The Job I Didn't Get

With so much job search anxiety right now, many candidates will feel like they're in the hot seat when interviewing. I remember the last time I felt that way. I was interviewing for an HR gig that I was determined to get. It started off well with pleasantries but quickly turned bad—then worse.

As I talked, I knew I was in the hot seat. I could see it on the interviewer's face, but I couldn’t stop myself from saying completely idiotic things. I felt transfixed above my body, watching myself say things that didn’t sound like the real me. I vividly remember how the rickety chair itched my bottom and how cramped it was in the small, dark office.

I was hot and nauseous and couldn’t wait for the interview to be over. I have a knack for feeling the emotions of people around me, even when they don’t say anything. And I knew something was off. By the end, I drove out of the parking garage knowing this wasn't the job for me. I hadn't even won myself over.

As you can probably guess, I didn't get an offer. 

I think God purposefully removed everything I said in that interview from my memory to teach me a lesson in humility I would need later on in my career as an HR professional. Persistent as ever, I kept job searching.

Three weeks later, I sat in a two-hour interview talking about my enthusiasm for hospitality and everything I wanted to learn in the HR world. I told the interviewer about my hunger for the job, and she trusted me. She still does. As my boss, I owe her for giving me the opportunity to jump into recruiting and holding open the door so I could come in. It's hard to forget those career-changing moments.

Four years into my job, and I'm the one interviewing candidates on the daily. I understand the weight of my role as an interviewer, recruiter, and gatekeeper, but I'm also there to find the genuine person inside of candidates. 

So when I see an interview going south, but the candidate's resume has genuine meat, I divert the interview. I internally ask myself the golden question, “Are you hospitable at your core?” And then I take the intensity down a notch. I let the candidate show themselves. Sometimes, I even step in to humble myself and show them I'm human too. We talk about relatable things that aren't interview focused, like the weather, coffee, or hobbies. I have a knack for finding something (anything, really) to relate to candidates and help them relax. I know what it’s like to be in the hot seat, and I never take my seat on the other side of the desk lightly or for granted. If you're feeling stressed about interviewing, know that most interviewers know exactly how you feel and want to make it a comfortable and easy process for you both. You got to the in-person interview—celebrate that! If you're on the other side as an interviewer and notice nervousness, remember what it's like to be in the hot seat.

Most Sincerely, Jenn