August 13th, 1999 was a Friday. Sunny but chilly day and second interview for a job that week. Just two months after arriving to Australia and a year to go to Olympics. Interview was postponed two times, first because Telstra technician was coming to install phone line in our apartment and second time because interviewer was not available. Job advertised was CAD Draftsman, step down for Registered Architect coming from South Africa, but pay advertised was good. In two months of job hunting I discovered that “local experience” is crucial, even for filling shelves in Franklin’s in night shift. First interview earlier in the week with multi-disciplinary but mainly architectural firm went quite well, so I was optimistic there.
At the interview I find out that Alan, Head of Department, was still away and couldn’t interview me, so it would be John who will talk to me. Years later Alan told me that I was lucky that he was not available since he wouldn’t have employed me if he was interviewing me since I was way overqualified for the role. Part of the interview would be test on AutoCAD - Mark who tested me was satisfied. Luckily I was an expert in AutoCAD, winning their Design Award five years earlier in Johannesburg. John explained that company is big apartment developer and builder with lot of work in the pipeline for internal design and documentation team - secure employment would be important for fresh immigrant with young family of four.Also, another piece of luck - my reference from South Africa, form first employer there, was checked and confirmed since Floris is now in Sydney and collaborating with John on a project.
I presented my portfolio and experience, almost ten years since graduation, and various projects and employers - from studying Housing at post-graduate course for two years, working on artificial intelligence at government owned building research establishment in Belgrade, Serbia, then some of most prominent architectural practices and largest projects in Southern Africa (including two reserve banks) to individually designed residences in very high end residential developments in Jo-burg suburbs. Less than half an hour and John walks away from the room, leaving me wondering what did I say or do wrong. He comes back in few minutes, he spoke to Peter, General Manager, and there was a last question:
“When can you start”
“Well, it is quite late and it is Friday, so perhaps next week.”
“See you at 9am on Monday”
Not bad for Friday 13th. I stayed in Meriton for more than fifteen years.
Meriton’s award winning team with Dame Marie Bashir, AD