Title: Why You Should Never Ask How Many Applicants Attended an Open Interview
Introduction:
Attending an open interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when vying for a position at a well-known local convenience store. However, there’s one lesson I’ve learned through my recent experience that I feel compelled to share: avoid asking how many people have already interviewed. Allow me to recount my story and share why maintaining ignorance in this context might just be bliss.
The Interview Day Experience:
I recently participated in what I initially considered a seamless interview process at a popular neighborhood convenience store. It was one of those open interview events, scheduled to last just four hours that day. Everything was going smoothly—until curiosity got the better of me.
In what I believed was an innocuous moment of curiosity, I asked the interviewer how many candidates had interviewed so far. To my surprise, the interviewer casually mentioned that 30 minutes remained until the open interviews concluded. Yet, in those three and a half hours, 91 other candidates had already walked through the doors, and I was the 92nd.
Reality Check:
Initially, I assumed this must be some kind of humor—perhaps a touch of Gen X sarcasm. But, a quick glance at the list confirmed what seemed unreal: there was my name, emblazoned at position 92. It hit me then that my odds of landing the job might be even slimmer than being struck by lightning in my sleep and emerging with superpowers!
Lessons Learned:
Reflecting on this experience leads me to ponder why I ever asked the question. Perhaps my curiosity was simply an unproductive venture, shattering what little delusional optimism I had retained. In certain scenarios, maintaining that optimistic ignorance might just be more helpful than knowing the odds stacked against you.
In conclusion, if you find yourself at an open interview, consider savoring the bliss of the unknown. Sometimes, what you don’t know won’t hurt you—and might just help keep your spirits up.