but there is no reason why I would have to make the people I work with miserable. It doesn't help with productivity and it doesn't help meeting the deliverables any sooner. Mind you, that doesn't mean I am incapable of being firm and assertive.

I think we chatted for 30 minutes and they offered me a role...we spent another 20 minutes or so sitting there, with the two of them trying to get out of me what they can do to make me say yes. And i drew a blank when they asked me "what can we say or do to make you choose us, other than the other company?"

I was upfront and told them that i was expecting a offer this week by another company. I would really like to work for this other company because I like the culture and what they have to offer me. Something that is unique that they don't offer at theirs. I told them that I would take a couple of days to think...they asked if the weekends were included??? They asked if this other company took too long, would i choose them? They really want me to work with them.

I did come up with something that I wanted to clarify straight up...I told them about my Aunt's wedding in NYC and my friend's wedding in Mauritius...would they let me take 2-3 weeks off over late August and early September?

They said that if I asked later, it would be No, but since I am asking now, the answer is Yes.

I have spoken to a few people and I have decided to take this role. But its not simply because everyone is telling me how good this company is...that it is internationally recognised...that the pay is good...that I will be properly recognised as a PM...it all comes down to my gut feeling.

I feel good about this move. I feel good that they want me so badly that they are drawing up the contract so that I can have it ASAP. They are basically under the impression that the other company still have their cards on the table, so they are trying their best to beat this company with a better hand.

Compared to the other companies I have been interviewing with, I actually "felt the love"...so why would I go anywhere but to a company that wants me?