The Job Interview that took a turn for the Worse

What has to happen in a job interview, to officially rank it as an Interview FAIL?  My friend walked out of an interview this week feeling terrible.  She felt she had bombed the whole thing.  She was a bit down in the dumps, so I tried to cheer her up by telling her about a time I too had an unfortunate interview.  Some people share wisdom - some share insight or compassion. My gift is a life full of examples of how things can always be worse. But that's another post.....

I sat across from the very large man holding my resume.  Every question he asked me I easily and confidently answered.  It was hands down my best interview yet so I was not surprised when I was offered the job a half hour later.  The man stood up, walked over to a file cabinet and handed me a bunch of paperwork to start on.  I filled out forms while he sat silently watching.  I hate awkward silence.  I tried to joke a bit, you know, lighten the mood.  Half my brain was joking with this guy and the other half was writing down my details in the small spaces provided. I should have just shut up.  Instead, I joked a bit about how long it was going to take me to finish all the paperwork.

His reply was, "I'm the Department Manager but it's the Big Whig's up in the main office who make all the rules".

Now what I MEANT to say was, "I guess that's why they make the big bucks"

What actually came out of my mouth was, (and remember, my mind was only half aware of the conversation),

"I guess that's why you have a big BUTT." 

Oh yeah....true story. I heard the words flowing out of my mouth just as my brain was registering what I had said.  My brain screamed "Noooooo!"  

It was horrific. I froze.  I stared at the form in front of me where I had been signing my name.  There was a lovely letter J and only half a U.  I thought, maybe he didn't notice. I slowly looked up moving only my eyes, and not my bent head. 

Our eyes met....Oh dear.....He had most certainly noticed.  I tried to smile but the damage was done.  The very large man, who I had just called BIG BUTT, told me to go.  I was to come back on Monday to fill out the rest of the forms. 

I nervously arrived at work the next Monday, thinking of ways to appologize without making things worse.  I was going to have to work with a manager I had insulted but  I had worried for nothing.  It was a woman who greeted me and announced I was to begin training in a different department.   Shocker.  

posted especially for my friend Karen

What has to happen in a job interview, to officially rank it as an Interview FAIL?  My friend walked out of an interview this week feeling terrible.  She felt she had bombed the whole thing.  She was a bit down in the dumps, so I tried to cheer her up by telling her about a time I too had an unfortunate interview.  Some people share wisdom - some share insight or compassion. My gift is a life full of examples of how things can always be worse. But that's another post.....

I sat across from the very large man holding my resume.  Every question he asked me I easily and confidently answered.  It was hands down my best interview yet so I was not surprised when I was offered the job a half hour later.  The man stood up, walked over to a file cabinet and handed me a bunch of paperwork to start on.  I filled out forms while he sat silently watching.  I hate awkward silence.  I tried to joke a bit, you know, lighten the mood.  Half my brain was joking with this guy and the other half was writing down my details in the small spaces provided. I should have just shut up.  Instead, I joked a bit about how long it was going to take me to finish all the paperwork.

His reply was, "I'm the Department Manager but it's the Big Whig's up in the main office who make all the rules".

Now what I MEANT to say was, "I guess that's why they make the big bucks"

What actually came out of my mouth was, (and remember, my mind was only half aware of the conversation),

"I guess that's why you have a big BUTT." 

Oh yeah....true story. I heard the words flowing out of my mouth just as my brain was registering what I had said.  My brain screamed "Noooooo!"  

It was horrific. I froze.  I stared at the form in front of me where I had been signing my name.  There was a lovely letter J and only half a U.  I thought, maybe he didn't notice. I slowly looked up moving only my eyes, and not my bent head. 

Our eyes met....Oh dear.....He had most certainly noticed.  I tried to smile but the damage was done.  The very large man, who I had just called BIG BUTT, told me to go.  I was to come back on Monday to fill out the rest of the forms. 

I nervously arrived at work the next Monday, thinking of ways to appologize without making things worse.  I was going to have to work with a manager I had insulted but  I had worried for nothing.  It was a woman who greeted me and announced I was to begin training in a different department.   Shocker.  

posted especially for my friend Karen