Last week I had a job interview I was really excited about. 20/hr for a receptionist/customer service job for a small firm. I have 2 years experience in reception and 4 years of customer service, much more than the 1 year they were asking for and I was thrilled about the pay and extensive benefits.
I do community theatre in my free time. It has never gotten in the way of my work schedule, as most of us work similar hours. I love the theatre, it's my whole social life. I even make a little money on the side designing for shows and working tech jobs. When the interviewers asked what I did in my free time, I told them, and explained how many of my professional skills are easily applicable to the local theatres.
“Would you be willing to give that up for this position? We don't generally like when our employees have additional jobs. We prefer that this be your primary concern.” I told them I don't really consider community theatre a job, that if a show got in the way of work I wouldn't commit to the show, and that being involved in the theatre has never overlapped with work before.
Other than that the interview went incredibly well. But here I am today with a rejection email. As much as I would have loved a better wage and more reliable job, is that what you have to give up to get a benefitted position today? I have to be willing to give up everything and everyone I love, the only thing I'm passionate about, the only part of my week I really enjoy? They wanted at least a decade of commitment to the company, without other distractions.
God forbid I have a fucking life or volunteer my spare time to anything outside of the office.