What I Learned from 32 Grueling Interviews

What’s less fun than a job interview? Doing it again. And again. And again. Ashwini endured 32 interviews before she landed a job and kept notes on every experience and lesson along the way. Ranging from funny to unbelievable, she shares what she learned (lesson #3: don’t wear green) and shows what it’s like to search for work as an aspiring businesswoman in India.

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with State Street.

Key Leanings:

Ashwini’s story is not just about finding a job; it’s about the psychological and tactical endurance required to navigate the modern job market.

1. Rejection is Data, Not a Verdict

After every interview, Ashwini kept detailed notes. Instead of viewing a “no” as a personal failure, she treated it as a case study to understand what went wrong.

• The Lesson: Keep an “Interview Journal.” Note the questions that stumped you and the body language of the interviewer. Use each failure to “patch” the holes in your preparation.

2. The “Don’t Wear Green” Rule (Self-Awareness)

Ashwini humorously mentions specific personal mistakes (like her choice of clothing or her tone). This highlights that sometimes, small, non-technical details can affect your confidence or the interviewer’s perception.

• The Lesson: Presentation and soft skills matter as much as your resume. Pay attention to the “vibe” you project. Being technically sound is only half the battle; being culturally and socially “present” is the other half.

3. Decoding the Interviewer’s Intent

She realized that many “grueling” questions are designed to test your temperament rather than your knowledge. Interviewers often push candidates into a corner just to see how they react under pressure.

• The Lesson: When a question feels unfair or aggressive, stay calm. They aren’t looking for the “perfect” answer; they are looking for a “composed” human being.

4. Resilience is a Muscle

By the 30th interview, Ashwini wasn’t just “trying” anymore—she was a veteran. The fear of the interview room had vanished because she had seen it all.

• The Lesson: The only way to get better at interviewing is to do more interviews. Don’t wait for your “dream company” to start practicing. Take every interview opportunity to build your “interviewing muscle.”

5. Your Worth is Not Your Employment Status

The most emotional leaning from her talk is the struggle to maintain self-esteem while being unemployed. She emphasizes that the “wait” is the hardest part.

• The Lesson: Don’t let the job search define your identity. You are an aspiring professional, even between jobs. Maintain a routine and keep learning so that your skills don’t stagnate while you wait for the right “Yes.”

Summary:

“The 32nd interview wasn’t a miracle; it was the result of the 31 lessons that came before it. Success is often just the last station on the train of persistence.”