Interview advice
April 29, 2013 12:27 PM Subscribe
I had a phone interview last week that I thought I bombed. But, apparently I did good enough to land an in-person interview on Thursday. I'd like some advice on where in between "Fake it till you make it" and "lay your cards on the table" I should be. Details inside.
The job is listed as an entry level position creating, managing, and delivering training. However, it pays (i am guessing here based on the interview) $70,000, requires 5 years of experience, and is all about leadership training.
I got a master's degree from the same school as many of the people working at this company last year, which gives me a grand total of 3 years fudged, or 1.5 years steady experience. I think the experience I had was phenomenal and very applicable (I worked in a leadership training department) but I didn't learn enough from it to do anything on my own. I guess what I'm saying is that, while I'm very capable and skilled and knowledgeable of theory, I still have a lot to learn in terms of hands-on skills.
I also am not an expert with regards to leadership or sales, which is the focus of this department.
In the phone interview, they asked a lot of questions that seemed pretty specific, like they had a correct answer in mind, but I could only speak to theory and generalities. For instance, a question along the lines of "What is your process for creating learning objectives?" to which my answer was along the lines of "I'd probably ask someone for help."
During this section, I got a strong feeling from the interviewers that they were just going through the motions because they didn't think I had the skills they were looking for. I can't put my finger on what it was, but i suppose they answered my questions somewhat abruptly, didn't ask may follow-up questions, and didn't ask me to clarify my answers much. (It is possible that I was just imagining this based on my own self-assessment.)
Finally, one of the things I focused on pretty strongly during the phone interview (and was very nervous about afterwards) was that I understood the realities of business and how what a trainer thinks is the right answer isn't always what the other business people want from them, and that it's the training department's job to work for the company, not to try to dictate "the right way" to do things. I honestly have no idea if this helped or hurt my standings.
I don't have much experience interviewing for things that are a challenge for me. My past jobs have usually been completely in line with my qualifications, and I left the interviews feeling confident. This situation is different and I am panicking, and would greatly appreciate your advice.
I have always been told "fake it till you make it" because I am much more judgmental of myself than anyone else ever could be; it's my job to show the best of myself, and it's the company's job to decide if my best is good enough.
On the other hand, I feel that they must realize how inexperienced I am, and that if I act like I have experience when I really don't, they will think I'm fake and bragging and selling myself as better than I am. I want to open the interview by saying "Listen, based on the questions you asked, I think it's pretty clear to everyone that I won't be coming into the position with the ability to immediately start churning out leadership training. By asking me here to interview, I think it shows that you are not looking for that type of candidate. So, let's talk about what about me you find attractive, and we can come to a joint decision about whether I am right for this role."
But I'm super scared that i will say that and they will say "well actually, you misread us completely. We did think you had the skills, but based on what you just said, now we're not sure."
I know that no one can give me the perfect answer because none of you (I hope!) are familiar with the job/department in question. But I hope that some of you with more experience than myself can help me think through this more clearly, and help me find a distinct brand to present during the interview.
Thanks in advanced!
The job is listed as an entry level position creating, managing, and delivering training. However, it pays (i am guessing here based on the interview) $70,000, requires 5 years of experience, and is all about leadership training.
I got a master's degree from the same school as many of the people working at this company last year, which gives me a grand total of 3 years fudged, or 1.5 years steady experience. I think the experience I had was phenomenal and very applicable (I worked in a leadership training department) but I didn't learn enough from it to do anything on my own. I guess what I'm saying is that, while I'm very capable and skilled and knowledgeable of theory, I still have a lot to learn in terms of hands-on skills.
I also am not an expert with regards to leadership or sales, which is the focus of this department.
In the phone interview, they asked a lot of questions that seemed pretty specific, like they had a correct answer in mind, but I could only speak to theory and generalities. For instance, a question along the lines of "What is your process for creating learning objectives?" to which my answer was along the lines of "I'd probably ask someone for help."
During this section, I got a strong feeling from the interviewers that they were just going through the motions because they didn't think I had the skills they were looking for. I can't put my finger on what it was, but i suppose they answered my questions somewhat abruptly, didn't ask may follow-up questions, and didn't ask me to clarify my answers much. (It is possible that I was just imagining this based on my own self-assessment.)
Finally, one of the things I focused on pretty strongly during the phone interview (and was very nervous about afterwards) was that I understood the realities of business and how what a trainer thinks is the right answer isn't always what the other business people want from them, and that it's the training department's job to work for the company, not to try to dictate "the right way" to do things. I honestly have no idea if this helped or hurt my standings.
I don't have much experience interviewing for things that are a challenge for me. My past jobs have usually been completely in line with my qualifications, and I left the interviews feeling confident. This situation is different and I am panicking, and would greatly appreciate your advice.
I have always been told "fake it till you make it" because I am much more judgmental of myself than anyone else ever could be; it's my job to show the best of myself, and it's the company's job to decide if my best is good enough.
On the other hand, I feel that they must realize how inexperienced I am, and that if I act like I have experience when I really don't, they will think I'm fake and bragging and selling myself as better than I am. I want to open the interview by saying "Listen, based on the questions you asked, I think it's pretty clear to everyone that I won't be coming into the position with the ability to immediately start churning out leadership training. By asking me here to interview, I think it shows that you are not looking for that type of candidate. So, let's talk about what about me you find attractive, and we can come to a joint decision about whether I am right for this role."
But I'm super scared that i will say that and they will say "well actually, you misread us completely. We did think you had the skills, but based on what you just said, now we're not sure."
I know that no one can give me the perfect answer because none of you (I hope!) are familiar with the job/department in question. But I hope that some of you with more experience than myself can help me think through this more clearly, and help me find a distinct brand to present during the interview.
Thanks in advanced!
I'm not sure I know the right answer to your question. But here's one factor to consider:
Suppose that somehow they have misunderstood how qualified you are. And suppose further that you get the job, based on that misunderstanding.
In your post, you describe yourself as feeling "scared", "nervous" and "panicking". Those feelings are all around a job interview process which lasts, what, a couple weeks? If you take a job based on a false impression of your qualifications, you might run a risk of having those sorts of feelings become your whole life for a long time. You'll be going into work every day to do work that you feel underqualified to do, feeling that you were hired based on giving people the impression that you were highly qualified to do it. (I think there might be people who would thrive in that sort of situation, but from your post, you do not sound like that sort of person).
posted by ManInSuit at 12:40 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Suppose that somehow they have misunderstood how qualified you are. And suppose further that you get the job, based on that misunderstanding.
In your post, you describe yourself as feeling "scared", "nervous" and "panicking". Those feelings are all around a job interview process which lasts, what, a couple weeks? If you take a job based on a false impression of your qualifications, you might run a risk of having those sorts of feelings become your whole life for a long time. You'll be going into work every day to do work that you feel underqualified to do, feeling that you were hired based on giving people the impression that you were highly qualified to do it. (I think there might be people who would thrive in that sort of situation, but from your post, you do not sound like that sort of person).
posted by ManInSuit at 12:40 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think a good way to open the interview would be to ask, "What about my resume and phone interview made you think that I would be a good match for this position?" (It looks really confrontational in print, practice it with a smile.)
One thing that differentiates men and women on things like this is that typically, Men are more willing to trust that they can "pick it up" and don't fret so much about the details, whereas women are inclined to be very literal about qualifications, and if they were a Managing Supervisor, will automatically eliminate themselves from contention for a position because they were a Supervising Manager.
What you don't want is to take on a job where you'll be in over your head and miserable. You don't mind taking on a job where you have 80% of the qualifications and are willing to learn the other 20%.
Use this as an opportunity to interview them, with the ultimate goal to be a good fit for you both. Don't view it as an audition.
What I've found is that in most face-to-face interviews, that the interviewer will talk more than the person being interviewed. They may do some STAR questions, but probably only because they're told that they have to.
Be honest. Don't inflate anything. Anticipate questions and have good, solid answers. There's a list in the pdf I linked to.
For example, I'm a Salesforce.com Administrator. I can do customization, but I don't code. I'm VERY upfront about that. I may get eliminated from contention for a postion because of it. But I don't code, and I'm not going to learn enough, quickly enough to be able to do so if I get hired and the job is primarily coding.
So listen to what the interviewer is saying, and be truthful. You never know, the phone interviewer may have got their wires crossed and asked the hard questions. Hang loose and follow their lead.
Here are some other questions to ask at the end of the interview:
1. What background do your most successful X's have?
2. How do you think I'll fit into the culture here?
Good Luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:42 PM on April 29, 2013
One thing that differentiates men and women on things like this is that typically, Men are more willing to trust that they can "pick it up" and don't fret so much about the details, whereas women are inclined to be very literal about qualifications, and if they were a Managing Supervisor, will automatically eliminate themselves from contention for a position because they were a Supervising Manager.
What you don't want is to take on a job where you'll be in over your head and miserable. You don't mind taking on a job where you have 80% of the qualifications and are willing to learn the other 20%.
Use this as an opportunity to interview them, with the ultimate goal to be a good fit for you both. Don't view it as an audition.
What I've found is that in most face-to-face interviews, that the interviewer will talk more than the person being interviewed. They may do some STAR questions, but probably only because they're told that they have to.
Be honest. Don't inflate anything. Anticipate questions and have good, solid answers. There's a list in the pdf I linked to.
For example, I'm a Salesforce.com Administrator. I can do customization, but I don't code. I'm VERY upfront about that. I may get eliminated from contention for a postion because of it. But I don't code, and I'm not going to learn enough, quickly enough to be able to do so if I get hired and the job is primarily coding.
So listen to what the interviewer is saying, and be truthful. You never know, the phone interviewer may have got their wires crossed and asked the hard questions. Hang loose and follow their lead.
Here are some other questions to ask at the end of the interview:
1. What background do your most successful X's have?
2. How do you think I'll fit into the culture here?
Good Luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:42 PM on April 29, 2013
Yeah, that's a ridiculous approach. They have your resume and know what you've done. It may be that they haven't found anyone else that meets their standards yet. Maybe they have and they want you to be the less attractive option when then pitch their preferred candidate to the hiring manager. Maybe they think you're promising, but inexperienced, so they can lowball your salary, regardless of what the listing says.
There's no saying how this one is going to unfold, so just keep plugging away at it, putting yourself in the best light you can. "Tell me about your experience with X." "I haven't had the opportunity to do X, but I think my experience with Y would be relevant. While at school, I did Y project and blah blah. I'd look forward to applying that experience to working on X with you and your clients..." etc.
Good luck!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 12:44 PM on April 29, 2013
There's no saying how this one is going to unfold, so just keep plugging away at it, putting yourself in the best light you can. "Tell me about your experience with X." "I haven't had the opportunity to do X, but I think my experience with Y would be relevant. While at school, I did Y project and blah blah. I'd look forward to applying that experience to working on X with you and your clients..." etc.
Good luck!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 12:44 PM on April 29, 2013
Okay. You're very critical of yourself, I would guess you don't see yourself as worthy of success and thus you are sabotaging this. Don't worry about the first day. Will you be productive at this job after a few months have passed, and will you be great at it in a year? That person is who they want to have on their team.
An "entry-level position" with five years experience doesn't add up to me. Five years may be wishful thinking and they may actually not be able to afford someone so experienced. You may be an ideal candidate for their needs. You have the right training and experience, but not so much that you're super expensive.
You're right, you don't want to fake it. But torpedoing yourself is faking it too. Your internal persecutor is telling you all the things you can't do and telling you you won't get the job and it wants to make the interview all about your shortcomings. Kick it out of your head. Be up-front about what you CAN do. And let the company decide if they want you or not.
posted by PercussivePaul at 12:51 PM on April 29, 2013
An "entry-level position" with five years experience doesn't add up to me. Five years may be wishful thinking and they may actually not be able to afford someone so experienced. You may be an ideal candidate for their needs. You have the right training and experience, but not so much that you're super expensive.
You're right, you don't want to fake it. But torpedoing yourself is faking it too. Your internal persecutor is telling you all the things you can't do and telling you you won't get the job and it wants to make the interview all about your shortcomings. Kick it out of your head. Be up-front about what you CAN do. And let the company decide if they want you or not.
posted by PercussivePaul at 12:51 PM on April 29, 2013
Your job isn't to talk an employer out of a decision or play devil's advocate to yourself, but presenting yourself fairly can sometimes head off misunderstanding later.
As long as you are honest about what you have done, the conclusions they draw from that are their own. They may realize that with you, they get less experience but plenty of willingness to solve things, and that quality goes really far.
posted by zippy at 12:51 PM on April 29, 2013
As long as you are honest about what you have done, the conclusions they draw from that are their own. They may realize that with you, they get less experience but plenty of willingness to solve things, and that quality goes really far.
posted by zippy at 12:51 PM on April 29, 2013
In the phone interview, they asked a lot of questions that seemed pretty specific, like they had a correct answer in mind, but I could only speak to theory and generalities. For instance, a question along the lines of "What is your process for creating learning objectives?" to which my answer was along the lines of "I'd probably ask someone for help."
For the record, I am an instructional designer (which sounds very similar to the job you're applying for) and this is pretty much exactly the right answer. You want to work with your client to develop the objectives to make sure they are getting what they want out of the course that you're creating.
It is is perfectly acceptable to not have all of the answers-- but you want to show that you can get there. Every office (and person!) has their own way of designing and developing courses (the ADDIE model ain't all that there is). It's totally acceptable to say, "I am familiar with X, but I am eager to learn Y or whatever you use in house. I've used Q, R, and S software and tools to develop courses, but i have familiarity with T and U and I would love the opportunity to use those."
Those things you don't know can easily be spun as your interview-standard "what are your weaknesses." "I don't know T and U as well as I'd like and Y seems like a very interesting method I haven't had a chance to employ."
They also wouldn't expect you to start churning out training immediately. You'll be onboarded to the company and you'll probably have a mentor who will walk you through the first few courses/modules/whatever to make sure you're keeping with their style/voice/etc.
Finally, don't give them a reason not to hire you. Be confident. You wouldn't have gotten this far if they didn't think you could do the job.
posted by Flamingo at 12:54 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
For the record, I am an instructional designer (which sounds very similar to the job you're applying for) and this is pretty much exactly the right answer. You want to work with your client to develop the objectives to make sure they are getting what they want out of the course that you're creating.
It is is perfectly acceptable to not have all of the answers-- but you want to show that you can get there. Every office (and person!) has their own way of designing and developing courses (the ADDIE model ain't all that there is). It's totally acceptable to say, "I am familiar with X, but I am eager to learn Y or whatever you use in house. I've used Q, R, and S software and tools to develop courses, but i have familiarity with T and U and I would love the opportunity to use those."
Those things you don't know can easily be spun as your interview-standard "what are your weaknesses." "I don't know T and U as well as I'd like and Y seems like a very interesting method I haven't had a chance to employ."
They also wouldn't expect you to start churning out training immediately. You'll be onboarded to the company and you'll probably have a mentor who will walk you through the first few courses/modules/whatever to make sure you're keeping with their style/voice/etc.
Finally, don't give them a reason not to hire you. Be confident. You wouldn't have gotten this far if they didn't think you could do the job.
posted by Flamingo at 12:54 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
I liked the book, 60 Seconds You're Hired, frequently recommended here. Their recommendation is to come up with a bullet list of 5 (I think) key things about you that you want to sell during the interview. Specific skills, abilities, personality traits, or experiences that will be an asset to the organization. Then you practice with friends finding ways to answer any interview question with these bullet points. The idea is to decide what you want them to know and get that information across concisely and effectively.
There are also hundreds of sample answers to interview questions in the back.
posted by latkes at 1:00 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
There are also hundreds of sample answers to interview questions in the back.
posted by latkes at 1:00 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
It is their job to get the right candidate. If they hire you and based on what you are saying you are not a good fit, then they messed up. You have to do the best you can, do not do their job for them.
posted by pakora1 at 1:02 PM on April 29, 2013
posted by pakora1 at 1:02 PM on April 29, 2013
Unless you have a few other job offers that are equally appealing and you really are interviewing them more than they are interviewing you, I think you should continue to play up your strengths and not worry about whether you are qualified for one second. That's their job.
Just look at the fact that you thought the phone interviewers were unimpressed and "just going through the motions" when in reality they were impressed and moved you to the next level. You are irrationally jumping to negative conclusions.
posted by callmejay at 1:03 PM on April 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
Just look at the fact that you thought the phone interviewers were unimpressed and "just going through the motions" when in reality they were impressed and moved you to the next level. You are irrationally jumping to negative conclusions.
posted by callmejay at 1:03 PM on April 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
Suppose that somehow they have misunderstood how qualified you are. And suppose further that you get the job, based on that misunderstanding.
This describes my entire career so far.
I would suggest that if you're quick to learn, a good co-worker, and you can do some of what they hired you to do very well, you can learn to fill the new position. They are probably interested in you with that expectation - that your strengths are what they can't find in another candidate, and that your weaknesses will disappear once you're up to speed.
Focus on what you're good at, and feel your way through the rest.
posted by Slap*Happy at 1:06 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
This describes my entire career so far.
I would suggest that if you're quick to learn, a good co-worker, and you can do some of what they hired you to do very well, you can learn to fill the new position. They are probably interested in you with that expectation - that your strengths are what they can't find in another candidate, and that your weaknesses will disappear once you're up to speed.
Focus on what you're good at, and feel your way through the rest.
posted by Slap*Happy at 1:06 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Your question is basically wrong.
If they're a smart company, they're not hiring on credentials, and only somewhat on experience. Instead, they're hiring on behavior and communication. When you said "I'd ask for help," they said, "Oh good, here's someone smart enough to know when s/he's in over his head, and knows how to work collaboratively." Your answer also about institutional values is good.
They're trying to hire a good, smart, creative person, who works well with others. And HONEST. That's what we all want in hiring.
Stop undermining yourself, and PLEASE don't go to the interview and undermine yourself. The question I think you want to ask them is bizarre and possibly off-putting. Why don't you go to the interview and ask them about their organizational values, and what's important to them, and continue being forthcoming and honest and vivid in your languages and description. They want someone who can communicate, who can crisply make themselves understood. Sounds like you've got the goods, so go forth and sparkle.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 1:09 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
If they're a smart company, they're not hiring on credentials, and only somewhat on experience. Instead, they're hiring on behavior and communication. When you said "I'd ask for help," they said, "Oh good, here's someone smart enough to know when s/he's in over his head, and knows how to work collaboratively." Your answer also about institutional values is good.
They're trying to hire a good, smart, creative person, who works well with others. And HONEST. That's what we all want in hiring.
Stop undermining yourself, and PLEASE don't go to the interview and undermine yourself. The question I think you want to ask them is bizarre and possibly off-putting. Why don't you go to the interview and ask them about their organizational values, and what's important to them, and continue being forthcoming and honest and vivid in your languages and description. They want someone who can communicate, who can crisply make themselves understood. Sounds like you've got the goods, so go forth and sparkle.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 1:09 PM on April 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Never try to talk someone out of a good opinion they might have of you. What's "pretty clear to everyone" from your point of view might not be shared by anyone else in a room.
posted by Jairus at 1:09 PM on April 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Jairus at 1:09 PM on April 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
I agree with everyone - don't ask them that question!
What you want to do is not 'fake it till you make it' at all, but be completely true to yourself and answer all of their questions with (whenever you can) examples from your past experience, both academic and professional (and volunteer if you have it) that are relevant. If you do not have examples, and they ask you 'how would you handle situation XYZ?' take a few minutes, think about how you would handle it, and respond accordingly. Think about what you learned when you worked in a leadership training-related position. How would you apply it?
Don't think about the skills you don't have, think about the skills you do have. They aren't specific to leadership training, but they are applicable/adaptable to the position because _____________ (fill in the blank).
The other thing you want to demonstrate is that you are legitimately interested in having this job, not because it pays money, but because it is something where you feel you can contribute to the company and it is a type of work you would like to do.
I understood the realities of business and how what a trainer thinks is the right answer isn't always what the other business people want from them, and that it's the training department's job to work for the company, not to try to dictate "the right way" to do things
I like this because it shows that you actually do think about your philosophy and personality as a potential trainer. You are really envisioning yourself having this job. You have a particular reason for caring about it. I think that is what you want to convey.
Lastly, most companies have policies and procedures for how they do things. They won't be expecting their new hire to reinvent the wheel. If you get the job, you will have guidance as to what to do.
Best of luck!
posted by capricorn at 1:24 PM on April 29, 2013
What you want to do is not 'fake it till you make it' at all, but be completely true to yourself and answer all of their questions with (whenever you can) examples from your past experience, both academic and professional (and volunteer if you have it) that are relevant. If you do not have examples, and they ask you 'how would you handle situation XYZ?' take a few minutes, think about how you would handle it, and respond accordingly. Think about what you learned when you worked in a leadership training-related position. How would you apply it?
Don't think about the skills you don't have, think about the skills you do have. They aren't specific to leadership training, but they are applicable/adaptable to the position because _____________ (fill in the blank).
The other thing you want to demonstrate is that you are legitimately interested in having this job, not because it pays money, but because it is something where you feel you can contribute to the company and it is a type of work you would like to do.
I understood the realities of business and how what a trainer thinks is the right answer isn't always what the other business people want from them, and that it's the training department's job to work for the company, not to try to dictate "the right way" to do things
I like this because it shows that you actually do think about your philosophy and personality as a potential trainer. You are really envisioning yourself having this job. You have a particular reason for caring about it. I think that is what you want to convey.
Lastly, most companies have policies and procedures for how they do things. They won't be expecting their new hire to reinvent the wheel. If you get the job, you will have guidance as to what to do.
Best of luck!
posted by capricorn at 1:24 PM on April 29, 2013
Oh wait, I just saw that you did work in leadership training before. Even better - your skills are specific to the field!
posted by capricorn at 1:25 PM on April 29, 2013
posted by capricorn at 1:25 PM on April 29, 2013
Response by poster: I'm nervous about that Capricorn because the job was in a department that did leadership development, but I mostly did things like arrange conference rooms and make sure the correct materials were printed. I did have a lot of discussions with my supervisor about the correct way to do leadership training, but I'm afraid I'm having a very hard time articulating any of it because it was about a year ago.
I did develop a section myself about peer interactions and I'll be pushing it very heavily, but it was just the one, short program.
posted by rebent at 1:35 PM on April 29, 2013
I did develop a section myself about peer interactions and I'll be pushing it very heavily, but it was just the one, short program.
posted by rebent at 1:35 PM on April 29, 2013
The general rule is that you let them decide that you're not qualified. Don't decide that for them.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:08 PM on April 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 3:08 PM on April 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
Never ever "lay your cards on the table" in the manner you described. I think "fake it until you make it" is more of a way to accentuate the positive, as opposed to misrepresenting yourself. Go over your résumé and experience and pull out every single tiny bit of experience you can find that pertains to this job, and USE it. For instance, interviewer says "I don't see enough experience listed on your résumé, what makes you think you are qualified?" You DON'T say "oh yes, you are right." You give them clear examples of the experience you do have. You don't even acknowledge that your qualifications are lacking. You don't lie or overstate your experience, you just don't talk about it. Practice with a friend. Have them ask the hardest questions (write them down), the ones you are most afraid to hear, and the practice your answers. Never give a negative answer, it's as simple as that.
posted by raisingsand at 3:13 PM on April 29, 2013
posted by raisingsand at 3:13 PM on April 29, 2013
A job interview really boils down to TWO things:
#1: CAN YOU DO THE JOB? No, really. Can you? That's what they want to know.
#2: DO PEOPLE LIKE YOU? Let's be honest, how you'll fit in usually matters a lot.
Be better than just competent.
Be strong but definitely likable.
posted by 2oh1 at 3:18 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
#1: CAN YOU DO THE JOB? No, really. Can you? That's what they want to know.
#2: DO PEOPLE LIKE YOU? Let's be honest, how you'll fit in usually matters a lot.
Be better than just competent.
Be strong but definitely likable.
posted by 2oh1 at 3:18 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
So, I recently got a job for a fairly large retail company, doing contract work, where I'd be working directly with a very good friend who recommended me. Because of that recommendation, I just sent in a resume for what everyone told me was a straightforward contract job very much in line with my career to date, and then was asked to come in to interview. The interview went great, with a lot of banter and was composed solely of either general questions about my methodology, awareness of their service, etc., or specific questions about experiences mentioned on my resume. I got hired a couple days later, and one of my paperwork bits was filling out the online job application for the record.
Which is the first time I saw the posted job listing. Which has so many "required" skills and experiences that I don't come anywhere near and no one who read my resume could think that I did. I would never have applied for this job on my own, and I would have laughed at anyone who suggested it.
But they didn't ask me about any of that stuff, and I have the job. I interviewed for another one, also entirely demanding skills I don't have, and at one point the interviewer said to me, "Look, if you already knew how to do all this stuff, you wouldn't be right for this role." They're not bringing you in for a second interview because they somehow didn't notice your skillset or lack of experience. They did notice your skillset and experience, and they are interested in acquiring it. You say it's an entry-level position; maybe they want to take your skills and train you to use them within their model of practices. Who knows. But don't presume that their interest in you must be some kind of mistake. They like what they've heard so far, and they want to hear more. You're very unlikely to be pulling the wool over their eyes, unless you've actively lied all the way through.
So go, be personable and professional, see if you like talking to them too, and answer their questions to the best of your ability, because your ability got you in the door in the first place. If it's not a good fit or you're too underqualified, fine, whatever. But maybe it is, maybe you're not. Don't start by telling them you don't want to be considered a person with strength and potential. Good luck.
posted by Errant at 4:14 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
Which is the first time I saw the posted job listing. Which has so many "required" skills and experiences that I don't come anywhere near and no one who read my resume could think that I did. I would never have applied for this job on my own, and I would have laughed at anyone who suggested it.
But they didn't ask me about any of that stuff, and I have the job. I interviewed for another one, also entirely demanding skills I don't have, and at one point the interviewer said to me, "Look, if you already knew how to do all this stuff, you wouldn't be right for this role." They're not bringing you in for a second interview because they somehow didn't notice your skillset or lack of experience. They did notice your skillset and experience, and they are interested in acquiring it. You say it's an entry-level position; maybe they want to take your skills and train you to use them within their model of practices. Who knows. But don't presume that their interest in you must be some kind of mistake. They like what they've heard so far, and they want to hear more. You're very unlikely to be pulling the wool over their eyes, unless you've actively lied all the way through.
So go, be personable and professional, see if you like talking to them too, and answer their questions to the best of your ability, because your ability got you in the door in the first place. If it's not a good fit or you're too underqualified, fine, whatever. But maybe it is, maybe you're not. Don't start by telling them you don't want to be considered a person with strength and potential. Good luck.
posted by Errant at 4:14 PM on April 29, 2013 [4 favorites]
I'm a trainer/instructional designer/learning technologist in a department that focuses on leadership development.
How big this deficit really is depends on what they want you to do out of the gate. Ask about the first project they want the new person to tackle. Do they want you to develop a brand-new, comprehensive sales leadership curriculum? If so, that is probably too much of a reach. Or are you going to start off by learning their existing curriculum, updating some of the classes, and maybe designing a new course? This is totally within your reach. Will you have a team to work with? Easier to learn. Or will you have to do it on your own? Harder. Do they have established processes and a design approach? Easier. Or will you have to develop processes and have a design approach in mind? Much harder.
The more structure already exists in the job, the easier it will be to learn and grow in it. If it is entry-level, this should be the case.
posted by jeoc at 4:28 PM on April 29, 2013
How big this deficit really is depends on what they want you to do out of the gate. Ask about the first project they want the new person to tackle. Do they want you to develop a brand-new, comprehensive sales leadership curriculum? If so, that is probably too much of a reach. Or are you going to start off by learning their existing curriculum, updating some of the classes, and maybe designing a new course? This is totally within your reach. Will you have a team to work with? Easier to learn. Or will you have to do it on your own? Harder. Do they have established processes and a design approach? Easier. Or will you have to develop processes and have a design approach in mind? Much harder.
The more structure already exists in the job, the easier it will be to learn and grow in it. If it is entry-level, this should be the case.
posted by jeoc at 4:28 PM on April 29, 2013
When I was less than four years out of university, I applied for a position that required ten years of experience and got the job. I wasn't faking anything or misrepresenting myself. I felt that I was ready and the company agreed.
So just go into your second interview straight up. See yourself realistically, if they ask for shortcomings you can cite inexperience (just to show awareness), but I would not deliver any prepared speeches where I mark myself down. Instead, when prompted, I would give past examples of how you are a quick learner and will be able to adjust.
posted by 99percentfake at 5:17 PM on April 29, 2013
So just go into your second interview straight up. See yourself realistically, if they ask for shortcomings you can cite inexperience (just to show awareness), but I would not deliver any prepared speeches where I mark myself down. Instead, when prompted, I would give past examples of how you are a quick learner and will be able to adjust.
posted by 99percentfake at 5:17 PM on April 29, 2013
To modify 2oh1's list of two things they want to know, I'd say, it's not just 'CAN you do the job?', but 'COULD you do the job?' Yes, it's in their best interests to hire someone who on day 1, can walk into the building capable of doing what needs to be done. You seem really really nervous about the fact that you won't be able to do this. The thing is, almost nobody is ever able to do this with a job. Every company has particular special needs, and their own approach to things, and expects that there will be training whenever a new person comes on board. What they're interested in is not whether you have a leadership training seminar all set and ready to deliver on your third day of work, but whether you could, once they've explained what they really want and what the context is, deliver leadership seminars, which you could competantly prepare using the particular corporate materials which they would provide to you.
posted by aimedwander at 10:29 AM on April 30, 2013
posted by aimedwander at 10:29 AM on April 30, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks to everyone who gave me good advice. I stayed strong and showed my best face, and I think they liked it. We'll see in a few weeks weather I was the best they saw.
posted by rebent at 8:03 PM on May 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by rebent at 8:03 PM on May 2, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 12:36 PM on April 29, 2013 [2 favorites]