Living Car Free - Biking to the job interview.

I have biked to so many job interviews I don't give it a second thought. When I get there I am energetic and ready to go after a quick bathroom break. If they don't want a cyclist then they sure don't want me. Confidence is the killer I am way better than any motorist because I cycle to work.

Another success story. I had to do several interviews.
My first interview had people questioning if they validate parking. I park in the same garage for free. There is even an attendant who watches my bike for me. Bike 1 Car 0

I then attended a training class where they were validating parking. I simply said I don't need one thank you. She smiled.
Bike 2 Car 0

I then had my second interview on my job site. I work in security where being fit is a good thing.
Nice huge bike rack where I locked my bike up. "You don't need to park your bike over there."
Had a great interview and then rode my bike home.
Bike 3 Car 0

The next day I get my job offer and I accept after a great 11.5 mile ride to the Home Office. I show up early and now I am employed. I meet my supervisor by chance and they make another reference to my determination in wanting to work by first accepting an interview that same day and then riding my bike over. Next arriving at the home office early in the day to finish the paper work. All of this helped their scheduling to get me into the job pronto and move me to the front of the three people who were interviewing for the position. I was the first interviewer and I never looked back.

Don't settle for less if they can't see cycling is better than driving an auto they're not worth your time.

Congratulations on the new job. :thumb:

Good stuff.

Good job (pun intended). :)

Well done. :)

Great!

congrats!

i've had the opposite experience in years past.
historically I'm a Pharmacy Hospital Pharmacy tech. specifically an ICU Rx Tech.

anyways.... the job i had a year and a half ago, i held for 14yrs.
i was the only one who rode a bike to work.
after over 10yrs they finally put in a bike locker

i was always early, i worked to the end, always achieved every goal
i'm also a combat vet (Operation Just Cause 1989)
winter storms would blow over trees, blocking the roads, I'd ride to work, and go around
co-workers en mass, would be late to work... way beyond the 15 minute grace period.
and they'd be excused

I'd ask, where in the HR policy is it an acceptable excuse to be late under those conditions.

I'd get off work at 11pm, and the staff would tell me that i was a danger on the Public Hwy, with my Light and Motion ARC Hid. that they felt it was dangerous to pass.

Often I'd tell them, if at anytime they felt unable to control their vehicle, that perhaps they'd enroll in a driving skills class.

needless to say... i didn't win much support.

I'd go to work to clock in at 2pm.

I'd arrive at least 1/2hr early, no showers available, so I would use wipes that I got from Central Supply, at least my employer was that gracious to offer me these awesome wipes they use to bathe patients with.

so I'd ride about 20hrs/wk, some days, I'd crank out 100 miles before work. when I'd show up, and dig into my locker to break out recovery nutrition, etc... often times, the bosses secretary would say, "you look tired. are you ok? are you ok to be working? you look like your on something."

I'd just be blown away, there she'd be in a knee high skirt, heals, and cleavage. coffee mug with lipstick marks, etc...

however, these days, more and more docs are riding, more ICU RN's are on bikes, and I've earned a degree of retro-active respect. (if there is such thing)

they ask... "Devian how have you survived not having a job for the last year and a half?"
answer: "well... you know how i haven't owned a car for about 5yrs? You know how I went to work 10 days in a row, every weekend, every holiday, with 4 days in a row off? You know how I rode my bike to work all those years? well... I saved money. amazing huh?"

but I'm almost broke now, and its been a great year and a half off of work.

the first time in my life that I've had time off. Its been "The Time of My Life".

also about time to go back to work! LOL

thats my rant...

peace...d

they ask... "Devian how have you survived not having a job for the last year and a half?"
answer: "well... you know how i haven't owned a car for about 5yrs? You know how I went to work 10 days in a row, every weekend, every holiday, with 4 days in a row off? You know how I rode my bike to work all those years? well... I saved money. amazing huh?"

but I'm almost broke now, and its been a great year and a half off of work.

the first time in my life that I've had time off. Its been "The Time of My Life".


Interesting post. One of the side-effects of not having a car too. It's really good to see that someone who hasn't been working in a while has been productive and lead a good-quality lifestyle. The problem with the lifestyle connected to car payments and big mortgages is that you are a true wage slave. If you do lose work, life is nothing but a panic. You can't really use your time off to learn and grow.

Interesting post. One of the side-effects of not having a car too. It's really good to see that someone who hasn't been working in a while has been productive and lead a good-quality lifestyle. The problem with the lifestyle connected to car payments and big mortgages is that you are a true wage slave. If you do lose work, life is nothing but a panic. You can't really use your time off to learn and grow.

well... there is more to it than just that.

I'm 40, and i grew up with my vietnam vet hippie dad, post divorce, in a van, homeless in Ventura County, during the 80's. I graduate HS in 87'

The Way of The Bicycle came to be via my dad, which he had learned/witnessed in Vietnam.

as a poor kid, i rode to and from school, work, etc...

in fact... at 11, i was putting together bikes for a guy who bought them in big lots from Police Auctions.
I'd get $5 for any bike with a single gear, and coaster brake, that i could put together and he could sell at the Swap Meet. I'd get $7.50 for bikes with handbrakes. $10 for 10speed bikes.

I joined the Army as right out of HS, I was in an Air Assault Light Artillery unit, here on the now now defunct Ft. Ord. deployed to Panama for Operation Just Cause 89'

blah blah blah

i also had once upon a time seen Suzie Orman on QVC, so i bought a set of books. then i read them dar books, and followed the instructions.

and then i learnt to have 18 months living wage ahead... that was the minimal foundation.

since then, things have come and gone, and then some, with things along the way...

blah blah blah...

anyways... ya i suppose I'm lucky

then i read a quote one day, "Luck is the residue of Design (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Rickey)"

Yea some good posting here
thanks for all the positive comments :)

One thing I don't think people realize is that I am less likely wanting to go to a store or wherever to buy things. That and I need to watch what I buy so I can haul it home. This unseen expenditure is huge in more than just money suddenly dealing with out is ok.
Lastly you appreciate what ever you buy because you just hauled it home food, whatever.



I will say my commute is a whopping 6 miles round trip. I am very happy I can always extend that. I like keeping a small commute to work Ok get up at 7am night.

Yea some good posting here
thanks for all the positive comments :)

One thing I don't think people realize is that I am less likely wanting to go to a store or wherever to buy things. That and I need to watch what I buy so I can haul it home. This unseen expenditure is huge in more than just money suddenly dealing with out is ok.
Lastly you appreciate what ever you buy because you just hauled it home food, whatever.


Yeah, that doesn't get much play, but it definitely has an impact, impulse buying used to be a problem for me.

Returning to the original post, I found my current job when I saw a name I recognized in the employment section,
Called up and he said come on over, "Is it Ok if I turn up in bike gear?" "I can get dressed up, but it'll take longer." "That's fine" he says.

He wasn't expecting Lycra shorts, got over it though. It's been a great job for the last 18 months, haven't missed a day, only been late a couple of times, once with a frozen freehub. They were just blown away that I would ride at -20C.