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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to hate group interviews

28 replies

desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 12:17

I have been invited to a 2nd interview for a job that I would love to do. However, the 2nd round comprises of a group interview.

There will be something to build, role play and a speed dating type thing.

I will go and try my best, however, I am a bit of an introvert and know that others will stand out over me.

Arggggh why can't it just be a normal interview.

OP posts:
VelvetRose · 23/04/2015 12:20

Honestly?! That sounds hideous! I don't blame you!

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 23/04/2015 12:20

It will be fine. Just make sure you participate and invite others to join in too. Nobody likes the boorish dominator and every group process I have been involved in has always screened those out or penalised them heavily.

So don't worry, us introverts can do very well :)

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 12:25

Velvet it does sound horrendous doesn't it?. I have never had to do one before in all the jobs I've had. Hope I don't make myself look a right numpty.

Moving thank you for your positivity it is much needed.

OP posts:
blueshoes · 23/04/2015 12:46

What sector is this? Sounds nasty and unnecessary.

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 12:53

Just minimum wage retail work blueshoes.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 23/04/2015 13:05

It's understandably worrying for an introvert but as said above you get credit for thoughtful reflection and involving get others.
You can't say it's "unnecessary" without knowing the context.

Itscurtainsforyou · 23/04/2015 13:08

These kind of things look for people who listen (& don't dominate), encourage others to join in and can work with others.

If you can try to demonstrate each of those, you'll be fine Smile

Uhplistrailer · 23/04/2015 13:14

I HATE group interviews. They're just awful.

However, I think retail jobs do them because they want a certain type of person (confident, commanding etc) that will excel in a group situation.

Hope it goes well!

ilovesooty · 23/04/2015 13:16

Oh and I appreciate that the OP didn't say it was unnecessary - that came from someone else.

PannaDoll · 23/04/2015 13:18

Friggin hell, minimum wage retail? Is it a very now company or what? That sounds like my idea of utter hideous hell. I would not be the right candidate for this job lol. Good luck. I guess they are looking for 'team players' or 'outgoing personalities'. Yuck.

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 13:26

It is a large company with a lot of stores. I am confident but I am not commanding. I am quietly efficient at work and have worked in a similar role for years before I was made redundant.

OP posts:
LastUnicorn · 23/04/2015 13:33

I did something similar for River Island when I was a student, I was worried but the interview was actually fine. Just be sure to research the company and products, touch the products, tell other people in the group about them ("oh I love this top! It's a dupe for the one Rhianna wore to the MTV awards!")
It's pretty fake and very american but you might even make a friend

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/04/2015 13:43

I hate these sort of things too - introvert with Asperger's! However I've passed a fair few in spite of that. Few things I have found work quite well:

-Try to identify people in the group who are getting pushed out/not involved and bring them in. Just a simple "what do you thing X?" can help a lot. Sometimes it's easier to do this than to push your own view forward, but shows you're inclusive and a team player.
-For the "something to build" bit, don't worry if you have no fabulously creative idea. Or ideas at all Grin. Think in advance about good questions and ways to show your organisational skills instead. So "that sounds like a great idea, how are we going to do it? Should we split the work up? Split into groups? How long do we need?" etc etc. Not so much being the leader as the practical organiser.
-on that note - be the person who is clearly keeping an eye on the time and telling others. Practical, organised etc...
-Don't get drawn in to arguments/debates if you can help it. Even if you are dealing with someone who is a total eejit. If they come up with a stupid suggestion and are pushing it try to ask questions which will highlight the flaws in their idea, rather than just saying "I don't think that's going to work you blooming muppet"
-enthusiasm. Fake it!

The role play is bound to be either angry customer/difficult customer type scenario so just think in advance of a few useful phrases that you can use. Diffusing phrases!

Speed-dating - BLEURGH! If possible do some prep in advance - you don't know the specific scenarios or what they will ask but think about what your "interesting fact", "joke", "funny story" or whatever could be. Trying to think of the sort of crap I've seen/been asked..."If you were an animal what would it be" (awful), two truths and a liedoes it count if you make em all up?!, that sort of nonsense.

knittingirl · 23/04/2015 13:46

I am not very outgoing but have successfully got through a couple of group interviews in the past. I agree with others that say they are not looking for someone who dominates the group/overrides people/leads without listening. They are looking for someone who contributes to the task, listens to those around them and takes their points on board, maybe does a bit of organising when necessary (eg making everyone aware how much time there is left to complete a task, pulling points together etc).

Try not to think about what others are doing and how they are coming across, just ignore the assessors, and do your own thing, but don't be afraid to speak up when you have something to contribute.

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 13:58

Thanks everybody for all your hints and tips I am very grateful.

I am bricking it.

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 23/04/2015 18:37

Where I work does these sort of interviews (retail sector, too). DD failed one interview as there were many participants in that interview. In the second, there were fewer and she managed to stand out. You must make sure you answer all the questions so that the people taking the notes hear your replies ime. HTH and that you get the job.

timelyreminder · 23/04/2015 19:01

You never know, the others might be introverts too! Seriously though, I'm sure they will be looking at many qualities, not just who is the loudest or bossiest. After all, in retail you'll need to get along with customers, not annoy them.

ahbollocks · 23/04/2015 19:07

Desperate who is it for? I might be able to help :) if it is john lewis

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 19:15

no not johnlewis ah.

It is going to be three hours long.

Might take a picnic.

Drama was my worst subject at school. I hated it, I am no good at speaking in front of people.

OP posts:
WizardofSnoz · 23/04/2015 19:19

I don't like group interviews either. But they do assess important skills in retail. Being able to interact in a friendly way with a stranger you've just met is probably THE most important skill TBH.

Rather than feeling self-conscious about it ask yourself how you would deal with that if you were working in retail?

The reality is that when you're working in retail you smile, make a bit of small talk, say goodbye, think very little of it. Treat the interview in the same way. Interact with the people there as if they were your potential customers. Smile, appear confident, helpful in tasks, make some sort of conversation,join in. If you're going to be quiet and hang back being a bit unfriendly they're going to make the assumption that you might be the same with customers and it would appear surly.

Don't worry about what the other people there are thinking about you because you'll probably never meet them again anyway (much like a customer). You might not feel it but try and appear confident.

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 19:20

Will they not think "Why is this introverted person going for this customer facing roll?"

OP posts:
Sazzle41 · 23/04/2015 19:20

Being honest I wouldnt want to work for an employer that sees that as a great way to select people. Its lazy. Someone has 'amended' a training exercise thinking it will be less hassle than thinking up genuine role related questions. It panders to the only assertive extroverts get things done etc as they generally stand out in such exercises. There are plenty of employers that dont resort to that. Meh.

EponasWildDaughter · 23/04/2015 19:29

My eldest DD got to the 2nd stage interview for JL ... and was asked to go in for a 6 hour group of 8 interview.

It was only for a little part sales ass. job.

They did all sorts - but one thing was build a lego house.

She failed to get the job but was taken aside at the end and told that she did exceptionally well in the group interview. The person in the group who did get the job got it because of the amount of previous retail experience they had, she was told.

She was a bit Confused

DocHollywood · 23/04/2015 19:31

I had a group interview for a TA job in a small school about 12 years ago. I already worked there as a 1 to 1 and knew all four of the interviewers. The fuckers treated me like they'd never met me before and I didn't know what to do or say, I was completely wrong-footed and didn't know whether I was supposed to know them or not. We had to do the role play, speed dating type thing. I felt completely humiliated and have never forgotten it. I didn't get the job and handed my notice in the same day. I asked the HT for feedback and he said I wasn't dressed smartly enough. Shock They obviously hated me!

Original poster
desperatedino66 · 23/04/2015 19:31

Sazzle I share your opinion of them. I have been lucky so far to never have one. The woman at HR said twice how much the directors were impressed with me after the first interviews. Give me the bloody job then!

Maybe I could fake illness lol and escape the group interview. Sigh.

OP posts: