Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Bay Area vs. LA

So today I was talking to a friend of mine from b-school about my job search. We were talking about how saying you've done jack shit in terms of work for the last 12 months isn't too impressive, and then I told her that I've started a blog, and then she tells me, you should tell people that you're taking time off to write a screenplay! Now, in LA, I think I totally would, but up here in the Bay Area...the professional world is a bit different!! So far, here are some little things that I've noticed:


LA:
  • People are impressed with "Bullshit."
  • People are impressed if you say you've been in the "industry."
  • Many marketing job postings don't require technical skills. Or an engineering background.
  • If you say your main weakness is quantitative skills, it's AOK!
  • If you smile during an interview, that's a good thing.
  • If you wear a gray suit in summertime, that's also a good thing.
  • When you go in for an interview or a meeting, the receptionist is usually good looking.
Bay Area:
  • People see through the "Bullshit" faster.
  • Most marketing jobs require a technical background. Engineers are loved.
  • During interviews, they grill you on quantitative skills. Sometimes they ask you to describe Excel formulas over the phone.
  • If you wear a gray suit in the summertime, you will most definitely be stared down.
  • People have very international accents that I cannot place.
  • There is no guarantee that the receptionist will be attractive. Or not have a crazy eye.

Ok, you're probably reading this and thinking that I'm vapid and shallow, but no - I'm just kinda wishing I had a more developed skill set so that I can find a job faster, because people up here are really serious!

I think that this video kinda sums it up...and if it doesn't, you should still watch it because it's hilarious!




3 comments:

Maggie Mae said...

You think gray suits in summer are bad, wait until you walk around in a non-North Face jacket during winter!

chrrrrrs said...

Seriously, I went to an interview in a gray suit cuz it was 100 degrees. All the guys were staring at me like it was a construction site, but it was really a cesspool of nerds, and I got a few dirty looks from the 2 girls that were there. WTF?

Patricia said...

haha i'm laughing right now. love the comparison.