Interviewing 1980's style
/Much has been written in Business and Management books on the best way to conduct job interviews.
What questions you should ask ? the setting ?, group or one on one?etc etc.
Lets step back in time to 36 years ago to 1980 in Melbourne Australia when I was interviewed for my first job in Corporate Fitness !
First some background. It is 1980 and after a major career and lifestyle change I had just begun employment in the Fitness Industry working at a commercial club called "Lifestyle" in suburban Melbourne.
In an effort to gain more experience I was recommended to interview for a position in the very new field of corporate fitness. Little was I to know that this interview would change my life forever !
NB; This is an excerpt from my upcoming book !
Chapter 4 - GJ Coles and Coy, Corporate Fitness
As the 1970’s drew to a close, Australia was experiencing a Fitness boom.
The Aerobics craze was starting to sweep the nation and the whole idea of getting fit was seen as the new “trendy” way to spend your free time. Fitness Centers were being built everywhere and your local gym’s Aerobics class was the place to be.
With this increased interest in fitness, many private companies were starting to take an interest in keeping their employees fit by converting spare office space into mini fitness centers. Suddenly Fitness Instructors like mewere in demand. Obviously the low cost of employing instructors was a big help. At Lifestyle Altona Gate I was now earning the princely sum of $4 per hour. Break out the caviar and champagne!
Low wages was the main reason the rest of my colleagues at Lifestyle eventually drifted into other careers. I was determined to make the Fitness Industry my lifelong employment. An office was no place for me. I dreaded the thought of ever working in a place like the Ammunition Factory Footscray again.
The days of Freelance Personal trainers charging up to$50-$60 per hour, were 15 years away. Regardless of the low wages, I actively pursued more part time employment opportunities in the booming fitness industry. As well as Lifestyle in suburban Altona Icommenced working in Melbourne’s City Center at Vital health Studios in little Collins Street , and the Apsonor Investment Companyin Queen’s Street teaching lunch time exercise circuits for $5per class and free parking.
In these pre “Zumba”, “Step” and other highly choreographedAerobics class days, my circuits of push-ups, sit ups burpees and mountain climbers passed for Aerobics. I just added music and when I ran out of ideas I just did a side bend to gather my thoughts and get my breath back !! A valuable life lesson that … when in doubt do a side bend !!
With my portable boom box blaring Bee Gees “Saturday night fever” and the theme from “Rocky” on a never ending loop I was a veritable John Travolta/Sylvester Stallone in form fitting lycra! Fast forward 36 years and my current Boxacise members would report that the music hasn’t changed, but thankfully the lycra has !
So between Vital, Lifestyle, Apsonor the occasional fitness training for Aussie rules football clubs, full time studies in Physical education, and running Marathons I was a pretty busy lad.
As with so much in life, timing is everything. As 1980 dawned Lifestyle employed a new Manager named Peter Townsend. Peter was a tad different to the other Managers I had worked under in the Fitness Industry. He actually had some Management skills!!
Peter was a Sales professional who knew how to implement systems to keep staff accountable and on track with member’s appointments. This was a far cry from previous laiseez faire Management where there was no direction and chaos ruled.
Peter was impressed by my initiative and recommended I talk to a bloke named Tom Leehane.
“Who is Tom Leehane?” I asked.
Tom’s the Manager of the GJ Coles executive Fitness Center in the city “Peter replied.
“Coles, the supermarket company? Are you going to recommend me as chief shelf stacker?’ I quipped.
There was a reason behind my sarcastic reply. GJ Coles Australia’s was Australia’s oldest and largest, low priced supermarket chain. Right from the 1930’s depression era until the Post World War 2 years the G J Coles advertising slogan was “nothing over 2 and 6 (2 shilling and sixpence”). It was hard to imagine a company so imbedded in the Australian psyche as a cut price retail chain being involved with lavish corporate fitness centers.
I was beginning to wonder if Peter Townsend was pulling my leg (joking).
“No, they actually have a fitness center for their executives at the back of their main store in Little Bourke Street” he explained.
“Tom Leehane is the Manager of the Coles Recreation Center. He’s a great bloke, rough as guts, but don’t be fooled. Underneath the old Aussie larrikin style he’s a very smart and switched on fellow,” Peter explained
“ But don’t ever try to pull the wool over his eyes. He’s as smart and cunning as the proverbial lavatory rodent!” he warned.
“Oh and by the way, Coles pays $10 per hour” Peter added with a sly wink.
Peter knew that last statement would get my attention. In 1980 when average part time rates were about $2.50- $4.00 per hour, $10 .00 per hour was serious money. I had visions of actually being able to pay my way in life without snipping dear old Mum for a loan every weekend!
Although I was still skeptical, I made a phone call to Tom Leehane the next day and mentioned that Peter Townsend recommended I speak with him.
“Oh that wacker Townsend, hope you’re not trying to sell me something” Leehane replied gruffly.
“No mate just a couple pyramids if you are interested” I replied.
I wasn’t sure if Tom’s reply was a chortled laugh or sneer but we arranged to meet the following day at 2.30 p.m. The location was very convenient.“The GJ Coles recreation Center” as it was called, was only 5 minutes’ walk from Vital Indoor Sports in Little Collins Street and Apsonor investment in the Wales building in Queen Streetin the heart of Melbourne’s city center.
The following day after teaching some classes at the Wales building I made my way over to Little Bourke Street. On entering The GJ Coles Recreation Center via a partly hidden entrance door akin to an afterhours sly grog merchants, I was greeted by a distinguished looking bloke, about 6 feet in height , grey hair in his mid-50’.
He appeared reasonably fit, albeit with a slight beer drinkers paunch common to Aussie men of his age. I immediately sensed by his confidence and slightly limping gait that Tom Leehane was probably an ex Aussie Rules footballer with bad hips. This was the typical limping legacy Footy players incurred after years of giving and taking too many hard bumps and shirtfronts .
Mike James? He asked extending his hand.
“Yes Mr. Leehane, pleased to meet you” I replied
“The names Tom, not Mister! You think I look like that bloody TV horse Mr. Ed?”
" I might smell like a horse, but the names Tom from now on, Ok?” he replied
Somehow Tom said all of this with a slight smile in his voice that got his point across in a gruff yet joking manner. It was a trait I had seen in many older irascible Aussie blokes, so I was not taken aback at all. I also sensed that with that rough and ready sense of humor he was like me from the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.
Tom then proceeded to show me around the Center. It was very lavish for its time. In true 80’s Male Executive style there was a table tennis area, well equipped gym, mini golf driving range and putting area, executive lounge with open bar, and Male changing room with towels and laundry facilities!
“No women’s change room Tom? I asked.
“Coles doesn’t have any women executives, so that probably decreases your interest by about 100 per cent’ he replied.
“Not at all Tom, I’m such a professional I never let business mix with pleasure” I quipped
“Oh please tell me another one, I was a young bloke too once, believe it or not” he replied with a mock groan of disbelief.
After the tour we sat down in the plush executive lounge area for the formal interview. Tom didn’t waste any time
“You’re a fit looking bugger Mike, no doubt about that, but what’s with the beard and long hair? Are you a surfer or a hippie? I can’t work out what or who the bloody hell you are?”
Like many Aussie blokes, Toms was very good at breaking down personal barriers and making you feel comfortable within seconds of meeting him. But I could sense that he was trying to test me and see if I had a sense of humor so I replied in kind.
“No I’m hoping to start a career in pornographic movies” I replied.
That must have struck a chord. Tom immediately burst out laughing but within 5 seconds this was replaced by a stern poker face
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Do you realize you’re talking to a God fearing Catholic married for over 30 years with a wife and seven kids?! He admonished.
Rather than apologize, to use boxing parlance, I decided to “take the game up to himand lead with a few counter jabs.
“Well I’m a Catholic too Tom, but my mum married a member of the Masonic lodge, and with me being the last of 4 boys weighing in at 10 lbs., she said enough was enough and shut up shop!”
To my surprise Tom didn’t miss a beat.
“Your dad’s a Mason? He replied with mock indignation
“Was...he died about 6 years ago” I replied
Tom’s tone then changed instantly
‘Oh sorry to hear that Mike, how is your Mum keeping now? Is she ok?” he asked.
“Yeah she’s comfortable. Fortunately Dad was a war veteran and she is pretty well set up for a pension and medical benefits. She’s not wealthy by any means but she’s ok.” I explained
“That’s good. But money isn’t everything mate, is she lonely, I mean is she ok in herself?
Your still at home, I hope? He continued.
Suddenly the conversation had taken a serious tone.Underneath the gruff larrikin style Tom had a compassionate side.
“Yep I’m still at home Tom. She seems to be ok , she keeps herself busy with senior citizens groups and the Church, and me and my 3 older brothers make sure she’s not alone ” I replied
“Yeah well that’s good; your mum shouldn’t be left on her own. As long as you don’t try to bring any of your porno starlets home you shouldn’t annoy her too much” he added.
In an instant I had gone from a feeling sad to suddenly laughing and trying to think of smart ass reply. But like a skilled skipper steering rough seas changed Tom tack again
“So if you’re a Catholic where did you go to school? he asked.
“St Bernard’s in Essendon, and right now I’m studying Physical Education at Victoria University” I replied
“Typical I should have known, another pseudo-intellectual, smart-alecky Essendon bastard. You follow them in the footy I hope” he asked.
I later found out that Tom had played for Essendon Football Club in the early 1950’s, so my next comment was bound to get a reaction
“No I follow Collingwood Tom” I replied, waiting for the inevitable barrage of abuse we Collingwood supportershave become accustomed to over many years
“Bloody hell, a porn star who barracks for Collingwood. What a combination! Then again, better than half the other toothless derelicts and pick pockets they have following em” Tom said while shifting uncomfortably in his seat and wincing at the mere mention of Collingwood, Essendon Football Club’s mortal enemy for over 50 years
Sensing a no win situation I tried for a quick change of topic
“Where did you go to school Tom? I asked.
“I’m doing the interviewing here but bloody Coburg if it’s any of your business you nosey bastard!” he replied
“Oh Coburg, you mean that big sandstone building on Bell Street? Pentridge Prison?”
Luckily for me Tom also saw the humor in my equating his education with attendance at the most notorious prison in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Pentridge Prison!!, that’s where you’ll end up one day for murder ya cheeky bastard. Your jokes are killing me for starters” he replied
“Speaking of pains in the ass like yourself I’ve been having this hamstring problem. Will stretching help that you reckon Mike?” Tom asked grabbing the back of his leg with a grimace.
I then launched into a mini lecture on the importance of flexibility, static and ballistic stretching techniques etc. Tom listened intently, asking questions along the way.
”How long should you hold the stretch? What sort of warm up should you do? Should I bounce when I stretch?” Tom asked at various points.
I immediately recognized that “This blokes is no novice, he’s asking good questions.”
After this 15 minute mini stretching workshop, Tom quickly stood up and said
“Well look Mike we are looking for new stafffor a Recreation Center we are building for just across the road in the Bourke Street Mall in about 8 week’s time. Are you interested or what?”
“ Ah, um yes Tom if you’ll have me.” I stammered, taken aback at Tom’s expeditious decision making.
“Well you’re the first University educated bastard I’ve met who isn’t all theory and up himself and you appear to have at least some semblance of humor, so I’ll call you back in 6 weeks,” he replied “And that’s no Bullshit, when I say I’ll call you back I bloody well will! Tom added.
“Sounds good to me Tom,” I replied. “Now that the interviews over any chance you could go missing so I can see what’s worth knocking off (stealing)here ?” I said with a sly look over my shoulders that would have made my convict forebears smile and my old Christian brother’s teachers wince with embarrassment.
“Yeah I’ll have to bloody start counting the golf balls now. See you in 6 weeks Mike,” he said while shaking my hand goodbye
I was very happy. I had never experienced a job interview like this before or since. In the space of 30 minutes, Tom Leehane had found out about my family background, my interests, sense of humor and knowledge of exercise physiology all in an informal setting.
Peter Townsend was right.“Tom Leehane certainly is as cunning as a shit house rat, never mind the lavatory rodent” I mused.
I sensed that this bloke named Tom Leehane would become one of the most influential people in my life. For the first time I actually began to feel there was an answer to my eternal question.
What the fuck was I going to do with my life?
Well, on this beautiful Melbourne Summers day in 1980, I somehow knew that Tom Leehane, G.J Coles, and Corporate Fitness were all going to be a big part of that life.
A life and career in Corporate Fitness that I never in my wildest dreams thought would take me to the United States of America, and only 2 blocks away from the most powerful house in the World!