First Ever Job Interview
I've never been to a proper job interview in my life. It might be surprising as I'm a 21 year old woman but it's a fact. And the things is... I always thought they'd be really scary and intimidating but that was not the case in my very first personal experience.
I've had jobs even though I haven't been properly interviewed. I was put on an internal list for employees' children for my receptionist job and I was handpicked by my university lecturer for my instructor job. I've of course had to come in for a brief interview but I knew with almost certainty that I would get those jobs.
So when I got recommended by same university teacher for a student position working to help them implementing a terminology system, I sent them an application and within a week they got back to me and requested that I come in for an interview. I was slightly terrified at the prospect at first. It felt very adult and "important" even thought it was just a student position. The company is massive and global and I guess that intimidated me a bit.
Fastforward to the day of the interview, today, and I was surprisingly calm. It felt like the day of an exam, which is a pretty accurate comparison. I had to go in and talk to someone and convince them that I'm capable and I know my stuff. It also helped to think of it as such because I'm very good in exam situations.
Once I got there, I had to run in and get a parking permit for my grandmother's car, which I'm borrowing while she's abroad for a few days. Then I went back in and got registered and even got a visitor's card to hang around my neck. It felt very official but I purposely didn't let it get to me. I was in the zone.
Once the clock struck 2 PM, I was picked up from the waiting area in the reception and met the man I'd exchanged a couple of e-mails with. He seemed nice and very casual and even took the time to pause and show me the view from their offices and talk a little about the history of the place. Then I went to meet his immediate boss and she was also very nice and chill.
It suddenly didn't feel so scary anymore. I had feared the 30-45 minute conversation but once we got started it didn't feel so serious and we soon forgot about the time limit. In fact, I spent just over an hour with them before I left the building.
It was very relaxed and I learnt a lot about the company and the different branches in different countries. They seemed to agree with everything I said and very interested and impressed as well. I got the feeling that they liked me. The one thing I had worried about; writing an incorrect system on my job application wasn't a problem at all. Turns out the system I've worked in is quite similar to the one I accidentally mistook it for, so we were good.
We finished off with them showing me their offices and me meeting another of their colleagues. I finally said goodbye and was walked back down to the lobby. Upon parting he said "See you later, at least I think so." So, I'm fairly confident that they liked me. Another colleague of theirs, who had the day off, had been very excited when she found out I was a fellow horseback rider and according to them, I already had her vote and she hadn't even met me.
It was an interesting experience and I felt very lightheaded and triumphant when I went back to the car. I almost forgot to hand back the visitor's pass but I remembered last minute. Then my phone decided to die on me. Cue me trying to find my way home without GPS and as you might imagine if you know anything about my sense of direction, it was a bit of a mess.
Usually, I would have panicked but I was determined not to let it get me. I had just driven myself there, surely I could find my way back by mirroring my route. I didn't manage to mirror it well enough and got somewhat lost but amazingly I didn't lose my cool even once. It was creeping up on me slowly when I spotted a familiar hotel and took a breath of relief, as I finally knew my way home.
Whether I get the job or not, I'm happy I got to have this experience. I'm lucky in the sense I don't actually need the job to survive and that takes away a bit stress factor. It would be nice for my resume and for my work experience but it's not a must. In fact, I've just today been offered my former instructor job back for another semester. As far as I know that's pretty uncommon as they usually pick someone who've just finished the course but I'm happy to take it. I really like teaching.
In the back of my mind, I have a nagging voice telling me that I'm piling too much on again. It's the thing that almost broke my back last time and I need to be careful. If I get this job, I could be looking at two university courses (averagely 20 hours a week) and three jobs (6 hours, 4 hours and max 20 hours a week) in the Spring. It's a lot but hopefully I can manage. It'll only be uphill from here anyway as I know my Masters won't be a walk in the park.
However, I also have another nagging thought and this one is positive. It tells me that I'm much more capable than I think I am and that I need to believe in myself. I'm strong and clever and I can figure out most things. I know to listen to my gut and trust what my body and mind is telling me. I'll be alright as long as I trust myself.
Now we wait and see if they liked me as much as I think they did or if the other candidate will completely outshine me and I'll fall short. I'm not sure what the outcome will be but I do have a good feeling about it. We'll see.
I've had jobs even though I haven't been properly interviewed. I was put on an internal list for employees' children for my receptionist job and I was handpicked by my university lecturer for my instructor job. I've of course had to come in for a brief interview but I knew with almost certainty that I would get those jobs.
So when I got recommended by same university teacher for a student position working to help them implementing a terminology system, I sent them an application and within a week they got back to me and requested that I come in for an interview. I was slightly terrified at the prospect at first. It felt very adult and "important" even thought it was just a student position. The company is massive and global and I guess that intimidated me a bit.
Fastforward to the day of the interview, today, and I was surprisingly calm. It felt like the day of an exam, which is a pretty accurate comparison. I had to go in and talk to someone and convince them that I'm capable and I know my stuff. It also helped to think of it as such because I'm very good in exam situations.
Once I got there, I had to run in and get a parking permit for my grandmother's car, which I'm borrowing while she's abroad for a few days. Then I went back in and got registered and even got a visitor's card to hang around my neck. It felt very official but I purposely didn't let it get to me. I was in the zone.
It suddenly didn't feel so scary anymore. I had feared the 30-45 minute conversation but once we got started it didn't feel so serious and we soon forgot about the time limit. In fact, I spent just over an hour with them before I left the building.
It was very relaxed and I learnt a lot about the company and the different branches in different countries. They seemed to agree with everything I said and very interested and impressed as well. I got the feeling that they liked me. The one thing I had worried about; writing an incorrect system on my job application wasn't a problem at all. Turns out the system I've worked in is quite similar to the one I accidentally mistook it for, so we were good.
We finished off with them showing me their offices and me meeting another of their colleagues. I finally said goodbye and was walked back down to the lobby. Upon parting he said "See you later, at least I think so." So, I'm fairly confident that they liked me. Another colleague of theirs, who had the day off, had been very excited when she found out I was a fellow horseback rider and according to them, I already had her vote and she hadn't even met me.
It was an interesting experience and I felt very lightheaded and triumphant when I went back to the car. I almost forgot to hand back the visitor's pass but I remembered last minute. Then my phone decided to die on me. Cue me trying to find my way home without GPS and as you might imagine if you know anything about my sense of direction, it was a bit of a mess.
Usually, I would have panicked but I was determined not to let it get me. I had just driven myself there, surely I could find my way back by mirroring my route. I didn't manage to mirror it well enough and got somewhat lost but amazingly I didn't lose my cool even once. It was creeping up on me slowly when I spotted a familiar hotel and took a breath of relief, as I finally knew my way home.
Whether I get the job or not, I'm happy I got to have this experience. I'm lucky in the sense I don't actually need the job to survive and that takes away a bit stress factor. It would be nice for my resume and for my work experience but it's not a must. In fact, I've just today been offered my former instructor job back for another semester. As far as I know that's pretty uncommon as they usually pick someone who've just finished the course but I'm happy to take it. I really like teaching.
In the back of my mind, I have a nagging voice telling me that I'm piling too much on again. It's the thing that almost broke my back last time and I need to be careful. If I get this job, I could be looking at two university courses (averagely 20 hours a week) and three jobs (6 hours, 4 hours and max 20 hours a week) in the Spring. It's a lot but hopefully I can manage. It'll only be uphill from here anyway as I know my Masters won't be a walk in the park.
Found here - I read this article and it's actually full of advice for balancing day job and side business
However, I also have another nagging thought and this one is positive. It tells me that I'm much more capable than I think I am and that I need to believe in myself. I'm strong and clever and I can figure out most things. I know to listen to my gut and trust what my body and mind is telling me. I'll be alright as long as I trust myself.
Now we wait and see if they liked me as much as I think they did or if the other candidate will completely outshine me and I'll fall short. I'm not sure what the outcome will be but I do have a good feeling about it. We'll see.
Comments
Post a Comment