The Worst Interview Ever

     I like to think as myself as a relatively well-put together guy, and if not that, at the very least organized and a little lucky. However, sometimes life likes to throw me a little reminder that I am not that guy to the extent I hope I am, and these little reminders mess me up for a day or two. Today was one of those days.

    For a while now, I have been drumming up some excitement over my potential job next year as an Engage 100 Undergraduate Leader, or in layman's terms, a teacher for a freshman introductory class. I was first considered for the role a few months ago, and when I was offered an interview, I gladly accepted! Not only would it be a good resume filler, but it'd also allow me to explore the possibilities of academia and teaching as a future career choice, which I talk more about in this blog post.

    On the day of the interview, I had prepared myself well: I was well dressed, planned on showing up a bit early, and had rehearsed some small talk and pleasantries for interviews (it may be a little strange but I was nervous about my first real interview). After glancing at the 4:15 time on the interview invitation email, I had left my apartment at 3:30 pm, and stopped by a Starbucks to get myself an iced chai to calm my nerves. After picking up my drink, I started strolling over to the building the interview was being held in, and checked my phone to remember which room I should show up at. Then, as dread filled the recesses of my chest and the heat in my body began to build up, I realized that the interview ended at 4:15, and had actually started at 3:30. It was 3:50, and so I sprinted over to the building at once.

    The second I arrived at the building, I downed the entire drink so it wouldn't look like I showed up late because I went to get Starbucks. Now, with my brown shirt turned into a darker shade with my sweat, and caffeine coursing through my veins, fueling my nerves, I entered the interview room. By the time I had finally entered the group interview room, they were on their last activity. I was given two minutes to devise a lesson to teach the rest of the group whereas they had the whole interview to strategize and think about their presentation. As expected, I was a nervous sweaty mess, and it was absolutely horrific. At the end of the interview, I apologized for my tardiness and thanked them for their time.

    Now, I'm pretty confident that there isn't a shot in hell that I'm getting that job. But you know what? It happens. I'm very, very lucky in regards to most aspects of my life, and so when a disaster like that happens, I don't let it ruin my day. Instead, on the walk of shame back home, I thought about the positives about what happened. At the very least, it's one less thing to worry about for next year, which would be my last year for my BA degree. I already plan on challenging myself with a thesis and several other big goals for that year, so heading a class by myself was stacking the plate a little too high. So I won't be as overwhelmed as I could be. But at the end of the day, I'm thankful for this experience: getting excited over the job offer, the preparation I put into it, and the disaster that ensued when I wasn't as prepared as I thought. These learning experiences only serve to improve who I am, and at the very least, provide a good story for the blog!