Sometimes our mistakes provide us with important life lessons, but let’s be honest: It’s a lot more fun to learn the same lessons from someone else’s mistakes. That’s the idea behind the new video series on Pongo’s YouTube channel.
It all started earlier this week, when I received a strange package in the mail. I opened it up and inside was a video and a note from a Mr. Stephen Meechum, a hiring manager from the Northern Florida Spelunkers* Association of America:
“Please share the contents of this video with as many of your job seeking viewers and readers as possible. My hope is that circulating this information will save us all a lot of time and frustration by reminding people to arrive prepared for their job interviews.”
I watched the footage and nearly fell out of my chair. It was fortunate that I did not complete the fall, as I had once before (the wheels went flying, I tumbled over, and embarrassment ensued). But I digress…
I compiled this footage for you to learn from the interview errors of the hapless job candidate in the video clips. I hope you enjoy this little sneak peek into often-unseen events!
As you watch the videos, consider these questions: What did the job seeker do wrong? What would your advice be to help him improve his interview technique? Did Mr. Meechum handle himself well, given the circumstances?
*BTW, a spelunker is a cave explorer.
Ben Oliver, Pongo's video production specialist, wrote today's post. A graduate of the Vancouver Film School, Ben has extensive experience directing and editing documentaries, music videos, web content, and short films. He worked on the second season of Time Warp, a Discovery Channel series, and his feature-length documentary Easy Trouble, which chronicles up-and-coming garage rock band The Charms, is available on Netflix.
RELATED LINKS
Job Interview Basics:Prepare Well to Present Well
How To Recover Quickly from an Interview Mistake
Dumbass Mistakes New Grads Make in Interviews
I found this video to be a total waste of my time. With today's job market being as bad as it is, people want results. I am sure that people watching this are expecting a REAL interview or at least one that isn't so stupidly play acted. I watched the video to get some actual pointers on what I could do to improve myself during an interview, and unfortunately, I was treated to a moron (the interviewee), an idiot (the interviewer), and lastly an obnoxious bore (the director). You should at least warn people that this is your version of "Superbad".
I actually felt quite the opposite. Too many companies take themselves way to seriously, I found this to be enjoyable and laughed through the whole thing. The last thing I want is to sit through a boring instructional video.
Dear Kathi,
I am sorry that the "Northern Florida Spelunking" videos didn't resonate with you. I can assure you that we are working on both serious and lighthearted content. There will be something for everyone.
I do thank you however for watching the video all the way through the five parts.
-Ben
Dear Josh,
Thanks for the kind words! I hope the videos gave you a little chuckle amidst your job search!
-Ben
These videos are hilarious!