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AIBU?

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Original poster

This was a test wasn't it?

542 replies

LadyIrisBarclay · 21/02/2018 20:55

And I obviously failed?

Had an interview for a job today. Really, really wanted it as it's my dream role and I so desperately need to get away from current organisation and arse of a boss

It was interview panel of 3 which I had kind of expected but I know my nerves got the better of me.

Anyway, I walked into the boardroom and the 3 interviewers were sat on opposite side of boardroom table. It was quite formal and I was trying not to hyperventilate Grin

On my side of the table there was just one chair plus a notepad and pencil and carafe and glass of water. So this was obviously where I was supposed to sit.

I walked in and we all shook hands and then the lady (possibly a PA?) invited me to take a seat - but here's where it all went tit's up!

My chair had a very large and noticeable wet patch on it. I have no idea what it was, possibly water or a spilt cup of tea? I touched it with my fingers and it was very damp.

So I pointed it out to the panel in a casual way, didn't want to make a fuss but just said 'oh dear, something has been spilt on this chair and it's still very damp'. I was assuming someone would offer to go and get another for me as there were no other chairs in the room other than the three they were sitting on.

But no-one offered so I asked whether a replacement could be found. I was told that none were available and the Manager then just asked whether I was ready to get started with the interview??????

I said that yes I was but I couldn't sit in the chair provided, I was really trying to keep it light and breezy, the manager just said that no other chairs were available. This is the UK HQ of a large global organisation in a state of the art building covering 5 floors. Of course there were other fucking chairs available??

I could feel tears building up at this point as there was no way I was going to humiliate myself by having a wet patch on my skirt after the interview.

So I walked out Sad - I can't remember now what I said but managed to keep it fairly polite still.

What the actual fuck was I supposed to do? Was this a test?

I have read about organisations such as Apple and Google asking really wanky questions at interviews that I just think is a pile of shite. This was a large organisation in the Financial Services sector though.

It did occur to me afterwards that maybe it was a test and I was supposed to show my initiative by using the notepad they'd provided to cover up the wet patch?

I can't be doing with such arsery though - so very fucking upset this evening Sad

OP posts:
fearfultrill · 22/02/2018 14:49

@rumbelina I once got asked the drink question in an interview and totally screwed it up as I wasn't expecting such a question at all - it my first interview out of uni - I responded that I was a mojito because I had good oral hygiene Blush

Don't think it's the sort of answer they were looking for!!

Originalfoogirl · 22/02/2018 14:52

What part of this doesn't answer it?

Ahh yes, the drip fed excuse.

I didn't realise anyone seriously thought that was the reason you actually assumed the other female in the room was a PA. Nice try though, seems to have worked with most.

gingergenius · 22/02/2018 14:53

Once got asked "if we were out and I iadked you what you wanted to drink, what would you say?"

My answer was "it depends who's buying"

I got the job,

It was in the marvellously misogynistic nineties when it was still ok to ask if I was planning to have kids, so not a great benchmark tbh!!!

gingergenius · 22/02/2018 14:58

@Originalfoogirl so what's your actual point?

frieda909 · 22/02/2018 14:58

OriginalfooGirl

So... you did read that part?

elisenbrunnen · 22/02/2018 15:00

Basic education, basic comprehension and basic grammar - all essential if I am interviewing

CherryMaDeary · 22/02/2018 15:03

originalfoogirl why does OP have to justify every thought process and pre-empt every possible drip feed accusation? 'Possibly a PA?' was maybe just her way of saying she wasn't sure whether the woman was a PA or not based on what she may have heard.

kinkajoukid · 22/02/2018 15:42

Glad you are feeling better about it today OP. What utter wankers they were.

It would be a stupid test, but one that probably has been done a few times by idiots.

I am not at all sure that anyone who is desperate enough to interview standing up or sitting on the floor would actually be a good candidate anyway. I would interpret those reactions as being prone to intimidation, and/or having little self respect or standards, rather than determined. Might work for some roles but none that require critical thinking and integrity.

I would also complain to higher ups (though not with Pengwnn's email) and damn the consequences. If that got me blacklisted then that would also be dodging a bullet!

MissionItsPossible · 22/02/2018 15:43

@fearfultrill

I too got asked this question and I am to this day still proud of my answer even though I didn't get the job:

"A hot cup of tea with two sugars, because I'm nice, I'm hot, I'm sweet and I'm brown" Grin

FellOutOfBed2wice · 22/02/2018 15:51

This is very weird OP. I’ve also been asked the drinks question.

Riverside2 · 22/02/2018 16:08

@64BooLane

"I mean, I’m broke most of the time, but the freedom from institutional bullshit is pretty great ..."

Yes. Leaving aside this story, I have worked for some lovely people, but there's such a culture of institutional bullshit generally - and I think it's getting worse.

fearfultrill · 22/02/2018 16:13

@MissionItsPossible I would hire you based on that answer! I envy your quick wit Grin

Motoko · 22/02/2018 16:47

Originalfoogirl Aren't you charming? The contempt positively drips off you. So, you think OP's lying. Why not just say that?

FairiesVsPixies · 22/02/2018 17:23

Originalfoogirl are you the PA from the OP's interview? Grin

GreenSeededGrape · 22/02/2018 17:30

I hate the accusation of 'drip feeding' when every single little bit of past/present/future has not been included in the very first OP Hmm

Out of all the posts you gripe is the part about the PA Original really?

pollymere · 22/02/2018 17:36

I'd contact HR and explain what happened and that you were quite surprised they didn't offer to get some paper towels or something as you'd pointed out that you couldn't sit on the chair as it had an unknown wet patch on it.

Biblio78 · 22/02/2018 17:37

Think what it would be like to have that as your senior management.
Then think again about whether it was your dream job. You stood up for yourself and quite right too.

frieda909 · 22/02/2018 17:43

I hate the accusation of 'drip feeding' when every single little bit of past/present/future has not been included in the very first OP

Yes, this. Not mentioning that you wear a hearing aid, when it has sod all to do with the OP, is not drip feeding.

A drip feed would be if the OP came back half way through the thread and revealed, say, that she once had an affair with the PA’s husband and said PA has had a grudge against her ever since.

MaggieFS · 22/02/2018 17:49

There's just no need for games and tests in interviews. OP I think you should get in touch to understand they waste everyone's time in such a disrespectful way. If they confirm it's a test, you're better off elsewhere.

Turquoise123 · 22/02/2018 17:52

I suspect they expected you to stand

user1483875094 · 22/02/2018 17:56

Many moons ago, I applied for a job I wanted with all my heart, and knew I could do well. I was to be interviewed by the uk manager of a Canadian company, alone. When I went into his office for the interview, he did not get up, nor shake my hand, nor welcome me. He picked up an old fashioned (quite large) eraser from his desk and threw it at me! From where it came (in my head) I will never know, but I quickly retrieved the rubber from the floor behind me, and quipped "Oh come ON, I haven't said a word yet, I can't have irritated you that much yet?"! He cracked up laughing, I got the job and had many happy years in that job! To this day, I will never know where it came from, as I am genuinely quite shy, and not at all "quick" with quips! and if you are out there boss, you know who you are are, and hope all well!!!

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 22/02/2018 18:00

foo rhymes with glue

Trilllllian · 22/02/2018 18:02

dying to hear their feedback. OP please make sure you tell'em

urkidding · 22/02/2018 18:04

Name the company, let everyone know who they are and name the people interviewing you, this is bullying behaviour!

SandAndSea · 22/02/2018 18:21

OP, you did the right thing.

I've been wondering what would have been the best (to them) way of dealing with this test - maybe humour? Who knows?

I honestly don't know what's weirder, this test or the PPs accusing you of being high maintenance and saying they can't see the problem!

(I'm an experienced interviewer.)

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