I am super excited about this week. The week starts with my first interview in 5 years now, later during the day. It is for the financial analyst position at a local bank. I have listen to dozens of YouTube videos on how to behave, what to answer what type of attitude you should have in an interview. It’s been more than 5 years since I was last time in an interview, so I felt like I needed a little bit of preparation.
I see the most common questions have not changed, but the way that you answer did. Which is good, as I was not very keen with some of the approaches that were “hot” 7-10 years ago. Now the focus is more on one’s personality, rather than on technical skills, something that I totally support. As Simon Sinek says, you should hire for attitude not necessarily skills. Skills can easily be learned.
If you want to read my progress through the entire period of my 66 Days challenge, here are the quick links to the other weeks:
Days 57-61
The days have passed very fast, as I was busy preparing from my interview, being with the kids, and working on my PhD. Getting back in the office has it’s own benefits, but also it’s own struggles. I needed some time to adjust to the new changes, like driving the kids to kindergarten and school (20 km away), driving back to work, work, and then drive again and pick up my kids.
My days start at 5AM, of course, but I wake up the kids at 6AM, and then we are out the door at 7:20AM, and we are back at 4:30-5:00PM. They go to bed at 8:00-8:30PM, and I go at 9:00PM. The days seem so short, I look forward to the time where I will be working only 6 hours per day (and hopefully mostly from home). The time flies so fast, and we can’t make it stop.
The interview on day 57 was interesting, and fun. I was super happy about how I manage to answer all the questions, and I think I did a good job at showing them who I truly am. This time I am looking more for the right leader/manager to work for, someone that I admire and that I could learn from, rather than a big and famous company. The HR person and the leader of the analytical department seemed like really nice people. They were open-minded, with a good sense of humor and they seem happy and not very stressed at their workplace. The first interview was more to know me, and the company, more about my personality rather than my analytical thinking. The next interview (if I am selected) is going to be more technical and it will test my analytical thinking.
Day 62
Another week is almost done. This is week number 9. So many things have happened and changed since I started this adventure. Waking up at 5AM it comes natural for me.
I have not documented so much in the past two weeks or so, as I was super busy with a lot of work for the interview that I was preparing for, and with the learning of Python, but I felt like something was missing. I need my alone time, just myself and my thoughts.
Today I should get a phone call in case I am selected for the phase 2 for the financial analyst job at the bank. I am a bit stressed, but I try to keep myself busy with learning Python. Even if I don’t get another chance at this particular position, I am pretty sure that other opportunities will show up. Persistence and perseverance are the keys here. And either way, I discovered that I like to play with numbers, I like data analysis, so I will continue improving this skill.
Regarding my own business, I put it on hold for two weeks. I feel really bad about it, because I was suppose to work on it and not let it die out. I need to get smarter, and dedicate a certain amount of hours for it per week, and treat is a normal job. Maybe I should even start paying myself, just in order to motivate me.
Day 63
I haven’t received any phone call for the second phase of the interview with the bank. That is ok. I will focus on the good parts that came out of this job application and first interview: I have started to learn Python- and I will continue with that, and I will also continue with improving my language skills.
It’s snowing outside. Middle of March and it feels like the winter is never going to end. It’s nice and peaceful, but I could do with a little bit of sun. Looking forward for those days.
I feel like it is time to re-read the 5AM book, as I need a reminder of the principles there. Maybe I will make a thing that I read the same book, same information every 3 months or so. I first read it in January, so I can start reading it again in April, July, and October.
Leave a Reply