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Post assessment centre/interview cringe

8 replies

Imnotanewbie · 14/04/2026 14:36

I attended an online assessment centre earlier for a job. There were three parts an interview, role play and a written test. I spent the last three evenings trying to prepare myself.

I got up early this morning. Thought the best place to go would be the spare room. Set out everything I needed. I logged in early and checked my IT worked okay. I told my sons that I had an interview and to keep the noise down. I left the door open a bit because my dog and cat will make a lot of noise if they want to get in.

I was just about to start the interview when my boys decided they were both going to use the shower. One was running late and needed to get in the bathroom. He started pacing about outside and knocking on the bathroom door. The interviewer made a comment about the noise. I apologised and shut the door. It helped a bit but not fully. I had no idea how loud the shower was going to be! It was so loud. I struggled to concentrate and kept getting distracted. I struggled to think of answers to the questions. Waffled on and on. I have no idea if I answered the first few questions properly.

This was the first task. I then had to do a role play scenario and a written test. I nearly ended the call after the first part, but I forced myself to continue. By the time I got to the written test my hands seized up. I struggled to co-ordinate my movements. Kept mistyping. It was like a nightmare. I don’t think I added enough detail. I am cringing thinking of them scoring my work.

I want to cry right now. I’m so exhausted. I’ve never felt so burnt out. I spent so much time preparing for this. I took today off as annual leave. I’ve not done anything else to make the most of the day because I’m so wiped out.

OP posts:
Callmeback · 14/04/2026 16:47

Sorry but it's an interview. You need to be somewhere quiet so you can concentrate. I would definitely not be impressed If I had a candidate who hadn't organised that and I'd worry they'd be distracted on future work calls. If your sons are old enough to be independent then they're old enough to be bloody quiet during someone's interview. Dog goes to doggy day care and cat gets shut in another room.

It's no wonder your brain froze after that kind of start.

Imnotanewbie · 14/04/2026 17:26

I totally agree. I wouldn’t be impressed either. They are old enough to know better, but it’s too late now. There was nowhere else for me to set up due to house renovations. I wouldn’t be working from home if I was successful. I turned down a job a few weeks ago because the majority of the time I would be working from home, and I didn’t want to risk the animals making noise when I was on the phone.

OP posts:
Callmeback · 14/04/2026 17:57

I hope you gave them a good telling off.

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Imnotanewbie · 14/04/2026 18:06

I have spoken to them about it. Told them it really distracted me to the point I couldn’t concentrate. They are sorry about it, but it doesn’t change anything now. They are 17 and 20 so not small children. I told them last night and this morning. Left a sign on the floor to be quiet. I just need to forget about it now, but I do feel upset after all the preparation.

OP posts:
LightYearsAgo · 14/04/2026 18:11

I thought you were going to say they were primary school aged, I hope you made it really really clear that their selfish behavior has probably lost you the job

Callmeback · 14/04/2026 18:18

Imnotanewbie · 14/04/2026 18:06

I have spoken to them about it. Told them it really distracted me to the point I couldn’t concentrate. They are sorry about it, but it doesn’t change anything now. They are 17 and 20 so not small children. I told them last night and this morning. Left a sign on the floor to be quiet. I just need to forget about it now, but I do feel upset after all the preparation.

17 and 20. I'd be absolutely fuming.

Happytaytos · 14/04/2026 18:21

They'd be getting no money off me for a while because "I didn't get the job because of your noise".

Imnotanewbie · 14/04/2026 18:32

Callmeback · 14/04/2026 18:18

17 and 20. I'd be absolutely fuming.

Normally I would be seething with rage. At the moment I just feel really sad, but I’m too tired to cry.

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