I got the call today: I officially did not get the job I’ve been working on getting since December. In the end, the reason was one that I still can’t fathom: my choice of computer platform.
I work exclusively on Macintosh. As a designer and communications/marketing guy, it’s almost required — I don’t want to spend huge segments of my day in troubleshooting or fixing my computer; the Mac just works and the interface gets out of my way and lets me get on with it. I’ve found that Windows is so intrusive that it literally puts roadblocks in the way of getting work done.
This potential new employer uses Windows. I told them in no uncertain terms that I needed a Mac. In fact, it was pointed out to me in the interview that their membership, mostly design professionals, use Macs. So, it strikes me as bizarre and short sighted that they decided not to offer me the job because of the Mac situation. That kind of unwillingness to challenge the status quo is not very attractive to me; so instead of wallowing in disappointment and self pity today, I am instead realizing that I may have dodged a bullet by holding my ground. I don’t think I’d want to work somewhere that won’t take one small chance for improvement.
