recruitment xmas tree presence
Annual round of graduate recruitment interviews yesterday.
We had selected six shortlist candidates after group interviews and Post editor Jane Wolstenholme and I, along with Managing Editor Chris Walker, met them one-on-one yesterday in my office.
I always find it a gruelling day - six one-hour interviews may not seem a lot at face value but for each candidate it is a hugely important day that may have an enormous bearing on their future. That means they deserve your 100% concentration and concentrating is wearying.
The candidates varied from massively nervous to outragously self-assured. It's best to strip away the interview tension or bravura and look at the person beneath. By and large they were clever, articulate, committed and capable of becoming good journalists.
We narrowed it down to three, and then, after a deal of agonising, got down to the two to whom we'll offer a bursary.
They'll find out today. For them it's the start of a career that is just brimful of opportunity, excitement, variety and fun. Throw in the opportunity to change the way the world acts and thinks, and it's hard to think of a better way to spend an adult lifetime. Good luck to them. If they have half as many laughs as I've had they'll look back on a career well spent.
For the unlucky four, this may be the first real disappointment, the first real rejection they've had in their lives. Lives that have seen them sail through school and University picking up academic honours with aplomb.
The first taste of rejection may be hard but if they take it the right way they will emerge stronger. It's a cliche but it's true. All four are capable of becoming journalists, and in some cases highly successful ones.
Drove home about 7pm and listened to Linda McDermott and David Charters talking together on the radio. They are two of my favourite people. Dave has a wonderful ability to spot the absurd in a situation and their carefree chit-chat made the drive fly by.
Home to promise Morgan that we'd get a Christmas tree on Saturday.
http://www.aboutproperty.co.uk/gardens/choosing-christmas-tree-$7266694.htm
Found to my horror she'd fallen asleep when she got in from school. (This always means she can't get to sleep at bedtime.)
Worst fears realised - can't hear Gordon Ramsey at 9pm because she's running round like a lunatic shouting and singing. 10.30pm - she's still up tearing around the bedroom as I ruefully set my alarm for 5.45am.
11.30pm - she's tucked up in her own bed and Lynne and I hug in exhausted relief. Two small arms wrap around our legs. 'I sense a presence.' said Lynne. 'Presents!' said Morgan. 'Can I have one? Is it still my birthday???'
