It’s been a long, long time since I wrote in this category, but today’s interview has me thinking more about our perception of self versus what we project.
I’ve never been afraid of interviews before–and I admit it’s been a while since I’ve been on any type of interview, much less one for employment–though I’ve never managed to squelch my fear of testing, regardless of five years of college classes. But I wondered why I was so uncomfortable in this one, and it leads me back to some tendencies coupled with, or even exacerbated by years of experience.
The tendency is that I am not comfortable talking about myself or my accomplishments–oddly enough, this is in conflict with my need for validation. Oh I can talk myself up among friends or within a like-minded group, but in attempting to impress a group of superiors, I’m lost. The added factor that made it worse is that yes, I have plenty of experience behind me in all the areas required by this position.
So why the discomfort? Because it sounded like bragging. Like well, hell, of course I can do this, I’ve been a business owner, an executive secretary, etc. etc. I was turned off by what was coming out of my mouth. I mean, in a job interview, you’re supposed to point out your experience and accomplishments. I remember starting out into the business world and I remember the nervousness about going for a job for which I wasn’t fully sure I was qualified. This is almost worse. I sounded downright pompous. Its not an easy transition to make; self-assured in my own world and trying to be accepted by those in another.
And then you go and flub up the typing and filing tests.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
Not a good scene at all. Adequate networking will prevent this kind of humiliation.
When we are over 40, we are usually being interviewed by people much younger than ourselves. I have actually been interviewed by HR people younger than my children so I do know the drill.
The only way you will feel comfortable in an interview when you are past the commodity employee stage is to learn how to network and find out about the job opportunities that match your talents and your needs BEFORE you go in for the interview.
In the HR interviews I mentioned earlier, I had already gotten approved by the hiring manager so the HR interview was only a formality. As it was, the hiring manager was 18 years younger than I was and the HR person was at least 30 years younger. Networking will ease you over the age barrier if you have the skills required for the job.
If you are 40 or older and have computer related skills, I can almost guarantee that you have the skills required for almost any job you apply for. You just need to get the chance to demonstrate those skills.
Networking does that.
I’ll stop now. I’m sure you have the idea by now. 🙂