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Original poster

Just had the worst interview ever!

92 replies

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 10:25

(Lighthearted!!)

Pleeease help me feel better. I was just interviewed by a local authority. I had all the "essential" and "desirable" skills and qualifications.

I prepped for hours and hours and my answers were just "um" & "oh"...The questions were not really what I expected (not in the job description or job role spec!)

God I'm so embarrassed. How many days until they forget they interviewed an idiot? 😂😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 10:27

My post interview questions were SO good and I gave them ideas for a peoject which they loved.

But I must have scored incredibly low in the interview scoring process.

I spectacularly humiliated myself.

Crikey....

OP posts:
EVHead · 23/03/2023 10:28

Interviews are the worst. It’s awful when they ask questions that throw you - what’s the point?!

NewChange · 23/03/2023 10:29

I wouldn’t worry - I’ve cringed so hard after LA interviews including one where I was successful and told I interviewed really well. Either their expectations are low or mine are high.

Interested in this thread?

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Jobs
Fuckstix · 23/03/2023 10:31

They'll mostly remember the great bit at the end, don't worry!!

Did you answer the questions after a bit of stumbling and umming and ahhing or just freeze?

If the former then I'm sure you did better than you thought, you're just remembering the awkward bits. If the latter then they'll have realised you'd been hit by nerves so either way no need to be embarrassed!

I got my last full time job after the dodgiest interview imaginable so you may be pleasantly surprised.

Oatsamazing · 23/03/2023 10:32

The company I work for has introduced a new interview process to reduce bias but the managers hate it because they are only allowed to ask questions from a question bank and make no other comments, so they feel they can't bring out the best in people who have potential but may stumble during the interview. I bet it's the same case with your interview, they'll just be annoyed with the process. Welldone for bringing it back at the end.

RaraRachael · 23/03/2023 10:32

I once went for a teaching job where they wanted 2 particular specialities. I was the only one of the 3 candidates who had both so thought I'd get the job. The interview went ok but I didn't get the job. When they told me, I started crying!!

Needless to say I was too ashamed to ever apply for jobs in that area again,

Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 10:33

The questions were extremely technical. The role itself isnt too technical. The pay is £21000 which is a drop for me - but the role sounded so interesting I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

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Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 10:36

*They'll mostly remember the great bit at the end, don't worry!!

Did you answer the questions after a bit of stumbling and umming and ahhing or just freeze?*

Oooh thank you that's cheered me up so much! The end of the interview was amazing and I managed to drop in some knowledge which they loved. A bit like a mic drop 😂

I did answer my questions in the end after the umming and ahhing - eventually!

It's a male dominated role. I was interviewed by 4 men!! Which I felt was a little intimidating tbh. I'm sure the invitation said I was going to be interviewed by 2!

OP posts:
Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 10:37

@Oatsamazing oh yes, this could have been what happened! I just want to hide away and eat 5 donuts

OP posts:
Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 11:10

I just had an email to say "thank you, was great meeting you. You did really well in the interview and we'll let candidates know tomorrow morning"

I think hes just being super nice....Is it OK if I switch my phone off tomorrow? 😂

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Hopelesslydevotedtoshrews · 23/03/2023 11:22

I worked for a county council until last year, one of their constant issues was retaining staff as the reality of the job in my sector was completely different than the job ads and description made them sound! I think it's a public-sector thing. I bet you did much better than you think!

Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 11:29

@Hopelesslydevotedtoshrews oh god! Ive been told that they usually only get 1 or 2 applicants per role at the moment as the salaries are a bit shite!

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Changingplace · 23/03/2023 11:33

I hate it when they throw in questions that aren’t in the job spec etc, how bloody ridiculous! Don’t forget, you’re interviewing them as a place you’d want to work as much as vice versa - I’d feel like sending them some feedback on their silly interview technique, what’s the point of trying to throw people off!

Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 11:36

Thank you @Changingplace - it is totally ridiculous and to have 4 people interviewing is so silly (the email definitely said 2 people would be interviewing me!)

Sigh

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teaandtoastwithmarmite · 23/03/2023 11:51

It sounds like you didn't do too badly. I remember going for an interview for an admin role at Toyota when I was about 18 and I was interviewed by 4 people. I was terrified! Good luck!

AgathaQuiztee · 23/03/2023 11:51

I once went for a teaching job in new school so only one class. I didn't get the job. I was told I interviewed really well but they didn't think I'd fit into the team.
The team would have been me, a teaching assistant and the Headteacher! 🤣

underneaththeash · 23/03/2023 12:08

I did one recently that was awful too started fine and then lots of questions about academic writing (I've written a dissertation, that's all) and also large scale training (again, I've mainly done small groups and a couple of bigger presentations year ago, but nothing more recently). Turns out that there were actually 2 roles and no one had applied for the more senior one and they were looking for someone who might be able to step up!

I got the job I went for.

Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:15

@underneaththeash that's amazing! Did you take the role? Do you like it if so?

I'm a bit worried that if i get offered it - I won't get the training I need or they'll always remember me as the "idiot in the interview"

OP posts:
bellalou1234 · 23/03/2023 12:19

I had one 2 weeks ago. The interview lasted around 15 mins and there were 10 questions. I left with an induced migraine. Anyway I got it!! Sometimes when you think it's gone bad it's the other way. Good luck

Mischance · 23/03/2023 12:20

Whatever happens just clock it up to experience!

underneaththeash · 23/03/2023 12:21

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:15

@underneaththeash that's amazing! Did you take the role? Do you like it if so?

I'm a bit worried that if i get offered it - I won't get the training I need or they'll always remember me as the "idiot in the interview"

No, I only got the basic job (which was the one I wanted). The other one was sort of reviewing other people's training, which I am definitely not experienced enough in training/CPD to do.

Oysterbabe · 23/03/2023 12:21

That doesn't sound too bad!

I've had the worst interview ever. It was over 20 years ago and I still feel ill thinking about it. It was for a sales role with Red Bull. I was only 19 and a bit of a rock chick, short cherry red hair and piercings. I was interviewed by this quite young American guy. He slid his phone across the desk to me and asked me to pretend he'd never seen a phone before and to sell it to him. I did a terrible job, just couldn't really think what to say and he just looked at me like I was an idiot. It got worse from there. At one stage he started talking about how my look was just attention seeking and I nearly cried. I did cry on the train on the way home. Honestly it was beyond awful.

Anyway, good luck. Fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:34

@Oysterbabe what a bastard!! Your cherry red hair sounds cool though - I had cherry red hair and cherry red DMs to match ❤️

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Bearpawk · 23/03/2023 12:36

How many hours per week?
£21k at 37h for example isn't much over the new living wage.

mightymam · 23/03/2023 12:39

Oh god OP, this has triggered a memory from last year where I had an interview for my first job (LA too) after taking 3 years out with my DC. My mind spectacularly went blank- literally blank and I had to say "I'm so sorry but I just can't think of an answer at this moment in time". They tried their best to jog my memory by referring to my Cv and my previous role but my brain remained the stubborn bastard that it is and refused to budge! I got the job regardless and had to face the interview panel when I started the role- one is my boss and now a close friend and the other one is my supervisor who I love too! The third lady I've never met in person and must think I'm an idiot but I can now laugh at how bad that interview was! On the contrary, I thought I had another brilliant interview but didn't get the job so it's all horses for courses and all that jazz! Keep the faith!!!