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"I was interviewed for a job by my ex"

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My most cringeworthy interview ever, where I wish I had fallen into black hole, happened a few years ago. And this for a job I really, really wanted.

It turned out that the person doing the interview was the same person who I had turned down in person numerous times for a date.

Talk about awkward!

Needless to say I was turned down too. - Kim

I work for a government agency (The South African Weather Service) and there was a post advertised, and I went for the interview.

It was for a more senior position and this meant that one had to understand their parameters as clear as day is from night.

During interviews at our workplace, the tendency is to inform you if you have been "off course, no matter how slight". Then, I flouted almost all the rules.

I gave parameters for, say temperature sensors for pressure sensors etc. When the interviewee came back and said, "Seriously, now?" and "Do you need a second chance?". I was like, "I am fine."

When they gave me the video/audio, I could hear myself 'distorting' the truth about the parameters, and this cost me a promotion.

I'm not sure if I was scared, confused, ill-prepared, unaware or ALL of the above, but all in all, I messed up BIG TIME! - Thabo

I've worked at the same company since I was 16 and I was a casual worker. I went on to the "interview" and went over to supervise (I am that bright LOL).

Besides the owner looking down and catching me having a gigantic yawn (as a customer walks by). He first gave me a piece of his mind, but before that I had the mother of all cold sores. And when I have a cold sore I just want to crawl in a hole and stay there til' it's gone! - Tanya

I went for an interview in 2004 at one of our other departments, I just came back from maternity leave and was not really prepared for the interview as I did not think I would be short listed.

However, the morning of the interview two male candidates interviewed me and asked me all of the competency-based questions. At the end of the interview, they asked me to sell myself and why I think I should get the job.

I was really on the spot as I did not expect that question, but boy oh boy did I start to talk. I ended up saying things like, how comfortable my previous workplace was and how comfortable I felt going to the toilet and making a 'number two', because my workplace really felt like my own house.

And only when it was out, I realised what I have said and I just wanted to get out of there. I said to myself, "Thank God, I never have to face those two guys again as I will not be getting the job."

But to my surprise, the Friday they phoned me to tell me that I got the job and just needed to work out my months notice, because they needed me ASAP. They told me how fun the interview was for them because I made them laugh. - Rafeeqah

Ever been really embarrassed in an interview? We want to hear about it! Send your stories to chatback@w24.co.za and you could win a Glampalm Standard Magic Series Iron!


Read more embarrassing interview stories:

"I almost smashed my interviewer's car window" and more embarrassing interview stories

"I walked into a glass door at a job interview"

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