Corey: Hello Mr. Gumby, thank you for taking the time to interview with me for this sales position.

Gumby: I appreciate the opportunity.

Corey: We are a rapidly growing company and are often building the plane while flying it. How will you adapt to this environment?

Gumby: I’m known for being really flexible.

Corey: Flexibility is important in our line of work. Can you share with me a time you were flexible?

Gumby: Of course…

Corey: Whoa, I did not mean that kind of flexibility!

Corey: Selling can be a difficult job. Tell me about a time you encountered a difficult sale. What approach do you take with these?

Gumby: I pretty regularly encountered Blockheads in previous positions. I try to be patient.

Corey: Patience is good. Do you get the sale done?

Gumby: I’m still working on those.

Corey: Why are you looking to leave your current job?

Gumby: To be honest, I’ve been “kiln” it there and don’t get the recognition I think I have earned.

Corey: How do you know you were doing so well?

Gumby: I have been there for almost a year.
Corey: Does that seem like a long time?

Gumby: Some days more than others.

Corey: What is your style of leadership?

Gumby: I think of myself kind of like an artist. I mold them into the employee I want them to be. It can take some time to get it right, but once I fire them up, they are solid. Kind of like clay, I guess.

Corey: What does that that molded employee look like?

Gumby: Kind of like me I would say I guess.

Corey: Do you have direct supervision experience?

Gumby: No, not yet.

Corey: What would you say are your weaknesses?

Gumby: Ice cream. Unfortunately if I eat it, I freeze.

Corey: Is that your only weakness?

Gumby: No. I can sometimes glaze over things when I am bored.

Corey: Do you get bored often?

Gumby: More than one might think.

Corey: What about weaknesses in your skill sets?

Gumby: I went to college. I am prepared for all that faces me.

Corey: Did you do anything while in college to learn the skills needed to perform the job?

Gumby: I’m not sure I know what you mean.

Corey: You know, like internships, apprenticeship, experiential learning, project-based learning, etc.

Gumby: I had a TV show. Does that count?

Corey: That’s cool, but not necessarily what I meant.

Corey: What are your goals?

Gumby: I just want to leave the place better than I found it.

Corey: That is noble. I mean more about your career goals.
Gumby: Ahh, to make the world more awesome that it is today.

Corey: Ok. Thanks. What kinds of questions to you have for me?

Gumby: What is the typical dress code here?

Corey: We are pretty informal. Feel free to dress how you are now.

Gumby: That is a relief. You would be surprised how many people frown on me wearing this outfit so regularly.

Gumby: When will I find out if I get the job?

Corey: Well Gumby, you are exactly what I am looking for. Someone with little to no skills and will take months if not years to train.

Gumby: That is great!

Corey: I’m kidding. Come back and see me when you have some real experience to share.

Moral of the story? Don’t be a Gumby.   Get the experiences along your educational journey so you have practical application experiences to share in your interview.