“update: interviewing while missing several front teeth” plus 1 more Ask a Manager

update: interviewing while missing several front teeth

Posted: 14 Dec 2019 09:00 AM PST

It's "where are you now?" month at Ask a Manager, and all December I'm running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past.

Remember the letter-writer in 2018 who had to interview while missing several front teeth because he was in the middle of extensive dental work? (#2 at the link) Here’s the update.

In January 2018, you replied to my question about interviewing while in the middle of major dental work. You advised me to address the issue casually and move on with the interview. At the time I was working part time at a retail store, but when I got promoted to full time, the way they determined eligibility for benefits was so screwy that I was full time for over a year before leaving without earning any benefits.

When the store blindsided me with cutting my hours a few months ago, I started looking more earnestly for another, more stable job. I was back where I started: interviewing with missing teeth. After a frustrating search (including a staffing agency that interviewed me by phone twice, said they would put my resume in for a job, and never called me again, and another application process where a chat bot asked for your information and resume details piece by piece… what?? This is a thing??), I then revamped my resume by your advice.

The very next place I applied, with my new resume, was an office at which I had unsuccessfully interviewed two years before, and they called me for an interview. I have to say I did not follow your advice about my teeth. I was too embarassed still to actively bring attention to it. I made sure the rest of my grooming was on point: neat hair, polished dress boots, and a tie that one of my interviewers complimented me on! I just crossed my fingers that everything else would outweigh my dental state. I also pored over your advice on interviewing in general.

During the interview process, I emailed you again, this time about thank you notes, as I would be interviewing with four people in three separate interviews. In a private response, you advised me to write individual notes and don’t go over the top in an attempt to be memorable. But I was offered the position only an hour and a half after leaving my interview with the C-level!

The best news, to follow up on my original letter, is that uncommonly good benefits, including dental, start after 30 days of employment. And the culture here is also so positive that no one has said a word about my teeth.

Thank you again for all your advice that has helped me land a job in a positive place I am already thriving in!

Rapitful Shqip

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