The Interview Games

As we all know, job hunting wouldn't be complete without the stress of the interview process. You can apply to all the jobs you want, but nailing the interview is critical for securing employment. Everyone knows the Do's and Don'ts of basic interview etiquette but what about the unspoken rules? You know, the questions we really want to ask and the answers we should be giving instead of what the interviewer wants to hear? Nailing the interview process means playing the game.

I find myself taking on a different persona when I am in interviews. I turn into a person who I believe is accomplished yet humble, educated but has much to learn, and eager to please. None of these things are necessarily bad but I often find myself asking why do I do this? I think it's simple psychology. I am performing the role that best suits myself in that moment. I dress up, put on makeup, do my hair, and answer every question that comes at me as eloquently as I can. I am playing the game. It won't be till the end of the entire process if I have won the championship or not.

This gamification of interviews is stressful. Most people will spend hours of their life preparing for interviews and taking on stress that stress that may or may not be successful in the end. So why do we make interviews so stressful. Shouldn't they be calm, composed, and place to highlight our abilities. Often times I end up repeating my resume to the interviewer, which makes me question if they have read it beforehand or not. And afterwards, I feel dejected because I didn't have a chance to really sell myself, talk about what wasn't on the paper, and how I am perfect for this role. But I must give credit to those who go above the traditional interviews.

I recently had an interview for a partime job in a field that I see myself working in one day and not once was I asked to repeat my resume. Sure I had to give a brief highlight of it, but it was a natural summary that wasn't fueled by questions of "So, what makes you qualified?" Every question I was asked was thoughtful, geared toward who I am as a person, as a employee, and who I want to become. I was given the opportunity to talk about my experiences that I didn't have the space to put on my resume. I was able to tell go beyond the format of my resume to sell myself for this position. After the interview, I felt accomplished because I pitched myself without regret. I remember thinking to myself, it doesn't matter if I don't get the job, I put everything out on the table that I wanted to say, and if I am rejected, it truly was because I wasn't a good fit. That is how everyone should feel.

The industry needs to reevaluate how they interview prospective employees. Yes, resumes are important, but they are only a snapshot of what we as professionals are and can be. People need the opportunity to sell themselves to a hiring manager instead of repeating their resumes over and over again. You have to play the game to get the rewards but the interview process should be more than just a game. It should allow people to move forward to "collect some cash"and not be stuck in "Jail" waiting for their turn again.