The Interview

January 2009, It was almost 1 pm.
I was at Barclays bank  Liverpool . I was waiting in Lobby for my interview results. My final interview was over at 12.15 pm.
I only had one 2 slices of bread with my tea in morning. No Breakfast . Yet I was not feeling hungry at all. My ears and eyes was completely on the door of the HR department.
My Heart was beating very fast. I could not even notice that the shoe less of my one shoe was completely tangled.
I needed this job very badly. It was the best i could get at that time.
I really practiced everything before appearing for this interview. It was the role of sales advisor. Salary was more that I could imagine at that time. This job was my road to UK dream.
after a while the lady who took my interview, called me back in the cabin. She was looking fresh and was carrying a pleasant smile. In my mind i was delighted as i was thinking that result must be positive.
She offered me chair. I quietly sat down. She asked me if I would like to have any coffee. I politely denied.
My eyes was on the bundle of papers in front of her on her desk. I was eager.
Then very nicely she asked, "Nilesh, what do you think about your interview ? How did it go?"
I Somehow managed to smile and said "I Think it was very well".
She again asked 'What do think , could you be selected?
"
"I think I have very good chance to be selected" I said with shaken confidence.
Then she leaned forward and very kindly said, "I am sorry Nilesh But you are not selected for this job. You did well but somehow the senior manager did not find you suitable for this Position". She was speaking something more but all I could hear was - "NOT SELECTED" !
That was it, End of my big dreams ! I thought I was complete useless. after clearing the online aptitude and phone interview, I was shocked to hear this.
I Thanked her for the opportunity and I was about to leave the room. Some how I gathered the courage and voice to turn back and I said, "If you do not mind , could you please give me some idea , why I was not selected so that I can Improve in my next interviews?"
She said, "of course why not, please be seated"
I sat in that chair again, waiting desperately to know the reason for not being selected.
She continued," Nilesh, some of the vocabulary (words) you used was not appropriate for this job position, As you would be dealing with high level clients. "
I was confused, "Could you be more specific?" I requested again.
She again started explaining in detail , she said "While explaining a experience with angry customer , you described the customer with words such as 'The customer was Pissed off' "
I tried to remember the question and my answer, she was right. I did say so, but what is wrong in that . I kept my thoughts to my self.
She was still continuing, "such kind of foul language is not welcome here. We must be very appropriate while talking to our customers and sub ordinates."
Now I was relax , I said, "Thank you very much for your feedback but do you think apart form that I did badly in any other area such as qualification, experience etc? "
She said, "No, no. you have good track record and if you would have chosen the right words you may have got selected too. We liked your enthusiasm and energy" Now, I got up with the same energy an enthusiasm ! I thanked her and the management again fr giving me the opportunity to appear for the interview and most importantly for her feedback. I could not notice little confusion on her face about my changed mood. But I did not Bother. I closed the door while coming out of the cabin. Waled towards the reception. Completed the formality and rushed to the nearest KFC. Now i was very hungry. You also might be wondering , what happened there !
Let me explain you that.
After my MBA in UK , I was trying desperately to get a professional Job and Getting selected for interview for Barclays Interview was the best thing to happen for me. I was very nervous and tensed. Preparing for that interview was very intense tasks for me. I was thinking that if I do not get selected here then it would be because of my personality, my verbal communication or less experience ! but as soon as she said that rest everything was fine but only the words i chose was not appropriate.
Though this was bad not be selected but this feedback pumped new confidence in me. I can always improve and next time I would surly avoid this mistake.
It was a great learning for me. This did help me in great way, within next 15 days I appeared for Scottish Power Interview and I was selected in that .
Thanks a million to that one interview which taught me 'how not to appear for the Interview." Such experiences has carved a path for me to motivate and inspire others. On the same path I have created a Facebook Private VIP group 'Career Builders Hub' . In this group I keep sharing many useful information which will help you to face that Dream Job Interview and build a better rewarding Career.
If you think that you can be benefited form this group then please message me in FB messenger and i will send you a invite link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyCBH/ Thanks for Reading all the way !