Should I Have Said That?

My Trials, Tribulations, Mistakes and Confusions in Interviews

I’m a serial interviewer. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but there it is. I’ve interviewed for companies big and small. I’ve interviewed for jobs I didn’t actually want and jobs I’d die to have.

And then, as you do, I sit down after every interview for a moment of peace and reflection. See: I call my mum and harp on for an hour about all my wins and losses, preaching for that eventual reassurance that everything will be okay.

So, without further ado, here are some of my favourite stories from my job applications and lessons I think I’ve learned. But who really knows, right?

“Tell me about a special skill you have”

Okay. This one is by far the most embarrassing. I had just completed 3 of my 5 interviews at a big internet company. I had been told by the hiring manager that he wanted me on his team and would be pushing my case, everything was going well.

I then had my next interview with the HR team. After that, I never heard a peep from anyone.

I’m pretty sure this is the question that got me — “Tell me about a special skill you have.”

I proceeded to ramble on about how once upon a time I was in the exclusive top 5 players of Age of Empires III (best game ever right?) in the world (on Mac). My prowess on the video game taught me to both multi task and macro & micro manage at a young age. To maintain ample supplies of gold, wood, food and iron to maintain a civilization and defeat your enemies. This is no easy fete on the top level. However, at this top level, it all comes down to one thing — your clicks per minute on the mouse. How fast you are. And how good your fingers are. So, I ended my story with the line which lost me the job (or so I think).

I raised my hand, pointed my finger in the air and with a little wiggle I said, “So, I guess I’ve got really good fingers.” My innocence blinded me from what was clearly a sexually inappropriate line.

The lesson? Make sure you’re not by mistake being sexual.

“Where do you want to be 5 years from now?”

I get this question in every interview. I don’t know if I’m answering right or wrong, but would love your opinion. I used to always say, “I want to start my own business,” thinking it would lead the interviewer to believe I’m a go-getter. Turns out it was just telling interviewers one thing and one thing only — this guy is going to leave at some point.

“What’s something you need to work on?”

But, but, but — Aren’t I meant to be telling you what I’m great at? How bad should this thing I need to work on be? What if I don’t know how to fix it yet. Do you mind what it actually is? Do you just want to know that I’m aware of areas for improvement?

Who knows, seriously. Please, just give me a crack. I promise I’ll work on everything.

Don’t be everything

Wait, no, sorry, I won’t be everything. I’ll fill your role. I’ll be the cog in your machine to get the job that you want done, done. I’ll direct my strengths and passions to this role and develop in it.

Just answer the bloody question

Okay, I’ve gotten lost. Yes, I can do your job. I understand the responsibilities involved and here is a rolling list of all my relevant experience for the role.

Oh, and I read all about your culture. I LOVE your culture. I want to work in your culture. Your culture is exactly what I want. Wait, am I just pretending to be the new president-elect?

Don’t scatter-gun your job applications

It’s a hard sell telling someone that you’re perfect for the job when they know you’ve also applied for other roles at the company. Okay, so you really want to work at the company — but what are you actually good at, besides for loving the company? Pick a role, an area or a strength and focus on it.

I’ve learned a lot since then

Number 1 — I’m not right for every role.

Number 2 — Even though I may be right for a role, it may not be the right time for both myself and a prospective employer to enter an agreement. The time will come, I just need to wait. Or maybe they need to wait.

Number 3 — 2 steps forward, 1 step back. I may take a step back in my career at some point. A bad interview, a bad campaign, a major screw-up. But, at the end of the day, each step back is just another learning I can add to my belt. If I can grow from it then I’ve already taken a step forward again. Overcome it and I’ve taken that next step.

Oh wait, I might have just answered the “What’s something you need to work on?” question. Yipee.

Now, before I do any interview, I follow these steps:

1. Do your research on the company
2. Understand the role you are applying for. Read the JD up and down. Have reasons as to why you are able to handle the responsibilities of this role.
3. Understand the person who is interviewing you
4. Prepare answers to the tricky questions (see above)
5. ASK QUESTIONS

And when you’re done, sit down and have a nice cuppa tea. You deserve it.