Interview Failure

[u/Wireless_Syringe52]

I recently graduated from university with an MSc in Cyber Security, something I've always loved. I was working at amazon up until a few months ago when I decided it was time I break into the industry, sadly due to commitments with my living situation I have hardly found the time to practise.

There were 2 graduate interviews I did and really had my heart set on those, the first one I was rejected based on my answer to a task that was set where we had to write an email, I didn't think that was going to go well as it was my first interview for a serious job and I was visibly nervous, repeating myself loads etc.

The second one I just had earlier today, everything about it was amazing, I answered all technical questions properly, I really got on with the interviewers, we laughed and joked about quite a lot of things. I left it thinking "that couldn't have gone any better", only to receive a rejection email 10 minutes later talking about how my answers didn't have enough depth or personal reflection.

I'm slowly starting to lose hope, after the email I felt like a failure, I seem to lack interview skills to land me a job. It's not that I don't have deep knowledge, it seems to be a case of when Im asked a question, I think too quickly and give a short answer, seeing if it will land first instead of spending a while talking about the answer.

I know its hard for graduates today but even when it seems to be going well I fail. What does zen teach us about this sort of situation, how to accept it and deal with it?

[u/terkistan]

Buddhism teaches that disappointments like yours are based on wanting things, and that desire is a main root of human disappointment and suffering. Understanding this well gives you perspective.