Interviewing new housemates

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Two of my current housemates are moving out in the next couple of weeks, so I'll need to interview new people when they come to view the rooms. I'm sure it'll be v. cool, but I dunno what to say to them to test them out. What do you lot reckon?

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 31 January 2005 09:44 (twenty-one years ago)

do you live in london?

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 31 January 2005 09:46 (twenty-one years ago)

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/argot/picture/shgrave.gif

― robster (robster), Monday, 31 January 2005 09:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Just to make matters worse, our landlady is an interfering old witch. Not only does she constantly haranguing (sp?) us about our untidy house (which is definitely NOT untidy!) she's also sending people around at strange times to view the house, and seems to want her grubby little fingers in our pie at every opportunity, stupid bat. Just got another email off her today giving us more jip about the state of the house yada yada yada. AAAAAAAAH!

Sorry, that was less a constructive point and more of a rant, I do realise this isn't my blog.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 31 January 2005 09:50 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost.

No, I'm in Oxford.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 31 January 2005 09:51 (twenty-one years ago)

And now she's sent an email to me and the one remaining housemate to ask if they've broken anything or causing a rumpus or anything, and asking if that's why they're moving out! I can't believe this woman! She's trying to get us to snitch so that she can avoid paying out the deposit! What a bitch!

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 31 January 2005 09:57 (twenty-one years ago)

God, Ewan MacGreggor was hott with long hair...

I don't know. I'm rubbish at interviewing and being interviewed for living with people. Generally it's more about a feeling of how comfortable you feel with them how quickly than any specific questions.

― The Phantom of the Operating System (kate), Monday, 31 January 2005 12:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I know what you mean etkay - it's just I'm the worst judge of character IN THE WORLD. I know what I'm like. If I rely on gut-feeling, then it won't be my gut or my head that do the thinking, esp. if lots of fit indie ladies start parading around my pad. I really need a structure.

And also, apart from doing all the obvious things (showing an interest in getting people in, keeping the place IMMACULATE) anyone know any tips for keeping the Wickid Landlady of the West at bay?

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 31 January 2005 12:39 (twenty-one years ago)

if lots of fit indie ladies start parading around my pad.

this doesnt happen in housemate interview situations. sorry

― charltonlido (gareth), Monday, 31 January 2005 12:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I've been more on the receiving end of interviews than the giving, but I tend to ask things like "how would you feel about living with a vegetarian?" and "are you OK living with someone who works from home, or otherwise has irregular hours?"

The answer isn't really that important (well, unless they say "ALL VEGETARIANS ARE FREAKS!!! eat my meat, fuX0r") but more generally their attitude, i.e. are they willing to be flexible and understanding.

Landpeople - I ignore them as much as I can. I don't respond to much else except discussions of payment and things that need fixing.

― The Phantom of the Operating System (kate), Monday, 31 January 2005 12:44 (twenty-one years ago)

That's a good point, about being flexible 'n' all. That might be the way forward. Cheers m'dear.

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Monday, 31 January 2005 12:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I hate this. I go into Stepford-housemate mode. "And this is the bathroom, yes, it is small, but it's a really nice shower." I shoudl really get one of those audio phones liek they have in museums.

― Anna (Anna), Monday, 31 January 2005 12:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Johnny, you're buggered. If they appear weird, think how much weirder they'll be once you live with them. If they appear normal, just think how many deeply disturbing secret habits they're bound to have.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 31 January 2005 13:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Is taking polaroids of potential housemates considered creepy or acceptable?

― Madchen (Madchen), Monday, 31 January 2005 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Creepy I think. But then my Stepford madness usually means I want to appear that I care deeply about each and every person, like a slightly unhinged HR person. Taking photos would show they were just the latest in the queue of od people and the chances of you remembering them are small.

― Anna (Anna), Monday, 31 January 2005 14:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Give them the same test, word for word, they used in Blade Runner do identify androids!
While examining them with a magnifying glass!

If they handle it with good nature, that's a good sign. And if they recognize the questions as being from Blade Runner - well your search is over!

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 31 January 2005 15:27 (twenty-one years ago)

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