That went
so much better than expected. No dumb filler questions! (A little disappointing, since I didn't get to use joke answers, but oh well.)
The second interview went best of all. It went so well, we went an extra 45 minutes over the scheduled time, and they ended the meeting by saying, "So we don't usually do this, especially on a Friday afternoon, but everyone was just so excited
we want to offer you the job."
It's a pretty great job, too. The team was great. The manager is a terrific guy -- not only does he interview very well, he seems to really care about employees' careers and fit, and their happiness. When we talked salary, the exchange of numbers went something like this:
Him: What were you thinking of, in terms of salary?
Me: What were you thinking of, in terms of budget?
Him: For the junior position, about $X-high $Y. For the senior position, high $Y to $Y+5. We see you as upper junior, lower senior.
Me: That's great! My number actually is $Y+3.
Him: Mm hmm. How about we say you start with the junior title, but start you at $Y+5?
Me: ... that sounds great!
Especially since $Y+5 represents a 50% raise on what I was making at my last job. Yessiree, I think I can make that work.
More important, though, I liked the people and I liked the job and it really sounded like they were building a solid department with great vision for the future. The most important thing to me, in trying to find a new job, is to find a place that really -fits-. And I do think there's room to do a lot of great stuff at this one.
Even when you consider that it's also Andy's company.
Apparently, they just -really- hate their hourly employees. >_>
--
So the HR director and the hiring manager are so excited, they gave me an offer letter not an hour after the interview wrapped up, and are working with me via email and phone this weekend to hash out the details in the hopes that I can
sign the offer letter by end of day Monday and start work on May 20th.
Soooooo not what I was expecting from today. But I am so grateful.