Today I had an interview – one that I had planned and was preparing for FOR DAYS.

I was feeling confident. I was prepared with my resume, letter of recommendation, business card, and questions and handy information in case I forgot everything I had gone over the past couple of days. Prior to leaving the house, I rewrote all of my notes and rehearsed talking about myself and what I enjoy. I thought about strengths and weaknesses and how I can use those both in positive and effective ways for the company I interviewed with. I also came up with (through my own thinking and asking close friends) things that would make me a desirable candidate for the position – why would someone hire me over the next candidate? I also wrote some questions down on a card that I had come up with pertaining to the company and my potential growth.

The closer it got to my planned time to go, the more my nerves started to overwhelm me. I was shaking with jitters. Im used to being nervous with these things so it’s nothing new. Telling myself I was prepared and there was no reason for me to NOT get this job unless it turned out to be far les than what I had thought it would be when I got there. I planned, researches and rehearsed for this day – I was going to be myself and present myself professionally for this company.

Arriving there early (like I always end up doing for every occasion), I went over my notes one more time and prayed that my nerves would be settled and I would rock this interview. I had an entertaining ride up the elevator shortly after my moment in the car of prep. Getting there to the 9th floor created more nerves. I WAS ABOUT TO HAVE A HUGE CAREER STARTING INTERVIEW.

The interview was about like the interviews I had had previously, basically nothing like what we went over in business school 🤷‍♀️ the mock interview I had experienced definitely prepared me, if not over prepared me for the real experiences I’ve encountered the past year and a half. The “typical interview questions” weren’t asked, which made highlighting what I consider important answers harder because I forget half of everything I think going into any speech/presentation. Which is exactly what happened.

Leaving the building and driving down the road, I realized I forgot to hand them an updated resume. I forgot to hand them a letter of recommendation. I forgot the business card as well. I also began to doubt all of the other things I didn’t say or expounded upon. Why am I like this, I thought…

Although all of these negative things happened, if this job is meant to be mine for the taking, it’s going to work out and I’m sure they saw the real me in that conference room. If by some chance, I don’t get this position, I have one more interview to put into my experience belt which will help me in some way or fashion. It’s not going to be the end of the world and I did all I could in that moment. I know that everything I said was true and came from the heart. Plus, the job was everything I hoped for and more, as well as the company itself.

By not getting it, if that happens, I’ll try my best not to beat myself up over it. 😂