The superlative is my best friend. Why say, "you are a good friend" when you can say, "you are the best friend EVER!" or, "I didn't like that cookie" when you can say, "that was the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted in my life EVER" or, "I love you" when you can say, "I love you to death...EVER"?
But believe when I say I am not exaggerating this next sentence.
She is a prominent employer for a big-time system. She is a rule-breaker, ball buster, boundary crosser. Maybe I was a little intimated today? I never really get that nervous from interviews but today I was quite jittery. Somehow, I got it into my head that I wasn't qualified enough for the position and the rest of my answers came out sounding that way. The interview started off pretty well but when I looked over at her while I was talking, each time, she would have this not amused face on. So I started to get more nervous and when I get nervous, I crack jokes to ease the tension.
That did not help.
She still looked unamused so I soldiered on, saying things that as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to snatch back.
In the end, I walked away feeling like my previous work experience made me unqualified, fluffy and too soft for the position. It would not have been the case if I had been wiser with my answers, highlighting traits that would help with the position but I felt like I just sounded like I was explaining all the reasons why I actually wouldn't be a good fit, which Job Hunting 101 (yes, I'm still taking that prereq) has taught us you never should do.
Nothing really dramatic happened at the interview, there were no tears shed, F-bombs accidentally dropped, or punches thrown. I just walked away with this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach, thinking, "that person that was in there is not who I am, that was not the best way I can present myself."
I wanted to go home, dig a hole in my couch and crawl in there with a bowl of Helen's mac & cheese in hand but I decided life is too short to wallow. Move on. So things didn't go your way. Get over it.
Instead I did some writing, read over what I wrote, and smiled to myself, thinking,"I enjoyed that."
I believe that writing just may be the best medicine EVER.
*Edit: Never mind, I just ate a slice of peach pie. That was the best medicine EVER.
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3 comments:
this was better than your follow-up phone call...you are the most hilarious person, EVER. i love you to death, EVER. good thing God is in control and has a better plan than we can ever imagine, ALL THE TIME. love you, FOREVER (and not just cause you eat my mac & cheese)!
i was about to call you but then i read this... oh Janice, you're such a goofball. i'm sure it went well. when you refer to her... i'm assuming it's the head honcho and let's just say, that unamused smile is characteristic of her :) so rest assured okay? did they mention when you might expect to hear back?
oh boy, the " not amused" face is the WORST. you just don't know what to do with yourself lol it's the same exact feeling you get when you're talkiing to your friend and she/he is looking everywhere else but you, messing with the phone, and even shouting at someone else. it's awkward too like, "should i keep talking?" "oh gawddd i'm boring you aren't i???" I dread running into the "not amused" face when I go into interviews. Thinking about it as a 3rd person does give me some perspective though... it's possible that she didn't even know her face looked like that. The biggest challenge when you're talking to someone who isn't giving you feedback is to concentrate on what you're saying. Maybe a strategy could even be asking a question so that you could collect yourself while the person talks. but yes i'm glad you wrote! and heeeey , at least the bad experience made for a good story!
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