I had my first face-to-face interview today and I think it went well, or at least it seemed to. But isn't it funny, no matter how well we "think" things went in an interview, we never really know until we get to move on to the next step. When I watch certain reality TV shows, which I don't watch alot of them, but those where someone is "asked to leave" each week, an elimination round, that's how the interview process seems to be.
You put your best face forward, dress up, wear makeup, best clothes, do your hair, make sure that you make the VERY BEST FIRST IMPRESSION. Remember, that you can only make ONE first impression, so make it the VERY BEST. It's probably one of the most important things that I learned from my Mom.
Then you meet people at their offices, in their environment. It's nice because you get to look around the company, size up a few of the people that you meet - like the receptionist, sometimes an assistant or a more Jr manager with the person that you are there to meet. You get to see how people work. Either in cubes, quads, bullpens or offices or a combination of those depending on what the team does. I usually get a glass of water or a cup of coffee, so that's a little relaxing and I get dry mouth because I'm talking so much answering and asking questions.
When I answer the question, I try to answer it specifically the was it was asked. Direct and to the point. I talk alot, so I have to really try NOT to talk alot at the interview, but JUST ENOUGH. And knowing what that is sometimes is hard. And answering the questions, you just have to hope that you said somethings that sparked an interest to pursue you and your skillset. But maybe while you're out interviewing you have to keep in mind that it's good to go to several interviews, do a little compare and contrast between the teams, the folks you met, the services or products, the work environment, the company culture, the compensation, and the benefits to try to determine if you would like to work there.
Then comes my favorite part - asking them questions in return. And today I had a list of them. I always like to know the company strategy, the mission statement, the communication style, the number of employees, the organization structure, really understand the role and responsibilities of the position that I'm considering (or that they're considering for me, if you will). I like to ask as many leading questions that I can. Sometimes one answer also covers another question that I have so I can get through mine fairly quickly.
Today, by the time I left, I felt like I would get a second interview with the next group, but one can never tell and I don't like to "count my chickens before they hatch" sort of thing. So, I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime, I'm still looking, going to interview elsewhere next week, so watch out, I'll be dressed up, make up on, hair done, smelling good and trying to sound confident, smart and together!!!
"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt
