We've all been there. Whether you're finding a job or interview, watching your friends already locked in on a position brings about so many different kinds of emotions - both good and the bad. And then there's you. You're still sending out those resumes and cover letters, hoping to get phone screens and interviews with the company that you hope so desperately that is willing to hire you.
And when you finally get that interview, you feel a sudden rush of adrenaline that you can't decipher whether it's a rush of excitement or fear. Regardless, you prepare the heck out of yourself, memorize every bullet point you did at each internship, and familiarize yourself with all possible behavioral questions. And then there's the interview. Thirty minutes to an hour goes by and then you walk out with a smile on your face (or not).
Here are three thoughts you have when finishing an interview:
1. I'm confident that Imma get that job
You nailed it. You said every point that you prepared in your preparation for the interview. And you got a great vibe from the recruiter/hiring manager that they liked you. Maybe they had already mentioned about starting dates or gave you a tour of the office and introduced you to everybody.
You squeal with excitement the moment you exit that room and can't wait to call your mom and best friend the news. You are 200% sure that the offer letter will be coming through your inbox in the next few days.
2. I BOMBED it. End of story.
You probably won't be hearing back from them again. You were babbling and stuttering throughout the interview - probably because of your lack of preparation or maybe you just didn't get enough sleep the night before.
Whatever the reason is, you know that you did not give your 120% in that interview and you blanked out when they threw a question at you that you did not prepare for. And that is why you do not think you will get the job.
3. I dunno how I feel
You feel ambivalent. You thought the interview went well but you also think that the recruiters/hiring managers thought otherwise. What if they didn't like the way I answered this questions? What about the awkward facial expressions they gave me when I finished running through a brain-teaser? You are confused.
On one hand, you feel great that the interview's over but on the other hand, you're feeling anxious about what the interviewers might think differently than you do regarding the interview. You're just going to wait it out and see whether or not you get an offer letter the next few days.
Bottom line is, whatever feeling you may f e e l ~ the moment you stepped out of the interview, you should know that you did your best and that's all that you could control. Sure, there may be external factors that contributed to the success/lack thereof during the interview, but hey, if you can look at yourself straight in the eye and tell yourself that you prepared the best that you could in your abilities, then you will be fine.
I'm saying this as someone who has gotten countless, literally c o u n t l e s s rejections from employers. The best offer letters are those that are a two-way agreement that y'all are a great fit for each other.
