Learning from a Failed Interview: Embracing Adaptability and Systematic Communication

Understanding the Mistake

In a relatively successful part of my policing career, I was eager to climb the corporate ladder, prompting me to apply for a promotion approximately 18 months ahead of the typical timeline. Fueled by a period of temporary advanced roles, I developed a certain mythology about my capabilities that, although grounded in truth, perhaps painted a picture of me that was more ideal than real.

During a crucial interview for this promotion, I was presented with two scenarios to address. The assessors provided clear instructions on how to prepare and present. However, confident in my abilities to handle complex situations simultaneously—as often required in real job scenarios—I chose to present both scenarios together despite the format suggested by the panel. This decision led to a significant misalignment with the interview's structured assessment criteria.

The Crucial Errors

1. Misjudging the Audience: I assumed that demonstrating my real-world problem-solving approach would impress the panel. Instead, I failed to tailor my communication to the context of an interview, where following directions and respecting established processes is as important as demonstrating job competencies.
2. Overconfidence in Approach: By merging the scenarios, I inadvertently ignored the scoring system set by the panel, which was designed to assess specific competencies in isolation.

Key Lessons and Tips for Professional Success

1. Respect the Process: In any professional setting, especially interviews, it's crucial to understand and adhere to the given structure. Whether it’s a scoring system or a specific presentation format, these frameworks are often in place to evaluate all candidates fairly.
2. Adapt Communication to Your Audience: It is vital to tailor your communication style to fit your audience's expectations and format. In an interview, clarity, adherence to instructions, and structured responses often take precedence over showcasing real-world multitasking capabilities.
3. Prepare Thoroughly: Understand the content you need to deliver and the format. If the interview involves specific scenarios, practice them separately and precisely as instructed to align closely with the evaluation criteria.
4. Learn from Feedback: If given the opportunity, ask for feedback post-interview, regardless of the outcome. This can provide insights into how well you met the expectations and how to approach similar situations in the future.
5. Embrace Humility: Recognise that every interview is a learning opportunity. Overconfidence can sometimes blind us to the situation's requirements, so maintaining a balance between confidence and humility is essential.

Moving Forward

The experience was a tough lesson in the importance of adaptability—not just in job functions but in communication and approach to structured professional evaluations. Having progressed significantly since that fateful day, I use this experience to coach others. It’s a clear example that sometimes, the line of least resistance is the best path to success, allowing us to demonstrate our capabilities within the frameworks provided fully.

For more insights on professional development and adaptability, visit my and my LinkedIn page AND video on the experience.