The candidate's response has gone viral on Reddit.
Nervousness before a job interview is a common experience, characterized by a mix of excitement and anxiety. As the interview date approaches, many people struggle with racing thoughts and increased expectations. This emotional roller coaster can lead to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweaty palms and a feeling of restlessness. The fear of the unknown, coupled with the desire to make a positive impression, often amplifies these feelings. In such a scenario, people sometimes make mistakes that later become humorous memories.
One such incident was recently shared by a user on a Reddit forum UK Jobs. The user responded to the question: “What's the first time you screwed up a job interview?”
“I was asked, tell me how you got here today. And I said, by bus. I got a stone cold stare as the realization dawned on me…he didn't mean in my career to the physical office. The remaining 58 minutes we were going through the motions,” the user replied.
What's the first time you screwed up a job interview?
byu/That_Comic_Who_Quit inUKJobs
The response was appreciated by many users, who also shared their own experiences during interviews.
One user shared that he was asked about his background. “I look back and around me to make a video call. 'Is it some kind of mirror?' …. 'I mean, what's your background in work?' …. I still haven't recovered from that.”
“I was 18 and had signed up to be a GP receptionist while trying to figure out what I wanted to do with life. I had just dropped out of college so was in a bad place. I had been plagued by spam calls for the past few days, and I got a “no caller ID” call and answered it with silence…there was also silence on the other end of the line. After about 10 seconds I said, “So are you going to say something?” in an irritated tone. It turned out to be the GP's receptionist who called me to test my telephone behavior as a screening process. I didn't get the job!” said another.
Despite thorough preparation and self-confidence, the pressure to perform well and secure the position can leave even the most confident candidates feeling anxious. But candidates should remember that this nervous energy, while intimidating, can also be channeled into focused enthusiasm and motivation to succeed.
