![Adele holding a phone](http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca/lifeatuoft/files/2016/08/csmsxriwiaesen4-390x285-300x219.jpg)
Them: Hello, is this Sargam?
Me: Yes, so nice to meet you!
Yeah, I said so nice to meet you over the phone -facepalm- If that wasn't enough, a little later, this amazing exchange went down.Them: *silence*
Me: PARDON?
Them: We didn’t say anything.
AWKWARD TURTLE. Oh and if you're already cringing, wait until you hear what they actually asked me.Them: Give us a list of your weaknesses, we really just want a list, don’t elaborate and we’ll ask you if we need you to explain anything.
Um. Ok. So after my countless emails expressing my interest in the organization and the hours I spent preparing for this interview, they nailed me with just that one question. They basically asked me to list all my vulnerabilities but to not justify myself. I forgot what I said in the moment because I was so frazzled (and almost starstruck to be given this opportunity with the manager) but I might as well have said “I work too hard, I care too much and I am a perfectionist!”![From The Office: David Wallace - what do you think your greatest strengths as a manager are? Michael: Why don't I tell you what my greatest weaknesses are? I work too hard, I care too much and I get too invested in my job. David Wallace's unimpressed face.](http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca/lifeatuoft/files/2016/08/Michael_Scott_Greatest_Strength-300x200.jpg)
LESSONS LEARNED.
- Any interview experience is beneficial, regardless of the result. I learned that I panic under pressure and need to practice a lot more than I previously thought I did, so I will never go into an interview without practicing with someone multiple times.
- Dressing up for even a phone interview and being in an environment which somewhat stimulates a private room, like a library study room, actually really helps get you in the right frame of mind!
- Forcing yourself to smile through the nerves will make a world of a difference in your conversation. People can hear your smiles through the phone!
- Make sure your phone and headphones work well, maybe call someone 20 minutes before just to test things out. I realized my voice must be cutting because my headphones weren’t in properly like 10 seconds after we started talking.
- DO NOT GIVE UP. You WILL eventually get a job but only if you keep on applying and keep on hustlin’.
![A picture of my laptop with index cards around it for notes and prompts](http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca/lifeatuoft/files/2016/08/13880162_1176735882390883_5464670751538257512_n-300x225.jpg)
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