Interview

[u/Only-Crazy-7163]

Well, flopped my one and only interview I have been contacted for. RIP to my dream job opportunity. 😅 I'll just have to keep applying! I wish you could get a redo, lol.

[u/cyberworm_]

I had the same experience. I did my best to prep beforehand etc.

Got into my panel interview, had my notes and story points. Met everyone, who were all really nice awesome people.

Nothing that was asked of me was anything I had prepared for and I stumbled miserably. Still waiting on feedback, which the coordinator has been great at replying to me last I asked for an update. I don’t feel confident I’ll get an offer, but I haven’t counted myself out yet.

Don’t beat yourself up too much. There’s always a chance everyone else is doing worse than you! 🤣

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/cyberworm_]

Aww I am sorry! And I hope you get an offer! And thank you. I don't know why I answered the way I did! My masters degree is in the area I applied to, and I anticipated the types of questions they would ask. Based on all that, I prepared accordingly. I still messed up, lol. Maybe it is the universe intervening. 😅

[u/cyberworm_ → u/Only-Crazy-7163]

Haha. Well, I have 30 years of experience in my role, even got a chuckle out of the panel before we even introduced ourselves. The questions were all behavior and there was an overall time limit. I was prepared more for technical questions. I’m a horrible storyteller, and honestly those “tell us about a time you…” are my weak spot. I just handle problems and move on, I don’t dwell on them or think about them. Especially after 30 years of handling problems at all levels.

Maybe my only saving grace is that my line of questioning to them had them thinking and looking at each other thoughtfully, and seemingly impressed with my thoughtfulness towards their operations.

Honestly it’s a crapshoot. Whichever way it goes, I won’t be upset. It’s an excellent org I totally support, so even being interviewed and considered bolstered my spirit.

[u/runningwithscissors8 → u/cyberworm_]

What’s the protocol for asking for feedback? And should you request it after the hiring decision has been made?

Also, don’t beat yourself up too much. We are all our own worst critics. I’ve gotten offers on jobs where I thought I did terrible in the interview. I’ve also crushed interviews (or so I thought) and not received an offer.

[u/cyberworm_ → u/runningwithscissors8]

I'm not qualified to answer that question specifically. The agency I interviewed with had a coordinator that set everything up. Since I had her direct email address, I just reached out asking if there were any updates since I interviewed a month ago.

[u/stormy-darklordofall]

I interviewed for a remote position a few weeks ago and bombed it... I start in a few weeks.

[u/Amilliontoads]

I fucked up like 6 back to back interviews before I got a success. I think it’s similar to fighting. Your first fight you’re scared, and nervous of getting hit but then by your 6th you know it’s just part of the process. You got it man keep applying!

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/Amilliontoads]

Lol thank you!

[u/Any-Consequence7635]

Keeping us all in prayer

[u/win007]

Shit happens, wipe clean, learn your lesson and move on

[u/2005LC100]

I had the exact same thing happen to me last week. It's for a promotion and dream location so I guess dream job currently and it was a first interview in almost a year after applying to whatever I can at those locations. I was expecting like what were your strengths/weaknesses, what's a conflict you have resolved at work and etc., but they didn't ask a single question like that and they were all technical about the job so it threw me off. Plus, they were all so monotone and would just say okay after I answered so that made me feel even worse since I didn't think I answered them well to begin with even though it's pretty much the exact same job that I'm currently doing lol

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/2005LC100]

Ugh, the worst! I hope you get that offer email soon!

[u/PlantainDangerous995]

I feel your pain. I have so much anxiety when it comes to interviews🫩

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/PlantainDangerous995]

Literally the worst! 🥺

[u/Ok_Watch713]

You should share more details! Then we can either reassure, commiserate, or feel better about our own bad interviews 😜😂

[u/Ok_Watch713 → u/Ok_Watch713]

Please read this request in a nice, lighthearted way!

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/Ok_Watch713]

Lol I totally prepared for the types of questions I thought they would ask (because of the type of job it is). I just had a total brain fart during the interview, and apparently forgot every project I am currently working on (to give as examples to answer questions). 😂

[u/scrizewly]

I’ve knocked out three interviews and still wasn’t offered a job. Sometimes you kill them, sometimes you flop them, but always interview and forget because their hiring practices don’t make sense to anyone.

[u/runningwithscissors8 → u/[deleted]]

So how does that work exactly? How much weight does the interview carry? I ask because I understand that interviews are scored. Is the desired candidate intentionally scored higher? Or does the score not carry as much weight when there are clear reasons to hire / not to hire individual candidates.

[u/Fun-Lime-4563 → u/runningwithscissors8]

You are correct. The resume and interview are scored based on established criteria, requiring written justifications for each score, and all paperwork is submitted subject to auditing. Unfortunately, it is difficult for individuals to remain completely unbiased during interviews. While the government generally minimizes this bias effectively, it still occurs.

Additionally, jobs can be posted as merit promotion versus open to the public, or they can include specialized experience in the announcements, provided they are not exclusively unique to a single agency, government entity or applicant.

Note: I am not currently a Federal Employee

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/[deleted]]

No, that actually makes me feel better strangely. I wouldn't feel like I did so terrible if I knew that, lol.

[u/Fun-Lime-4563 → u/Only-Crazy-7163]

I am sure you did a lot better than you think. I actually interviewed for a low level job at the FBI’s document center years ago. They asked me if I could remove staples from paper. Lol. I didn’t get the job.

Remember, too, that they sometimes have to hire a veteran if they make the cert. In those cases, their hands are tied.

[u/Only-Crazy-7163 → u/Fun-Lime-4563]

Oh my goodness, lol. But also thank you!

[u/blessedbyneville]

some jobs have no interviews

[u/leftrightdarklight]

Volunteer to serve on a paper panel or interview panel for other jobs. You learn a ton about the absolute stupid that is the federal hiring process.

[u/warnegoo]

Interviewing is a skill that improves with practice. during my last job search I interviewed 10 separate times for various positions I'd applied for that had multi-round interviews. I was much more relaxed and polished as it went on. Developing my stories and figuring out good ways to work them into my answer to various questions.