I once showed up two hours late for a job interview.
I had woken up early, gotten ready, then left early for the interview which was about 75 minutes from my house. I had planned on being there 20 minutes early.
During my drive, there was a right turn that should have occurred. It didn’t.
By the time I recognized where I was, I was still about an hour away, with the interview scheduled to begin in 40 minutes.
I called the office to let them know of my plight. They told me it was OK, and not to rush.
As I found my way to a road I recognized, I glanced down and noticed the orange light on, indicating that I was nearly out of gas.
I again called the office to let them know I was extremely lost, extremely late, and extremely frustrated with my car, but I did not let them in on my actual frustration.
As I pulled into a gas station, I called my wife. I relayed the events of the morning, and how I was going to be two hours late. I told her I was going to just turn around and drive home. I had taken the day off from work, and could easily salvage the afternoon if I just went back home. I was going to quit.
She said she didn’t think it was a good idea. “Just go,” she said.
I relented and finally arrived around 11:00am for my 9:00am interview.
As I entered the office, I apologized and was told that someone would be with me shortly. I waited about a half hour, as the interviewers rearranged their lunch and schedule to accommodate me.
When I was finally called into the conference room, I knew that it must be out of pity, and that I didn’t have a shot at actually landing the job.
At that point, I didn’t even care anyway. But I didn’t let on. I walked into that interview with nothing to lose. I spoke from the heart, and ignored some of my canned responses. I gave everything that I had during the interview, and walked out of there feeling relieved. At least the interview was over, and it was a learning experience.
I was shocked the next day when I received a call inviting me back for a second interview. I went to that interview with a renewed confidence. I found my way to the district office without any issues. I arrived early.
I again spoke from the heart. I showed them why I was the best candidate. I left feeling confident about my prospects. I knew I had a good shot at the position, but decided that I would not be upset if I didn’t get it. I knew that I had left everything on the table.
If it wasn’t me, then I would eventually find something that was a better fit.
Later that afternoon, the phone rang. I was offered the position, my first administrative position. I was happy, but again felt more relieved than anything.
After I was officially board approved and hired, I asked one of the interviewers what he thought of me being two hours late.
He told me that he was shocked that I was so calm and collected when I walked in. I thanked him for the 30 minutes that I had to sit once I finally arrived. It had helped to calm my nerves before I walked in the door.
I still laugh anytime I tell anyone about the time I was two hours late for an interview, and still hired.
The lesson:
Don’t ever take anything for granted.
Don’t ever count yourself out.
Even when all appears lost, you still need to show up.
Rich (@RACzyz)
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