The interview. Again.
Tags: economy, job interview, job search, laid off, recession, unemployed
Job interviews are not pleasant. Anyone out of steady work is instantly buoyed by the possibility of a job offer, but I don’t know anyone who looks forward to the actual interview.
The entire task is to convince someone that you’re competent, talented, motivated, intelligent, a good investment, and a good ‘fit’ (an amorphous quality linked to the often equally-amorphous culture of that particular workplace). They always represent an unequal power dynamic. Their structure makes it hard to avoid being in defensive mode. That’s because the entire proceeding is about proving yourself.
I have a job interview tomorrow morning. And at this point, I’m indifferent. My affect is flat, and I don’t feel particularly motivated.
It’s not that I’m scared or even terribly anxious. I’m articulate. I’m personable. I can talk knowledgeably about my work and industry. I’ve been through enough interviews to know what to expect and how to field a whole range of questions.
And of the interviews I’ve had, I often make it to a short list and get called back for another round. And sometimes I’ve been hired, sometimes not.
The last short-list interview that didn’t result in a job offer was sabotaged by my own misguided subterfuge. I was so eager to be what I thought they wanted, that I tried to be something I wasn’t, and I kept hidden what they really wanted to see.
I’d heard through the industry grapevine that the person who currently held the position was being replaced because they were difficult and not a team player. So I tried to come across as uber-agreeable, uber-nice, uber-collabrative. I even threw a written psych test, a simpler form of the Myers-Briggs, and tried to anticipate which answers would help me come across in just the right way. And what came of the proceedings? The headhunter called to say they’d chosen someone else.
“They wanted someone more assertive.”
I could hardly believe what I heard. I’ve never been told, “You know, your work is great. But you really need to work on being more assertive.”
The truth is the opposite is far more accurate. Telling me to be more assertive would be like telling a dog to spend more time sniffing other dogs’ pee.
One time a former boss came up to me at a company Valentine’s Day gathering, and taped a valentine to my arm and chuckling, he said, “If it fits, wear it.”
It was kinda icky, but he was right. I wore my heart on my sleeve. I said what I thought and felt. Thankfully, I’ve learned to temper my bull-in-a-china-shop tendencies as I’ve matured over the years. The upside of getting older, to be sure.
So when I shared with close colleagues why I didn’t get the job, they could hardly contain themselves.
“You must have worn a muzzle to the interview!”
I learned a critical lesson from this interview experience: be yourself. Such mom-and-apple-pie advice, but it’s true.
And even though I was somewhat disappointed at the outcome of this episode (at the time I wasn’t 100% convinced I’d like the job), I had to laugh. And I felt reassured as well to know that the real me was really the better me.
Which brings me back to tomorrow morning when I’ll be trying to be myself for the XXth time. And that’s the thing. The more interviews you go through, the more rehearsed they become, the more unnatural, and the more unlike myself I feel.
I have interview fatigue. I’d like to get back to being just me. Heart and all.
Tags: economy, job interview, job search, laid off, recession, unemployed
PW said:
Feb 26, 09 at 12:33 pmHi “Fired” - you’re right of course. I’ve been through so many interviews that I no longer get particularly stressed, nervous or anxious. In fact, while I’m not exactly blasé about it all, I’ve always felt reasonably confident that the forthcoming interview would go well. And for the most part, that’s been true. However what is different now is that there are virtually no mid-to-mid/senior level marketing roles being posted locally. However, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of lower level coordinator and assistant positions being offered. And therein lies the difficulty - it has been challenging trying to make the “first cut” and partcularly challenging trying to convince the interviewer that you won’t get bored and leave or that you are a viable candidate in the first place. So while I can speak intelligently and confidently about my skills and experience and produce a good range of work samples, sometimes it’s all too much. And so the picture has to be adjusted to meet expectations and even then, the picture may not look quite right. So I’m not so confident anymore. I too would like to get back to being me. Heart and all as well.
PW said:
Feb 26, 09 at 12:38 pmHi “Fired” - I’m sorry I forgot to wish you luck. Do well
fired said:
Feb 26, 09 at 2:46 pmI completely understand your situation. A week ago I interviewed for something considerably below my level at half the salary — it was just another contract position, and I’m going through the motions since nothing’s been discussed yet about extending my current contract gig. I figure some salary is better than none while I continue looking. But even though I could do the job with eyes closed, it’s a challenge to get someone to consider you when you’ve been more senior. Fortunately tomorrow’s interview is for a senior level gig. To be honest, I’d rather stay where I am when considering the two opportunities, but I gotta keep all irons in the fire. As for your situation, remind me…are you on severance right now and have some time?
PW said:
Feb 26, 09 at 3:27 pmHi “Fired” - I’ve worked a number of contracts and while the last place of employment was f/t, I wasn’t there long enough to qualify for unemployment benefits.
diana said:
Feb 26, 09 at 4:11 pmI know this may sound weird but this entry has encouraged me so much. I’ve been feeling the same way about interviews. I go in, thinking that I’m going to be what they want and then they want something else. At this point, I’m not even excited if I hear back from a company anymore because I already know the end result will be “sorry we went with someone else” but I do appreciate this.
fired said:
Feb 26, 09 at 8:51 pmDiana — glad it helped. Sometimes knowing that others are going through the same experiences assures us we’re not alone — or crazy. );
fired said:
Feb 27, 09 at 4:35 amThat’s hard PW. I know I’m terrified that at the end of this contract, I may be left without any parachute. How are you doing with it?
sourgirl said:
Feb 27, 09 at 5:04 pmI actually have a more of a question than a comment. I wrote on here before, I was fired because of unflattering-to-the-boss emails sent to a coworker. That’s the real reason, but there were extraneous trumped-up add-ons. I hired a lawyer, and after looking at the whole picture, I decided to quit. I got my letter of recommendation (a good one) and a signed promise that no one in management will trash me verbally or in writing, to anyone. I’ve been told that previous employers are not supposed to say, “They were fired and here’s why.” So when I go into my interview, I am very carefull to not say, “I was going to be fired.” But I live in fear that the previous employer will not honor the agreement. Then during my new interview, after I am asked why I left my previous job, and I say I quit (which is technically true) the interviewer says “oh really well this is what I heard…” I actually have no problem w/dealing with that head-on, but my question is would it have been better just to have been out w/it in the first place? I don’t actually lie in my interviews, but as is often said, I try not to give more info than is needed, and to stay positive at all costs. So to me, this means don’t mention the firing unless asked. I am just afraid that it will make me look like a liar, which I am SO not. If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it.
fired said:
Feb 27, 09 at 7:09 pmHi SG — First, I wanted to let you know that over the weekend FiredForNow will have a Forum added to the blog. This will enable a lot more free-flow discussion of the very kind you’re asking for here. Come back in a day or so to check. In the meantime, I can give you my own experience with this type of thing. I was fired many years ago from a job where a new GM was brought in and had a very different approach and style to me — and from the person who first hired me. (I reported directly to this GM.) As our differences became more and more clear, I saw the writing on the wall. In fact, I asked him if I should be concerned about my future. He said to me, “___, I consider you not just a colleague, but a friend, and if it ever came to that, I’d come to you first.” Three weeks later I was fired. It was hard to stomach how he had lied to me with such a straight face. In any case, as I interviewed for new jobs after this, I found a way to present this in a way that was honest without trashing anyone or anything. And I would only get into it if asked directly. I would explain that he came in as a new GM, had very different ideas about where he was taking the company from what my understanding was when I first signed on, and it became clear we had different goals and objectives. That’s a plausible situation and I found it wasn’t held against me. In your situation, it may be possible to present this something like “I began to see that this wasn’t really a good fit for me, that I was looking more for something that was…..” and here you could explain honestly what you’re hoping to find (the things that may have been missing in your previous company that you were critical of). There’s usually a way to spin things that makes your departure understandable and won’t reflect badly on you. Hopefully, someone else may have some additional input. Take care )-
PW said:
Feb 27, 09 at 11:56 pmHi “Fired” - so many things to cover. With respect to your comment above about being terrified that you may not be left with any parachute at end of your existing contract, well, welcome to the world of a “pure contract” gig. I’ve spent more time in this environment than I’d care to admit. The money can be good but it can also be pretty average. In any case, unless the contract has provisions for an early termination payment, the deduction of EI premiums, expenses incurred as a result of the contract or some other extraordinary event, you get zip (no additonal monies) at the end of your contract. If you were a term employee and had EI deducted, you’ll get a “Record of Employment” that can be used to clain unemployment benefits so long as you have accumulated the required number of hours based on the unemployment rate in your area. I’ve worked on “pure contracts” with no EI provisions and even though I was a “permanent employee” at the last place, I simply didn’t have the required number of insured hours. So no money for me. It’s been four months now and I’ve been paying my own way. The burn rate for cash has been huge. Imagine yourself in my situation. Everyone has financial obligations and responsibilities that have to be met - food, transportation, heat, light, a place to call home, debts, mortgage payments, life insurance, credit card payments - the list of usual and common expenses in any given month can easily amount to several thousand dollars. So if you’ve not actually had a real income from employment for four long months what do you do? Well, the options are: (1) Status quo - keep applying for whatever jobs that you are even remotely qualified to do and hope that something comes along very soon, (2) Cash-in whatever is left of your retirement savings, which isn’t much after withholding taxes and the severe effect that the market downturn has had on your equity and mutual fund holdings, (3) Declare bankruptcy - nope, not going to do that (4) Take a survival job, if you can find one. So if you’ve been thinking ahead and I’m sure that you’re a “smart cookie”, you’ll have saved as much cash as you’ve possibly could of from your present gig, but at the same time, have hustled your butt off to find the next gig or F/T job so that you won’t be SOL like me. I wanted to say that I’ve also been fired by a new “boss” who took over from the fellow who originally hired me into the company. The “boss” who I inherited had a totally different working style, attitude, objectives and expectations from what I had with the person who had hired me. Gee “Fired” your life sounds like my life. So I know how you feel.
fired said:
Feb 28, 09 at 9:36 amI hear you. I know freelancers in my biz who are saying things have dried up considerably, and are very scared. I’ve never done freelance for any length of time, I just never had the fortitude for it. So I respect tremendously that you’ve done it so long. On the other hand, the key headhunter I rely on believes the coming year will see a tremendous increase in contract and freelance work — so much so that she’s building out a freelance unit as part of her business model. And actually I’ve seen some freelance gigs posted on job boards for positions that I wouldn’t have seen in the past — like a freelance account director. So perhaps massive layoffs may result in holes that need to be filled without the commitment of f/t workers — and hopefully, you’ll benefit from that with your head for contract work. Here’s hoping )-
Reegis75 said:
Feb 28, 09 at 4:26 pmThis is so true. I’m glad I signed up for Twitter. This is what I’m talking about. The whole rehearsing in your mind what to say and how to say it. Figuring out what to wear and researching the company and for what to hear we went with someone else or hear nothing at all. I went through an interview like this a the beginning of the month. It started with a phone interview which led to meeting with the VP of the department. Let me tell you I have never seen anyone take so much notes on me I didn’t know what to think. It made me think of school when your teacher was grading a test or a paper…all the red ink…OMG. Although, the ink wasn’t red it still made me nervous to think that this person wrote so many things about me when I can barely speak about myself. Anyways, I didn’t get hired. And maybe rightfully so for whatever the reason was in the end I wasn’t sure if I would have liked the job.
PW said:
Feb 28, 09 at 7:50 pmHi “Fired” - I think that your headhunter contact is “right-on-the-mark”. Major companies out here are still in the process of laying off people. People who have jobs that I would be a “good fit” for. And those same companies have also shelved hiring people for those ranks. Makes sense right? Right. Problem is that the pool of well qualified unemployed talent is growing in a market that even in “booming times” only had a limited capacity to absorb relative to Toronto. So it’s going to take quite some time before things turn around and people in my area begin to get rehired again. And while severance and unemployment benefits enable you to stay home a while and look for another job, how far do you think a weekly maximum pre-tax amount of $447 will take you? Particularly when no one is hiring for your particular skill-set. And so, you have all these hungry marketers all scurrying around looking for opportunities, contracts, short-term gigs, one-offs - with all this talent running around, the competition amongst independents for whatever contract gigs there are will surely heat up, meaning less work for everyone. No wonder your freelance colleagues are scared. I’ve been that way for quite some time now.
Well, if they qualify for unemployment insurance, they’ll get that after the government has allocated their severance payment over whatever their weekly benefit amount is.
Suzie Harfnan said:
Apr 04, 09 at 10:02 amI find that just relaxing and being yourself works best. You definitely want to go into the interview doing a little research about the company you may be working for and ask them questions about their business/company. That usually scores bonus points with the employer.
Mel @ Make Rain said:
Jul 17, 09 at 2:40 amI can’t think of anything more intimidating than going for that job interview, I have never like them and I don’t think that I ever will. I really enjoyed this post thanks for sharing.
lynnscott said:
Jul 29, 09 at 5:44 amI have read all the books on what to do at the interview,and still can’t relax,doing research about the company does help then you can ask them the questions.I was once given some advice pretend
you are in a movie and then take on the role PW of the person in the movie it did help me and more fun,I did not get the job they did pass my CV on and work in progress.I wish you good luck and brake a leg…….
Job Interview Coach said:
Nov 06, 09 at 7:25 amI know how you feel. Interviewing for a job isn’t the most fun thing to do.. Hope things Job Interview Tips will help others with their job interviewing.
1) Have a Personal Branding Statement
The first question most employers will ask you during an interview is “Tell me about yourself.” The way you answer this question will set the mood for the rest of the interview. That is why you develop a personal branding statement. Explain where you are from, your passions, what strengths you as a person bring to this position and what benefits your previous employer(s) have gained because of your employment. The Personal Branding Statement should be about one minute long.
Personal Branding Statement Example:
“I am a seasoned marketing expert in property retail management, strong in driving traffic to mall retail centers through effective media buying and event planning. I grew up in Philadelphia and I have a passion for continuous learning.”
You should do this for three reasons:
1. It demonstrates that you are comfortable with yourself. This places both you and the interviewer at ease.
2. It will help you begin to control the interview.
3. A well-delivered Personal Branding Statement will increase the interviewer’s interest in to you.
Be careful not to show off - simply tell a story about yourself.
2) Keep a Positive Attitude
“I can get this job!”
The key to a great interview is keeping a positive attitude. The interview is about you. This is a major advantage for you. You are the one that shows the interviewer what is great about you. Keep in mind, your resume got you the interview, it’s the interview that will get you hired.
Be prepared for tricky questions and unexpected happenings, such as setbacks. Don’t let these affect your positive attitude.
3) Dress for Success
There is a saying that clothes make the man (or woman) and it is certainly true. You only get one chance make a first impression, and if you want to compete with the rest of you need to dress to impress.
4) Follow Up with a Thank You Letter
After you conduct your successful interview,it is important to follow it up with a thank you note. This is the time acknowledge the interviewer’s time and to remind him or her why you are the best person for the position. You are only remembered if you show the interviewer that you can create value for the company. You should try to write a thank you as soon as the interview is over. You can personally write it and mail a note to the interviewer or email them.