Carla Gypsygirl's Blurty

Humour vs. professionalism

Sonya (left) and Carla (right) duke it out over who is the craziest sister of them all
I've said it before, and I'll say it again- looking for a job is totally like dating. There are so many little insecurities that scurry around inside one's mind. For example: Do I call them after three days? What do I wear? Do I wear my hair up or down? And, currently occupying my mind is this question: is it good to be called "crazy"?

At a recent interview, I will admit that I tried to crack a few jokes. I wanted to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, it was the times that I WASN'T being funny that the interviewers laughed. Like, I told them that I used to work with a guy who was from their company. They asked me what his name was, but I couldn't remember. So I said, "I don't remember his name. All I remember is that he used to call me 'String'. Because, you know, my surname starts with a G. So, you know, G-String? String? I was so glad when I left that company, because then I knew that no-one would ever call me String again." I was merely stating a fact, but the two interviewers thought that this was hi-lar-i-ous! And then, I was explaining how I tried to act all nonchalant the first time I had an illustration published in a magazine, when really, I had bought 4 copies of the magazine and still have most of them in their original wrappings. I said, "They're something to show the grandkids. Not that I have any grandkids. I was just saying." I sincerely wanted to clarify to the interviewers that I didn't have any kids or grandkids, just in case they were wondering. Anyway, the interviewers thought that I was a total hoot, and the HR lady exclaimed, "Oh Carla, you're CRAZY!"

Now, should I have taken that comment as a compliment or insult? Everyone likes a little bit of extra sparkle around the office, but no-one wants to work with a hyperactive nutter. Look at Tom Cruise. We acknowledge that he was funny in Risky Business, moving in Jerry Maguire and dynamic in Mission Impossible, but would we invite him over for dinner? No, because he'd jump all over our new couch, and just act all weird and annoying. Anyway, I found the "You're crazy" comment to be quite akin to when a guy says to a girl, "You've got such a great personality." Most girls interpret this compliment as, "You're smart, but you're ugly." So what was the HR lady actually saying? "You are funny to be around, but there's no way we'd let you loose in our design studio!"

Argh. Who knows? And, do you see what I mean? Jobs, like dates, can totally mess with your head. Like, that interviewer lady was just saying what was on her mind, and now I have totally blown it out of proportion!

Meanwhile, do you think it is bad to email your interviewers a cartoon that you drew about the interview? Because that's what I did. Hey, if they think I'm crazy, I might as well use that to my advantage.

Carla Gypsygirl