[Fresia]

I made it past the phone interview gratefully and got the email a week later from HR to schedule in-person interviews later this week all on one day.

The first one is with 4 people, all supervisors; then one, with the HR director; and then with two people, the CEO and manager. To say I am nervous is an understatement. These are specialists in their field and I am just a student starting out, but an older student. I am praying this won't count against me.

What concerns me is that is the largest and primary employer in the area. If I mess this up, I am in trouble for finding work. I am also not good in groups of people, much better one-on-one. I keep reading how I need to be confident but not sure how to portray that when all I feel is anxious now. It is also causing me to doubt the my abilities that I choke on my anxiety. I did great in my clinicals but it has been a long time since I have used this material. What if they ask something technical and I cannot answer it?

How do you you handle interviewing with 4 people at once?
Is there a way to overcome the anxiety?
How do you cover, if asked, something that you don't know the answer to?

I just cannot remember how used to handle these situations. Thanks in advance for your feedback and insight.

[hvert]

I treat group interviews like I am mingling at a bar or party. That helps minimize the anxiety. I think these group interviews are about seeing how well everyone will mesh together, so I focus on being friendly and keeping things conversational.

Don't stress about having to remember some random detail. If they ask a question you don't know the answer to, it's okay to say that you don't know. You can say something like 'I can't remember off the top of my head, but I would refer to X to refresh my memory' to illustrate that you know how to acquire information.

[Mustkeepjob32]

Also remember that you are there to interview them also. It is a two-way street. Remember to take slow deep breaths while you're interviewing; it's important not to forget to breathe.

[Fresia]

Thank you both. Truly!

I picked up a book with possible interview questions to practice with the last couple of days because I had no idea what they might ask, it has been too long. Then I also started to think of some things to ask them. I was feeling a bit more confident as of yesterday knowing I needed to interview them too and not feeling so desperate.

However, last night was rough though as I have hardly slept and I started to rerun through so many possibilities and how I would answer things; my confidence started to shake, getting paranoid about not being able to think on my feet if I'm tired because I' m not sleeping. I just could not sleep.

Surprisingly though I feel fairly alert except I wish I could get this sick feeling in my stomach to go away and the chills to go away. I wasn't anticipating that. I am going to try to eat something and go for a walk to try to settle down. The exercise should be good. I got up at 5:30 am and the first appointment isn't until 10:00. The anticipation may be worse than the appointment now.

Wish me luck. It really would be something if this went well. No matter how it comes out, I appreciate your support. Will let you know how it goes later this afternoon.

[hvert]

How did it go???

[Fresia]

Thanks for asking. I keep replaying it in m mind.

Well, the first interview was with two supervisors, I messed up several technical questions (I was corrected) but I found out later in the day that they told HR it went well . I am wondering if they are desperate.

The second interview was with three managers and it was more of them telling me about the position and my asking them questions. In that regard, it went well.

The third interview was with one person and I am not really sure how it went other than awkward.

The fourth interview was with two people, CEO and lead manager, and despite getting off to a shaky start, they gave me good feedback that they thought this would be a good match.

So they said they would be doing a background /credit check and will get in touch with me once they get those results. So we'll see. (?) I don't expect anything will turn up as there is nothing shady in my background, but given that a friend discovered he had someone's else's identity meshed with his on a background check done on him once, warrant out for the other person's arrest on his record.... the one thing that does follow me around is Murphy's Law, so I am holding my breath.

[hvert]

That sounds really promising! And all those interviews, one after another, gah -- it must be a relief to be done with that. I am not sure which is worse - an interview with 10 people in the room or a bunch of interviews with different people. I'm glad it went so well for you!

[Mustkeepjob32]

It sounds like you did well on the whole set of interviews which was a lot! Also if they are doing a background check on you, that's uaually a good sign. Proud of you!

[Fresia]

I got a call this afternoon that the one company, background check was great, and they would like to make an offer. I have some questions though that the HR person gave me a manager's direct number to clarify for me first and we will touch base on Monday.

The one question that did not occur to me until after this interview could be a deal breaker but remembered to ask it in other for phone interviews this week with some other companies so as not to waste their time (yes, have had others surprisingly, thanks to y'alls help I think have gone well); I don't know where my head was at not remembering to ask before; nerves I guess.

No matter, I am so excited that I might have a job on Monday. The adventure begins.

Thanks for all y'alls support.

[hvert]

Yay! Congratulations!

[Shadow-world]

Congratulations, Fresia! That's fantastic!

[bigblackdog]

Originally Posted by Fresia

The fourth interview was with two people, CEO and lead manager, and despite getting off to a shaky start, they gave me good feedback that they thought this would be a good match.

So they said they would be doing a background /credit check and will get in touch with me once they get those results. So we'll see. (?) I don't expect anything will turn up as there is nothing shady in my background, but given that a friend discovered he had someone's else's identity meshed with his on a background check done on him once, warrant out for the other person's arrest on his record.... the one thing that does follow me around is Murphy's Law, so I am holding my breath.

So you made it to the CEO and his cohorts....at any time they could have cancelled everything. You've done well,young paduwan. If they are running a BG check, it's extremely promising...I make a point of asking for a copy of my BG check. At my company, if something pops on the BG check, they will ask about it, depending on what it is.....the murder charges will net you no return calls, small inconsistencies they'll ignore and anything in between they should discuss with you. If they refuse you the job based on the BG check, you have a right to a copy as you are being refused employment based on the contents.

[bigblackdog]

Oh yeah, my company:

Interview screen with HR
Phone with hiring manager
Phones with two potential teammates
Phone with hiring manager's manager
In person with hiring manager
Offer
Counter-offer
Counter-counter offer
Disclosure of recent announcement
Verbal acceptance including unusual start date for benefits
written acceptance
In person with HR to sign papers
Started work
Fingerprinted
FBI check okay
Bonded

subsequent candidates did all of this, plus a call with all of us on the phone, with us on chat behind the scenes, where we could comment on answers. Our best candidate come to find out was not hired due to a track record of sexual harassment, as found out when big boss golfed with a guy that knew a guy and got the inside scoop.

So what you're doing? piece of cake.

[John25]

That's great! Congratulations, Fresia!

[Perna]

When do you start?

[Fresia]

Well, that is a good question. I am not even sure now this is confirmed.

I set it up with all the employers that made offers to get back to them on Monday with my decision. I declined two positions and accepted the one. I had to leave a voicemail as the HR person was not available. I have not heard anything back. I left another vm this morning asking her to please call me to confirm that she got my message of acceptance. Still have not heard anything back. This is making me nervous for turning down 2 other positions, except that I got a message from a previous fellow student, who works there, that said they announced last week in a meeting that I was joining the team. Should be good news right (?), except that things were still be negotiated at that point. So I am not sure what to think.

Until I have something in writing, I am holding my breath and feeling in limbo, but enjoying the rest of my days of freedom meanwhile. .

[bigblackdog]

So if they announced it in a meeting, it's probably a done thing, and the fact that they did announce it can constitute closure of the employment process legally.

I am sure the HR person is just busy and will get back to you soon. Hang in there. I know it's nerve wracking.

[Mindful55]

Congratulations, Fresia

[Fresia]

I just got off the phone with the HR person. It is now finalized and even negotiated paid time off to visit when my family comes later this summer; this has been planned for 10 months, their coming to see me, which is once a year. She asked me why I applied if I knew I would be needing this time; I explained that positions like this did not come open very often, that I did not want to lose out on this opportunity to work with them, and really, the time is a miniscule blip in the scheme of a long and devoted career commitment to them, and hopefully if given the chance, they will consider it that way too. My T & I were also concerned about, after not working for so long, not being able to have a moment to catch my breath. Being low man on the totem pole,it would be awhile before I would be able to get vacation time. It might be exactly what is needed to ease into things and a good time to negotiate this.

I will start later in July because I still have to do a physical and drug screen; there were not that many appointment times available to get this in with employee health, so that is why the delay.

Just am so relieved though and excited. It would be nice to start sooner for the pay and benefits but this time will give me a chance to review some material before starting besides have a bit of a summer vacation, in addition to getting some home projects done. Unfortunately I hope the time won't work against me to psych myself out; it took so much of my nerve to apply in the first place. Hopefully doubt won't set in about the realities of working again. Oh my, I have a job. I'll just try to focus on enjoying the rest of this time off in the interim though.

Thanks again for your support. Means a lot! Wishing you well. Take good care meanwhile.

[bigblackdog]

It's not unusual to have travel plans made when a job change comes into the picture....they would be idiots not to honor it, and honestly, they made it clear that they wanted you. Asking the question that they did was out of line in my estimation. You handled it fabulously though!

Congratulations.

[H3rmit]

Big congrats! I'm so curious what your job area is. It sounds like quite a serious position with all those interviews and requirements.

[Fresia]

Originally Posted by H3rmit

Big congrats! I'm so curious what your job area is. It sounds like quite a serious position with all those interviews and requirements.

Thanks so much, H3mit!

I changed careers and went back to school for Medical Laboratory Technician. It is actually a responsible position. 80% of most patient diagnoses are based on their laboratory results, so it is important that the science be correct. Since I have not looked at the material over the last year while completing another degree, I have been using this time until I start to go back to review, because I do not want to make a mistake. The other nice thing that helped me decide between this position and several of the other offers was that they have an extensive training period with someone of 6-8 months, plus additional if they said I felt like I needed more (they would prefer this than someone pretending to know it all; some have taken as much as 9 mos - 14 mos, and are their best techs, which was encouraging to know in case need more time), as opposed to a 3 week training period like the one job said. I know we learned a lot in school but there is so much more to know and the science is constantly evolving.

I also am studying to become a Medical Lab Scientist and supposedly they will have me training with another Scientist in addition to other Techs to get their perspective and insights. I hope they come through on this promise. I really would like to reach this goal in the next two years. That's the plan, in theory.

The next step though is just being able to get through the days after not having worked in so long. That will be the next hurdle. I set up support though with T and pdoc, as well as friends and y'all here at PC are unconditionally my best support of all. I couldn't made it through school without y'all and hopefully work will be smoother sailing. Here's to hoping.

Thanks again everyone for the well wishes and support meanwhile, truly, thank you.