Job rejections, a toxic work environment and lowered self esteem

I would, but the problem with doing so is that I wouldn't be able to ask until Monday, and the presentation is Tuesday, which does not give me enough time to revise it if I need to, unfortunately.

I feel SO stupid for not asking the right question. ARGH.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have gotten the feeling from prior posts that your job is a more "creative" type of job and the answer you got to your question might be an open one because they don't want to inhibit your creativity? I would just let my creative flag fly and see what happens!

@Molinit, thank you, and I just love your response!!!

This particular role emphasizes the creative aspects of my job because the focus is on website content and content creation, so yes, you are correct! I think they did leave it open to allow me to be as creative as I want to be. He even wrote, "assume you can do anything you want" in his reply when I asked my question.

Creativity happens to be my greatest strength, so this is where I excel, and more naturally because I am naturally a creative thinker. The technical aspects of my job are far harder for me since I am more right brained than left brained... or however that works in terms of creativity. lol.

So, yeah, I came up with a new content idea for this hypothetical client, based on the extensive keyword list they provided. So far, I have created a content outline based on keyword searches and search volume, and have suggested current content they can link within the new content and suggested additional content that they can create based off keyword search volume that they can also link within the new piece of site content.

I may be going overboard with this assignment, but they asked for 2 content recommendations, so I am building this one 1 recommendation very thoroughly.

And now I am panicking. My presentation is only 15 minutes, and they asked for a 30 minute presentation. It's too late now to adjust and change it, so I must present what I've got. I'm nervous.

Well, I got through it!!!! I am almost canceled because I was too scared, but I am proud that I went through with it, gave my presentation to seven people and managed to get through it ok. Now we shall see if they extend an offer. If they don't, I will at least be proud that I got this far and gave what I think was a good presentation.

Great job!

@Bill3, thank you!!!

Now that that is all done, I am now fretting over my presentation, how I came across, and how it was received.

Very oddly - when I was done, I received only silence at first. No one said anything in response, except the hiring manager who asked me if I had also looked at the technical.That kind of bothered me since I had been asked to come up with content opportunities, but I hadn't been asked to look at anything technical regarding this website. Then, there were only a couple of questions regarding my presentation, and we moved onto a more formal interview style whereby they could ask me whatever they wanted and I could ask them questions too.

And since it was a presentation and not of the typical interview style, do I send a thank you note? This wasn't a typical interview, so I am not sure if I need to send a thank you note or not?

Edited: I sent one anyways since it feels like the right thing to do.

I agree, good to send a thank you note.

Thanks @Bill3. It was the right thing to do, though my note was brief. I didn't know what to say since it wasn't a typical interview.

I am so afraid of getting yet another rejection. I did not hear anything yesterday, which makes me think I AM getting rejected.

And I really don't know how my presentation went. I mean, they went silent after I finished and had very few questions, which was strange. I thought I had come up with a great idea for new site content, and I built out this content to contain specific sub-sections AND 10 additional new pages, all linking to this main piece of content.

Maybe I was totally off-based and maybe I didn't follow their instructions right at all. Maybe I was wrong. I mean, there was a point where I became confused over their instructions, so it's possible I did it all wrong and that's why they went silent.

I just do not know. ARGH.

I have another interview today with a different company.

I didn't write about this yet, but my colleague complained to our VP the other day about our boss and so did one of my account managers. My colleague tells me that my boss bullies him, puts him down and has called him an "idiot". So my VP called me and asked me about her too. So I told him everything - and I mean everything. How she raised her voice at me on the phone, how she doesn't know basic knowledge that she should know in our field, and how she makes processes less efficient for us to do our jobs well.

I wonder what's going to come of it - he says it's being addressed. The VP of account services apparently let it slip that we "need a new director" as well the other day. I wonder if they will fire my boss? She took a sick day yesterday - her second sick day in two months.

Yet another rejection. I cannot take anymore.

I'm really sorry.

Maybe if this boss leaves it will get better?

Thanks @Bill3. Luckily, I am not THAT upset. I mean, I AM upset, but I did not appreciate their interview process, so it's not too too upsetting.

Yes, in fact it would get better if she left.

My boss was out "sick" for the last two days. I think it's suspect. I think she was spoken to and that's why she was out of the office.

AND..... I asked for feedback as to WHY I was being passed over for this role, and I received NO response. She had even written in her rejection letter to me that they want to keep the door open with me in case another suitable position arises.

I went to my parents' home for dinner and they asked if my interviewers were all men, and I said YES. They think it's agism and sexism at play. I told my parents that I thought my presentation was really good and well thought out. Perhaps they don't want a female on the team who is talented. WHO KNOWS?!? I certainly don't know and I'm scratching my head. I mean, I put hours of work into that presentation. HOURS. And I did think it through THOROUGHLY. I gave them my best recommendation for website content, and it was well built out as a strategy to drive more traffic and business to the website.

One of my best girlfriends tells me to view it as a learning experience and to gain from it whatever I can. And the truth is, I CAN learn from this experience because I had never built out that kind of a content strategy before, so it was in fact a beneficial exercise for me to do. Perhaps this will benefit me down the road somehow. I am trying to see the silver lining here and to place a more positive spin on the whole experience.

Nonetheless, being rejected yet again and being a finalist FOUR TIMES in a row, and then being rejected really smarts and SUCKS.

I have another interview tomorrow. And so it goes - on and on and on... the interview process. I am no longer holding onto hope. I'm discouraged, despite having had a positive first interview with this company.

I don't know WHAT is going on! Either I am interviewing for the wrong positions, my salary is too high, or my interview skills have taken a nosedive. But I would think given that I continue to be a finalist, that I must be doing something right through the interview process? It's just that final round where they decide I am not fit or suitable, which makes me think they've gone for a cheaper option, but I really don't know. I wish I had feedback to go on.

Hang in there! Good luck tomorrow!

THANKS Bill!!!

My horrible boss was FIRED today, so now I am no longer DESPERATE to leave my company! HOORRRAYYYYYYY!!!!!

What a relief!!

A HUGE relief!!!!!

I cancelled my interview for today. I don't want to go through with it. First off, it's a TINY start up organization of 5-6 people, which means I would be expected to carry a LOT of responsibility and cannot rely on others for their expertise, which I prefer and want in a company. Secondly, I am burnt out on interviewing. Thirdly, it's no longer dire that I leave my company asap.

I feel a little guilty for turning my back on an opportunity, but then again, I don't think it was the right one for me.