I felt that this one went fairly well. He told me that he was going to be doing a couple of more interviews and he'd get back to me within a few days when his decision was made.
All of the way home, I thought of a few more things I could have or should have said, but all in all, I think it was OK. We'll see.
An hour after I got home from that meeting, I got a call from one of the other companies that I'd sent a resume to. The lady asked if I could come in for an interview the next week. They also must not have access to the “People Who Bombed Their Interview” website.
Again, that is a plus for me.
I told her that I'd love to come in. We set up a date and time. She told me which parking lot to use and how to get to their office entrance. If I get “The Letter” from the dairy company, I still may have a chance to get back in the work force and interact with the outside world.
I'm realizing that you do get better at this with practice, especially if you're somewhat ready for all of these new and modern “Get Inside Your Head” questions. They are never the same, though, so beware.
These stressful interviews aren't something that you proudly tell your friends you've been practicing, like piano or dance lessons or archery. The continuous practice means that you continuously keep getting rejected.
Gone are the days when they just hire the person with the most experience or the fastest typist. Your resume is just the start of this horrible process.
I'm wondering if, before an interview, a session or two with a psychiatrist might be useful. That would help you get in touch with your inner being and kinder, gentler self. The only problem with that suggestion is, from being out of work, you can't afford to do it!
On a more serious note:
Any of you that are older and are trying to re-enter the work force, or are changing jobs after a long time, should study the questions that I've shared with you. Of course, these are just a sampling. There are more out there, I'm sure.
Practice what you might say if asked something similar. This is what is happening at interviews now.
Everything I've shared here is true. Your skills and years of experience are just the beginning. They now want to know what makes you tick and if you can be a proper, functional member of society.
“It ain't like it used to be!”
But…don't get discouraged. Keep trying. Keep pounding the pavement.
Also, watch for my next book. It just might be a great how-to piece on “Successfully Raising Goats In Seclusion”!
To quote “The Letter”,
“Thank you for your time today and I wish you the best of luck in your job search!”
