Job Interview Anxiety Pt. II

The worst part of it all was the couple days I had before the interview to imagine worst possible scenarios. I asked the radiology manager whether it was a working interview, and she told me that that was not the case. So instead, I stressed over what to wear and what to say. As soon as Mama came home, we went shopping together at Dillard’s. I found the perfect dress and pumps.

Then, I searched the internet for questions my interviewers might ask and even for ways to appropriately answer those questions. I also had my mom give me a mock interview. I still wasn’t satisfied. My mind just couldn’t settle down. I finally reached the point where I felt like I had exhausted every question on the internet and realized that I needed to be grounding myself.

I had a positive experience at this hospital where I was applying, and I knew that they had a favorable attitude towards me as well. All I could do now was give it my best. To me this meant treating it like any other interview and not like I already had it just because I am a good student and the only applicant. When Friday rolled around, I did some morning yoga and grounded myself using techniques that my therapist gave me. I also read some Bible scripture and listened to worship music. Panic was subsiding and confidence was setting in.

Turns out I was more nervous walking back to the radiology department than I was actually talking to the radiology manager and director. They were happy to see me and wanted to tell me all about the job. Some of the questions I was asked were not surprising; other questions I just knew they’d ask me, and they didn’t. They had a set list of questions that they have to ask every applicant. I answered the questions with ease and was able to pull from my experiences in the workforce. At the end of the interview, I asked how soon I could expect to hear a yea or nay. They told me they’d have my paperwork to HR that afternoon – I got the job!

I decided to go ahead and tell my current supervisor that I’d be turning in my two weeks soon, as the new job will require me to work weekends. She asked me to consider working for her one night a week and pick up hours during holiday breaks, but after thinking about that offer for a couple of days, I decided it best for me to resign. My last day is on October 25, and my orientation for the hospital is November 2. While it is bittersweet, I am excited for this new experience.