At first, I applied for a position on line that was shown on Indeed.com, but the recruiter thought I was fit for higher level tech position, and so he contacted me at 7pm on Friday night. I was surprised, but I had a phone interview with him later on the week. Everything went fine, I managed to have another interview which is group Video interview with 3 people. (1 manager, 1 co-worker, and 1 tech person for tech questions)
The good thing about this job interview is that I don't have to waste my time/transportation fee to travel all the way to New York City to interview. Bad thing is that the manager seemed very demanding. She was like looking for a perfect person to do that job. I was applying for a tech job. They seemed to have focused Customer Service rather than Technical ability. I have both, but somehow the manager wanted more from the Customer Service side. I am sorry, my experience should be enough for both, but maybe the way I present was overdoing...
Few clues.
1. What I meant overdoing it is that I set up video interview in my office (which I have my own office of my room.. well, I am looking because the company is shutting down, I don't really if I have an office or not in the future job). When we talk on the phone/video interview, she was mentioning about her place is 3 feet next to her coworkers. She was like hinting about not having big office space and this job may not be for me. (This is just my hunch, but I have a strong feeling that she felt that way)
2. My question to her. I learned this from Youtube by the way. When it comes to the end of the interview, if the interviewer asked you "any question", one of responses would give you a clue how the interview goes... which is "Is there anything else you want me to tell you besides skills and experience? " After I said that, she immediately smiled (by the way, I didn't see it as good sign though". She said, " I still don't see how you can be custom focused (don't remember exact words, but that is the comment/question she asked me back".. In that case, I realized that my presentation may not hit her well enough. I really don't know how to please her. I have used every best possitive words to please her in customer service.
3. At the end, she said " I will let (name of the recruiter) know", no clue of hiring me at all.
Oh well, I don't get the job, that is fine. At least I didn't waste my time traveling to New York City two times. I really wish all companies are like this, have phone, video interviews to save my and their time.
Summary
Teach for America may seem to have very good benefit and good place to work for.
However, if one time flawless presentation on the interview determines if you get the job. I think it will be very tough.
