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Original poster

Has anybody interviewed as a "wild card" and landed an offer?

49 replies

Terribleluck · 24/10/2021 16:26

I'm starting to feel a tad deflated as I had hoped to be back in employment by the 1st of November, obviously not going to happen now (I'm waiting to hear back from the interview I attended on Friday). I still have two more interviews to attend this week. a) not necessarily a role I'd go for, but the in house recruiter thinks I'm such a great "culture fit" that I should give it a try, and then move once in. I still need to pass the interview though (with the extra complexity that the role is French and I was once fluent, but that was about 12 years ago). b) career change, I think I have all of the transferrable skills, but I think they'd probably benefit from someone with either a retail or marketing background. I made it very clear that I'm a wild card in my cover letter but should still give me a chance. The one thing I have in my favour is that the local pool talent is a bit limited and the role doesn't allow for remote work. Let's say I'm not extremely hopeful for either of them. Has anybody managed to get to job offer in similar circumstances?

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Original poster

Terribleluck · 24/10/2021 17:12

Bump

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BobbinThreadbare123 · 24/10/2021 17:15

Yes. I went for a very cool job against two others who were more experienced, male and higher 'ranking' than me. I also had someone actively working against me ie spreading fibs. I got the job and did very well at it. I still think of it as one of my most enjoyable roles.

Thecurtainsofdestiny · 24/10/2021 17:18

Yes I interviewed for a position when I'd been out of my profession for over a decade. After I'd been there a few months they admitted that they hadn't anticipated employing me but the interview changed their minds.

Loved that job!

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OtterAndDog · 24/10/2021 17:24

Yes, both of the jobs I was most proud of getting I was a wild card :)

Lennybenny · 24/10/2021 17:28

I'm in a job that I have no actual qualifications for, that I applied for as a way of the company knowing I existed, I interviewedwell and they like to promote from within....I literally couldn't get this job if I'd applied for one at a normal place of work...

Skysblue · 24/10/2021 17:28

Boris Johnson and Donald Trump are evidence that it’s always worth applying for a job you are in no way qualified to do.

stillcrazyafterall · 24/10/2021 17:31

Years ago I applied for a job so far above my grade it was hilarious. In fact the interviewer started by saying 'I don't even know why I'm interviewing you' . I didn't get the job, but 3 months later he contacted me and offered me another role which was my grade. I took it and stayed there quite happily for years. Serendipity indeed.

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 24/10/2021 17:45

What makes you think you’re a wildcard? I think there’s a decent chance you may be the best candidate they are interviewing. Just because they ask for essential x years in abc with a postgrad in xyz doesn’t mean they get it! Men never think twice about applying for stuff they’re not even remotely qualified for.

Original poster

Terribleluck · 24/10/2021 18:23

@sweetbaby in my CL I explained how o was what they needed but in a fairly different packaging. I have many years experience in operations which is what I think what convinced them, but ultimately I've only ever worked in digital industries and this is a national clothes chain. (Which also begs the question, do I wear one of their dresses?)

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user1471548941 · 24/10/2021 18:36

I went for a senior level role in a different department that I had no experience of, for a role I had no experience for , as a junior staff. I called up the hiring manager and asked his advice about what experience to get to gain the role in a few years time, we hit it off and he told me to apply.

I beat several people of much higher grades to the role and was slightly gobsmacked but he basically committed to training me up and promoting me over the course of a few years.

I’ve been in the role 2 years now and it’s best decision I’ve ever made. That hiring manager is a fab boss, we get on great and I have learned LOADS. I fit in really well with the rest of the team also.

I eventually asked him how I got the role and apparently meeting me changed his mind about what kind of person fitted the role best- he decided he wanted someone committed to developing, which I showed by applying to such a stretch role and also thought I’d fit in the team well and was a good fit because they had the time to train someone.

So I say go for it, sometimes what they are looking for isn’t set in stone and a good attitude and willingness to learn/brush up older skills is a winner.

PollyWog · 24/10/2021 18:40

[quote Terribleluck]@sweetbaby in my CL I explained how o was what they needed but in a fairly different packaging. I have many years experience in operations which is what I think what convinced them, but ultimately I've only ever worked in digital industries and this is a national clothes chain. (Which also begs the question, do I wear one of their dresses?) [/quote]
Yes, but wear something from a year or two ago, so they don't think you've bought it specifically for the interview.

Original poster

Terribleluck · 24/10/2021 19:48

@pollywog this dress is like 4 years old!

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PollyWog · 24/10/2021 20:13

Perfect! 😁

tobypercy · 24/10/2021 20:13

There is a well-known statistic that (typically) men will apply for a role when they meet 60% of the criteria but women often only apply if they meet 100%. Plenty of those men get the job... no reason why you won't too. Go for it!

Original poster

Terribleluck · 24/10/2021 21:04

Fingers crossed!! I mean these last two rounds of interviews with different companies have taught me quite a bit! So at least I know what to do and what not to do.

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Original poster

Terribleluck · 24/10/2021 22:11

It turns out is Tuesday and not Thursday, and I'm also interviewing with a c-suite executive! I'm already stressed!!

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MouseholeCat · 24/10/2021 22:51

Yep! A few years ago I went for a corporate role, moving from the public sector. I had some experience but it was a huge learning curve. I've been promoted twice since then and am in a senior role now.

I've since hired twice for my old position and the first candidate I hired was also a wildcard- she was brilliant. She brought totally new skills and perspective to the role.

Original poster

Terribleluck · 25/10/2021 08:23

Thanks @mouseholecat ! I know that given is the private industry they don't have to have "filler interviews" like they have to have in the public sector (which has happened to me twice!) And I never lied in my CV / CL. I know tomorrow will be a out convincing them that I can do it, even if I come from a very different industry.

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BigYellowHat · 25/10/2021 08:28

Two jobs ago was a bit like that. It wasn’t a dream career but I liked it well enough and was good money. Was very surprised to get it as I’d only applied on a whim.

Original poster

Terribleluck · 25/10/2021 08:43

I don't even know what's my dream career anymore! I just like the corporate life and a semi decent salary. For this role in particular LinkedIn and Indeed kept spamming me that I should apply so I did! My CL was fairly "jokey". This is the thrust time I apply for any roles in this company and finally get an interview!

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Original poster

Terribleluck · 25/10/2021 16:52

Interview today went amazingly well, hooray! Tough one is tomorrow!

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Bellaphant · 25/10/2021 17:16

My mum needed some money about fifteen) years back (so she was 40ish) and interviewed to do basic customer service/'product replenishment' at a local clothes store. Half an hour later they offered her the assistant manager's job. She'd mainly worked in schools and volunteering, but clearly had the right energy! It can happen.

Palavah · 25/10/2021 17:21

[quote Terribleluck]@sweetbaby in my CL I explained how o was what they needed but in a fairly different packaging. I have many years experience in operations which is what I think what convinced them, but ultimately I've only ever worked in digital industries and this is a national clothes chain. (Which also begs the question, do I wear one of their dresses?) [/quote]
Any national clothes chain needs to become a digital business if they aren't already. They should bite your arm off.

Clarinet53 · 25/10/2021 17:24

I wasn't the right fit for my job and the company had another candidate they were working hard to recruit.

He used the situation to up his salary and stay with his employer.

My company needed someone and gave me a chance. Think we both thought I wouldn't cut it. Been in the role 6 years now and I am one of the highest fee earners.

Don't sell yourself short, you can do whatever you put your mind to!

Original poster

Terribleluck · 25/10/2021 17:30

I'm digital but not retail... I guess you could call it online/digital services but not the e-commerce type. Looking at my skill set and role/field I almost feel like they're interviewing me to see what I've got to offer rather than that role itself. I could be completely wrong, but I've got that feeling!

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