I can't BELIEVE I did that!
By Jess
@JJ4Ever (4693)
United States
July 18, 2010 6:44pm CST
Have you ever done or said something at one point and then realized later that it probably wasn't the best idea?
Let me explain what I mean with my own real-life personal experience...
Near the end of last year, I was actively pursuing a new career because I just couldn't put up with my current position any longer. I was seriously on the prowl for a new job! Anyway, I interviewed with a mortgage company in my area and grew to really admire the organization altogether with its standards, work ethic, and so on. After the first interview, I was asked to attend a second interview - a great sign! However, following the second interview, I was informed the position for which I applied had already been filled. OUCH! I thought I was a good fit for the position and had all the credentials and experience they could've possibly wanted.
Until this past Friday, I wondered why I didn't get the position. Friday night, a friend and I got together to discuss our continued job search. (We usually meet once a week to discuss our short-term goals in order to keep one another accountable.) Last Friday, we went over some interview questions and answers - we quizzed each other on what good responses would be. We got on the subject of reading and how much I LOVE to read. We started discussing how I "read" one or two audio books a week at work. The books keep me motivated and give my mind something to do while I'm working.
...then it dawned on me as we discussed it. I remember mentioning to the manager conducting the interview at the mortgage company how I keep my stress level down while I'm working - by listening to audio books while I work. I also mentioned it more than once. I didn't see listening to audio books as a negative thing, but my friend mentioned to me that it might've seemed like a negative thing to my potential employer because it seems as though I hold a higher priority on getting through audio books than concentrating on my work. I guess if I were in the manager's shoes, I might've seen it as a negative that this potential employee listens to books on CD while working. She may feel as though only half of my attention is on my work and the other half is on the book. What do you think?
I was so grateful to my friend for being so insightful. I honestly never thought of my answer to the manager's question in that way, but if I were in her shoes I might've felt the same way my friend did. This was one of those times where I did something a while back that I would learn to regret later! Thankfully, I wasn't set on getting the job anyway. I'm sure that's not the only reason I didn't get it - maybe it wasn't to be in the first place. At least, that's the way I try to look at the situation!
Have you ever had a situation where you did or said something and didn't find out it probably wasn't the best thing to do or say until a little while later?
5 people like this
9 responses
@GardenGerty (169472)
• United States
19 Jul 10
Yes, also in a job hunt, but that is long behind me now. I can see how this will change things for you when you interview in the future. You two are lucky to have each other as friends, as I can see you help each other out.
2 people like this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
The thing about interviews is that the only way to get good at them is to practice by having a lot of them. I always got jobs through word of mouth or people I knew, so until about four or five years ago, I hadn't been to an official interview. It wasn't on purpose, of course, but now that I have a few under my belt, I know better what to do and say. 

@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
19 Jul 10
Hi JJ! Long time no see! Hope you're doing great and it seems like you are!
Well, I'm afraid the word "stress" mentioned in any conversation dealing with an interview is a complete no-no. I don't even know if it was the fact that you listened to audio books that bothered him. More than likely, it was the word "stress," and he automatically thought you probably couldn't handle the job.
You see, you didn't think you did anything wrong because I'm sure you were confident enough to feel you could handle it, and just mentioned the audio books very innocently as a way to get your work done. And I'm sure you could get your work done without a doubt. But the remark turned the tables on you unfortunately.
So all in all, I don't think it was the audio books, I think it was the word "stress." Just my own personal opinion.
And yes, I've done stuff like this too, very innocently, and it backfired. Now at any interviews I have, I'm more interviewing them, then they are interviewing me, and they don't even know it.
1 person likes this

@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
25 Aug 11
Aww, Thanks JJ for BR!
I looked at this in my email and couldn't figure out what discussion it was. Then, I started laughing and saw it was a year old, haha! I had to read the entire discussion to remember it..so funny!
I'm happy if you're happy in your new position! Sounds like you're well into your way in a new career! Good Luck hon! 
I looked at this in my email and couldn't figure out what discussion it was. Then, I started laughing and saw it was a year old, haha! I had to read the entire discussion to remember it..so funny!
I'm happy if you're happy in your new position! Sounds like you're well into your way in a new career! Good Luck hon! 
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
Wow, I never even thought about saying "stress" in an interview, but that is probably a huge red flag, even more so than the audio books now that you mention it! I always try to put myself in the position of the person interviewing me and think like they would think, and that would probably be more disturbing than the background activity of listening to audio books. The audio books in an office setting probably isn't that absurd sounding. I have to say, though, whatever reason it really was that I didn't get the job at the mortgage company was a blessing in disguise because the job I have now is amazing, and I love it. I'm glad everything worked out for this position instead. Thanks for your wise words. Hopefully I won't have an interview for a while because I'll find job security and fulfillment in my current position, but either way, this discussion has definitely helped!
1 person likes this

@Polly1 (12644)
• United States
20 Jul 10
Its called a brain fart or a senior moment. But in your case we can't say it was a senior moment. We all do dumb stuff at times, duh... When the right job comes along you will get it. Take care as always is nice seeing you, stay cool or a least try too, its been a hot summer.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
I love using the term "brain fart." I say that, and people around me just laugh! It's a weird saying, but it's true, and that's definitely what I had during the interview. While I cannot claim "senior moments" yet, I know that'll come really fast the way time is flying! Thanks for helping me to smile about this previous situation! That's always best...being able to laugh at your mistakes. I don't think not getting that job was a mistake, though. I got my current job a year ago next month, and it's been such a blessing to me. I still love it now almost a year later, and I'm really glad I didn't get the job at the mortgage company!
@yresh12 (3210)
• Philippines
21 Jul 10
Hi jj!!
I think the last time we talked you were in love with your job and now here you are looking for one.!! I was venting up before how I hated it but still am there.
We all had those days when we should have never said anything like that. Well, it's a lesson learned and I hope you get the job that you've been looking for ^^
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
My job I'd had previously I'd had since 2002 while I was still in high school. I was hired back in full time in 2007 once I graduated college, and that's when things started to turn. Last year, in September 2010, I got the wonderful job I have now, so I'm really glad I didn't get the mortgage company job I referred to in this discussion. You're right, everything that is supposed to be will work out in the end!
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
20 Jul 10
I think you having your friend to bounce ideas back and forth is wonderful, I have to remember that. Sometimes we try so hard to land that so wanted and needed job that we sometimes over say and it get mis-interpreted.
However you and your friend are doing exactly what job hunting 101 says: reflect back and think about what possibly you could have done different during that interview so that the same errors don't occur.
Good luck to you, sounds like some day you will land the perfect job!
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
Thanks for your encouraging words; that's what keeps me going! I have wonderful news too. While I didn't get the job I referred to in this discussion, a year ago (next month) I got the job I have now, which is absolutely amazing. Now almost a year later, I still love it and am so glad I didn't get the position at the mortgage company. Thanks for the information about Job Hunting 101. As long as I was job searching, I never heard that one before. Of course, my friend and I had our own methods, but I'm really glad for all the experiences I had with my job search because I think if I'm ever in that position again, I'll be a lot more prepared!
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
25 Aug 11
Oh my thank you for updating me, and congratulations on your job. Best wishes and hope all continues well. 

1 person likes this
@charmlenile (387)
•
20 Jul 10
You have great friends.I wish I could have one like yours sharing ideas and making a conversation like that.Sometimes we are confident enough for a hunting job and we think we are fit in for that position same as yours it happens to me way back.making mistake is not bad atleast we learned.Sometimes in finding job make our resume as much as possible the simplier not to overwhelming its just one of the hint in finding job.Dont put more curriculum or activities or over qualified resume sometimes putting everything you know makes a negative impression for some companies.it did happens to me once.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
You're exactly right! Sometimes including too much information is just as bad as too little information. My younger sister applied to a couple school for a vocal performance major, and she'd had my dad do her resume for her. I should've looked over it before she sent it in because it was three pages long! That's my dad for you lol. The teacher who was screening new students took one look at it and laughed. He told her to keep it to a page and then gave her some other helpful tips about interviewing. Luckily it was for a college, not an actual interview. It's really funny, but I don't think a proud parent should make a resume for their kids because they want to go on and on and brag about them, apparently! Thanks for sharing your experiences. 
@AmbiePam (120738)
• United States
19 Jul 10
Oh no! I think you're right. That would have been a red flag. I'm sorry. But you're right, there probably was something else. Interviews are nerve wracking. Even though we prepare for the questions we might be asked, I know we can't really prepare for every contingency.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
I'm really glad my friend was able to point that out so I don't make the same mistake going forward. I get really nervous at interviews, but instead of taking deep breaths and attempting to calm my nerves, I chatter. I ramble on and on, which is not the greatest thing for interviews. I think that's where I got myself in trouble, but again, it's just one of those things I've learning going through these situations.
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
19 Jul 10
I think everyone makes a decision or says something that seems good at the time,but later on turns out to be a stupid idea,even though sometimes it can take months or years to see it was stupid,and I think that one of the decisions I made that was stupid was getting a job at Wal Mart it seemed like a good idea when I started because it was bringing me and my wife money,but after being there a couple months I saw it was a bad decision because they treated me like crap,and they did not appreciate my hard work,I left Wal Mart two weeks ago,and now I work overnight at K Mart which was one of the best decisions I ever made.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
I'm so glad to learn of your new job! That's great that you decided to get out of Wal-Mart. I avoid shopping there whenever possible, so I can't even imagine working there as long as you did. Good for you! I certainly hope the new job is working out for you.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
20 Jul 10
I think it totally depends on the hiring manager interviewing you at that time. While I agree that he or she may have think that your attitude towards audio books may have been a red flag, there might be other interviewers out there who like you, found the benefits of listening to audio books. Like you said, it keeps you stress levels down. It's just unfortunate that you happened to meet up with one who thinks of these things negatively.
I think the best thing about interviews is when you pick something you like, which you might say describes your personality, you should be able to highlight it in a way that would be beneficial to the job you are interviewing for.
1 person likes this
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
25 Aug 11
Hi Bounce, I think what you said is always the key in an interview, molding a person's answers in an interview to reflect positively on the position they are applying for because then the interviewer can see how it directly affects job performance in a positive way. That'll also show him/her why that person deserves the job and how they will perform in that position. It's always better to be prepared!









