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"I embarrassed my interviewers" and other stories

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I am now in my mid 40s, but at the tender age of 21, I went for an interview at an appliance company for a creditors clerk position.

When I got to the interview, there were two people interviewing me. I immediately felt on edge, but decided to apply all of the things I had been taught: shoulders back, head up, be confident, smile and chat openly.

While chatting I realised that the position they were interviewing me for, was in fact a credit controllers position.

I told them that I had been ‘misconceived’ by the agency. They started to smile, laugh and said, “Well, we hope you have not been misconceived?”

I answered, “Oh yes, I definitely have. I am totally misconceived.”

By this stage the manager interviewing me was howling with laughter. I looked at him blankly, unaware of what was happening.

“You can’t have been misconceived – otherwise you would not be here.”, he said with a straight face.

“No, no I'm definitely misconceived.” I adamantly replied.

He responded by saying, “Are you sure you didn't mean that you are here under a misconception?"

I stared blankly at him again. I did not know what he meant. 

It was awkward.

I just responded by saying, "Yes, yes I am."

Nevertheless, he liked me and I got the job as a debtors controller. - Julie

About two months ago, I attended an interview and there were four questions I needed to answer.

I managed to answer only one question and told the panel that I didn't know the answers to the other three questions.

The panel looked at each other and the interview was over in five minutes.

I wished the ground could swallow me as I walked out of that door! - Mildred

This is a bit of a turn-around story – but my interviewers were embarrassed by ME!

I was asked to give an English language lesson with the interviewers acting as learners. I asked them to correct a sentence involving the incorrect use of a gerund.

There was a stony silence – nobody knew the answer.

Needless to say, I didn’t get the job. - Carol

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 started farting uncontrollably during my job interview”

"My interviewer saw me in my leopard print bra"

"I was interviewed for a job by my ex"

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