The Unofficial Onboarding Manager: Lessons from an Unexpected Interview Experience

As I sit down to write this blog post, I find myself reflecting on my role as an Application Specialist at work. Beyond my official title, I’ve taken on an unofficial role as the “Onboarding Manager,” responsible for warmly welcoming new team members.

Thanks to this unofficial role, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many interviews, but one stands out vividly in my memory. It was an interview aimed at recruiting a student. Coincidentally, the candidate came from the same university as me. I made it clear to my boss that I would support setting up the interview but wouldn’t ask any questions; instead, I’d simply listen.

During the interview, after a short round of introductions and some basic questions, my boss presented a tricky logic question. I must admit, I struggled to find the answer 😂. However, with my camera on, I maintained my professional manner by actively listening and encouraging the candidate.

I’ll never forget how the student handled the question. Despite not knowing the answer immediately, she repeated the question to ensure understanding, then methodically broke it down step by step. With some small hints from my boss, she eventually solved it.
Fun fact: I still couldn’t grasp the answer even after her explanation. I secretly googled it afterward – shh, let’s keep that between us!! 🤫

Reflecting on the tricky question, I couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if the candidate hadn’t arrived at the correct answer. So, I asked my boss afterward. My reasoning was, in a normal situation, the person could come up with the right answer. But in a stressful situation like an interview, especially for a student, what if they could not provide the right answer?

His response was enlightening: “It’s not necessarily about finding the correct answer; it’s more about how a person handles challenges.” He illustrated with examples, emphasizing the importance of openness and a willingness to learn, rather than simply dismissing difficult questions.

I resonated deeply with this perspective and joked, “Good thing you didn’t interview me for the company; I’m not sure I’d be standing here talking to you!” To which he responded firmly, assuring me that he would offer me the position due to my positive attitude and eagerness to learn and grow.
Lucky me! 🥳