Most Unique Job Interview Essays
Opportunity Knocks received over 100 essay submissions for the OK Extravaganza Essay Competition. Below are some of the staff’s favorite essay submissions.
The Accident
A limousine picked me up at the Nashville, TN airport to take me to a job interview in a suburb called Gallatin. En route to the office, the limousine was hit from behind by a forest service truck. I was thrown to the floor and knocked unconscious. The EMT personnel extracted me from the car using the ‘jaws of life’ and placed me on a flat board. By this point I was conscious, but a bit disheveled. After being loaded into the ambulance, the driver asked me if I knew the best way to the local hospital. I didn’t.
I waited for an hour in the emergency room, changed into a lovely revealing gown, and was taken for X-rays. When I returned to the triage area, an executive from the company was waiting. I made a strong first impression. He patiently waited for me to get clearance from the hospital, get dressed, and then asked if I wanted to continue with the interview. Since my head was a bit cloudy, my neck hurt and my return flight was in an hour, I asked if I could reschedule. On the way back to the airport, we talked about the position and my qualifications.
The entire conversation is a blur. The executive and the company apologized for the accident and were very kind about the whole incident. However, the position was not enough of a challenge to warrant leaving, so I ended up taking my name out of consideration. Seven months later, the same recruiting company contacted me for another position – with the same company! This position was more challenging and reported to a higher level. During the initial interview, the managing director was surprised to hear that I was the ‘interview crash lady!” I traveled to Charleston, SC for a personal interview without incident, and they offered me the position on the spot.
I accepted.
Opportunity Called
I had been looking to relocate to my dream city for several months and had applied to numerous jobs, but hadn’t so much as gotten an interview. Then, a partner organization of the program I was coordinating got a grant to start a very large program and needed to hire staff stat. They also happened to be located in the city I was looking to move to. I dragged my feet on applying because I didn’t want to burn any bridges with my employer.
The day after applications were due, I sent my resume to my contacts at our partner organization and asked them if they knew anyone hiring in the area. Two hours later, my cell phone rang. It was the new Program Director, asking if I was interested in the position that had closed the previous day. He “interviewed” me on the spot. The half-hour phone interview consisted of him asking me why I was leaving my current position and then us chatting about his girlfriend getting a flat tire. An hour later he offered me the job at $2,000 over the salary range I had given him.
On the Run Interview
The most unusual job interview I ever had was an interview for a desk clerk position. When I arrived at the job the supervisor met me introduced herself and said, “I am in a big hurry so I hope you don’t mind being interviewed on the run.” I replied that I didn’t and she, “follow me.” We got into her car. She interviewed me while we were driving to her bank. I walked into the bank with her and she interviewed me part of the time on the way back to the hotel.
I got the job.
Guess Who?
A friend told me about a PR job with a local non-profit organization. I would be dealing with the media, writing press releases and now and then a speech or public service announcement. Since this was my line of work, I applied for the position and a week later had an interview. I was shown into a small conference room and told that someone would be with me shortly. A few minutes later a gray haired man entered the room. I recognized him. He greeted me with a wide smile, shook my hand, and thanked me for arriving on time.
For the next few minutes we chatted about the weather, the Braves, and Atlanta traffic. Then the real interview began and lasted for about 45 minutes. He asked me questions about my professional background and education. There were also specific questions about PR. He wanted my thoughts on how best to get a message out, especially a message that incorporated a plea for financial support. His organization depended on the generosity of individual and corporate donors. They had to be appealed to, however, in just the right way. He was looking for someone who knew how to make them excited about digging into their pockets. I did my best to assure him that if given the opportunity I would do good work for his organization. I believed in its goals. After a few more questions he thanked me for my time, and then I left.
On the way to my car I told myself there was no reason to be disappointed if I didn’t get the job. I’d done my best. And besides, how often does the “someone” who interviews you also happen to be a former President of the United States?
Click here to read the winning essay.
The Accident
A limousine picked me up at the Nashville, TN airport to take me to a job interview in a suburb called Gallatin. En route to the office, the limousine was hit from behind by a forest service truck. I was thrown to the floor and knocked unconscious. The EMT personnel extracted me from the car using the ‘jaws of life’ and placed me on a flat board. By this point I was conscious, but a bit disheveled. After being loaded into the ambulance, the driver asked me if I knew the best way to the local hospital. I didn’t.
I waited for an hour in the emergency room, changed into a lovely revealing gown, and was taken for X-rays. When I returned to the triage area, an executive from the company was waiting. I made a strong first impression. He patiently waited for me to get clearance from the hospital, get dressed, and then asked if I wanted to continue with the interview. Since my head was a bit cloudy, my neck hurt and my return flight was in an hour, I asked if I could reschedule. On the way back to the airport, we talked about the position and my qualifications.
The entire conversation is a blur. The executive and the company apologized for the accident and were very kind about the whole incident. However, the position was not enough of a challenge to warrant leaving, so I ended up taking my name out of consideration. Seven months later, the same recruiting company contacted me for another position – with the same company! This position was more challenging and reported to a higher level. During the initial interview, the managing director was surprised to hear that I was the ‘interview crash lady!” I traveled to Charleston, SC for a personal interview without incident, and they offered me the position on the spot.
I accepted.
Opportunity Called
I had been looking to relocate to my dream city for several months and had applied to numerous jobs, but hadn’t so much as gotten an interview. Then, a partner organization of the program I was coordinating got a grant to start a very large program and needed to hire staff stat. They also happened to be located in the city I was looking to move to. I dragged my feet on applying because I didn’t want to burn any bridges with my employer.
The day after applications were due, I sent my resume to my contacts at our partner organization and asked them if they knew anyone hiring in the area. Two hours later, my cell phone rang. It was the new Program Director, asking if I was interested in the position that had closed the previous day. He “interviewed” me on the spot. The half-hour phone interview consisted of him asking me why I was leaving my current position and then us chatting about his girlfriend getting a flat tire. An hour later he offered me the job at $2,000 over the salary range I had given him.
On the Run Interview
The most unusual job interview I ever had was an interview for a desk clerk position. When I arrived at the job the supervisor met me introduced herself and said, “I am in a big hurry so I hope you don’t mind being interviewed on the run.” I replied that I didn’t and she, “follow me.” We got into her car. She interviewed me while we were driving to her bank. I walked into the bank with her and she interviewed me part of the time on the way back to the hotel.
I got the job.
Guess Who?
A friend told me about a PR job with a local non-profit organization. I would be dealing with the media, writing press releases and now and then a speech or public service announcement. Since this was my line of work, I applied for the position and a week later had an interview. I was shown into a small conference room and told that someone would be with me shortly. A few minutes later a gray haired man entered the room. I recognized him. He greeted me with a wide smile, shook my hand, and thanked me for arriving on time.
For the next few minutes we chatted about the weather, the Braves, and Atlanta traffic. Then the real interview began and lasted for about 45 minutes. He asked me questions about my professional background and education. There were also specific questions about PR. He wanted my thoughts on how best to get a message out, especially a message that incorporated a plea for financial support. His organization depended on the generosity of individual and corporate donors. They had to be appealed to, however, in just the right way. He was looking for someone who knew how to make them excited about digging into their pockets. I did my best to assure him that if given the opportunity I would do good work for his organization. I believed in its goals. After a few more questions he thanked me for my time, and then I left.
On the way to my car I told myself there was no reason to be disappointed if I didn’t get the job. I’d done my best. And besides, how often does the “someone” who interviews you also happen to be a former President of the United States?
Click here to read the winning essay.
