Yeah, I don't get the beef here with interviews. I just majorly bombed one a few months ago so badly that I wanted the ground to open up underneath me. I got a sense the guy was taking a distinct pleasure out of watching me massively fail, and then in the feedback was also dinged for "not having enough exposure to M&A operations integration" as part of the list of 10 personal failings. The job didn't ASK for it, we never TALKED about it, I DO have experience in it. It was horrible and really knocked me back. That's ok though, Ive decided Im probably ready for a career change anyway.
Also - there is nothing really to note of post-war British Architecture. They tore down slums. They put up pre-fab, system-built concrete housing and structures. They are now tearing that down to put up luxury high-rises no one can afford. The end. Anything important has either been destroyed (Robin Hood Gardens) or is really expensive now and redone (Park Hill in Sheff) or was always famous and listed (Barbican, maaayybbeee Balfron Tower and its twin Trellick). Its all Brutalist, its not like there was more than one style or innovative use of material, hell, some of the buildings were so poorly designed they actively killed tenants (Ronan Point, or, not helping matters with fire escape, Lakanal House). All the same I love it as a product of its time and relationship with society, class, and emergent music styles.
The point is that there isn't anything about post-war British architecture you couldn't learn in a weekend reading the Municipal Dreams blog, but here its AAALLLL about what you've done, not what you can learn. Also - can't be too enthusiastic. God forbid, you may actually get work done and therefore show up others. So - go into the next one with a pleasant but milquetoast personality and then let the enthusiastic American out once you have the job (and pass probation). These are all good learning experiences.
