Surfing Waves

be honest at your interview and tell them that you're going for the job because it has a very good surf break nearby?

I'm hoping they would understand that a good surf break close to home means everything in the world to them.

Well if you tell them that and they still hire you then that would most likely be a great job.

Banz, that's totally dependent on the company. Would think that might work for the sport industry but probably won't fly over well with others. Personally I would steer clear, maybe mention something about it during the Q&A after the initial interview but don't make that a sticking point as to why you want the job(even if that's the main reason).

I think it's a great thing to say if you're applying for a surf shop management position otherwise use it as a light-hearted aside to find out if your interviewer surfs and might like having another surfer around. My problem is that I don't give a rat's ass about American football and that seems to be the social currency of about 90% of all men in the US.

If it's near a decent break, then there's a good chance that at least one of the interview panel will surf there

On the downside, they'll be way ahead of you when you phone up and say you can't come in to work today whenever there is a good swell

I do lots of interviews for my work and live in a 'secondary city' in Australia. One of the issues we have is that a lot of people end up leaving and moving to the big cities; and not many people move to my city. So I'm always interested in the reason any 'outsider' wants to come here - if its 'because you are offering a job', that usually isnt enough. The person doesnt actually want to move here, they just want a job and will then leave in 2-3 years to go where they actually want to be (not always, but its a pretty good indicator).

Whereas if they have family or some reason for being here - and I've had people tell me its sports or activity related (mountain biking and skiing in particular) - then they are moving for a lifestyle and want to be here. Its much more likely that they will stay. I dont care what the sport or lifestyle issue is, so long as there is a valid reason beyond 'the job'. The job is not life.

That said, I am (I think) sensible enough to know that the jobs I am interviewing for and the company I work for are - while very good - are not dissimilar to jobs being offered by competitors and in other cities. I dont take the view that the job is such a unique wonderful opportunity that a skilled person would move here just for the job (as opposed to, say, a job at Google or a specialist company that is one of a kind).

But I know there are companies who are pretty up themselves and do think people would move just to work for that company and that the existence of a job is more than enough to justify moving. And that you will stay forever just for the joys of working for that company.

If you are interviewing with one of the latter companies, then mentioning surfing may not be appropriate. But if you were interviewing for me, the fact that you wanted to move for the lifestyle and also for the job, or chose to select my company over all the others offering you interviews, because of the 'non job' benefits, would definitely be plus point. It would give me confidence that you were likely to stay and were just grabbing any job on your way to finding the job you really wanted.

I'm assuming here you are moving - if you are not changing where you live but merely want an office that is near the beach, then ignore all the above! Then it just shows you want to be able to skive off work when the surf is good.

I wouldn't let my Daughter marry a surfer. Because I know where his priorities lie. So if I was a job interviewer for a company not in the surf/action sports industry, I would even more so not want to hire him. Some in society still think surfer all have longhair and smoke pot. Damn social outcasts.

Very interesting. I'm glad I asked and I got some very good replies.

dtc, I'm moving to a different country. So no doubt they will want to ask why I want to move and work there. I'm currently working at a hospital/university and the position they offered is pretty much exactly the same as what I'm doing now.

My interview is in 2 weeks time. I think I'll be fairly honest to tell them that I visited their city for a month last year and I fell in love with the place and the surf. My original plan is to move there in 3-5 years time but then I saw the job advert and felt like the position would be very suitable for me and I can't wait any longer.

I work in IT and most people in my field with any common sense would go for banks or high tech companies. Simply because the pay is a lot more for doing the same type of work. Not many people would like to go into research/university related.

wkkk, what if your daughter is a surfer? Which is most likely the case if both you and your wifu surfs.

BaNZ wrote:be honest at your interview and tell them that you're going for the job because it has a very good surf break nearby?

I wouldn't volunteer the information but if the question comes up, present it as a positive. The surf break is an excellent reason for you to be a long term employee.

Have a surf before the interview and have sinus drain during it, guaranteed no job! Classic none the less!

BaNZ wrote:wkkk, what if your daughter is a surfer? Which is most likely the case if both you and your wifu surfs.

I would hope she grows up to love the ocean. But also hope she finds some rich IT guy that's afraid of going in the water.

jaffa1949 wrote:Have a surf before the interview and have sinus drain during it, guaranteed no job!

Everyone "bows" here in Japan, instead of shaking hands. Always a bit embarrassing when that happens.