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To cancel job interview?

32 replies

quiettimes · 25/05/2023 22:28

I had a job interview 3 weeks ago and thought it went well…found out I was unsuccessful today and it’s thrown me off. I actually have another job interview tomorrow- it’s the same team, different role. I now feel like cancelling in case I run into the same panel members and just embarrass myself. The timing couldn’t be worse. I get really nervous beforehand and obviously said “too much” and didn’t give enough substance in my brain fog.

this is the interview feedback, it wasn’t even a near miss, they gave me a low score for 3 out of 8 questions!

“showed lots of potential and clearly understands the criteria for each behaviour- often using buzzwords throughout answers. The panel felt that at times the answers lacked structure although all answers were spoken at a good pace and care was taken to listen to the question. For future interviews the candidate may benefit from focussing more on the initiative and the actions took as opposed to the processes that were followed and clarify in each example exactly what the task was.
The questions were answered well although at times a little longer than needed.”

OP posts:
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saltinesandcoffeecups · 31/05/2023 13:52

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 13:43

Yes I got the job!!! This was the final stage. Just pre employment checks now before I start.

couldn’t have done it without this thread, I genuinely had no motivation when I first posted

🍾🥂

So happy to hear this news! Congratulations 🥳

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 31/05/2023 13:46

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 13:43

Yes I got the job!!! This was the final stage. Just pre employment checks now before I start.

couldn’t have done it without this thread, I genuinely had no motivation when I first posted

Fantastic!

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 13:44

NeedToChangeName · 31/05/2023 11:27

That's great. Well done

Brace yourself for 200 replies giving you interview tips

Thank you all! Honestly keep the interview tips coming, they’re so useful for anyone applying for roles

OP posts:
quiettimes · 31/05/2023 13:43

Yes I got the job!!! This was the final stage. Just pre employment checks now before I start.

couldn’t have done it without this thread, I genuinely had no motivation when I first posted

OP posts:
saltinesandcoffeecups · 31/05/2023 12:52

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 10:27

Update - passed the interview! Thank you all so much x

Congratulations!

I just noticed your previous updates yesterday and was wondering how things were going. It’s not a bad thing that they asked follow up questions to get context. Better that then giving too much details upfront. Like I said it’s not an easy balance to achieve.

Are you on to the next round?

FernGully43 · 31/05/2023 11:35

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 10:27

Update - passed the interview! Thank you all so much x

Congratulations op! Must feel great

Weallgottachangesometime · 31/05/2023 11:30

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 10:27

Update - passed the interview! Thank you all so much x

Yay!!! Well done!!

NeedToChangeName · 31/05/2023 11:27

That's great. Well done

Brace yourself for 200 replies giving you interview tips

FloofCloud · 31/05/2023 11:24

Just seen the update!! (Sorry my phone doesn't update threads sometimes - must update lol)!
CONGRATULATIONS!! 🥳🍾🥂

FloofCloud · 31/05/2023 11:22

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 00:12

I just feel full of butterflies and can’t sleep. What do you think it means to focus on actions vs processes? I remember saying I followed hr guidance with performance management for example

I interview loads of different roles.
To me this means expand on the job examples you give. So if you type minutes for different types of meeting, perhaps (within context of question) say you're very experienced in taking minutes and have designed your methodology to ensure you get all info and actions required.
It's kind of depth and breadth of what you do (as opposed to just breadth only)
Good luck!

Whatabouteverything · 31/05/2023 11:12

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 10:27

Update - passed the interview! Thank you all so much x

Does that mean you got the job? Either way well done!

quiettimes · 31/05/2023 10:27

Update - passed the interview! Thank you all so much x

OP posts:
quiettimes · 26/05/2023 19:45

I used to enjoy interviews but find them tricky now!

I got the feedback from interview 1 with too short notice to properly implement today. I tried to say less about the situation/context with more focus on what I did. Most of the follow up questions were about the context though, the lead panelist borderline said my examples didn’t make sense😅I think she was okay after my explanations but mixed bag overall.

OP posts:
Wallywobbles · 26/05/2023 19:38

I do interviews for fun now. I love my job but I interview regularly because I can! And maybe I'll find a better offer or a promotion that I'll enjoy as much.

If you can learn to enjoy them it's a winner.

YeahNahWhal · 26/05/2023 18:24

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 17:07

Thank you all. It’s done now. This interview felt brutal - they really grilled me. Think 3 follow up questions per response. We’ll see what happens but I think I’m not too fussed whether I get it or not!

Follow up questions are because the panel wants you to succeed! They were trying to steer you in the right direction and help you tell them what they wanted to hear. Take follow up questions as a good sign - they want you to do well.

Weallgottachangesometime · 26/05/2023 18:10

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 17:07

Thank you all. It’s done now. This interview felt brutal - they really grilled me. Think 3 follow up questions per response. We’ll see what happens but I think I’m not too fussed whether I get it or not!

Even if you aren’t successful you should still be proud of yourself. Very brave to give it another go, take feedback and put yourself out there. Many wouldn’t have even gone for the interview!!

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 17:07

Thank you all. It’s done now. This interview felt brutal - they really grilled me. Think 3 follow up questions per response. We’ll see what happens but I think I’m not too fussed whether I get it or not!

OP posts:
CovertImage · 26/05/2023 12:38

I think that the fat that they bothered to give you such useful feedback means that they liked you.

Whatabouteverything · 26/05/2023 12:29

Use STAR!! game changer. As you're answering think 'right that answers what task it was, that answers what actions I had taken' etc. The longest part of your answer should be action and result - with situation and task a very brief overview.

SELondonLurker · 26/05/2023 12:24

The feedback you’ve got is even more reason to go for it, OP! Practice makes perfect, and interviewing for jobs for the majority of the workforce is a numbers game.

Don’t be disheartened you didn’t get the last job, don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the next. Just keep going for the experience and you’ll find something that’s right for you!

I agree with others suggestions of the STAR method. Prior to my own recent interview, I thought back on key tasks / achievements / challenges I had at work over the last few years and wrote them up using the STAR headings. It was so useful and also meant when I came to answering questions, my responses were short and to the point because of pre-planned answers!

Good luck 😊

saltinesandcoffeecups · 26/05/2023 12:12

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 10:44

Thanks. Is the initiative more about the reasons why I did things?

That can be part of it.

The typical mistake I see in interviews is that people want to tell me what the team they were on did.

Their answers are “we did” “we achieved“ “the team found”. I’m not interviewing the team so I want to know what you did. If you were part of a team working on a project, tell me about what you personally did and what your results were.

I was on a team that was tasked to improve our paper clip sorting output. I noticed that we were spending a lot of time removing binder clips. So I put a box out for people to presort between binder clips and paper clips. Doing this reduced the number of binder clips to be removed by 50%. I also supported the team by taking pictures of the two items that the team used in training.

JassyRadlett · 26/05/2023 10:57

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 10:44

Thanks. Is the initiative more about the reasons why I did things?

It's about you initiating things as well. You saw the problem, you came up with a plan, you highlighted it to your line manager with a suggested solution that they endorsed.

So you focus on what you did - but also how you spot problems and identify potential solutions.

Tomlitoo · 26/05/2023 10:50

Use STAR in your answers-

Situation
Task
Action (that you took)
Result

It helps gives structure which is what I think they're alluding to, just make sure your example relates back to the behaviour scoring criteria.

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 10:44

Thanks. Is the initiative more about the reasons why I did things?

OP posts:
Weallgottachangesometime · 26/05/2023 07:03

quiettimes · 26/05/2023 00:12

I just feel full of butterflies and can’t sleep. What do you think it means to focus on actions vs processes? I remember saying I followed hr guidance with performance management for example

I think it means saying what YOU actually did and what impact that had…rather than talking about following guidance or what the process for that job is.

I guess I’d you had one interview you’ll know the type of questions they might ask. Might be worth writing some answers and practicing them.

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