Guest Post: Why interviewing should never be ‘life or death’

Written on January 5, 2010 by Srinivas in Uncategorized

This is a guest by Rich DeMatteo@ Cornonthejob

My Story

My first job after college was with a staffing agency, working as a Technical Recruiter. As far as first jobs go, it wasn’t so bad. I met incredible people there, folks that I still talk to today. I also learned many valuable lessons and built up the ever-important first year of job experience. After passing the year mark, I started to keep my eyes out for new opportunities that would bring me Corporate HR experience. My insane craving to peace out drove me nuts, lowered my job performance, and made life a living hell.

Not long after I started looking, I came across a really nifty company that I became very hot on. The position was Corporate Recruiter, which was incredibly sexy to me at the time. Interview went great, the commute was ideal, it was close to my gym, and the people seemed pretty rad. Hook, line & sinker.

I thought the job was mine, I thought they loved me; I thought getting this job would be the best thing that ever happened to my young career and I.

I thought wrong.

Months flew by with no return call. Eventually I found out a candidate with more experience was hired and I was devastated. Not to brag, but this was my first taste of rejection in life. Making sports teams, clubs, previous job interviews, and other miscellaneous life events all went my way. I usually got what I wanted, but not this job, and it was a swift kick in the pills.

Painfully, my two-year mark with the company crept up. Then one day I came across an opportunity with a rapidly growing, global software company. The position title was Corporate Recruiter, so you bet your ass I jumped all over the opening. A day after my interview, they called to make an offer and I happily accepted.

In my new position, I accomplished and learned more than I thought was possible. Here are some highlights:

I was THE recruiter for all United States offices (6 total).
Not only was I the primary contact for hiring all permanent openings, but I also led our organizations national college recruitment program, and was the primary contact for all contingent (temporary, part-time, contract) hiring.
I was sent to Boston to become an expert on Behavioral Interviewing. With this new skill I developed the organizations new interview methodology and trained management both in the US and internationally on Behavioral Interviewing.

So, what happened with that first company I interviewed with? It turns out that I wasn’t the only one thinking they were nifty. They were acquired by a larger company, and I’m almost positive the HR team was let go.

Lessons Learned

Calm your crazy ass down.

It’s easy to get caught up in an exciting opportunity, and it’s very easy to believe the position you are interviewing for is your ‘dream job’. Work hard on keeping a level head when interviewing and evaluating organizations.

And face it. You won’t know if it’s your ‘dream job’ unless you start working there. You may find that it’s just a big disappointment, or maybe something terrible might happen while you are working for them. You just never know, so calm your shit.

Let life come to you.

When that magical job doesn’t come through, be patient. Something else will come your way. When it does, you can evaluate the company, position, and your job satisfaction.

Final Thought

Interviewing is never life or death. Don’t ever treat it that way, or you just might be killing your career and making yourself go absolutely bonkers.

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Pylin Chuapetcharasopon

This post could've totally gone into your "how job interviews are like dating" post! I think I'm going to recite "Calm your crazy ass down" when I'm in that position for sure! Thanks for the insights, Rich!
.-= Pylin Chuapetcharasopon´s last blog ..Arthemie: is almost done with her AOM paper! How are others doing? =-.

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Emily Jasper

I think you were right on the ball about trying not to let your current performance go down. If you're too focused on the future (that hasn't come yet), your now will suffer. All you need is the new company to call your current boss for a reference and hear you aren't getting your basic responsibilities done. I've also seen it around me where someone thought they were way better than the role, that the responsibilities were beneath them (so was really, really bad at the job). So when he tried for an internal promotion, he already had strikes against him. He had no way to back up the behavior other than pigheadedness. If you are looking for what's next, never give anyone around you a reason to think that you won't always be awesome at a job. You could find an understanding boss who might even help you with that next step, even if it is outside the company.

Good job Rich.
.-= Emily Jasper´s last blog ..I Can’t Take A Compliment… =-.

srinirao

@Dave: It's interesting you bring up pursuing. I think excessive pursuit of anything ironically drives it away. You'll be pleased to know my job situation now has been setup in such a way that I"m doing social media strategy for 30 hours a week, making more money than I was, getting freelance work on the side, and of course getting tons of time in the water.

@Rich: I'm glad our paths have crossed and that you posted here. Impatience and urgency are exactly what made me take that job that I quit in two weeks.

Rich DeMatteo

@Dave - great take on things. Sitting back and waiting for the right opportunity when positioned correctly can only go well.

Some folks can't wait. Either it's impatience or urgency (need for a job), but they feel they must go out and take any opportunity. I see both sides, but if it works for YOU then that is all that matters.
.-= Rich DeMatteo´s last blog ..Break free from your template… =-.

Dave Doolin

These things almost always turn out for the better!

In my experience: things either fall into my lap, or they don't. Haven't had much success "pursuing" anything. I seem to do better by "positioning" myself as the obvious person, or simply appearing at the right place at the right time.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Made to Stick: Earworms for your brain =-.

@Srini- Thanks for the opportunity. I look forward to the interview tomorrow as well.
50+ interviews is a lot and you showed patience. Good for you, you'll be rewarded I'm sure

@Kenji - What you say is true. The "spicing" up of a job can make the candidate (and us when we look) drool. It's tough not to sell a job, and make it seem better. It's sort of our job as a recruiter....but hopefully still staying realistic.

I agree, plenty of fish. Just need to be patient and wait to pul up on the bait...

Kenji Crosland

Almost every job seems amazing when they sell it to you in an interview. As a former recruiter myself I admit to having "spiced up" job descriptions. I think it's important to put things into perspective. If you don't get the job, there's plenty of other fish in the sea, even in a recession.
.-= Kenji Crosland´s last blog ..The Rise of the Generalist Part II: The Specialist’s Survival Guide =-.

@Rich: Thanks for guest posting here. As somebody who's been through the job search myself I think you have many valid points. I went through close 50+ interviews (probably more), even found a job at one point that I walked away from, but in the end it really came down to letting the right opportunity to come and focusing on what I could control.