..my first interview experience..

India
February 4, 2013 1:15pm CST
Hey guys, i still remember that last year in this month, i had appeared for my first interview of my life. Although it was a terrible experience i would like to share something about that. I was the topper of my college and hence i was given a direct entry into the interview round without appearing for the written round. I was very much nervous as well as confident as it was my first interview. Whole college had kept eyes on me as i was the topper and they wanted me to crack this interview. In fact some were so confident about my results that they had asked for a treat even. My chance came for the interview n i got to know that my interviewer had come a minute before the interview and hence he was puffing like anything. I greeted him and he made me comfortable. he asked me few HR questions which i answered him properly. Once he started the computer related questions, he did not give me any time to think and i almost failed to answer all his computer related questions. He said he had a mixed reaction about my interview and then my interview got over. I was confident that i was not going to make the cut. The interviews of other candidates went on and i had to wait till 8pm, i.e for about 8 hours to know about my results. At 8.30pm the result were announced and gotta know that i was not shortlisted. I knew that and left the hall immediately in disappointment. i did not talk to anyone the next day and very soon i came back to my normal life. Since then I have taken away my faith from the IT sector. What are your thoughts about this? How was your first interview experience? Please do leave your thoughts!
1 person likes this
11 responses
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
5 Feb 13
The most memorable interview was back in 2007 when I was applying at HSBC as a call center agent. Although I have worked for the past 10 years prior to that (I co-managed my brother in law'd pharmacy and had several small businesses), it was the first job interview ever. I was shaky at first. I do not know what to expect. What made me more nervous was all the other applicants were younger than me. And I thought that I had the least chance of getting a job. I went to the office at 730 am.When my name was called after waiting for 4 hours (mind you, I didn't have breakfast coz I was too nervous to eat), I was called (not even lunch, I was afraid that if I leave the line, I'd miss my chance). The manager was nice. Asked me very practical questions. I think it last 15 minutes. Then she told me to wait for the result. All those who passed the first screening will need to take a written test. After an hour of waiting,my name was called to take the written exam! Then after that, I was again informed to wait for the result and those who will pass it will need to go through another interview. I passed that again then took another written exam. Every step I took, there were other applicants who were denied to continue with the process. We were about 13 applicants that time. So after passing the second written exam, there was a final interview. Gosh! How long should this take, I was thinking! But as time passed, I got more comfortable and I was surprised myself on how I was able to carry a good conversation with the last manager. I think we were talking for 20 minutes. Then he informed to wait for the results. It was already 8pm and i was texting my dad that I'd be a bit late coz I need to wait for the results. One by one the names were called. Some were asked to come back on another day to finish the application process. Some were denied. Lucky me, I was one of the 2 applicants who got accepted! And there were only about 5 of us left. I was readily given a job offer!
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
5 Feb 13
Wow! That is a nice story. It is really a good feeling if we were able to pass every stage of the interview we were undergoing. This will boost our confidence level. Presently my sister is also working with HSBC.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
5 Feb 13
It is one great company, They offer great incentives. I however, just stayed for a short time coz I had difficulties with sleep. And I have to have time with my kids everyday to help them with school. The job was easy to handle, but I had to choose my family over the great job.
• Philippines
5 Feb 13
were you allowed to eat lunch? i don't think i can survive a series of exams and interviews on an empty stomach.
• Indonesia
18 Feb 13
well, my first interview was about 4 years ago. I just graduated from school and didn't receive my graduation certificate completely. I was interview in the office where I get train when school. the HRD who gave interview was very handsome and make me feel melted. I was not concentration at all, but little relax since he knew me very well and knew I work very well too during my training time. I feel so nervous and always smile seeing the interviewer.. it's seems like not serious interview
• Indonesia
24 Feb 13
yeah.. it good moment. sadly, I only stay 3 months in the company. may be because it was when I still very new to job world and too hurry... till now I regret my decision to left my first job, but life must go on..
• India
26 Feb 13
Oh u stayed for only 3 months? I know u must be feeling bad and regretting for staying for such a short period of time at your company but then u should think positively that u have gained some experience at least that might work in your favor in the future. I know initially u have had problems in adjusting to the new environment but then that is a part and parcel of the corporate world. What happened next? Where r u working now?
• India
19 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing your valuable response. He he he, looks like u had a great first interview experience, u are lucky that u got to be interviewed by a handsome guy. he he he. well i know any gal at your place would have melted after seeing such a handsome guy while interview. I think since u are hardworking that also worked for the interview. what say?
• United States
5 Feb 13
My first interview was very quick and I was hired. It was for a cheese company called Hickory Farms. I was a senior in high school looking for a little extra money so I could help with college. Since then I have worked on campus while in college and now I am not working at all. I am a graduate student studying Early Childhood Education (wants to teach preschool)and still cannot find work. Next month I will be starting an online business selling jewelry and hopefully Christmas ornaments and possibly handbags. I am sorry that you went through a lot just to not get hired. I remember when I applied for a seasonal job at Sears and the interview was supposed to be at 1:30. Well the person who conducted the interview was 2 hours late and then had the nerve to tell me the position was already filled. I was upset because the manager was 2 hours late and I had to sit there and I was getting nervous.
• India
5 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing your valuable response. Well that is great to hear about your first interview n i think u have done a good job from the very beginning only. U have struggled very hard and now that u are going to start a new business i would like to extend my good wishes and i hope u have a great and successful venture. i know u must have got nervous and tensed as well for that Sears interview. What say?
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
25 Mar 13
i am sure you would be totally nervous and also going into the IT sector ,you will have more jittery feeling,always go with a positive mind and come out victorious
• India
27 Mar 13
yes it was a very tensed moment for me as i had very least knowledge about the IT sector and its subjects. I felt more or less like being grilled by the interviewer as it the first interview of my life. But still i had tried to be more positive throughout the interview session knowing the fact that i had not performed well. I had left the results entirely in the hands of the interviewer.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
I'd like to reply on this topic but from the HR side. I have been doing interviews for many years and to tell you the truth it isn't fun. There are many instances when we have to omit from the shortlist those who are extremely intelligent because of the perception that you might be expecting a higher salary than the company can afford. Another reason is job turnover. Most of those who have very high qualifications have other job offers and it often follows that they are gonna look for greener pastures. However, when I was doing interviews, I didn't have the final say because it was the managers who chose the applicants they think can do the job. Our only responsibility is to write down our personal perceptions on the applicants including our recommendations. Don't let this interview destroy your hopes. It is their loss not yours. Something better may be in store for you.
• India
17 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for your valuable response. Well i am glad to hear that u have been doing interviews and i know what u wanted to say about the shortlisted candidates. I have seen how many intelligent and good candidates miss out from being shortlisted just because they might expect higher salaries and might find a better opportunity than this but that cannot be an excuse if that candidate is not having a sound financial condition. What say?
• India
28 Feb 13
First experiences are always special. My first interview led me to my first job. I still remember the interviewer's name and face, though it all happened 5 years back. But every time I face an interview, I feel like it is the first one.
• India
1 Mar 13
Thanks a ton for sharing your valuable response. Well yes u are absolutely right, our first interviews are always special as it is the first time that we r facing a situation that is a first time in our life. I am glad to hear that your first interview led to your first job and that u have remembered each n every thing about it which is great. What say?
@dipak777 (177)
• India
4 Feb 13
hello subhojit, i can understand your feelings.same thing happend me twice when i went to a it company for interview.both time i was screen out.at that time i was so sad.because i was so confident for my selection.but now everything is fine.life goes on.there are a lot to come,have faith.
• India
5 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing your valuable response. Well i am glad to hear that u have taken your rejection in a positive way and i am sure this will take you places in the future. in fact any one in our place would have reacted the same but it is very important how we gauge this situation and turn it around for us. I hope your talent will soon be recognized. What say?
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
5 Feb 13
wow it is awesome and i really hope you enjoyed the moment and had fun for it
• India
5 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing your valuable response. Ha ha ha, well to be very honest it was not at all a great experience for me as i was expecting a good news that day but destiny has something in store for me. but yes i did got the opportunity to get learned about so many things which i am pretty much sure would help me in the future as well. What say?
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
5 Feb 13
Hi subhojit! There really times when we failed to achieve our expectations over something. This but natural. It is not always the reason that you failed for an interview is because you are not good at it. Remember that the person conducting the interview is also human and might have his own preferences which we might not have. Other also might see us as threat that is why they chose not to have us. Whatever the reason, it is a good thing that we tried our best so that whatever the result, we will not end up blaming ourselves. I've got a lot of applications submitted with different offices and companies and most of which not even reach to the point of having an interview. But those were not enough reasons for me to give up on my dream. Have a nice day!
• India
5 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing your valuable response. Yes your words were really touching and i would like say hats off to you that u have been still dreaming big and that should be the attitude of everyone. even i feel the same that he might have had his own preferences and i have certainly learned a lot of things from that day which i am sure would help me in the long run. What say?
• India
5 Feb 13
Well,I am from the IT industry and also has gone through similar lines.So i am able to understand the feelings,frustrations and emotions involved here.And being first time is always special in everybody's mind.There is nothing you should be ashamed of.First of all,companies select people for their requirements,its not exactly based on their qualifications or academic merit.Second of all,you being topper, you had the pressure from friends and others.Perhaps that went to your mind and things did not work out.Never bother of such things.Understand what went wrong and try to correct them.Keep the things which worked for you.Adn best of all think its all for good.Believe me, i lost the interviews to big Indian companies and i was not a topper.But then a big mnc selected me as the first guy among 3000 people and among 12 companies.And career wise, i got good things from that one.I do not think i would have made it better with other two in any case.So do not think of the outside things and be focused on yourself.Besides, these things happen in all industries.There is nothing exclusive about IT.Hope you got a job later one.Thanks!
• India
6 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing such a lovely response. I am so happy to hear from you that u have struggled so hard in your life and see where u are now. u are a very good example for all those who accept defeat so easily after being rejected from the companies. i think we need to learn from such rejections and strengthen ourselves so that we can come out strong next time. Which company r u working now at present? What say?
@sshiva95 (77)
• India
5 Feb 13
Sorry for you pal but I believe that it completely depends on the environment you grow up and study in. Everybody has a bad day and its fine. But if you are a person with enough confidence and have a good rapport, then I'm absolutely sure you can succeed. All the best for your next interview. :)