Interview Anxiety and Stress...

Hello Everyone,

Hope you all are doing okay, if not well in coping with life.

Today, I had a rare interview.

It was broadly related to my former field.

Did my research, felt prepared.

I need the reps as they say, experience, but it was not the best interview.

The guy I interviewed with, the owner of a successful medically related business,

was a aggressive, type A, no bones about it dude.

Not saying this is wrong, and being in sales you have to be ready for anything.

But, before I knew it he had asked about my history, covered how his company will

still be viable with the changing health laws, job description, why others failed, and

other info complete with cursing and bravado...

So he asked if I had any questions, I had them prepared, but after I asked a couple,

he was ushering me out.

I did say I was interested, and in no uncertain terms that I can and am used to going

out and making things happen - which is true.

He said that a young guy with no experience made 100k recently, and he has a girl who

is not comfortable doing sales.

Truth is, he put me off with his whole persona. I admit that he was in third gear and

I first , som this experience tells me not to get to relaxed before a interview.

You see, I was relaxed, and did not feel nervous, but the other side was I was not ready

for this " different" type of interview with his bluster, and maybe that is why he is looking

for more salespeople - made comment that " sales people like to bounce around alot'

Well, maybe , he is why.

I dont know, but I am wiser for the experience, but time is tight, as is money, and I need

a good income.

I am feeling pretty stressed now, but at least i am putting myself out there.

I do not do well with this insecurity , man I had it som easy at one time!

S.C - I will email you, but I agree with your point about not taking a job home with you.

I just want to work, get paid, go home, repeat and have at least some interest level.

Thinking of coming off the right way, saying the "right" things is so draining!

I do not back down, but I have to admit it was a bit uncomfortable with the guys in my

face style, although it was not a personal thing.

At least I slept ok, the night before i awoke at 3:30 and was awake the rest of the night.

I was a zombie yesterday, still worked out ( felt exhausted), but was able to rest before

this interview.

As with my workout i am stressed but resolved.

Next week I am going to  a seminar on going back to school.

 

Hi,

First off, thanks for your response. you are always generous with
giving feedback.

I'm not sure if I am following you. Are you taking my description of his bluster, aggression as him thinking he is the end all, but
realizes he is not finding another "him".

Yes, he is arrogant, but its not so much that he thinks no one else can do the sales job as he knows it, as is the fact he is very
impatient.

Here is the deal - this guy was 45 minutes late for our interview,
is trying to run his business and conduct interviews at the same time, and at the same time wants everything done yesterday.
I felt like I could not get a sentence out, before he was jumping
to the next subject. I never had a chance to ask, but it seems he
has had a lot of turnover which is normal in sales, but may be higher with him cause of his personality.

I can analyze this all day, he is the boss, I need a job. It is not
the ideal interview and no, he does not seem like anyone I would want to work for. When he was aggressive like that, it took me out of my element, and maybe for this guy wanting a aggressive guy like himself and having a overbooked schedule,
I did not answer his questions fast enough - no one could.

Would be surprised if I heard again from him. If I had savings or
as previously, time, would not take this job - now I have to.

I just have to be ready for anything while being cool. This happens sometimes, although rarely in sales, one time on a sales call, a lady was actually nasty when I sincerely commented
on the size of her membership- was not trying to make small talk, was being real and honest - she commented back -"so",
like I just insulted her child, totally weird, unusual, just have to be prepared for anything.

But, I have done it , can do it, and deserve a chance.

Post Edited (ghosst8) : 9/12/2013 4:28:40 PM (GMT-6)

G,

If you end up taking the job...you will just have to come up with skills to circumvent this guy's game!;p

You are surely going to be able to run mental laps around most people...this should be doable with getting to know how he operates...and working it to your comfort level (in how you conduct your sales) and advantage!

Best wishes...let us know when you hear...

S.C.

Hi ghosst8,

Nice to read that you've been for a job interview, I find that inspiring.

I hope that things go well, I think it's a good starting point, even if you do/or do not get the job, if you do, you have the choice to take it or not, depending on your wishes, if you don't, then you know you've been for an interview, which is I think a very positive point in the current climate, (though I am UK based, so I'm not sure how it is elsewhere, and it's different depending on experience, local area etc)

I am a returning...very part time student this year, with a full time job already, but I could make the most of the services available to students, such as careers advice etc. (something to think about for anyone taking a course at a college where, student services might also be available free)

Best Wishes!