Each and everyone of us go through job interviews. Some of us do well, while others might have had bad experiences.
Here are two accounts of what happened during job interviews, but they still managed to get the job.
I had been with the same company for over a decade and decided it was time to move on, so this was my first job interview in a very long time. I was more than a little stressed out about it… Suit? Cleaned and pressed. Tie? Tied and straight. Shoes shined. Socks match. Ok, time to go.
As I’m heading out the door, my daughter (who was about 4 at the time) rushed up and said “Daddy, take this for good luck!” and handed me a little plastic cow from a barnyard play set. I gave her a big hug, and rushed off, hoping I wouldn’t be late.
After several hours of being poked and prodded technically, and feeling pretty good about it, I’m sitting across from the VP of HR, a middle aged woman wearing a conservative suit, who says “I’ve heard good things from the interview team, but I do have one concern…”
Uh oh…
“…You look like a pretty straight-laced guy, and, well, things get a little crazy here from time to time. How do I know you’ll fit in?”
Without thinking I blurted out, “I have a cow in my pocket!”
There was a moment of very awkward silence, and I was convinced I’d just blown it, but I found the cow, and set it on the table. Another second or two went by before she burst out laughing.
I got the job.
I am going to flip this around and tell you about an interview I conducted.
The door bursts open and a man walks in with no shirt, grimy jeans, and tennis shoes with holes. He stands in front of me and says, “I hope that position is still open.”
The debate raged in my mind whether to toss him out, call security, or listen. I chose to listen. He proceeds to tell me his story. He was driving by and saw the sign stating a position was open, a position he had wanted for months. He was just coming back from buying gas to finish mowing his yard, but did not want to miss the opportunity again.
He sat down and continued to tell me everything he knew about the company, the position, his qualifications, his work experience, and never missed a beat. His demeanor was filled with confidence, even though he was filthy and wore no shirt.
I should mention the position was a simple factory job. I asked him to come back later with his resume and to fill out an application, but I already knew he was hired. When he returned he was clean, dressed nicely, the resume was spotless and told the same story he had verbally given me. He quickly filled out the application and was instantly hired.
Confidence, desire, passion, and determination are traits that are in demand, no matter what you wear. I checked back a few years later with the company and he was working as a foreman in the department and was being considered for a job as a shift supervisor.
Your resume, cover letter, and clothes are important, but even more important is your poise and determination. I learned a lot from that interview that has helped me advise others.
Have you heard of any bizarre job interview stories?
You wont believe what happened during the interview and they still get the job – Click To Tweet