Turbine

I've tried to post some of my job search stuff, as I figure that's a good use of this blog.

This week I had an interview with the Boston Historical Society. Not really sweating a second interview with them as it was just for a part time NO BENEFITS job in their souvenir shop. Eh.

I had an interview SCHEDULED for the BU Bookstore( managed by B&N) at 11am on Wednesday but when I went the gate keeper( receptionist) was a not so kindly old man who told me the person I had the interview wouldn't be in til 1pm. I pointed out that while she was HR- perhaps she wanted me to talk to the Bookstore manager... and he retorted that the Bookstore manager was on vacation this week. I then asked if I could leave a message, as I didn't trust him to report what happened to the HR person. This seemed to make him NOT happy but he found a regular piece of paper and I wrote my message. I then had lunch, looked at comics, walked home and called her at 1:30 pm, she didn't answer and I left a message.
I've in fact called two more times, not getting her any time...

But the real thing I wish to share with you is Turbine. Turbine is hiring Game Masters and other support personal. They're doing D&D Online, ASHERON 1 and 2, and will be doing Middle Earth online.
Of the 3 jobs- this is what I want. Granted I don't play any MMORPGs but it sounds NIFTY. I like being god. It looks good on me. Seriously, I thought this would be cool as I like helping people and I like gaming. Sadly Turbine was doing an OPEN HOUSE, which means about 500 odd people showing up at a hotel for face time with these people.

I stressed last night and did something I haven't done for at least a decade more like two, I asked my older brother for advice. See this was an internet gaming company and I wasn't sure if I should dress formally(tie & jacket) or informally( jeans) and what time to show up- early vs. later. I also mentioned to evan that I was stressing about this... but called my brother as I wasn't sure I'd hear from evan in time( what with him having a life). Brother told me dress formally and take off the tie if I so desire at the event. He and evan disagreed about when I should show up... evan saying a bit late, my brother early.
I ended up setting my alarm. Getting up earlier then it because I was NERVOUS.

I left on the early side as I wasn't 100% sure where the hotel was( should've checked it out EALIER this week). It was right by the t stop so I got there about 9:40 and the event started at 10am. I used the bathroom and still had 10 min. There was a good mix of people in a good mix of dress... ranging from people with regular ties( like me), a person with a fanish tie( anakin skywalker), polo shirts and one or two t-shirts. I felt better to keep the tie on. I made sure I had filled things out and waited for the doors to open. I ended up NOT being the first in line but I was near front... which I think I was good. Basically I waited about 5 min to talk to the people who talking about the Game Master Job. When I checked back at 11:30 before I left the job fair, there was about 30 people waiting and that prolly meant less face time for each person.
Besides applying for the Game Master job, and made sure they knew I'd do part time or full time, I also talked to people about 'play testing' which was a bit out of my field as that's more debugging. Then I noticed that people weren't near a table, and checked that out. Turns out it was Billing and Tech Support. I made sure I gave them my resume, and told them I'm used to helping people figure out what's going on and trouble shoot things.
There were also two 'meetings' for customer support and human resources. I was a little late for the HR part, but was there for the Customer Support part- which is where I wanted to be as CS= Game Master. There was a guy in front of me that I wanted to K!I!L!L! He didn't ask questions so much as whine about his on line experiences and how crappy some other releases( even from Turbine) were. The other thing was the guy suggested that we sign up for the beta of DDO, as that would show them( for free) what we were made of and how we interacted with their game.
Since I was late for the HR confab, when he asked if people wanted t-shirts I shot up. I love me free t-shirts. And thought it was funny when someone complained that he got a SMALL T... pointing out that on line gamers aren't SMALL. I got my shirt and then I think he asked if any one wanted seconds... and I did. So I got two shirts... and felt a bit self conscious as I then went to talk to the the Customer Support speaker.
I told him that I had a 56k modem. That I would have NO PROBLEM getting a dsl for the job BUT would that affect the chances of me being chosen for the DDO beta? He said it wouldn't- esp as they're going to need all sorts of feedback. During his talk he implied that it was going to be a bit of time til hiring... as they won't need people til near the street date of DDO. So at the end I asked him for an approximate time I might expect to be hearing back from them.

Not until JUNE.
UGh

Before I left- we were also given free demo disks for Ashron's 2, so I stopped by the sign in desk and ask if I could have MORE disks. I pointed out I worked in a brick and mortar store- Compleat Strategist, and I'd love to bring some of the disks to the store. I was allowed 10. I also told them if they had extras after the interviews, to bring them to the anime convention in Boston. I was hoping my EXTRA helpfulness would be good.

After dropping the disks off at the game store- I came back home and applied for Dungeons and Dragons Online( DDO if I forgot to explain that) beta. Thought it was funny that they had a little field asking WHY you should get in on the beta. I pointed out that I was applying for a job so would take good notes and try to abuse the system. Also as a newbie I would check to make sure that the interface made sense for other newbies.