On paper I’m able to truly reflect my abilities. I’m a decent writer and know what I’m doing. Same with a low stakes casual conversation. But in an interview situation I am so anxious and nervous that I can’t fully explain myself. I get to up in my own head about the whole thing and it throws me off my game. I get lots of interviews and no offers because of this. And believe me, it’s not for lack of practice or trying to improve. My answers to anticipated questions are fabulous— I practice them as well as slight variations. I have my 3 talking points and use them; I don’t script my answers. I request feedback from my interviewers often who say that I was a strong candidate blah blah. In other words, I’m doing what I should be doing.
I had completed one interview recently where they sent me the questions ahead of time allowing me to prepare beautifully crafted articulate answers and it felt like such a nice use of everyone’s time. I knew what to expect and I even provided my questions for them to show my appreciation for their forethought.
Where as my most recent one was a distracting recorded interview only giving me one minute to prepare. I spent an hour before doing the practice questions (the entire weekend practicing responses) to make sure my facial expressions and tone were okay.
I completely bombed it. Worst interview of my life. It would be a miracle if I get a call back.
Why in our society do we have a culture of not sharing interview questions ahead of time with interviewees? What is the idea behind it? Is the ability to think on their feet such a valuable skill for someone to have in every single role? In what situation would you be at work and you have one minute to prepare a presentation on a topic. None that I can think of!
Some people have learned how to wing it but I have never and probably will never be that person. The only jobs I’ve got were because I knew someone who knows my abilities and can back them.
I personally feel that giving someone adequate time to prepare as well as being able to practice their answers makes them actually a better candidate. I think it shows preparation, forethought, applicability, tenacity, how to gain feedback, and a slew of other things that thinking on your feet cannot. Not to mention it saves time for your candidate which is a great way to enhance recruiting.
I’m just thinking of how this bureaucracy immediately knocks out so many people who are smart but not able to quickly articulate a response. I am one of those people. It made me sound like a complete idiot with no idea what they were talking about. I stumbled and failed miserably.
I just feel so defeated.