Choking during interview

So, I just had a phone interview with a company I really wanted to work for so right from the start my nerves were getting the best of me, and to top it off I was not expecting such a technical interview, going into basic formulas, rocket structures, vibrational destruction, to what i do for a living. Somethings I felt like I answered decently on like when I was asked about key points on stress/strain curves, effects of moving tanks from 50F to 100F, but I choked hard in other sections like what I currently do for a living, and basic engineering principals...

Has anyone else choked in the moment and was still offered a chance for redemption? I have never had an interview like this so I have no idea what they look for, are technical interviews just to watch young men sweat bullets, to see thought processes or to find those who are beyond exceptional at interview questions?

 

interviews always get at your nerves, always funny when the hardest thing to remember is what you do practically everyday

 

I have done two telephone interviews. One when I was living in Arkansas and applying for an Alaska job, and once when I was living in Germany applying for an Arkansas job. Phone interviews are tough. I puked the Alaska interview, but found a better job there a few months later, so it worked out. I had just finished an 18hr shift for the Arkansas job and was a bit fuzzy and too honest, but I did get the job.

 

Its painful when that happens. Worst part is they said that they would get back to me probably monday if not tuesday so I have all weekend to sit around and contemplate my life leading up to this moment

 

I had just the opposite interview . None of the whst are your strengths and weaknesses , where do you see yourself etc. Just a very casual flow of conversation that lasted over 3 hours. Must have said something good. Made an offer on the spot and I start Monday.

Oh well, back to the working world.

 

It’s pretty much an unwritten policy that we make interviews as difficult, and uncomfortable as possible.
Having fundemental skills, and answering correctly is important, but we really are looking for how well you function under pressure and anxious.

 

bahaha yep, made me laugh, I know the feeling

 

Thats not a very polite policy to have, I just have no idea what to expect since spacex is known to have many layers of interviews... I just dont know if I will get a chance to redeem myself or if its the end of the road for right now. Like, In my mind I bombed it hard, but after talking to my friend I feel as tho I answered something while other parts I froze up and the gentleman interviewing me kinda walked me into finding the right answer. It felt like he was holding my hand trying to speed up the process but I have no idea

 

The interview is a practical test to determine, in about a 1 hour period (not including the maze of video and phone interviews apparently the kids are put through now), how well you as an individual will do to handle situations where you don't know what the answers are, and to judge how well you might potentially be at performing/navigating tasks in which you have no idea what the hell your doing. The employer puts a significant investment into the person they just hired, and they want to make sure the person (or persons if its a tie) is worthwhile.

 

People who interview for a living tend to know when your nerves are getting the best of you versus when you’re faking the funk. And they usually will be understanding about it. Especially so if you are young, or don’t have a lot of work experience.
It sounds like you may experienced a little bit of that, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

If it doesn’t end up working out, and you really want to work for the company, my only advice would be to continue to apply.
The company I currently work for, I initially applied for one of the groups in my department and got declined by the hiring manager.
Couple months later there was an opening on a different group in the same department, and that manager brought me on.
Fast forward a few years and the manager that passed on hiring me now reports to me.

 

Where I work they hire anybody with a pulse during Christmas time.

 

Years ago in another life, I did a bunch of interviews on the phone. My boss would drop a pile of resumes on my desk and say “you know what we are looking for”, and depart. The process would be read through 25 resumes, pick 5 applicants to call, if I was lucky 3 would be “right” to bring in to talk to the hiring manager.

A long story to say, the phone interview is a level 1 screening, probably by a schmuck engineer and not the hiring manager. Not scoring a 100% on the phone interview is not fatal. E-mail or call the person with whom you did the phone interview, tell them you are even more interested now that you had the chance to talk, thank them for the opportunity, and ask when you will be able to talk to the hiring manager.

 

Earlier this year I had a job I loved. I loved what I did and loved my clients.
The people I worked for... not so much but I made do.
I ended up having it out with my employer because I needed to take medical leave at a time that was apparently inconvenient for him.
It was devestating for me to leave that job but I needed to. Stress wasn’t good for my health.

I interviewed for a firm I really wanted to be apart of. Desperate doesn’t interview well.
I cried in my interview when they asked me to elaborate on why I was leaving my previous job.. not great. Heavy blinking... not blubbering idiot cry.

But apparently they appreciated it and I was hired. It was my worst interview though.

I agree that interviewers tend to know when you are just nervous vs when you aren’t qualified for the job.

So OP. What happened?

 

A little late on the reply to ya, but I ended up having 2 interviews with spacex then they told me that they found someone else with more relatable skills to rockets. But I ended up getting a position out in Utah building some cool shit. It all worked out for the best I guess, My interview with my current company went really well because I was expecting insane questions about valve design, failure modes for pressure vessels but ended up being asked basic ass questions like how do you handle unruly employees and other generic questions like that.

 

Good luck!

 

I chewed gum through my last interview. Fuck did I feel like an idiot when I walk out and realized it.
8 and bit years later I am still working at that company....must have aced the interview part haha.

 

If you were honest, forthcoming and real, don't sweat it. Either they'll like you or they won't; don't beat yourself up over a true-to-yourself performance. Most interviewers can tell the difference between nerves and BS. Enjoy your weekend and you'll hear from them soon enough.

 

to lighten the mood

 

Good for you! Glad it all worked out for you.

 

Challenge accepted. Let's see if we can get a made up person a job through fake resumes / phone interviewing / and made up personal info.