The Interview

So here’s this week’s Sunday Story. It’s about a very recent experience – an “old” dog learning new tricks.

Game Time

I had a job interview this week.  It was for a part-time job in the track and field world (not coaching), and it would be exciting to get it. I can’t say more about the job itself, at least not yet. But it was the first full-blown job interview I’ve done from the “applicant” side of the desk in a very, very long time, at least twenty-five years, and the experience has changed.

I know my strengths, and one of the biggest is to be “in person”.  But job interviews (generally) aren’t in person anymore.  They’re virtual, “Zoom” interviews, with a split screen of the interviewers in different places all asking questions.  To use a very dated analogy, it’s like being a contestant on Hollywood Squares, but the squares are asking questions instead of giving answers.  One of the things that made me a good teacher was being able to “read” my audience, and adjust my presentation based on their reactions.  

Zoom “Studio”

But that’s a lot harder on “Zoom”.  Is that guy bored, or just looking at something happening off camera?  Is the other one avoiding eye contact, or just staring at his screen, not the camera, so it only seems like he’s dodging you?  Yes, you can see the interviewers, and judge from their voice, but it’s a lot harder to get a “gut” reaction to what’s going on.

So I’m sitting in my own home office, “All dressed up with nowhere to go”.  I’ve had to dig out all the “formal” clothes; the button down shirt, a sports jacket, and a dark red tie.  And yes, I am wearing khaki pants and even dress shoes.  Sure I could do the interview in shorts or worse, but that’s like coaching in sweats at a track meet (something I did three times in thirty-six years – each a catastrophe) – not only is it “bad luck”, but just asking for trouble.  The camera will shift, or my shirt won’t hang right, and for sure I just wouldn’t feel right.  Job interviews are a performance, so “game on”, in uniform, pre-gamed and prepared.

One thing that a video interview does allow is “cheat sheets”.  They are laying on the desk, right below the computer keyboard.  A list of the possible interviewers and their backgrounds (got that right, by the way) and of the critical points that I wanted to make:  why they should choose me.  But the sheets are there to be viewed – not touched.  Just a quick glance to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

Zoom Primer 

  1. Make sure everything works.  Nothing makes you look more unprepared then when the interview starts and you become a frozen, blank, or vanished screen.  Interviewers don’t have time for that. And it would definitely create panic on the interviewee side.
  2. If you look at the screen, you’re not looking “at them”.  Look at the camera – that’s the hardest thing to do.  “Go to the green light”.
  3. Just because you are at home, don’t get comfortable.  It’s an interview, adrenalin helps.  And by the way, make sure you look at the image you’re projecting before the actual interview.  Their eyes are going to wander – what are they seeing in your background.  “Room Rater” you own place so you know what they’ll talk about when the interview is over.
  4. The dogs were cute when I was teaching an online classroom.  The kids loved them, and it broke the tension and got their attention.  The dogs aren’t so good for a job interview.  It’s a beautiful day: everyone outside to the backyard.  Even if they bark a bit, it won’t come through the microphone.
  5. Make sure the light is good.  Nothing worse than appearing to be from an “undisclosed cave,” somewhere in Central Asia.    
  6. Don’t be distracted.  Put the phone far away.  Ignore what’s going on outside.  Focus on what they are asking.  Organize in your head what points you want to make.
  7. You are who you are – and that’s who they’re going to hire.  You aren’t someone else, so don’t pretend to be.  If they don’t want “the real” you, then you don’t want the job anyway.
  8. Prepare – know why you want the job, and what you can do to make the job better.  There’s that great candidate interview question that tripped up Teddy Kennedy – “Why do you want to be President?” Better have your answers prepared. Know who’s interviewing you, and try to focus your answer to what they know and relate to.  Don’t interview “cold”, without preparation – if you want the job.
  9. “Nerves” are good, not bad.  Like any competition – once the “game” begins, the nerves will go away. And like any competition – when you stop being nervous before the game, then it’s time to find a new game.
  10. It’s Friday afternoon – recognize that they’ve been working all week – keep their interest.  But don’t offer to pop a beer.

What Happens Next

So that was my game plan – I guess it was only  good if it worked.  They did give me a time frame – they hope to make “the offer” by the middle of next week.  If I get the job – great!!  A new and different challenge.  And if I don’t, it was a good experience anyway.  This old dog still needs to learn new tricks, and a solid kick of “nerves” is a good thing.   

Besides, it was time to air out the sports coat and tie – it’s been a while!

Author: Marty Dahlman

I'm Marty Dahlman. After forty years of teaching and coaching track and cross country, I've finally retired!!! I've also spent a lot of time in politics, working campaigns from local school elections to Presidential campaigns.