How I Got the Job- authenticity in the most awkward of moments
I had scoured the mall looking for a future place of employment. I was 17 years old and was drawn to the store that played the loudest 1990 rap music. Before you know it, I had an interview scheduled at Merry-Go-Round, a national clothing retail chain, popular in the 1990s. I was so excited to interview for this store, I listed potential questions and crafted my answers the weekend prior to my Thursday interview. I was ready!
However, unknowingly, my Mom scheduled a doctor’s appointment for me to get a spot on my lip analyzed by the dermatologist the previous Monday. I walked in to the doctor‘s office with a lip intact and did not even think about the upcoming interview until I walked out of the medical office with a raw and quite visible sore from a biopsy, on my lip. They could not stitch the lip but had to remove a chunk to ensure the spot was not dangerous. I just had to dab it periodically and apply Vaseline until the sore healed. While I was grateful for medical intervention here, I was unsure how to confidently show up to an interview with a mouth sore. Seriously! I decided I was not going to cancel my interview since they were hiring for the holiday season, I knew this was my one shot for employment there, and besides, I REALLY wanted this job!
Three days later, the manager and I sat at the food court and began the interview. I did not really think about my lip at the time, I was so focused on my preparation, I thought I could impress her with my thoughtful responses and questions. She was professional but not overly friendly. She smiled but it seemed insincere. The corners of her mouth barely moved. Her eyes stayed stoic. This made me nervous. Then I realized see she was looking at my lip, why wouldn’t she, right? (Think… a big red sore, plastered with Vaseline.) Finally, she completed her line of questioning, and asked me if I had questions or comments. I then decided in the blink of an eye, I had to state the obvious even if it was going to be a bit awkward. I paused, looked at her in the eye and said, “ I can only imagine what you THINK is happening with my lip. I want to mention that I just got a pre-cancer removed on Monday but I was so excited about the idea of working here I did not want to cancel. So, please know that this is NOT what you likely think it is.” She looked so relieved, I smiled, she smiled and then we both broke out into laughter. When she smiled, her eyes light up and she immediately started asking questions about my biopsy. We spent a few minutes in unplanned conversation. Then, she hired me on the spot.
Of course, a few things had to happen for me to confidently approach the interview but I also had to be real. At times we prepare for similar situations by checking off the right boxes, but do you allow space for your authenticity to shine? Authenticity can increase trust, credibility and influence. Brene Brown says, "Authentic people instill a sense of trust." Do you want others to trust you? Believe you? see you as credible? How can you bring your authentic self to your next communication situation? Can you share a personal story, funny anecdote or start your next meeting with an open-ended question to your team?
Prepare always, but then look for opportunities to allow space for authenticity.
Have an interview upoming? Book a complimentary call with Meg, she LOVES prepping for interviews!
