I think I would have the opposite problem. I did an internship for an architect who did boring client-oriented suburban commercial and industrial buildings, and although he had a pleasant personality I don't think I would have been content to spend my days working on his faceless and insignificant projects.
Consider yourself lucky to be receiving A. a job, and B. a job that will look good and maybe give you some interesting experiences.

How do you know the guy's an asshole - do you have direct knowledge of that or are you going by hearsay?

And, in this market, why do you think a "bullshit premium" is even in the cards?

I hope you're not using your real name on this forum!

Quick google search: "David Brent is a fictional white-collar office middle-manager and the principal character in the BBC television mockumentary The Office," let's hope that's where the name came from!


As for the job, just be very, very, very thankful you have an opportunity, and, on top of that, from a talented architect. Also be glad no one is concluding you are a Major League asshole, or you wouldn't be getting an offer at all.

I would estimate your sanity to be worth $0 on the open market.

stop complaining and just use his talent to get a good resume and show him who the real asshole is when you leave, taking some of his clients to start your own firm.

I've got pretty good intelligence from a former employee and two people who had him for a studio. There is remarkable consistency when it comes to reports of tantrums, lying, a generally unpleasant attitude. Those accounts make him sound seriously mentally ill. His attitude was on full display during the interview. Also he has a reputation around town as being a jerk, though unsubstantiated.

I should add that I would be his only employee. Perhaps as an alternate I could charm my way back into my old job at Wernham Hogg. ;)

David:

As a general rule, whores don't get to be too selective about who they work for. But, they do get to set their own price. Of course, if there's a cheaper whore down the street, the more expensive whore may not get hired at all.

I don't mean to be flippant, but if you're only doing this for the money you may not have much ability to pick the working conditions you prefer. And, in this economy, you may not have much influence over the price either. This is the quintessential "buyers market".

Based on what you write, it doesn't sound to me like this is something you ought to pursue unless you are just desparate for an income.

Good luck.

LOL rationalist!

you're not going to work for that douche jeff lewis, on bravo, who flips houses are you?

unless you have a slam dunk plan b, i'd go for it.

but what i find a bit suspicious is that usually professors hand pick their employees from their best students, especially if you are his only employee. sounds like this guy doesn't even know you, and you don't know him. weird.

yeah rationalist has it about right. unless you're something pretty special, you don't have a lot of negotiation power. you're either willing to work for the guy or you aren't.

and there's no shortage of talented and willing out there right now

OK....Alright this is what I need to hear. There is not that much of a choice here really. I need to feed my family. Enjoying a job is a luxury in this market.

Nominate Gareth for the job, he can take it.

you have to establish your own value

Good to hear you're seeing reason. That's not to say you shouldn't ask for what your services are worth, just that the notion of a "bullshit premium" doesn't exactly fly these days. Plus, if questioned why you asked for so much, it would be very difficult to justify.

Please follow up with some anecdotes after you start.