Yeah, I totally failed that test, and they never called me.

Sometimes I think I'd like to go back and ask to take the test again. Not get a job, just take the test.

What's the test?

I did fine I guess. They never mentioned a score or anything.

dersins, it's a matching test where you have to put the book together with the character/plot point/author. maybe just author. i don't remember, i took it in like 1999 or something. but back then i thought it was hard.

and also, i hate matching tests. i'm very bad at them.

Ooh, this sounds like a fun test. Not in a job interview contest, of course. But for taking at home.

oops, job interview context. I also hate doing things timed, unless it's Taboo and we're using the little hourglass full of sand.

Every job interview's a contest, though, isn't it?

Years ago, I applied for a job at a used-record store. It was the usual application, except that it included an alphabetizing section. I put the easy ones in order, agonized for a while, then wrote five quick paragraphs about pseudonyms and stage names and courtesy titles, and foreign-language initial articles, and the biases implicit in presuming a firstname lastname format, and how 'John Doe and the Whoevers' could be reasonably filed under J, D, W or even, though I'd never do it myself, T. I referred to the principles of library organization and cataloging, and considered the history of merchandising from the department-store window to Paco Underhill. Lost for a good ending, the last sentence was something like 'Of course, as an employee of Whosits, I'd be happy to just put the stuff where it goes.'

To my great surprise, I got the job.

I nabbed a design job at a printshop once based on how well I did on IQ & personality tests they gave applicants. Totally wiped the other people out. Problem was, I was super young and had no clue yet how to actually do the job. Ended up getting fired.

I took that test. I got the job, but the interview was the worst I've ever had. The manager was in credibly mean. I explained the project I left school to work on, and she cut in and said, "Oh, so you dropped out." Yeah, I guess that's what I meant to say. And after each of my answers to her interview questions, she'd just give this heavy sigh. To the point where I finally said, "Um, is there something... wrong? If there's something you need me to explain about my resume or something, I'd be happy to..." but she just waved me away and told me I could start Friday. I think I lasted three weeks toiling in the dust and crickets before I moved on.