Director of Human Resources

I was excited about applying for a job that I was thinking would be a longterm role as I had done research on this human service agency and really really liked what I heard and read AND it was 7 miles down the road from my home! Having had two interviews already ready I was really nervous and not knowing what the competion was, still hoping I would be selected. This was the "big" one though. This interview was a group interview with all 13 members of the Leadership Team. I carefully chose the clothes I would wear and made sure I was a little early for fear of blowing it just being late!
When I arrived I was greeted by the Executive Assistant who made me feel very welcomed and I was able to relax a bit. She showed me the conference room and told me everyone was ready for me. I headed in the direction of the room and opened the door. What I saw was a very large conference table with 13 people sitting around it that had name tents in front of them with their names and titles; Director of this, Director of that. At one end of the table was a dixie cup and a little napkin and an empty chair. All 26 eyes in the room were on me at the doorway! I paniced and immediately closed the door and did not enter, I was so intimidated I had to give my entry strategy some more thought. Although this was perhaps not the most elegant thing to do I just couldn't bring myself to go in. I waited a minute, took a deep breath and heard tremendous laughter inside. I often would turn awkward situations into humerous ones so thought it might work here too. I took hold of the door handle and slowly opened the door again and proceeded to walk in.
Blinded by anxiety ans profusely sweating, I went to the only available seat at the end of the table were the dixie cup of water awaited me. As I sat down I simply said, 'my seat I presume'? A few more chuckles... What happened next was 1 1/2 hours of structured
behavioral questions from each member of the Leadership team. The questions/scenarios where long and by the time one person was done asking their question, I forgot the beginning 3 or 4 sentences and could only remember the last thing each person said. Needless to say I would ask for every question to be repeated try to get it straight in my head, formulate a response and then the strangest thing happened. I heard words coming out of my mouth but I recall nothing. I was the closest to an out of body experience. This must be an out of body experience, I thougtht. I even think that dreaded 'if you could be an animal in the wild, what would it be and why was thrown in!!
Who knows what I said to any of them.
During this interview I swore that if I got the job this type of interviewing (senior management or not) would not continue. When it was over and I was leaving (alone as they must have wanted to discuss my responses and their impressions) I walking to my car door and thinking my hands and body were the sweatiest ever and I blew it b/c I had no recollection of what transpired.
AND much to my surprise, 2 weeks later I received an offer and accepted. The interview process for senior management did change too!