I was too embarrassed to tell this story for years. But here goes.
I accidentally walked into the wrong company for an interview that was never scheduled. They hired me anyway. I even got offered the job before I realized my mistake.
Here’s what happened.
A Last-Minute Mix-Up
This was almost 15 years ago when the internet wasn’t what it is now.
I was 21, fresh out of architecture school, and broke. My dad was driving me between six interviews crammed into two days.
Running late for my final interview at 6 PM because the previous one went long, I was frantically trying to Google the address while my dad drove. I didn’t want him to know I had left this research to the last minute.
There were two architecture firms in the same area with the same partner names.
(You see where this is going…)
The Interview
I picked the wrong address and walked into the wrong office.
Two partners were working late. I announced: “I’m here for my interview.”
They looked confused. I stood there with my portfolio, completely certain I belonged there and that their receptionist (who’d already left) had made a mistake.
“Okay,” one said. “Let’s go to the boardroom.”
The interview went great. We had 45 minutes of solid conversation about projects and design philosophy. I left feeling optimistic.
The Phone Call
My dad, who had been waiting outside, took me to dinner. Within an hour, my phone rang: “Cathryn, we’d like to offer you the position.”
I was thrilled. After I hung up, I noticed I had a voicemail and checked it:
“Hi Cathryn, we were wondering if you were showing up for your interview today.”
My stomach dropped.
You know that feeling? Like a movie where everything clicks into place and you’re looking back at the main character realizing what had happened. I had walked into the wrong company.
No scheduled interview. No prior contact. And they hired me anyway.
A Secret Kept For Years
I was so embarrassed I never even told my dad what happened until years later.
Looking back, this was classic behavior for someone with an undiagnosed ADHD brain, though I wouldn’t figure that out for another eight years.
The Power Of Showing Up
The lesson: Confidence comes from showing up, not from feeling ready.
I succeeded because I acted like I belonged there. My certainty convinced them, even though I was completely wrong. It made me think: What else is possible if I show up like I’m meant to be somewhere? 😅
Any other ADHD-ers have a chaotic success story like this?
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