I’m….ahem….working from home today. My ever so supportive boss authorised this so I could prepare/cram/panic blindly in advance of my promotion interview tomorrow. I’ve hit the books all morning but, as my brain is on the verge of turning to macaroni & cheese, I’ve decided to take a blogging break. Some people boil the kettle or go outside for a sneaky cigarette. I blog….and bite my nails….and drink excessive amounts of Diet Coke.
Studying is hard! I’ve completed my research, written my study notes, and pondered what questions might come up during the interview. Now it’s simply a matter of getting it all to stick in my head. Oh, and there’s a 10 minute presentation to give. Just me, the interview panel, a flip chart and collection of brightly coloured markers. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? On second thoughts, don’t answer that, I’d rather not think about it.
My revision technique is the same one I used back in the day when I was a university student, blasting my way to a glorious 2:1 B.A. Honours Degree in Modern History. Followed by a rather less glorious four years of unemployment as countless companies screwed their noses up at my hard earned qualification. I make notes, memorise them, write them out longhand and so on, ad nauseum. Repeat to fade.
That’s the easy part. The trick is to stride into an interview room and effortlessly rattle off said notes in textbook responses to questions on leadership, resource management and strategic thinking. What, no questions on sport, hobbits or the Battle of Waterloo? My worst case scenario is staring blankly at the panel, before beating a hasty retreat, muttering apologies about being in the wrong room.
Well, I guess I should stop wittering on and get back to the serious business of corporate values and public governance. Whatever that is. Big Boss talk. Twenty dollar words. This time tomorrow it will all be over. Except it won’t as I’m the last to be interviewed so I have to hang about the office all afternoon, talking to myself and avoiding all other forms of human interaction. Bilbo Baggins never had these problems. Plus, he had Sam Gamgee to help him.
How do you study for exams or interviews?
Black Thoughts 
😀 I am also a last-minute crammer and worst-case-scenario worrier. Must come with the territory.
Good luck!
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Where is this territory you speak of? I must visit.
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I’m fairly certain you’re the park ranger.
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Do I get a badge?
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😀 Sure.
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I’ve never studied for an interview. I just prepared a list of my qualifications.
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All the best tomorrow, you’ll knock it out of the park!
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Thank you. I’ll be happy scrambling to first base 😉
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My process is to prepare as thoroughly as I can and then concentrate any additional efforts on relaxing. The preparation helps me with the questions I expect. The relaxation helps with the questions I don’t expect. And yes… there will be some of those. Best wishes!
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Thank you. I got the job.
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Wishing you the best on that interview. I’ve been there! On another note, is there a specific reason why you blog every day? Is that really necessary? Sometimes less is more! Art Tatum, the iconic jazz piano player said once that his goal in composition and playing was to communicate the music with the least notes possible. He succeeded!
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Thank you. I just enjoy writing and engaging with others online.
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Good luck! Try not to think about it too much! Easier said than done, I know. I’m an overthinker myself.
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Hey Stephen, I’m 71. The only interview I’m studying for is the final one. Wish me luck…and good luck to you.😎🙏
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Ha Ha. Thank you. I’m sure you will pass with flying colours.
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Good luck tomorrow!
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Thank you. I got the job!
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Congratulations! I’m so pleased for you 😊
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I’m so pleased that you’re so pleased 😃
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I am positive you will do well. You are a very thorough person. Make sure you get some rest tonight so your brain can soak it all in while you rest.
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Thank you. I got the job 🙂
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You’ve got this😏
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Thank you 😊
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*Gasp* My, my, my. You must be very nervous indeed! Since when did Bilbo ever have Samwise to help him? 😵😜 Don’t fret, though. Things will work out as they should.
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Well done on spotting my deliberate mistake 😉
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You’ve got this! I uhm wait until the very last minute and cram what I can 🙂
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That’s pretty much what I did. Thank you.
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I tend to study last minute… when I was in college I was working on getting better. Now that I’m out…even the night of my Bible Study I tend to study a few hours before xD
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