I had my second and final interview today for a statewide HR/program position, and I'm feeling pretty down about how it went. This wasn't a typical application process for me, as my background is in operations rather than HR. I've spent the last decade in the employees and facility services industry, working my way up into leadership roles where I've managed multi-site operations, compliance initiatives, and training programs. I thought I had a good chance because I understand the workforce they aim to support, and I was even told I was one of the finalists out of about 15 candidates. However, the interview with the director was a different story. I prepared for various questions related to leadership and training, but instead, I was bombarded with inquiries about scaling programs, stakeholder engagement, and organizational strategy. I felt like I struggled to articulate my thoughts, and it was frustrating because after the interview, I was able to map out a clear framework for how I would approach the program. What bothers me most is that I allowed myself to believe I had a real shot at this role. I know I was up against candidates with traditional HR backgrounds, and I’ve always had to prove myself in a male-dominated industry. I thought my experience and understanding of the workforce might be enough, but now I'm left questioning if I got too caught up in the excitement of being considered.