The thought of interviews still draws butterflies

Job interviews.

I used to hate them.

I’m not certain which was more stressful for me: being the interviewer or the interviewee. I didn’t much like either side of the table.

Because I worked in the same department for 37 years, I wasn’t subject to a host of job interviews myself. I do remember one time, however, being interviewed by a panel of 15. Talk about being under a microscope. Wow!

Because I was an Orange Coast College staffer for 37 years, I had many opportunities to sit on interview panels. I must have viewed a couple of hundred interviews over the decades. They always gave me butterflies.

My first real job interview took place in July 1971. It was a one-on-one session with venerated OCC President Dr. Robert B. Moore. I interviewed for a position in the Community Relations Office.

It was informal because “Dr. Bob,” as we called him, was by his very nature one of the least pretentious individuals you’re likely to meet. He was completely without guile and was generous and warmhearted to a fault. People either loved the guy or they loved the guy. No shades of gray.

Don Jacobs, director of OCC’s Community Relations Department, accompanied me into the interview. I’d served a semester-long internship with Don my senior year in college.

As I sat on the couch in Dr. Bob’s office trying not to fidget, he generously sought to allay my fears. We’d never met. The Stanford University graduate was OCC’s vice president of instruction when I became a student there in 1962.

“You may not remember me but I remember you,” Dr. Bob said modestly, catching me completely by surprise. “You were quite an actor.”

What? Did he actually recall me as an OCC theater student in the ‘60s? No way!

Way.

I learned later that Dr. Bob and his wife, Pat, regularly attended every student production.

“You were hilarious in ‘The Matchmaker,’” he said.

Not really. Mostly I was chewing scenery. He was being very kind.

“And,” Dr. Bob continued, “I thought you were funny in ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona.’ It’s my impression that you had an exceptional college experience here. Am I correct?”

Indeed!

The rest of the interview consisted of Bob and me discussing my experiences growing up in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. It was a warm exchange.

Finally, he stood and extended his hand. “Great talking with you, Jim.”

But, umm?

I left his office not quite knowing what had happened. We’d not gotten around to discussing the job!

“He liked you, you’re in,” Jacobs assured me.

Sure enough, my first day at work was Monday, Aug. 9, 1971. I served until my retirement on Feb. 1, 2008.

I first joined the staff as public information assistant, then became director of the News Bureau (1973), director of public information (1974), director of community relations (1982), director of marketing and community relations (1985) and senior director of marketing and community relations (2003).

I had occasion to chair and serve on countless hiring committees. If anything, I was too sympathetic toward nervous interviewees. I felt I was meting out unwarranted punishment. I always rooted for them to succeed, and my score sheets generally reflected that.

Still, I think I did pretty well. One of my hires served the college for 35 years. Another lasted 25; and another 20. Many others filled crucial roles and contributed greatly to the advancement of the institution and its students.

Now I’m retired. Several mornings a week you’ll find me mall walking — getting my exercise — at South Coast Plaza.

Know what I see again and again as I make my rounds? I see employers interviewing applicants at restaurant tables, on mall benches, in picnic and break areas, and at nooks next to water features.

I overhear employers asking the same questions I asked 30 years ago. And applicants repeat responses that I gave.

Is there nothing new under the sun?

Still, I feel their pain as I stride by. I even indulge a sympathetic butterfly or two.

JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years.