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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/Acceptable_Onion_253 on 2026-03-07 01:31:18+00:00.
For some context, I am a recent grad who just started actively applying for jobs. I managed to land my very first interview invite for an accounting role, and I was absolutely terrified. I was so scared of the technical rounds (VLOOKUPs, journal entries, pivot tables) and those annoying behavioral "tell me about a time" questions.
yesterday i posted on r/careeradvice freaking out about my very first accounting interview. i was terrified of the technical rounds and behavioral questions.
I wanted this job so badly, so I spent the entire night locking myself in my room. I researched the hell out of the company's business model. I used an AI mock interview tool I found online to practice my STAR method answers over and over again until I stopped stuttering and sounding like a nervous wreck.
Fast forward to today. The interview actually goes flawlessly. The first 40 minutes are a total breeze. They hit me with the technical questions, and I am completely chill. I nail the behavioral questions perfectly. The senior accounting manager interviewing me is literally nodding, smiling, and seems genuinely impressed. I am internally screaming with joy, thinking "holy crap, I am actually getting this job."
Then comes the very end of the Zoom call. The vibe is great. He leans back, smiles warmly, and asks the final question:
"So, the starting salary for this position is around $55k. Does that align with your expectations?"
and guess what? my brain just completely short-circuited.
I have never negotiated a professional salary in my life. I haven't even had a real adult job yet. The adrenaline drops, sheer panic sets in, and instead of using a normal, functioning adult response (like "Yes, that sounds reasonable" or literally anything else), I look this senior manager dead in the eyes through the webcam and say:
"Um, I think so, but I will need to go and ask my mom first. i'll let her decide it for me"
The silence that followed was deafening. It felt like an eternity. His smile instantly vanished into a look of pure confusion and pity. He literally blinked twice, picked up his pen, wrote something down on his notepad, and just said, "...okay. Well, we will be in touch." The Zoom call ended exactly 30 seconds later.
I am currently hiding undr my blankets, questioning my entire existence. The preparation helped me beat the technicals, but clearly, there is no amount of practice in the world that can cure my sheer stupidity when put on the spot.
Is there any chance they just think I was joking or being quirky? Will I get the position or am I completely cooked?
TL;DR: I perfectly executed my very first professional accounting interview, but when the hiring manager asked if the $55k starting salary was okay, I panicked and told him I needed to ask my mom first. He immediately lost his smile, ended the call, and I'm pretty sure I nuked my chances.