Ever wondered how to ace an interview with a splash of confidence and a sprinkle of personality? Jenn's unorthodox job interview experience did just that—turning a potential mishap into a career-defining moment. Our latest conversation is a treasure trove of insights on hitting the mark with your interviewers, even when the unexpected happens. From the fine line between casual and professional, to the critical importance of maintaining connections and seeking out mentorship, we unpack strategies that can elevate your career journey.
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email - lastpieceofpiepodcast@gmail.com
Ever wondered how to ace an interview with a splash of confidence and a sprinkle of personality? Jenn's unorthodox job interview experience did just that—turning a potential mishap into a career-defining moment. Our latest conversation is a treasure trove of insights on hitting the mark with your interviewers, even when the unexpected happens. From the fine line between casual and professional, to the critical importance of maintaining connections and seeking out mentorship, we unpack strategies that can elevate your career journey.
Social Media: LPoP
https://www.instagram.com/lastpieceofpiepodcast/
https://www.threads.net/@lastpieceofpiepodcast
https://www.tiktok.com/@last.piece.of.pie?_t=8j0uDxkYoVm&_r=1
Send us your comments or questions and we will answer them on the show!
email - lastpieceofpiepodcast@gmail.com
He goes. I immediately was like we need to hire this person because she dropped a curse word in our interview and I was like, wait, I go, I did I go. Oh my God, I did. He goes. You had the confidence to say you know what? No, I don't have medical experience, but I can figure this shit out and I'll probably be one of your top reps. I was like, yep, I did say that. And look at me now Welcome. This is the last piece of pie. I'm Jen, I'm Mel and Mel and I are back recording and Mel's putting me on the hot seat, which is my favorite thing to do.
Speaker 2:I know you just handle it so well and you're so vulnerable when it's like forced on you.
Speaker 1:I think it's probably because of my job, because a lot of times I have to think of my feet.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, so so I'm going to start calling these episodes on the spot with Jen.
Speaker 1:Oh, I like that.
Speaker 2:Thanks, I like that segment, so I want you to tell me about your day yesterday.
Speaker 1:Yesterday. What was yesterday, friday yes, I had meeting in the morning. Well, I have a Friday meeting every morning. Then I had a job interview. Oh, I had a conversation with Macho man about what we're doing this weekend. And then I talked to my neighbor, took Maggie for a walk. Then I was mentally done.
Speaker 2:It's a busy day.
Speaker 1:I watched a movie.
Speaker 2:What movie did you watch?
Speaker 1:Some movie with Nicholas Cage on Hulu.
Speaker 2:I love him. Yeah, he's just an old classic guy, yeah.
Speaker 1:Oh man, he looks old in that movie.
Speaker 2:That's it. Sorry, nicholas, we still think you're hot, just you're aging, yeah, so I want to talk about the interview. Okay, yeah, do you want to talk about the interview?
Speaker 1:Yeah, we can Okay yeah.
Speaker 2:How'd it go?
Speaker 1:It went really well. So it was interesting, because I thought it was going to be an hour and it'll end up only being half an hour, and it was more of a discussion than like an actual interview that I'm used to. Okay, wait a minute.
Speaker 2:Can interviews last an hour? Oh yeah, Are you kidding me? No, and you have ADHD. Like how do you stay focused?
Speaker 1:Well, because you really have to like present yourself and tell stories of like why you want this job and like why I have to rehearse a lot. So I actually rehearsed for like an hour before my interview of what I wanted to say.
Speaker 2:I love that.
Speaker 1:So this job is? It's for a higher up position in a different company which is sort of towards my passion, which is managing people and teaching them better advanced selling skills. So it was the first round of interviews. There's a second round of interviews if I make it past this round of interviews. So it was with the hiring manager. It was about, well, way A why did I want this job? B what was my background resume? She told me what her expectations are and her vision for the position, because it's kind of a new position that this company is doing. They had somebody in the role before. I guess they didn't do a very good job, so now she's trying to fix this position, or make it better.
Speaker 1:Yes, yeah, Okay, the one thing I always do even if it's an informal interview, I still treat it as a formal interview. And she didn't ask me, like tell me about a time when you did blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, like oh no, no, no, no.
Speaker 2:You can't give me blah, blah blah. What is the question that they would ask?
Speaker 1:Normally it would be like tell me about a time when you had to negotiate, you know, a contract with a hospital, or tell me about a time when you had a difficult customer and you had to change their mind. So, like those type of questions that normally you would get during an interview and for her it was more tell me about your experience. This is my vision for the job. How would you make this position better? This is the timeline. I think she was trying to feel out me and if I would be a good fit, since I'm coming from an outside company I'm not an internal candidate.
Speaker 2:So I have a question have you worked for this company before?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Okay, so that still makes you an outsider.
Speaker 1:Yes Because yes and no, I've been away, but I haven't been away like longer than like most people have. So and I'm not one that even if I leave a job, I'm not going to burn a bridge because you never know who might hire you in the future. That's great advice. And you never want to leave on a bad note because if somebody calls for a reference like you, don't want them to say like oh yeah, she was tough to work with, even better advice.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you want to leave happy. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And this hiring manager. I did my research, I looked her up on LinkedIn. So she's new to her role, Okay. And then I knew somebody in the company already who was in that division and had some background information on the role and what they're looking for. So my advice you had a little secret intel. I did, oh girl.
Speaker 1:This person is very much I look up to as a mentor. I was not afraid to reach out to her and be like hey, I'm looking at back, coming back, and I'm looking and her and I have always kept in touch and she's one that's always been like Are you ready to come back? When are you going to come back? I think there's a position for you. I heard about this. That's been like going on for six months, like she's been trying to get me back, this person who I think of as a mentor and I bounce stuff off of her sometimes for work, even though I don't work there anymore. I'm like, hey, have you handled this situation before? Because I think it's always good to have a professional mentor.
Speaker 2:Amen, I love that.
Speaker 1:And if you're networking to try to get into a company, it's extremely helpful if you have somebody in the on the inside who can say hey, I have a really great candidate. I think you should talk to them because I don't think I would have gotten the interview if she didn't advocate for me and say hey, I'm going to connect you to let's have a conversation.
Speaker 2:You should like send her flowers, or like cookies or something.
Speaker 1:I know she moved because I was going to send her a thank you card, so I need to figure out her new address and yes, it was a tip from Sean Block with Happy Brain.
Speaker 2:Yeah, send a thank you note. It makes you feel happy, yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean I've seen all through text, I've said thank you so much, you were so helpful, blah blah blah. But I wanted, you know, I didn't want it to do something a little bit more than a text, since I got the interview, yeah, so that's awesome.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yay to her and thank you for her.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she's an amazing, amazing person, always like she's one that like will always try to help you in whatever your career goals are, because I think she's had people help her, so sure, just paying it forward, I love that.
Speaker 2:So where did you find, like, the confidence and the guts to look for a different job again?
Speaker 1:I had to stop and think this was a good reminder again for my from my mentor when do you want to be at two years? Where do you want to be at five years? And I was like, oh man, I haven't thought about that and I probably should, because I was just going on the next six months, I'm just going to do this where I'm like no, do I really want to be where I'm at in two years and five years? And it was no, like in five years, like no, I do not want to be where I'm at.
Speaker 2:So that's what gave you the wisdom to look into changing jobs.
Speaker 1:Yes, because I was like five year plan. I knew where I was at today and the company I'm at is very different. That I did not see like that that was the path to stay with this company and to stay at this particular like position. It's kind of the help with my life coach, like worked my way back, starting at five years, like listing the goals and then working backwards from five years. I had looked at other companies besides the one I worked for before but because I already knew so many people and I had connections because it's easier when you have connections with companies I knew that I would have an easier chance of getting an interview versus a company I've never worked for before and had to like re-network over to meet people.
Speaker 2:I love the two year and five year plan. I think that's really good to like do in life too.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Personal business, love, relationships, houses I mean gosh. You should implement that in like every area.
Speaker 1:I've done that before and I don't know why I ever got away from it and I wish I would have learned that earlier on in life, when I was 20, and I was just like kind of winging it yeah.
Speaker 2:For sure.
Speaker 1:Later in life I started to implement it and I think the life coaching like reminded me. Like, just don't go and be whatever, have six month goals, have a two year goal, have a five year goal. Because also one of my other best advice I got from a manager before always think about what your next job is going to be. So even though you may be happy in your current like whatever job, school, you should always be looking at what is my next role going to be and then work towards it.
Speaker 2:I love that. I'm reminded of the episode that we did about New Year New. Year U and we talked about the football players going in the locker room at half time.
Speaker 1:Half time the check in half time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I love to implement that then into the half time check in. Yeah, Every year, every six months, every three months. Are you still focused on this two year, five year plan? Is this still your end goal?
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you got to write it out. You got to write out, you got to write the goal out, then you got to write steps below it, and then you got to put it somewhere where you see it all the time as a reminder, like we do on our mirrors, our bathroom mirrors, yeah, or like my whiteboard in my office, so like I erased everything on there so I can re-put up Kind of like the five year thing. But then what are the next six months goal?
Speaker 2:My favorite thing to do at your house is like erase your goals and then write like you suck, or I love you anyways, or you're amazing, you're like to have a good day, and I write with Mal, yeah, yeah, it's so bad. Yeah, yep, don't ever let me. Have a dry erase Marker in your house, y'all. We will write on your mirrors. We will put your affirmations up. Tell you you're beautiful, yep. Tell you you got this.
Speaker 1:I don't mind, you're doing great.
Speaker 2:Pretty full right now yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I don't even know how you see your face.
Speaker 2:So my issue is when I get in the shower, I get like so much download when I'm in the shower it's like the only time like my brain dumps on me, and so when I get out, I'm just like life podcast company Abby and I just it's my go to, so I just write on my mirror and then keep doing my makeup and so like right now I have on there, sickness is not my story, you are in the UR is God. Yeah, god has the final say and so, but anyways, this is not about my health. I would like to ignore that for a few more episodes. So I want to know what's a job interview question that you hate? Oh, that makes you feel like icky or uncomfortable or like like, oh shit, what am I going to say?
Speaker 1:I don't like the question like tell me your, tell me your weaknesses, which not a lot of people ask it that way, but they're like tell me about a time that you failed at something. And I know why they're asking that question because they want to know if you've been able to learn from like a mistake and like what did you do? Like what was the outcome? Like what did you do to in the future to try to not like make the same mistake. So I understand why they asked that question and I think it throws people's off because nobody wants to admit that they like failed at something. But you fail all the time in sales. Like people will tell you know, like you lost a contract or you lost a sale. You don't always make your goals your monthly goals, your quarterly goals.
Speaker 2:It happens.
Speaker 1:So you got to like, just be humble and just have a really good example of here's the situation. This is what happened, this is what I learned from it, and this is the result of that.
Speaker 2:So I've decided I it's a good idea that I went into self employment, because it sounds like the interview process is like dating and we all know how I feel about dating. I hate it. So I would hate an interview. Yeah, I'd be like why are you asking me these questions? These are none of your business.
Speaker 1:Well, they're trying to get to know you as a person. They're trying to see if you're going to be a good fit for the role that you're applying for and if they like you, like you're not going to work for somebody or work with somebody that they don't like. So I have, I have interviewed people before. There are times where it's just you're just kind of cringy at the person that's interviewing because you're like could I sit in the car for an hour with this person, like writing around to their accounts, like could I be able to do that? And if it's like a hard no, then I'm like you know you're probably not a good fit for role or this company.
Speaker 2:So it is like dating and you have to connect. Yeah, you have to connect, and in order to proceed further.
Speaker 1:You always have to go into an interview prepared, have examples and you can use like examples for different questions, because they'll just word the question a different way. Tell me about a time when, you know, change the customer's mind. To tell me about a time when you were create, had a creative solution to a problem, and you can use the same like example but just just spin it a different way. So I interviewed a girl who's out of college. She was going for an associate and I know that it's Carrie.
Speaker 1:When you're interviewing for your first job and you may not have a lot of like work experience, but you have a lot of experience of life. So if you were, like in a college sorority, I guarantee there was a time where you had a conflict with one of your sorority sisters and you had to work it out. That's an example you have to use. It's still an example of how you managed a conflict. Or if you were like the president of your whatever club, you had to be organized, you had to plan. So don't be afraid. If you're a college student interviewing for the first time, like, use those examples.
Speaker 2:I love that. I hope Abby's going to listen to this episode.
Speaker 1:It's good life wisdom right there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you've shared with our L poppers before your passion for coaching. Maybe that's something you do in the future Interview coaching.
Speaker 1:I have strongly considered that and I've had a couple people tell me because I've coached, like my sister for an interview, I've coached a friend for an interview. So I've really and I actually talked to a friend who's a career coach and awesome. It's one of my two year goals. Okay, to be a career.
Speaker 2:We got a goal out of her. We got a two year plan. Yeah, let's hold her accountable. So two year, I'm going to write this out. So two years, jen's going to be an interview coach. Is that what they are called?
Speaker 1:They're called like a career coach. So you, I'll have my license in coaching with a focus on career coaching, which includes how to interview.
Speaker 2:Yeah, awesome. How am I doing on this interview, by the way, as the interviewee?
Speaker 1:You're doing very well with your questions, thank you.
Speaker 2:Not bad for on the spot, huh, for a Saturday morning when I'm like.
Speaker 1:I need to know about your life because I was like why are she going with this Cause? My Friday was kind of a boring Friday, besides the interview and just dealing with work fires.
Speaker 2:I love it. So Al Popper is one of our things is well, especially for me. I tell Jen she can't talk, because I like to talk live, because I like to have you guys listen and hear for the first time. So I was like, don't talk to me when you come in the house.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Cause sometimes we talk about good stuff and we're like, oh shoot, we should have recorded that all the time that happens.
Speaker 2:I'm like we just need like cameras following us around Right. Gopro slapped to my head Right and she needs a helmet, All right. So tell me one of your favorite job interview questions.
Speaker 1:I guess I have two, and one is tell me about a time when you came up with a creative solution to it, to a difficult situation which love finding different ways to like, especially when you're told like no, so many times in sales. Then you're think you have to come back and think like okay, how am I going to win this person over, cause? Then it's a challenge for me, cause I'm super competitive. I'm like I'm going to get you to like me and say, yes, you're competitive.
Speaker 1:So I like giving examples of how I've been. You know changed somebody's, I guess, perspective of why they should go with my company versus somebody else. It's a very good feeling when you're like, boom, I got you and now you love me and are going to be my best friend.
Speaker 2:And that's my story of my life, Al.
Speaker 1:Poppers.
Speaker 2:And that's how I got sucked in.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And then you know, as a sales person, you always like talking about yourself. So like why do you want this job? Well, let me tell you, these are my goals in life and this job is one of them. Hi, armi, how many jobs have you had Since college? I worked for Rolly Polly.
Speaker 2:I almost had Pete away.
Speaker 1:I see I worked for the restaurant Chef and Dallas Rolly, polly, cargill J&J and then my current company. So I've been with five companies. The first half of my life was, like food related. This half of my life is medical related.
Speaker 2:And which is your jam? That's why I call you the surgeon, because that is your area, for sure. Yeah.
Speaker 1:It was not something that was on my radar, but when I lost my job in the food industry, I was networking and people, a lot of people told me like, oh, I think you'd be great at it. And I was like, and honestly I was like, eh, okay, whatever, I'll network, see where it goes.
Speaker 1:Which is interesting for me, because you wanted to go to school to be a doctor, but I knew it was extremely difficult to get into medical sales or pharmaceutical sales when you didn't do that Right out of college or your degree isn't somehow related. It is really, really hard. What's your degree in food science and hospitality?
Speaker 2:Oh, will you sit still?
Speaker 1:Sorry, you're anxious.
Speaker 2:Today Did you drink too much coffee.
Speaker 1:You're gonna have to edit all the sound out. Yeah, I was like, okay, sure, I'll look into it. And I I guess I got kind of lucky because I knew I had friends that were nurses. My mom worked for a doctor's office for a long time and knew the drug reps that came in all the time to her office.
Speaker 2:Oh my god, I'm sure she did, because remember how she convinced dad to like get her a ring. I'm sure she convinced those sales reps to like bring her Donuts.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, they're like oh well, you talked to my daughter, blah, blah blah. So I connected with them, I networked, I Bought them coffee, like just to like find out more. I had an interview and then I had a second interview and then when I got to the third interview for the first job, I got into medical field. I had like nothing to lose. I think that's what got me the job, because I was just like I have nothing to lose. I've already been employed for like two months at that time and I was stressed out about money, but I was like I have nothing to lose. I've already been on like a ton of interviews at other jobs and didn't get them. And I just went in there and saying you know what? No, I have no medical experience, but I can figure this shit out.
Speaker 2:I.
Speaker 1:Said that my interview.
Speaker 2:Oh, boy, and there she is, folks that they probably hired you. Oh, didn't they?
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I got that job.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm sure you did people like realness.
Speaker 1:The president that I had to interview with like that was the last interview was the president. I said that in my interview, but I don't remember that I said that in my interview and then probably, I don't know a year into the job, I got asked to help with a like a convention for a bunch of surgeons and our president was there and our marketing person was there and we were having drinks and he told a surgeon next to us that we were taken out to dinner and he's like let me tell you about Jen. I was like oh no work, where is this going?
Speaker 2:And what do you know? He goes he goes.
Speaker 1:I immediately was like we need to hire this person because she dropped a curse word in our interview and I was like, wait, I go, I did I go. Oh my god, I did, he goes. You had the confidence to say you know what? No, I don't have medical experience, but I can figure this shit out and I'll probably be one of your top reps. I was like, yeah, but it's a that and look at me now.
Speaker 2:And that is so. You, even with the podcast. Yeah for you. For what? The first six months of our friendship I was like I always wanted a podcast, I always want a t-shirt company. And then, all of a sudden, jen shows up with equipment and says, bam, here we go, let's roll. And I was like huh, yeah.
Speaker 1:So I don't go get her. I don't suggest dropping a curse word in your interview, but just be prepared to be confident and be like, yeah, you should give me this job.
Speaker 2:El poppers fun fact about Jen's Rolly Polly first job was in East Lansing and I was a student and Michigan State at the time. Yeah so it's so weird. We were in the same area and Rolly Polly was like my jam.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but we never met. No, I was only at that store for like three weeks when it first opened, and then I had to move on to open another store.
Speaker 2:I was there too. I Mean Rolly Polly was a big deal, it was the main street yeah back then when it they were around?
Speaker 1:Yeah, they were.
Speaker 2:They were pretty busy in my sandwich was like turkey honey mustard oh I love that.
Speaker 1:I remember that sandwich.
Speaker 2:It was so good yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, hot was a grilled one. Yes, yeah.
Speaker 2:Oh my god, I can't believe. I remember that we have to go to a Rolly Polly now.
Speaker 1:There is one in Shit. I've grand blank. Still what? Yes, I've seen it, I've passed it. Okay, we're going. Okay, yeah, we're gonna videotape that.
Speaker 2:That's perfect oh my god yeah. All right, girl. Well, I love you for letting me put you on the spot. I think you are incredibly talented and amazingly perfect in everything you do. Thanks, and keep us posted and let us know what the next career move is for you.
Speaker 1:I will let you guys know. I will hear in about probably two weeks or so.
Speaker 2:Oh wait, one more important selfless question selfish, did you hear that like stutter? Selfish question Are you gonna move, mmm to be determined.
Speaker 1:Oh fuck my life. Stay tuned, oh poppers. This podcast might be a remote podcast, oh poppers, but we'll make it happen.
Speaker 2:I need a security blanket now. All right, all poppers, I promise to kidnapper and lock her down. We love you. Thanks for listening, follow us and subscribe, wherever you get your podcast from love it, peace out. Bye.