I have had a few interviews since my last posting. None of them resulted in an offer, but, in all honesty, none of the positions really got me excited anyway. I simply wanted to end the dreaded job search process, which is grueling, often demeaning, and extremely exhausting.
Interview #1 was for an enterprise organization that was very similar to that of my former employer. I was being considered at first for two positions. One was a contract position and the other was full-time. The contract position was a better fit, but I had initiated contact with regard to the full-time position first and was supposedly being considered for a second round of interviews. After hearing that bit of information, the manager overseeing the contract position decided to bow out and seek another candidate.
I don't think I was ever a real consideration for the full-time position. My telephone interview didn't seem to go all that great and I was actually surprised when I was contacted to participate in the next round of interviews.
As soon as the hiring manager met me in the lobby, I knew right then and there that I was not what she was looking for. She was not at all impressed and I could see it on her face and in her demeanor. The interview process lasted three hours. I knew when I left that I was not a consideration.
Interview #2: About a month later, I was contacted about a writer position at a start-up company. In preparation for the interview, I had to prepare a presentation to be given to a panel of interviewers, after which, I would be interviewed by each person separately. The interview process lasted six hours.
I thought I did very well during the interview, but wasn't sure if I wanted the job if it were offered to me. The money wasn't great and the benefits were not enough to compensate for the lower salary. After doing the math, I realized that I couldn't pay my bills on what was being offered. It turns out, I didn't have to worry about whether or not to take the position, as it was offered to another candidate.
One of the interviewers was kind enough to offer feedback and tell me why I didn't get the job. She had mentioned that prior to the interview, I was their number #1 choice based on my writing samples. During the interview, however, I was exhausted and nervous, which was interpreted by interviewers as a lack of self-confidence, verging on negativity.
I had to laugh because in my mind, I felt more at ease at this interview than at any of my previous ones. I thought I had come across as both knowledgeable and congenial, and was a strong candidate. Her feedback was most helpful.
Interview #3: I had a telephone interview the other day with the hiring manager at a higher-learning institution. The interview went very well and I am being scheduled for another round of interviews with system architects and the director. This is a position I can finally get excited about. I really want this job. The only thing standing in my way is the interview process. I know I can do this. I have to get this right, because unless I get the interview process down to a science, I can pretty much kiss future employment good bye.
Wish me (good) luck and stay tuned.
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