I remember the time that I was rejected at interview.

I had applied for a job that I thought was my dream job. I felt so confident about it because when I read the person specification I KNEW I could do it and would enjoy it. I hadn’t planned for it to be full time, but I was drawn to it so much I was willing to make an exception.

I researched the company, practiced talking about my experience with my sister and felt a mixture of nervousness, excitement and worry on the day.

I was wearing my brand new shoes and interview outfit, and remember trying to avoid my little daughter’s sticky fingers all morning!

I walked into the interview and gave it my all, the best I had. There were two interviewers, one I felt really ‘got me’ and liked me, but the other, she didn’t smile once, I got the impression that she was threatened, because I went in with the strategy of “show em what I can do and don’t underplay”!

I came out of the interview feeling proud for getting through it. Relief that it was over and hope that I did enough.

The wait was excruciating! They had said that I would hear by the end of the week, it was Tuesday. It got to around Thursday and I had so much doubt, “If I had it, surely they would have told me by now” I said to myself. I tried to keep busy and not think about it – but it felt impossible.

It got to Friday around 4pm and I still heard nothing, my hope had almost evaporated except for one faint wisp of reasoning that “maybe they are leaving it till Monday, perhaps they are still making final decisions”. At this point my levels of annoyance and frustration were creeping up that I’d have to face the whole weekend not knowing; all while people asking me “have you heard yet!”

I was washing the pots at home when I got the call, a number I didn’t recognise. My heart was beating so fast. It started off positive, I was actually smiling, “You interviewed really well, you clearly have the experience and you came across really passionate ….. It was such a difficult decision but we offered it to another candidate, it was really close”.

The confirmation of not getting the position at this point didn’t come as a surprise but it hit me hard that the process of putting yourself out there, remaining ambitious and feeling hopeful was a cruel and heartless game.

I had a good chat with my sister that day, and it was after that I had a proper reflection; I had got shortlisted for a job that had many applicants, it was between me and someone else, which is pretty good going, the job was full time – I don’t really want a full time role, the process reminded me that I do want a fulfilling job and a career, and I don’t know how much truth there was to the explanation for not getting the job, my instincts told me the other person on the panel felt threatened by me.This learning spurred me to choose roles that I was more aligned to and to not compromise who I am at interview to please others.

The only thing you can do at interview is put your best foot forward, do yourself justice and match your relevant skills, experience, passion for the role and overall core offer to the employers needs and expectations. I did get my dream job shortly after this experience, but I know that my interview performance is strong. The chances of claiming the job you deserve at interview is less likely if you aren’t interviewing well. This experience could have sabotaged future applications and interviews because it did affect me emotionally.

Having a supportive community and a soundboard for what you can do to protect your confidence and resilience through the job application process is crucial, hence why I set up my two Facebook groups, The CV Success Academy and The Confident Woman’s Academy For Job Interview Success, why I have the free interview training that I do, the reason why I created The Interview Story Impression Technique and why I  provide  job application and interview success packages tailored to your personal career goals.

You CAN do it, and I’m here to help you if you feel ready, Follow, DM or check me out HERE, www.judybullimore.com

Judy xx