An object that sums you up

I think of myself as the sum of all the things in my life. OH, children, grandchildren, dogs, our business, my books, my friends. Not one of these things is me, but add them all together and that is me.

I would be a tree as I would live to several hundred years old (oak Im thinking), I would see the world changing and I just love trees, I too bend with circumstances like the tree bends with the wind , I love the wind through my hair and the changing seasons so yes a tree would be my object.

My house or a photo of it! It is the most important thing to me as it represents a place where family and friends come and feel welcome. It has historic significance in our village and to the partners of two of my off spring and, therefore, to some of my DGC. Its contents are my history and the history of my family. Other than that, it would be my kitchen and/or dining tables where friends and family gather.

Or my car, which represents freedom to leave my home and to come back to it.

Luckily, as Ann said, I'm not looking for a job either.

My iPad

etheltbags/reikilady which one are you being today?
(It's like Grayson Perry!)

Yes Tiz, I am the sum of all the parts !

A quote that sums me up is from The Canterbury Tales.

It's the Clerk of Oxenford:

"and gladly would be learn and gladly teach."

I taught adults for 20 years and learnt a lot from them - as much as they learned from me.

On a soppier note and something I wouldn't take to an interview is a pink rabbit soft toy I bought in a Charity Shop. It has a much loved look, it's a bit bedraggled and has a bemused expression - that's me.

Good Luck Imperfect27.

Probably either one of the small plant 'children' propagated from one given to us by my MIL over 45 years ago. Or a photo of the original. A constant through 8 house moves and an observer to our lives. Though if I were really honest a tangled piece of string as I am often in a muddle. Wouldn't help me get the job. . As well I'm retired perhaps. Good luck Imperfect.

Thanks for all the good wishes .

For the purposes of my interview, after running through all sorts of 'grown up' book titles in my head over the past day, I think I might take a board book I have bought for my GS for Easter. Books are so central to our family and I created a really good library for my own children - and visited the library with them so much too (thinks ...could take library card...) They have all gone to uni and two have careers founded on their literacy skills. So a children's book sums up my passion for reading to and with children and nurturing their life-long love of reading. Mind you - DS2 NEVER wanted to read for pleasure and NEVER wanted me to read to him at bedtime You can lead a horse to water, but ... He is a very contented chef!

Perhaps I ought to take a post-it pad - need to write myself little notes to prevent senior moments ... don't I think that would go down too well though ...

Well, cynicism aside, the latest fad interview "ice breaker" has made for interesting reading. greyduster my SIL is a sea fisherman and when he is fishing, he is just as absorbed as you describe. Watching him cast is seeing poetry in motion.

I'd have to take a bottle full of water from the Indian Ocean and describe "a shabby little hut, by the dock, down by the sea, it is nothing fancy, but ... it's paradise to me". (Song lyrics from back in the day, growing up beside the sea). My happy place.

I'm really at a loss to know why one needs to take anything. Wouldn't just asking the question 'to start a discussion' work? I think it's rather limiting for the interviewee and somewhat lazy of the interviewer.
It sounds like a Gestalt exercise - as if you were the child. I can see this being used with children in a classroom environment, but not at an interview, adult to adult.
A serious question, by the way.

The very best of luck Imperfecta27 I have come to the conclusion that I am unemployable.

I agree fffin. It's a bit like 'Show and Tell' at primary school!

Imperfect yes, I agree. They might have expected a bribe, especially if I had put the credit card on the table!

Like Imperfect, a book, probably one on history or archaeology. Wherever I am my eyes automatically move to the printed material in my environment, posters, papers, magazines, books anything. I can remember when I was quite small, one of my aunts saying, in exasperation, 'that girl would read the back of a bus ticket' (she was right).

That is why my career was spent providing people with the information they needed to do their job, in the form that was most useful to them.

After a thirty eight year career in public and academic libraries, it's probably obvious! Although which book, I have no idea!

What a great discussion starter this is! Books for me without a doubt. I might be a bit cheeky and take a copy of the one novel I had published as it's borne out of my life long love of books.
But I could just as happily take my food mixer (although it's bl***y heavy! ) as I love making cakes for friends and family. Or maybe a duster and bottle of Stardrops as it's hardly a hobby but cleaning is something I find myself doing far too often!
Good luck with the job. Sounds as though you're doing well as you're through to the second round!

I would take a copy of "You will never walk alone" - never mind who is singing it. It will always remind me of all the young adults I mixed with when running a Gateway Club for people with learning disabilities. I was involved with that for thirty years, and this was the song we always sang after a party/disco/show; I can still see them after 15 years, joining hands and raising their arms swaying to the music. I learned so much from them over the years, and music is a great communicator.

A paintbrush

The biscuit tin -no hesitation

I have always loved reading, but it's difficult to choose one book. Maybe a library card?
I like the idea of a tuning fork to convey love of music? I have always sung in choirs and play in an amateur orchestra but would not like to take my violin to an interview in case they asked me to play it!
Probably and family photo album would sum me up best as the family are central to my life

I'd take a shovel and a plastic bag to put their bullsh1t question in!

I can't see how this exercise can prove suitability for a teaching post. But what do I know?

I'd take a large wooden spoon to stir up the cauldron pot.

Good luck though imp.

My object would be a small, round pebble. Worn down to smoothness by the harsh elements, but still very much here. Comfortable to hold, but still painful if deployed in defence of loved ones.
Also illustrative of being stony broke, but that's another subject!

I've been through the usual interview strategies as they've come and gone. The one I remember best is the book or paper lying on the floor as you walk in to the interview room. I'd read about that one before the interview and picked the sheet of paper up and placed it on the table. I got that job. I would have picked it up though, interview or not, and I suspect the other candidates did too so it was probably a waste of time for the interview panel.

I'd take an encyclopaedia
Full of useful information but takes ages to find what you're looking for !
Doubt I'd get the job though hehe