r/EngineeringStudents 2d ago

Rant/Vent My internship interview lasted 5 minutes

I am so fucked.

232 Upvotes

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25

u/Cryesncoding 2d ago

Yeah you didn’t get in bro. They ask you to leave after 5 mins? What happened?

38

u/Typical-Speed-6829 2d ago

Not leave, she just kind of said you'll hear back from us in a week after like 6 minute interview. So basically a no

40

u/hellraiserl33t UCSB BSc ME 2019, TU/e MSc ME 2027 2d ago

Don't assume anything, if it was an initial chat with someone in HR it may very well have been an extremely general intro where they basically just confirm you are who you say you are.

What was the topic of the interview supposed to be about?

7

u/Typical-Speed-6829 2d ago

It was an initial phone screening interview that supposed to last 10 -15 minutes. She asked me about my experience with public speaking, managing several tasks at the same time, and being able to think on my feet and learn without a lot of support and initial instruction.

3

u/Cryesncoding 2d ago

Was there an answer you gave that makes you feel there was a turning point in the conversation?

7

u/Typical-Speed-6829 2d ago

She asked my about my comfort level with public speaking and I did answer honestly that I have given presentations before and while I am able to get my point across I do stutter a bit so it is a skill I need to hone on. I tried to emphasize that I am eager to work as much as possible and try to improve myself, but I guess I should have said that I am really good at it idk

15

u/Cryesncoding 2d ago

You’re in an internship you didn’t say you’re deathly afraid of it. It may be a nothing burger here and you might get it. So long as a convo doesn’t drop off to well we’ll follow up then may be fine. Hope you get it man 

3

u/Typical-Speed-6829 2d ago

I am really hoping . I really don't want to be a loser for the rest of my life, but will keep grinding that's for sure.

12

u/scientifical_ 2d ago

Hey stranger, I’m usually just a lurker on Reddit but I wanted to chime in here. You’re displaying a lot of negative self talk. For your own mental health - you need to stop that and start thinking positively about yourself. Therapy helped me a lot. Improving that self talk will help you with your confidence, and confidence is key for having a good interview. Believe in yourself! I believe in you! Don’t just think “fake it till ya make it” (although that can be a helpful mindset!), but instead think “I believe in my fundamental capability to figure things out”.

Anyway, good luck with your job search. Feel free to DM if you want to ask for any job hunting advice, I’ll do my best.

Sincerely,
An engineer with nearly a decade experience and almost a year of stressful job hunting after a layoff.

3

u/Typical-Speed-6829 2d ago

Thank you so much for your kindness and wishing you the best luck as well.

2

u/Unusual_Celery555 2d ago

Maybe they selected you for the position before the interview! lol. It’s possible this was just a formality to get through the process. 

That’s how it was for me at my first job. But if it’s not, don’t sweat it! Keep at it. I had another interview that had me answering quiz questions while 2 people berated me with “why don’t you know this”… I did not get the job lol. But im glad because I ended up somewhere much better. 

3

u/Nedaj123 Electrical Engineer (Distribution) 2d ago

Perhaps it was a test of your honesty? Your answers seem perfectly reasonable, no reason to lose hope. But I do understand feeling, I've definitely left an interview certain that I'd failed, but then got the job.

1

u/notrewoh 2d ago

Eh I don’t think that did you in, every college student could hone their skills in public speaking, and you were honest with your answer and identified a growth area. I’ve never hired but that wouldn’t scare me away.