It Can't Just Be Me...Can It?

 Does anybody like job interviews?

Seriously.  Does anyone ever enjoy them?  I'm sure we've all walked away from one thinking, "Huh. That went pretty well." But is there anyone out there who enjoys the process? 

I suppose if you have actual confidence in yourself and your skills you might.  In other words, if you're a normal person who doesn't over-analyze and over-dramatize and overthink absolutely everything you do, you might not mind the interaction with a potential employer.  You might walk in there thinking, "I'm qualified for this job!  I like talking about myself.  Let's go!"

Being a decidedly not-normal person, my thought process is slightly different.  It goes something more like this: "Oh lord.  I suppose I could do this job.  But my skills don't match the keywords in the job posting exactly.  They're never going to look at my resume.  And I don't want to lie about my skills.  That would be wrong.  I suppose I'll send a resume anyway.  Oh no!  They've contacted me!  I have to do an interview!  I have to talk about myself for 40 minutes?  What kind of torture is this?  Why do we even have to work anyway?  Who came up with this system?  I need a nap."

I used to get quite nervous before (and during) interviews, talking myself out of the job before I even meet the recruiter.  I'm a bit better about them now.  I give myself the "it's not the end of the world if you don't get this" pep talk, because it's really not the end of the world if I don't get a job.  I mean, it will eventually become a little more urgent, as the severance runs out and the EI kicks in.  But for now, an interview isn't the be-all and end-all that I used to make it.  If I tell myself this enough times, I will believe it, right?

"So, what's the alternative, Sandi?" you may be asking.  Well, I had the complete opposite of a job interview a while ago.  I was contacted by an employer because someone I knew at their office had recommended me, which was really nice!  The boss messaged me and asked if I wanted to have lunch with her.  I mean....that sounds fine, if you're not, you know, me.  I don't really 'do lunch' if it's with people I don't know.  I don't like small talk.  I'm not good at meeting new people.  And this loosey-goosey method of talking about a job seemed so strange to me!  It was sort of like an interview, but with a sandwich.  When it was over, they said, "Think about it and get in touch."  Think about what?  We didn't discuss the actual position much, there was no mention of salary, benefits, or anything specific.  I got in touch with them the next afternoon, and apparently, that was too late.  They thought I wasn't interested.  What?  I was so confused.  It was like a first date that went pretty well, but you aren't sure if they were into you.  So, this is not the answer to the hiring process either.  Please god, no.  No more of this.

I don't know what the answer is.  It's probably to give myself a break and realize that I am a capable adult who can do some things pretty well.  I can write you a fantastic commercial, I am organized, can handle a busy workplace, and I think I'm pleasant to be around.  But having to go to an interview and do 40 minutes of horn tooting?  It is difficult.

The worst part of an interview is that I get weirdly chatty when I'm nervous.  I over-share.  Ask my husband.  Whenever we're at the cancer clinic for check-ups, I jabber on and on to the doctors and nurses.  Lacking confidence and talking too much.  What employer wouldn't love that?

Please don't think I created this blog just to talk about my shortcomings and fish for compliments.  I really didn't.  I am just a girl, standing in front of a job bank website, hoping that someone will like me.  

As much as I'd like to bypass the uncomfortableness of the interview process, it's the process we've got, so I will play ball.  I really am enthusiastic about starting a new job!  I promise!  And hopefully, I can manage to get through an interview without embarrassing myself too badly.  Wish me luck!