They have an internal candidate, right?

[Deeflated]

I'm quite good at data analysis & competent at many types of stats, but not amazing at stats, I have to work at it. I applied for a job where i could write really good paragraphs about why I met each essential/desirable criteria.

Invited to interview... so far so good.
But the interview is asking me to about skills that weren't in the job description. They want a presentation about analysing a seemingly different set of data,.. or maybe not. The best ways I can think of to analyse these data (as described) are NOT using the methods listed in the job advert. Big red flag. Also not skills I have.

I can't decide if I'm Friday-Tired so over-interpreting what's being asked for, or if they moved the goal posts to make it too hard for me to do a presentation as good as someone who already is working with the data, and thought hard about the methods the data need and already learned those analytical methods.

I've been the internal candidate before, so I know what it's like to write my own job advert & listen to my bosses say how the interview should be structured to suit me. That's why I think I think I can smell the situation correctly.

Not sure if I should still try to prep for interview, brush up on unexpected & non-existent skillsets, or just give up now.

Answers on a postcard?

Your instinct might be right, very specific (and not the obvious) skill set, what about a short deadline, our internal very junior posts are usually for a couple of weeks.

I would be tempted to swerve this because it's not really in your skill set (what's currently demanded) and it's not your strength overall anyway, so getting the job doesn't seem like fun! Depends what else is out there though, easy for me to say.

Thanks for reply. I guess I'll rethink on Monday. I'm half-minded to attend for the interview experience, if I can be cheerful about that. Any tips for being cheerful at job interviews you think you have no chance at would be good! I suppose "Think like a bloke" should frame my attitude.

It's a bit like they advertised for a parasitologist and have now asked me to do a virology presentation, though...

In most ways I am still very qualified & I can find genuine interest in the dataset & research objectives. Just that the stats methods they said they wanted in the advert is not what it seems like they will want to talk about at interview (or what I have actual experience doing).

Yes probably very short advertisement period for fixed term PT but could also be a grant running out to explain that.

It stinks a bit but I would suggest going for it if it isn't going to take up too much time/energy. By all means tell them (politely and cheerfully) the methods they propose are all wrong, and explain why. Ok they may well have an internal candidate. But maybe in six months they'll be looking for someone else, or they're impressed enough to start thinking about named PDs on grants, or co-sponsored postdocs etc. It's a chance to show.off your skillsets to people you haven't met before and that might pay off!

Ha ha Gary. Good one! Now get back under rock.