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As part of my day job, I've been interviewing people this week. Today, one interviewee didn't show up for her interview. We waited 20 minutes before hanging up.
The whole incident reminded me of the time, aged 18, I turned up 2.5 hours late(!) for a job interview.
The whole incident reminded me of the time, aged 18, I turned up 2.5 hours late(!) for a job interview.
It was for my first proper job.
I had recently completed my A-levels and wanted to gain some work experience in a 'grown up' work environment before going to university. Through school, I go onto a scheme that sought to help youngsters do just that.
I had recently completed my A-levels and wanted to gain some work experience in a 'grown up' work environment before going to university. Through school, I go onto a scheme that sought to help youngsters do just that.
I managed to get an interview with one of the UK's largest construction firms. It was for a role within HR -- People Development, to be precise -- and I travelled to the firm's HQ by train.
I'd underestimated how long the journey would take. For whatever reason, I didn't factor in the craziness of trying to get from one end of London to the other in the middle of the day. When I finally realised that I was likely going to miss my interview, oh boy, the panic set in.
I phoned ahead and explained the situation. I gave an ETA. Very quickly, however, I realised that even that ETA was wrong. I'd underestimated how much more of the journey I needed to make. I started to REALLY worry now.
"What was even the point of going for the interview?" I wondered.
Are they thinking, "yeah, typical African timing!" (Lol)
I usually held myself to high standards when it came to timekeeping so seeing myself fail in real-time was killing me.
Are they thinking, "yeah, typical African timing!" (Lol)
I usually held myself to high standards when it came to timekeeping so seeing myself fail in real-time was killing me.
I eventually arrived -- sweat-drenched, 2.5 hours' late (ha!) -- and made my way to the reception desk. My interviewer, a lady called Julia, was called. She arrived moments later and appeared through the lifts doors with a broad, kind smile.
Literally me:
Literally me:
As you'd expect, I offered up some explanation. It felt hollow and pointless! Julia reassured me and said,
"We'll assess you based purely on the interview."
So, we went in. That reassurance meant the world to me in that moment. I believed her. There was still all to play for.
"We'll assess you based purely on the interview."
So, we went in. That reassurance meant the world to me in that moment. I believed her. There was still all to play for.
A few days later, I got offered the job. I couldn't believe it, especially after our disastrous first meeting! I worked with Julia (on my right below) for a year, after which I moved on to a Business Dev. team at HQ, and then a Procurement team on one of the firm's London sites.
She's, by far, been my best manager to date. The sort of manager that you knew ALWAYS had your best interests at heart. A hard worker, full of ideas, empathy, and grace. I'm glad I got a glimpse of such managerial kindness early on in my career.
At one stage, I toyed with the idea of becoming a Quantity Surveyor but in the end, construction wasn't for me. I worked for the firm during my first summer holiday as a uni student and then left.
I've had the privilege of managing people in my own career and often, I think back to Julia's example to me all those years ago.
Today's interviewee missed her original interview slot because she had to rush her daughter to A&E. We postponed the interview to the afternoon and that was that... no issues, just an acceptance that life is messy and that responding with kindness is often the best way.
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