I quit my job here in St. Louis two weeks ago. I didn’t like the job; I don’t like St. Louis; I want to get the fuck out of Dodge.
One week ago, I sent a resume to a place in Denver, and got a response within 15 minutes. I wasn’t really prepared for that, with the job market the way it is and everything. This may sound dumb, but it was too soon, and unexpected. I haven’t even started packing yet, or talking to my landlord about getting out of my lease. Still . . .
So they want to do a web video conference for an interview. OK, that’s fine–I download the webcam software I deliberately removed after I bought my laptop, test it, and it all works. I make sure the background is inoccuous, test how my face appears, test various shirts and ties, and all that happy horseshit.
So I log into the video conference, and there is no audio. The tech guy makes phone motions and it turns out that I have to hold the phone in front of my face the entire time. The web audio is less than adequate. So I’ve got a telephone and a telephone cord hanging in front of my face the whole time. And the camera doesn’t show my hand gestures (One hand, remember? The other is holding the fucking phone in front of my smile.), but does show my shoulder ticking about while I’m making those gestures.
I just wasn’t expecting it, and I wasn’t able to adjust. I just couldn’t get over how I looked, and couldn’t concentrate on the questions and answers. I blew it.
And I kept running out of throat hydration. I drank two glasses of water before the interview and still had to go get some more in the middle. I felt like a dink.
Don’t be so hard on yourself- I mean, you did remember to take your sunglasses off, right?
Any time you do something new like that, it’s going to be awkward and mistake-ridden, or maybe that’s just me… my point is, even if you did blow it, there’ll be other interviews. Pat yourself on the back that you’re getting out there and doing it. Good luck.
Could it be that it wasn’t as bad as you think? I mean, so they saw you holding a phone and talking into it. That’s not horrible. Imagine if it had worked fine on your end but there was a tech glitch on the other end and the interviewer had to talk into a phone – would you look down on him/her for that? Also they saw you were fine with technology, but when it didn’t work you were flexible and a good sport, and went with what worked even if it wasn’t as glamorous. Now, maybe you were so flustered you answered all the questions badly, but probably you did fine. Good luck! And get the audio thing fixed!
A prospective employer makes allowances for all of those issues during a video interview. I’ve done several interviews that way (as an employer) and I know that the circumstances are less than ideal. I’m sure it wasn’t nearly as bad as you think.
I guess one plus of video interviews is you don’t even have to bother with wearing pants. Unless you get up to get a drink of water. Or if you have a web cam like mine that perches precariously on top of the monitor and can tumble off into one’s lap. "Yes, one of the reasons I’m interested in putting my skills to work for Company XYZ is NAUGHTY BITS! NAUGHTY BITS! sorry, let me fix that camera, is because you consistently respect the natural environment while still making practical, profitable decisions that make the customer feel good about NAUGHTY BITS! NAUGHTY BITS! NAUGHTY BITS! um, excuse me, let me just quickly slip into some pants…
I am sure it wasn’t as bad as you felt - only point - in the future, once you have tested the angle and everything, close down your video feed so you can’t see yourself.
I can’t imagine how distracting that would be for anyone…
It’s usually the little things that blow an interview. And, who knows, maybe they were testing you with the sound thing to see how you react. Make sure you do the follow up email thank you and restate how this is a great fit.
Don’t over think interviews and test your zen waiting for feedback.
I’m sure you did much better than you think. I’m certain you did better than the guy a friend of mine interviewed today, who showed up 15 minutes late for the interview!
A couple weeks ago I blew an online test collecting for one of the credit cards that is trying to collect from me. I think I didn’t strike the correct balance between supportive and firm. A couple people from that office were surprised I didn’t make it because they are desperate for warm bodies to fill chairs.
It may be cold comfort, but such a kludgy interview setup reflects as badly on them as it does on you. Even with the market being what it is, I truly feel that an interview goes two ways - I’m interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing me, and anything that reflects badly on them would negatively impact whether or not I choose to hire out my skills and talents to them.
Had this happened to me, I would send the interviewer some polite, but honest, feedback explaining that the teleconferencing process they used may not be optimal, given that they probably want their interviewees providing well-thought-out answers with minimal distraction. If they are an organization worth working for, they will welcome any feedback that helps them improve their prospective new hires’ impressions. Send it separate from any other “thank you for your time” message you’re sending, so it doesn’t seem like an excuse or anything.
If I were the interviewer and someone sent me such feedback, I would give them points for honesty and straightforwardness.
I’m disappointed; I thought the thread title said “interviewer”.
I join the chorus of thinking is wasn’t as bad as you fear. The same phone connection that made things awkward is likely to have stripped out enough of the nuances of your voice that they won’t have noticed that you were nervous. You probably just came across as “man talking on telephone.”
Nothing to add except - sending out lucky thoughts to the universe!
Hope you get it!
I started a new gig this week and am hating it so far. No machine, no telephone no ideas when it might come in. Promised a mix of c++ and c# and now they are saying all C++. Bad (primitive) archetecture on what is written so far. Spent two days reading manuals (that really just say: This dialog does this, use the menu to start it, click here, click OK) Today they said that they will have a requirements meeting on the 20th and then try to carve out some work for me to do then. I’m not reading manuals until the 20th, regardless of the good rate I’m getting.
Maybe off topic, but my sister made the move from St. Louis to Denver and she loves it. Easily the best decision she ever made and the other transplants she knows (from St. Louis and elsewhere) feel the same. If that’s where fortune takes you, it’ll be a good thing. Good luck.
I once was told by the employment agency that I should always wear a suit to interviews. But I also knew that the kind of job I was going for was very casual and relaxed, so a suit would be out of place and overdoing it.
Against my better judgement, I wore the suit. I looked and felt uncomfortable, and I was right, it was a casual polo-shirt and jeans kind of place, so stood out like a sore thumb. I did not get the job, or even a followup email.
Ever since, I have trusted my own judgement in interview situations, and it’s never been an issue.
