Eight

Walked into what I thought would be a regular on-site interview. Instead, I got a full panel of EIGHT people. All seated around a table. All eyes on me. Zero warning. It started off fine, until the awkward silences hit. They’d ask a question, I’d answer, then silence. Just quiet blinking and note-taking. A couple smiled, a few looked bored, and one person literally walked in late mid-way through and just sat down like it was a staff meeting. Then another one stood up and left halfway through. No explanation. Just gone. I was trying to keep eye contact, remember who asked what, and not panic but honestly, by person #6’s follow-up question I couldn’t even hear my own voice anymore. At one point, I wasn’t even nervous I was just tired. Like, “please let this end” tired.