Blew a job interview today

[Kyrok]

I've been with the same employer, in the same job, for 21 years.
Because of health issues, I put my name in for another position that opened up.

I've spent the past two weeks preparing and did great today until the penultimate question.
The interviewer asked it with a very negative tone and I fell into the trap of taking the question as a criticism vs opportunity. It is bullshit, but my lame response tanked it for me.

I treat my shortcomings as major flaws, and basically telegraphed at that moment how depressed I am.

I blew it.

 

[Spookycabinet]

Did you find out there and then that you did bad with your interview?
There may be a chance. With the fact that you have been working for them - that you'll do good.

 

[noonetoo]

I've been with the same employer, in the same job, for 21 years.
Because of health issues, I put my name in for another position that opened up.

I've spent the past two weeks preparing and did great today until the penultimate question.
The interviewer asked it with a very negative tone and I fell into the trap of taking the question as a criticism vs opportunity. It is bullshit, but my lame response tanked it for me.

I treat my shortcomings as major flaws, and basically telegraphed at that moment how depressed I am.

I blew it.

What was your response?

 

[Kyrok]

Did you find out there and then that you did bad with your interview?
There may be a chance. With the fact that you have been working for them - that you'll do good.

I knew my response sucked. I spoke with my boss later, who agreed. He didn't think it totally tanked my chances, but it did weaken them.

What was your response?

Hard to explain. Basically, I made it sound like I knew I wasn't any good at one of the intended job responsibilities and sounded demoralized. The truth is, I do suck at that, but up till now it has been of very little relevance in my current position. I do funded research & policy consulting, but rely upon others to get that funding. The new job would require fundraising on my part -- and as could be imagined, while I'm fine at a desk working away, I'm not the sort of person able to make people enthusiastic about handing over money.

My understanding is that my boss's bosses meet next week to decide. Four finalists. I hear one totally bombed, but the other two were more energetic.

If I don't get this job, I remain where I've been for 21 years. The upside is that I can mostly work from home and control my workload. The downside is that chronic pain has made it too hard to spend much time at my desk. So, if I don't get it, I'll have to reduce my output significantly, even cancelling contracts. Then have to hope I can somehow slide by for the 3 more years I have until retirement.

 

[Donewith_]

sorry to see it has happened like this.. may be you were feeling a bit low or depressed at that time..
yeah sometimes things may change though it seems like you haven't fared well.. hope this unfolds in a better way for you.

 

[Kyrok]

sorry to see it has happened like this.. may be you were feeling a bit low or depressed at that time..
yeah sometimes things may change though it seems like you haven't fared well.. hope this unfolds in a better way for you.

Part of what gnaws at me is that I made a mistake. I could have addressed the question much better, but I didn't recognize I was reacting to the negative tone of the question until I left the interview. While other considerations are at play as well, I'm chalking this up to yet another blunder on my part, another failure caused by my ineptitude, another lost opportunity.

 

[Kyrok]

Well, it seems I might still be in the running. My boss today told me that his boss wants to meet with him about me & the job.

It also turns out there is another administrative vacancy opening up and two candidates for the job I'm interested in have applied for it (different area than my work). So, maybe I'll get it by default. I should learn a bit more tomorrow I think, but it probably will be next week before an offer is made.

Oh, to not be stuck at my desk 10-14hrs every day!!!

 

[tomz323]

I've been with the same employer, in the same job, for 21 years.
Because of health issues, I put my name in for another position that opened up.

I've spent the past two weeks preparing and did great today until the penultimate question.
The interviewer asked it with a very negative tone and I fell into the trap of taking the question as a criticism vs opportunity. It is bullshit, but my lame response tanked it for me.

I treat my shortcomings as major flaws, and basically telegraphed at that moment how depressed I am.

I blew it.

Sorry to hear that bro, I know what its like to tank a job interview. At least you learn't something for the next one right?

 

[Kyrok]

Sorry to hear that bro, I know what its like to tank a job interview. At least you learn't something for the next one right?

True. It is hard to keep one's real state of mind fully under wraps

But, after a call from my boss today, maybe I'm still in the running. He's talking with his boss (who decides) tomorrow.
My boss knows all about my depression, and though he said he's going to support my getting the job, he asked me to promise that I would resign as division director rather than embarass him or the firm if I have another nervous breakdown.