I am under-qualified, but I was hired
Interview is at 10am. I was the first one to arrive at lobby Company X. The receptionist greeted “Attending an interview? May I know what position you are applying for”? while handling me an application form. “Mmm I actually did a random application on the website” I answered. She smiled, nodded and pointed out the waiting room, requesting me to fill in the application form and…wait.
Then, one by one candidate started to fill in the seats around me. There were altogether 4 applicants including me. Since I was the first one to arrive, hence I completed filling the form and pass it back to the receptionist. As I was waiting to be called into the interview room, my voice halt the silence among us candidates “So what position are you guys applying for”? , the guy sat across the round glass table respond, “Under the accounts vacancy, that’s the position that they want to fill in right”? He was the only one that answered me since another 2 were busy completing their forms (or were being nervous idk). I started questioning myself, “An account position, really? This is out of my league. I’m totally not gonna get this one”. But whatever, I just want to do the best. We then chit chat while waiting, 2 out of 3 of the applicants have major accounting background. I’m screwed. After a moment a man with corporate attire called my name and escort me into a room, ‘The Interview Room’. It was a nice-decent-decorated-minimalist room. So as we all googled ‘how to attend interviews’ etc., I started my action as an interviewee.
I sat straight, crack a lil smile, displaying a happy face while waiting for the interviewer to break the silence. “OK Hello, I’m Mr. Conor, may I have your resume please”. I handled him my resume and cover letter. He browsed through my resume, flipping the pages back and forth, looked at me a few seconds, cruised the resume again, then, “You know that we are looking for someone that can fill in the account assistant position right”?. Screwed. I replied the same thing like what I said to the receptionist earlier, “I essentially did a random application on the website Sir, but I am available for any vacancy now (with a confident tone-trying to sound like one). He nodded, and starting to actually interview me. He checked my transcript, ensuring that I have learnt any accounting subject.
Mr Conor: I see you have basic accounting subjects that you’ve learnt before, so I think it would not be a problem for you. What is your expected salary?
Me: RM2500 (grinned)
Of course I stated the highest amount (that suits a fresh graduate — without working experience).
He just smiled-as expected. The interview went on, for about 30 minutes as it suddenly turned into a sharing session. I can see that he is happy with what I present, I am confident that he is interested with what I put on the table-but reminding myself not to be too confident. After the interview ended, I thanked him and walked out to the receptionist, “Miss, I’m done with the interview, is there anything else?”. As expected the reply was “That is all, thank you, we will call you for further notice”.
I exit the gate and was satisfied with the interview — My First Interview Ever. Driving home in peace, praying I hope I get the job, but the chance I saw was only about 45% I guess. Because I’m sure the other 3 applicants would have better chances.
Reaching home felt a relieved, I jumped into my bed, ready to tweet, “I hope there’s luck for me” (as if), when suddenly my phone rang. It was Company X, I answered…it was the Missy from the receptionist (in my mind, omg what now). She went;
“Dear Miss Tasha, we got a situation here, I am sorry to inform you that you actually have entered the wrong interview just now. So sorry as Mr. Conor also was not aware about it at first. Your interviewer is actually Mrs. Katy and she is still waiting for you. I apologize for such inconvenience. So, would you like to come back and redo the interview with Mrs. Katy?”
(the right interview you mean).
I,was,shocked to death. I don’t know what to think, how to react. This is horrendous, how come?…..Eventually, I took it as an opportunity and maybe there will be luck. I responded the receptionist on the other line
Me: Ya sure I’ll come, is just that, is Mr. Conor still considering me? (Since I went to the totally-wrong-interview)
“Yes he is and your forms are still with him. Well Miss, I think you are just lucky today, if you didn’t get this position you might get the other one. Consider this as a luck by coincidence; two interviews from different departments in one company, on the same day, that is rare. Now you need to come back because another interview is waiting for you”.
Thank God the distance between my house and the company is just 3km. Yes, 3km.
Now it make sense, no wonder I feel that the Account Assistant position was quite high for me. I mean, how could they consider my application and called for an interview when my major is not Accounting or Finance or Investment etc. Despite the fact that I am a fresh graduate with no working experience.
So, I went back. For the second interview. Now this feels right, not comfortable, but right. Mrs. Katy sat across me and mentioned that I am interviewing for a Warehouse Retail position. This time, the interview room was far way different than the first one. It was held in another building, the warehouse building. Mrs. Katy wore thick boots, slaggy pants, acid-washed shirt, a protection vest and a safety yellow helmet placed on the table. Astonish, now this is what you are qualified for as a fresh graduate, in your dreams to aspect a high ranking position, account assistant huh? I whispered to myself. Mrs. Katy mentioned the salary for such position, “You have no experience so as a start your salary would be around RM1.5K++”.
Yup, that’s right I thought. The interview ended and as usual, “That is all, thank you, we will call you for further notice”.
I called the receptionist to ensure that everything is done. I stepped outside the building. Giving a glanced of what had happened today. Expecting the least, I drove back home in peace.
At 4pm, I was lying down on bed while ‘Needed me’ by Rihanna is playing on the stereo (my current fav jam), my phone rang. And again, it’s the receptionist. What do you think? I went, What now.. I answered the call, it was from the Human Resource Department of Company X (the interview I just got back from 4 hours ago). Really?!
“Hello Miss Tasha, I am Angeline, we would like to inform you that you are hired and being offered for the Account Assistant position under Mr. Conor, may I know when can you start?”
This,is, Hillarious. No way in my wildest dreams I would get such offer from a prestigious company. I was shocked, to death. Of course before I respond, I questioned back,
“May I know how much is the salary?” (grinned)
Guess what,
“Oh sorry I forgot to mention, your salary will be RM2.5K++ with transport allowance RMXXX”
I choked myself, shutting my mouth with my hand forcing myself not to shout and relax (best feeling ever).
Then, I accepted and I’ll start soon.
So, I had a thought that I must have done something right/good today. Having a first interview and getting an offer for a position you are underqualified within 24 hours is a miracle. Is it? Precisely, it was the way I handle the interview that got me the job. What can be proved here is:
1. As a fresh graduate, you actually CAN apply/sit for an interview for a position that you are underqualified. This include work experience, qualification background etc.
2. Never underestimate any job vacancy proposed to you, remember, you are a fresh graduate. Who are you to demand? For example, when Mrs. Katy told be about the Warehouse Retail job scope, I listened and accepted it if that was offered to me.
3. Regardless of any mistake or misunderstanding occurred before/during/after the interview, take it positively, bear in mind that everything happens for a reason.
Moving on, what did I do during the interview with Mr. Conor?
Follow on and read my next post titled “Finish strong when the interviewer goes, “Any questions for me?” You would not want to miss the tips.
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fatin.atasha@yahoo.com | @tashajacky Twitter & Instagram
