In early December 2001, I attended an interview with Dell Computers in Limerick about an Industrial Engineering graduate position. It was an excellent job by all accounts. The 1st interview went well and I was invited back to a 2nd interview sometime in January. I enjoyed the Christmas holidays with this knowledge.

In early January 2002, on a Tuesday, Intel rang me unexpectedly and invited me to an interview on that Friday. I accepted this offer and started preparing. Later on the same day, Dell invited me on the following Monday to a 2nd interview with them, as promised. The Dell interview was to be a marathon affair. I was asked to prepare two presentations, each one fifteen mins in length. One could be on any topic I choose (Aikido!) and the other was titled “Steps to Improve Productivity in a Manufacturing Environment” There would also be a twenty min HR interview, a plant tour and a one hour technical interview.

Although incredibly daunting, I had little time so preparation was hasty and in earnest. I had to research all the old college material and consult with some former lecturers in the Industrial Engineering dept in NUIG. Kathryn Cormican and John Sheils were fantastically helpful. The preparation came together all the while attending a very important 1st interview in Dublin with Intel.

On the day in Dell, the presentations went very well, despite a thorough interrogation from the interview team. The next events ran smoothly and during the final, one hour interview, I was asked to provide, on the spot, three suggestions for improving the productivity of the factory based on my observations during the short plant tour. All in all the day did go well and I was told I would know the result by the end of the week.

It was finished and I was tired, and quite exhilarated. The next day I went to a third separate company for an interview. I had known about it since before Christmas, but at this stage I had little intention of pursuing it. It was in Roscrea, the middle of nowhere but I went anyway.

Roscrea called me for a 2nd interview which I declined. Dell though called me back on site one week from the original day of presentations and interviews. This was to do a series of extra psychometric tests. They covered Maths, Arithmetic, and Verbal Reasoning and lasted one hour. I was told that definitely, this time, I would know the final verdict by the end of the week.

There was no word for over a week and a half. In the meantime I got what I considered a surprise second call from Intel to come in for a 2nd interview. I had presumed them to have not accepted me due to time difference but this wasn’t in fact the case. I travelled up to Dublin and while en-route Dell rang to inform that they wanted me for the job there but however there bad news. Simultaneously word had come through of a global hiring freeze due to an economic downturn and as a result the position was no longer available.

Devastated, but on the way to an excellent prospect with Intel I held my chin up and moved on. One hour later, Dell rang me back to say there had been a change. As an exception, they would interview me once more, and from that possibly offer me the job. If I could impress upon three Vice Presidents of the company it would spell success. Confused, I accepted the offer of another interview.

Then, while on site in Intel, I was offered a job there. I graciously accepted !

Free as a bird, I went to the big, bad interview in Dell. There were a few VPs and the Dell No. three in command – Nicky Hartry. Never have I been so grilled and cross-examined. But having nothing to lose, I excelled. But maybe not enough. After all the interviews, Dell turned me down. Spun around but with only a week before a job start in Intel I moved to Dublin to arrange accommodation.

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