Interviews: Perception vs. Outcome

[voirlesetoiles]

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I had two interviews for jobs last week. I perceived both interviews as having gone very well... I received positive feedback from interviewers afterwards on both occasions and was convinced that I would get the job. However, I found out on Wednesday that I did not get either of the jobs.

This leaves me wondering... how accurate is someone's perception of how well they did? And how much can you trust the positive feedback from interviewers?

I feel terrible about not landing even one of them. This has me freaking out about my interviewing capabilities especially with this application cycle for med school. Any feedback is much appreciated!

 

[Law2Doc]

This leaves me wondering... how accurate is someone's perception of how well they did?

Not very. It is very hard to guage how well you interviewed, even if you have a ton of interviewing experience (from prior jobs, schools, etc). Most med school interviewees don't have that degree of experience. So you really won't know. Also bear in mind that what seems to have gone well compared to your other interviews may still not be as good or bad as the other dozen interviewees your interviewer has seen that week. You are competing against others, not your own experience. So your best interview may not be as good as someone elses worst, and vice versa. Do your best. Practice in front of videotapes or with folks who will give you brutally honest and candid feedback (not interviewers who might just be trying to be nice).

 

[postbacker]

I had two interviews for jobs last week. I perceived both interviews as having gone very well... I received positive feedback from interviewers afterwards on both occasions and was convinced that I would get the job. However, I found out on Wednesday that I did not get either of the jobs.

This leaves me wondering... how accurate is someone's perception of how well they did? And how much can you trust the positive feedback from interviewers?

I feel terrible about not landing even one of them. This has me freaking out about my interviewing capabilities especially with this application cycle for med school. Any feedback is much appreciated!

A skilled interviewer will always see to it that you leave the interview feeling good about the experience.

 

[chickenlittle84]

As someone who has a lot of job interview experience, I can tell you that it gets much easier to figure out how well you really did once you have some practice. For me, I rely on watching the interviewers body language - people are looking for something very specific, especially for job interviews, and you have to make sure you are giving them exactly that. In my experience when they are smiling and nodding with you and reaffirming your opinions and responses or asking more questions about particular experiences more out of curiosity than because they are related to the job, you will probably get it. They want someone who not only interviews well (answers questions eloquently and with passion), but also someone who really fits the organization's mission. For entry level positions, the fit with mission is more important than skill set because people can be trained.

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I would like to look at these rejections as stepping stones to improving my interview skills and the ability to convey that I fit an organization/university's mission.

 

[trichomoniasis]

a lot of the time it doesn't matter how well you interview if someone else interviews better 😉

 

[durfen]

During my med school interviews, perception and outcome was pretty much one on one, when the outcome was positive. i.e perception sensitivity 100%. However, when the outcome is negative, my perception was sometimes positive. i'd say perception specificity 75%.

 

[voirlesetoiles]

Good comments, keep them coming. Hopefully my perception will become as acute as durfen's as I go through more interviews.