Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Waiting in Agony

I am waiting for 2 things – my Audit grade and a potential job offer. One is driving me insane and the other has become an afterthought.

Surprisingly, the wait for the job offer is what’s killing me (I actually had to make a note in my planner to remember to check my Audit grade). Usually, I desperately want to know if I passed or failed on a part of the CPA Exam. I can’t focus on studying for the next part I’m taking because I check my grade a hundred times a day. This time I gave the test my best shot and whatever happens, happens.

Generally, the interview process goes by quickly – I like your company, one of the recruiters I’m working with (or I) sends you my resume, you like my resume and ask me to come in for an interview, we meet, then we decide if we are right for each other. The first interview is like a blind date where both sides want to put their best face forward and at the end of the first meeting conclude if this connection should go any further. Even though we both look good on paper, you might not like me or I might not like you. Yes, it is possible for a job candidate to reject a job (instead of the other way around). I understand it’s not a job candidate’s job market, but I still believe you should be happy with the company and the people you would have to work with.

This job is a different story because I feel like I invested so much into interviewing, in terms of effort, time and money. I wanted to guarantee I would get this particular job. I had to endure 3 interviews (with long waits between each) and bring my “A game” each time. I had to purchase a 3rd business suit and travel into the city (both pricey when you are unemployed). But the most work was on practicing how I could convey to them that my skills and experience are what they are looking for. No more being humble and letting my resume speak for itself; I had to sell. I was determined to be THE candidate.

When you go on an interview, you have to show the interviewer, who may be your potential employer, that you really want to work there (without sounding desperate) and that hiring you would be the best decision they ever made. In order to project this, you have to convince yourself first. On the train ride to the city, I would read my notes on the company and have conversations with myself (in my head, not out loud). I would ask myself what my strengths and weaknesses are. I would then come up with a “30 second pitch” summarizing what I bring to the table and how I can help them with the challenges they are facing now and in the future.

As I stood outside the building before each of the 3 interviews at this company, I told myself “I have to work here. I NEED to work here.”

Hopefully, they will feel the same way.

8 comments:

  1. Patience, my lady. You are educated in a field which nearly always offers the most jobs.

    With your determination and enthusiasm, you WILL find a job. The CPA letters are merely icing on the cake. You will get there, too.

    By the way, I kick butt in a kitchen.

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  2. keep putting that out there, you need to work there and you will be working there soon! it'll happen, i believe it. and when it does, be sure and let me know. :-)

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  3. Thanks darkcloud. I guess I have to try harder to be more patient.

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  4. It is an interesting balance between being humble and selling yourself. You don't want to sound overconfident or like a used car saleman but at the same time you have to shine. In many instances, if you have all of the necessary qualifications it all boils down to personality. Will your personality fit in with the team?

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  5. I totally agree with you Pink Heels. Whenever I have had to make a hiring decision, personality was the make-or-break factor. The same goes in deciding whether to accept a job offer.

    It was easy for me to be myself with them which was great because they seemed to like me personality-wise. My concern was if I could get my experience across to them so it wouldn't matter to them that I wasn't a CPA. (I have been rejected before because of that).

    This is in stark contrast to another job interview where the interviewer just shot questions at me and was very cold in answering my questions. Our personalities didn't work together (I was told by a recruiter that "he's hard to read") and I wasn't interested in working there because of that.

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  6. Keep us posted! I have my fingers crossed for you! I know how long, tedious and nerve-wracking the hiring process can be...

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