Days Of Anxiety - Job Interviews - No More!

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I suspect I am like most folks when it comes to the prospect of interviewing for a new position or job.  You make sure you are appropriately attired for the position, well-groomed and prepared for pretty much any question that comes your way.  The stomach is a little unsettled, the nerves are frazzled and there is a feeling of overall anxiety.  These tend to be normal emotional responses for candidates showing up for a job interview.  Questions abound in your mind if this is a job that you really want; are you capable of being successful in the job; will it be a good fit for you; is it better than what you are doing right now?  All normal and to be expected thoughts for someone interviewing for a new job. 

Years ago, I sat down with a colleague of mine and we talked about the job interview process.  We shared some of our own personal experiences.  We both were blessed with opportunities over our careers to interview many times in a group setting.  In other words, interviewing with search committees consisting of multiple members.  One of my own favorite interview experiences was with a group of 15 board members.  This type of interview takes on a whole different feel than the standard one-on-one interview.  Trying to connect with multiple folks is indeed a challenge.

My friend taught me something that day in our conversation about the interview process.  He asked me what type of interviewer I was.  Not interviewing for a job but interviewing candidates for jobs that I was offering.  He explored with me what my feelings were when I was interviewing candidates.  He helped me understand that day that I had much more anxiety interviewing candidates for jobs that I was offering than I had when I was interviewing for a new position. 

That was an interesting discovery for me.  He was right.  I always have greater anxiety when I am interviewing someone for a position because I am always so concerned about picking the right person, making sure they are a good fit  and will bring real value to the position I am offering.  My choice reflects on me and the performance of my duties as the supervisor.  Amazing how that perception changed everything for me going forward when it came to interviewing applicants as well as interviewing for positions myself. 

My attitude changed when I showed up for the interview for that new job or position.  I no longer was nervous or had anxiety about the interview.  I took the approach and continue to take the approach of trying to make the interviewer comfortable with me.  Put them at ease and try to relieve them of their anxiety about the process.  It works!  Just as they are trying to make you comfortable to gain some insight as to what type of person you are; you are doing the same with them trying to gleam whether this is an organization that you want to work for. 

As an interviewer, I always work hard at trying to make my candidates feel comfortable.  Sometimes to a fault.  I end up forgetting to ask a key question or I forego a particular area of concern within their background.  As an interviewee, I make a point to make my interviewer comfortable with me and try hard to shift the questioning toward my areas of strength.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. 

As I go through the process one more time of securing new employment, I am reminded of all the experiences I have had interviewing candidates and interviewing for positions.  Not much has really changed.  Well, one thing has changed significantly.  I'm older than the candidates I interview and the interviewers who interview me.  The dilemma of age.  We shall see how that plays out over the next few weeks and months as I chart a new course.  This age issue has made me consider reaching out to my friend of years ago and seeking his advice for one last time.  An important matter for surer.  Should I dye my hair (what's left of it) or not?