Weird job interview story

[hepcat]

I've had the same job working as an IT contractor for the last 5 years or so and I've been looking to move onto something new for awhile.  I interviewed with a startup here in Austin that is making a software program that adds visuals to a live music performance based on frequencies and rhythm.  It's a really cool project and I was excited to interview.  They were looking for someone to test the product and do demonstrations for them at venues around town and eventually the country and beyond.  Thought I was a great fit since I have a software and IT background but I'm also a musician.  Email my resume, hear back directly from the owner.  Find out it's a very small startup that is running on venture capital right now.  He says he wants to meet me for an interview.  

Here's where things start to get a little off.  I go meet the owner at a coffee shop because he's working out of his garage.  He's young, probably 22-23 and fresh out of school.  He has two employees, one doing admin/operations and a partner that helps him code the software.  He's looking for someone who can really test what the software can do and also able to show people how it works at demos, also set up the events and market it.  Pretty tall order to do alone in my opinion.  So at this interview I don't get to see a sample of the software, it's just a meet and greet.  He says he wants to take me back to his house and show me the software and give me a demonstration.  So we head back to his place, I drive myself, and we pull up to this little townhouse with a one car garage.  He tells me to wait outside and he'll go in and open the garage.  He RINGS THE DOORBELL at this place and an older woman opens the door and lets him in.  I'm like, is this his mom's place or something?  So he goes in and opens the garage door and I walk in.  He shows me the software going through three projectors to create a semi 3D effect visual.  He's just using a pre-recorded sample but he says if we plugged it into a mix live instruments it would work the same.  It's pretty cool but not as earth shattering as I thought it would be.  Needless to say though it will be profitable and I still wanted to be a part of it.  So I play with the software and get the hang of it pretty quick, but I notice it is SUPER buggy and clearly not ready to show anyone yet.  It had a clunky interface and was difficult to navigate and some of the menus and options didn't make sense.  

Then the older woman comes out into the garage and piddles around on a shelf then goes back inside.  At this point I'm like, "Who is that?" and he says "Oh that's my girlfriend, she is helping invest in the project."  This woman had to be in her mid-40's or older.  I was like...okay...so this is where you're getting your capital from?  So after that I tell him I'm interested in helping him with the project and we shook hands and he said he'd be in touch.  A few days later he emailed me with what seemed like a job offer but there was no salary discussed and of course there would be no benefits.  I asked what my pay would be and how many hours he'd want me to devote to it, he says full time and not sure what pay will be yet.  It's been a week and he hasn't gotten back to me.  Not sure what the fug happened with him, but I'm not really expecting anything at this point.

Just thought I'd share a bizarre job interview I had...

[thefuzz]

That's not a job interview man.

[hepcat]

19 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

That's not a job interview man.

All seemed legit until I went to the house.  They have a super pro looking website and already have some music brands sponsoring them.  I didn't get to know the woman very well but I think she's well connected.

[CRA]

sounds like what happened is this guy has an idea...not a legit business yet

not sure that sounds like a full time job in regards to benefits and a paycheck you can count on. 

might be something you could get in on, maybe see if you could be part time in addition to what you currently do

 

[PhillyB]

is this like where the michael scott paper company goes to michael's mom's investment club to get funding? because if so it sounds like he's michael scott and you're vikram

[Scrumtrilescent]

Apple got started in a garage.  But so do serial killers.  I'd do some research into their funding.  Doesn't look like they'd be in a VC database so that'd scare me away until it gets more support and momentum if this is going to be your primary gig.

[dave-o]

I really thought this story was gonna end with someone getting a broom handle up the turd cutter !!

[Anybodyhome]

[Bronn]

They are really trying to open an inter-dimensional portal and you are the sacrificial offering they are looking for...

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

I asked what my pay would be and how many hours he'd want me to devote to it, he says full time and not sure what pay will be yet.

yeah no thanks

[imminent rogaine]

"oh, and you have to make deliveries to this storage unit on the edge of town twice a week - no questions asked."

[Doyle]

I worked for a startup once.  Never ever would I do that again.  I was "part owner" and every other employee hired after me was part owner as well.  The CEO would tell potential customers it was an employee owned company and it just wasn't true.  Sure enough after 5 years of building the company up he slowly let all the original "part owner" employees go, replaced us with a new group and gave them the same story.  We all knew we owned nothing and never would.  

[Ja Rhule]

I got a suggestion for you...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MadHatter]

Likely a guy with a neat idea but no real backing and no real business.  If you go with them, you are likely going to be suing him in the near future for unpaid wages.