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Big interview today

Cerulean

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2019
Messages
5,129
So, I am interviewing for a job I am really excited about today. It would be career-changing.

It is the final round of interviews. I will be presenting case studies, doing a live "working session", and then doing 3 break-out interviews. It'll take 4 hours and is with 3 people.

It has been a grueling process. This is my 5th round of interviews. I've already done case studies and a big project for them to demo my skills. Phew. Usually, I am really good with interviews, but this process has totally shredded my nerves!

Do you have any tough interview stories? Send good vibes my way!

Spending my morning cramming a bit more, then hope to just survive the day... :lol: I am buying myself a little gift after this whether I get the fricken' job or not.
 
Good luck @Cerulean !!!

My only interview story worth telling is the one when I got into the residency program everyone else wanted. I didn't even want to apply but the Colonel and the Captain of West Point USMA Eye clinic insisted I was going to apply. LOL. I did my externship there but had no plans to do a residency. Capt Urosevich said in no uncertain terms not only am I doing a residency I am doing it at West Point. So I did apply (reluctantly) and the interview was just a formality and I don't even remember it. Best job I ever had. And after my residency program there I stayed on as faculty for a number of years. Truly amazing memories.

Sending you bucketloads of good luck vibes. May the job be yours and may it be a dream job!
 
Definitely sending good vibes! Doing the interview sounds like a job in itself! You deserve to treat yourself after this interview!

Good luck!!!
 
You're going to do great! Thanks for sharing!
 
Wishing you calm during the interview! You definitely deserve a treat!
 
Good luck to you!
 
Good luck!!
 
You can do it @Cerulean ! Make sure you take lots of time afterwards for self care. Big days like that are super draining right? Please update us when it’s over with your good news :)
 
Good luck - don't cram - give your brain time to let go and relax- the answers are in there and will appear when you need them!
 
You got this
 
Good luck! Rooting for you!
 
prayers outgoing
 
Sending tons of good wishes and positive vibes your way @Cerulean!!! And be good to yourself afterwards, you've been through a lot of stress during this process. <3
 
Best of luck!
 
Good luck!
 
Final round? You’re a shoe-in for the job :) but best of luck on the last presentation! Knock them dead!
 
Best of luck! Which is often a matter of preparation meets opportunity... both of which you have covered! I hope all is going (went) well and you'll have some exciting news shortly!
 
Thank you ALL so much for the unwavering support. It seriously made me feel better heading in to the whole day!

Whether I get it it or not - I know I have cheerleaders in my corner and I learned a lot!

I’ll let you know of the status - they said I’ll hear sometime next week!
 
Good luck!

My own story...

Back in 2005, I applied for my dream job that I had worked hard for since I started my career in the late 80s, at a government agency as an inspector.

I was invited to attend a selection weekend held in a hotel about 2h's drive from home, along with 5 or 6 other candidates.

I was running late due to traffic and did not have time to change before I went into the hotel.

I rushed into the hotel, to find the other candidates all suited up in dark colour neutrals standing by the venue's door, when I was still wearing my trainers, jeans, a red checked shirt and a magenta coloured jacket (the shirt and jacket were tailor-made for me as part of my business formal wardrobe).

My heart sank, and I knew there and then that I would not get the job.

The occupational psychologist feedback (he was an observer throughout the weekend, and I had to complete an online personality/profile test beforehand) was in the line of, I was a bit of a battle axe (still am I believe :lol-2: ), and giving me the job would be like trying to ram a round peg into a square hole. :roll2::lol-2:

I later discovered they selected the candidate that I disliked the most, as he was very obnoxious and pedantic nit-picker with a whingy voice.

Shortly afterwards, I moved out of London as there was no point for me to remain in the city when my dream job eluded me as the inspectorate's headquarter was in London (still is).

Since then, when I talked about being an inspector with my peers, I discovered others whom I respected in my line of work had also applied and did not make it.

With hindsight, I probably would not have fitted in as I was and still am, very rebellious, and would be challenging the red tapes and authorities all the time! :oops2:

DK :))
 
Oh gosh this isn't very helpful so maybe read it after you're finished applying lol:

But... I'm the worst at interviewing! I'd say I'm not sure why but that would be a lie, I'm pretty sure it's because I make the atmosphere uncomfortable by being so awkward.

I have a bit of social anxiety which wasn't too bad before pandemic but always required a good little pep talk given to myself right before big events, but after/during this pandemic it's gotten 10x worse due to isolation.

It's to the point where it almost hurts my brain to look into a strangers eyes for more then a few seconds.

I have a hard time selling myself as well; I find the process to be disingenuous & add on intense social anxiety and boom...most awkward person ever!

I couldn't imagine interviewing right now, it's a shame because the jobs I've applied for in the past, I was excellent at and am highly skilled for, but the interviewing process alone has always been very difficult for me.

Others are right about cramming, usually someone with minor to zero social anxiety can rest, and if known the info will come when needed but now I have to drill it into me to where the information is less logic or actual knowledge but more of a memorization reflex because the chances that I will have brain fog and be unable to answer problems/questions is very high. I'm very cerebral & yes neurotic so I also overthink. My brain will go a million miles a minute!

My heart will pound so badly to where I'm worried I'm going to be the one applicant that fainted lol
Luckily that has yet to happen...but yeah I envy those who do well in interviews.

My brother is one of them, even though I'd say that he had a very hard time in school where as it came easy to me, I didn't have to try. His interviews are always very fluid and natural and he enjoys the process of talking about his accomplishments and has no problem being assertive.

Anyways, I wish you luck! It sounds like you have this in the bag, but if they end up being lunatics just know it's their loss! I don't believe in coincidences so I think whatever is meant to be will come to you at the right time!
 
Everything crossed for you for a successful outcome.
 
Good luck!

My own story...

Back in 2005, I applied for my dream job that I had worked hard for since I started my career in the late 80s, at a government agency as an inspector.

I was invited to attend a selection weekend held in a hotel about 2h's drive from home, along with 5 or 6 other candidates.

I was running late due to traffic and did not have time to change before I went into the hotel.

I rushed into the hotel, to find the other candidates all suited up in dark colour neutrals standing by the venue's door, when I was still wearing my trainers, jeans, a red checked shirt and a magenta coloured jacket (the shirt and jacket were tailor-made for me as part of my business formal wardrobe).

My heart sank, and I knew there and then that I would not get the job.

The occupational psychologist feedback (he was an observer throughout the weekend, and I had to complete an online personality/profile test beforehand) was in the line of, I was a bit of a battle axe (still am I believe :lol-2: ), and giving me the job would be like trying to ram a round peg into a square hole. :roll2::lol-2:

I later discovered they selected the candidate that I disliked the most, as he was very obnoxious and pedantic nit-picker with a whingy voice.

Shortly afterwards, I moved out of London as there was no point for me to remain in the city when my dream job eluded me as the inspectorate's headquarter was in London (still is).

Since then, when I talked about being an inspector with my peers, I discovered others whom I respected in my line of work had also applied and did not make it.

With hindsight, I probably would not have fitted in as I was and still am, very rebellious, and would be challenging the red tapes and authorities all the time! :oops2:

DK :))

Wow, how intimidating to be confronted with all of your competitors! I would have definitely faltered in that style of interview process!

It sounds like it wasn't meant to be, although it is always a bitter pill to swallow when things don't work out as we planned.

I'll say, moving to London instead sounds like a fabulous alternative!
 
Oh gosh this isn't very helpful so maybe read it after you're finished applying lol:

But... I'm the worst at interviewing! I'd say I'm not sure why but that would be a lie, I'm pretty sure it's because I make the atmosphere uncomfortable by being so awkward.

I have a bit of social anxiety which wasn't too bad before pandemic but always required a good little pep talk given to myself right before big events, but after/during this pandemic it's gotten 10x worse due to isolation.

It's to the point where it almost hurts my brain to look into a strangers eyes for more then a few seconds.

I have a hard time selling myself as well; I find the process to be disingenuous & add on intense social anxiety and boom...most awkward person ever!

I couldn't imagine interviewing right now, it's a shame because the jobs I've applied for in the past, I was excellent at and am highly skilled for, but the interviewing process alone has always been very difficult for me.

Others are right about cramming, usually someone with minor to zero social anxiety can rest, and if known the info will come when needed but now I have to drill it into me to where the information is less logic or actual knowledge but more of a memorization reflex because the chances that I will have brain fog and be unable to answer problems/questions is very high. I'm very cerebral & yes neurotic so I also overthink. My brain will go a million miles a minute!

My heart will pound so badly to where I'm worried I'm going to be the one applicant that fainted lol
Luckily that has yet to happen...but yeah I envy those who do well in interviews.

My brother is one of them, even though I'd say that he had a very hard time in school where as it came easy to me, I didn't have to try. His interviews are always very fluid and natural and he enjoys the process of talking about his accomplishments and has no problem being assertive.

Anyways, I wish you luck! It sounds like you have this in the bag, but if they end up being lunatics just know it's their loss! I don't believe in coincidences so I think whatever is meant to be will come to you at the right time!

I appreciate the honesty and the well wishes, you are kind

Interviews are so stressful, really. There is nothing wrong with finding it to be a struggle. i think that is very normal, but i know some people find it more natural a process than others. im very analytical, but can also be quick on my feet after years of competitive debating in high school - seriously it helped me so much. i have a friend with paralyzing social anxiety, and so he joined a public speaking club to overcome some of his fears and practice speaking in front of others and it helped him a lot too....

but I used to be part of a singing group, and no matter what, I would just get terrified before every performance, no matter how small. just gripped with fear and nausea. I felt so similar to your experience with interviews so i relate

i am so sorry that you have such a hard time with it - i always try to remind myself that they care far less about my blunders than i do for the most part! but that doesn't always reassure

it is hard not to be your own worst critic. i am definitely an overthinker, and i have trained myself to take pause before i answer a question, even if it is to say something meaningless like "wow, what a great question!" to fill space while i cook something up in my brain

i am also a bit out of shape with covid too...im sure most of us feel a bit out of sorts socially. i opened with an immediate idiotic remark and thought...woof! i'm rusty :lol:
 
Good luck and anyone who says that they are good with interviews are about to do great in my eyes!

My interview story is a bit recently since I actually lost my job at the peak of the pandemic - the startup that I was working for no longer had the budget to keep me and removed the role altogether. And even though I am Canadian and things are a bit easier for me working in the US, that still meant that if I don't find a job in a couple of months, I needed to pack my bags and go back to Canada during the pandemic, which piles on a lot of stress other than having to stay at home and not being able to go anywhere at the time! Not to mention that so many people lost their jobs during that time, the resources were scarce and it seemed like the competition was fierce. I felt like I didn't know what I was doing and that I was going up against many, MANY capable and wonderful people! Thankfully it worked out for me in the end and I love my new job :)

I think at the end of the day, if they don't pick you for some reason, it always works out for the best because they haven't really appreciated your value yet! I also had a long and arduous interview process and the later it is in the game, the more nerve wrecking it becomes. But I truly believe that if you are able to make it that far into the interview, you are bound to do a kick ass job at wherever you decide to go.
 
I'll say, moving to London instead sounds like a fabulous alternative!

I moved out of London to the town where I am now, about 2h's drive from the city centre.

I had a tiny studio flat/apartment, the main room itself was 12ft wide by 16ft long including a bay window! There was a separate bathroom and a wardrobe opposite, however, the hotel rooms across the road were bigger than my flat (I stayed there one night when it was being renovated)!

Now I have a 2-bedroom house with a garden with 3 parking spaces, and have a cat and a dog, and the town and surrounding areas are lovely.

I still miss London, and go up there from time to time to see shows, to eat and to go shopping especially window shopping for blings.

There is a silver lining for not getting my dream job afterall.

DK :))
 
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