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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:
Anymajordude · 22/02/2018 22:27

A tenner says this thread will be on the Wright Stuff or Jeremy Vine. It's perfect fodder for them.

S0ph1a · 22/02/2018 22:46

BTW the applicant I referred to in my earlier post was indeed a white man. Although mediocrity was something he might aspire to one day.

MipMipMip · 22/02/2018 22:46

Scotland stacking chairs then sitting on them would be an automatic fail at all the companies I've worked at - for sheer stupidity! They are very unstable like that so any candidate who did that would show a clear disregard for basic health and safety. What other things would they ignore?

thebewilderness · 22/02/2018 22:48

Body fluids on the chair? Criminy!
It would be hard work for them to be any less professional.

RavenLG · 22/02/2018 22:52

Mip exactly what I was thinking. Health and Saftey nightmare. Plus at 5foot nowt I’d not be fucked climbing up them I’d sit on the floor!

MimsyBorogroves · 22/02/2018 22:59

How bizarre. Makes competency based interviewing seem normal...and I've been to some odd ones of those.

Riverside2 · 22/02/2018 23:20

Hi OP
You have a lot of patience and self control by thinking it over.

I'd not phrase it as a complaint, just as an observation, but I'd have sent it within a couple of hours Grin

Thanks for the update and I hope you find a better job soon Flowers

3EyedRaven · 22/02/2018 23:33

The stacking chairs thing sounds absolutely mental tbh.... Confused

Mummyontherun86 · 22/02/2018 23:40

Either it was a test..and they’re bastards, or it wasn’t a test..and they’re bastards. Either way, sounds like it’s really for the best that you didn’t jump from the frying pan into the fire. It’s really not too much to ask that in an interview you can sit down without getting wet and have an adult conversation about the role.

Tapandgo · 22/02/2018 23:49

Scotland
How does the stacking chairs comply with disability legislation?

Plus ~ re the wet chair ‘test’ . Would love to know what alternative humiliation would be given to a wheelchair user to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. Surely the very least we can expect is an equal chance to be humiliated at an interview.

LannieDuck · 23/02/2018 07:55

I hope they do reply to your email. Very interested in their explanation.

cremedelashite · 23/02/2018 08:03

Yanbu. Can you imagine any of that panel being helpful, inspiring leaders or even just decent. Really poor social skills on that panel. I doubt it was a test

FairNotFair · 23/02/2018 08:30

Many years ago, when I was relatively senior within a large global investment firm, a group of us attended an "interviewing skills" workshop. During a discussion session, we were asked to come up with suggestions for "good" interview questions. It was interesting to see the number of frankly crappy and unprofessional suggestions that served no purpose other than to boost the ego of the interviewer.

Kaybush · 23/02/2018 09:01

OP, I really wouldn't send the email.

While they don't sound nice and you're probably better off working somewhere else in the long run, I'm pretty sure this was a rather nasty test of initiative they've probably learnt from a management consultant who's read too many US -based management books!

The correct response in their eyes would probably have been to have breezily asked (while cringing inside) where the nearest toilet was so you could get some paper to mop it up. At which point an, of course female, interviewer would have jumped up and offered to fetch it, and you would have passed the first rung.

They're not worth an email to HR though.

Apologies if similar had been said upthread but I haven't read the whole thread, as rushing out of door!

treacletoffee23 · 23/02/2018 09:12

Any update?
Bizarre behaviour on their behalf.

theressomethingaboutmarie · 23/02/2018 09:43

I haven't logged into MN for ages (have just read posts) but this one prompted me to dig out my password. I have worked in recruitment for over 20 years and if any company I worked for treated candidates like this, I would be inclined to leave myself but not before unleashing hell on them.

In the company I now work for (high-end financial software consultancy), which is run by integrity-driven and respectful people, we would NEVER treat any candidate this way. We do not do psychological 'tests' such as these to whittle out candidates. I think that the only thing that these 'tests' do is to show what a truly terrible culture the company has. I train EVERYONE in my company to conduct interviews in a decent and respectful way because we are 100% focused on a positive candidate experience and are fully aware that candidates will have options to work for other companies.

OP, you did absolutely the right thing by walking out. If this is their behaviour in the interview process, when they are supposed to be at their very best and showcasing the organisation as an employer of choice, imagine how truly awful they would be on a day-to-day basis.

theressomethingaboutmarie · 23/02/2018 09:44

and OP, don't hesitate to add your review to Glassdoor. If their HR department is worth their salt, it will give them the willies and hopefully prompt change.

JingsMahBucket · 23/02/2018 10:24

I've read through this and I'm still wondering why you didn't put the notepad down on the seat, @LadyIrisBarclay? Were you afraid it would soak through?

MichaelBendfaster · 23/02/2018 10:34

They're not worth an email to HR though.

Oh, they totally are. It's always worth calling out bad behaviour. They might not listen or care, but IME I always feel better than if I just stewed on it.

I'm still wondering why you didn't put the notepad down on the seat? Were you afraid it would soak through?
Well, probably, yes. Also, why SHOULD anyone do this? And what could it possibly show a company about the calibre of a candidate that a polite 'I'll need a replacement chair so we can get on with the interview' couldn't?

Motoko · 23/02/2018 10:43

Maybe the notepad wasn't big enough to cover the wet patch. OP said the wet patch covered a lot of the seat, and if the notepad was A5 size, it wouldn't cover much.
Also, if it was spiral bound, it would be rather uncomfortable to sit on.

BevBrook · 23/02/2018 10:55

I thought this Peter Serafenowitz sketch might amuse you OP. "This is the real test!"

BevBrook · 23/02/2018 10:56

I meant to spell check that! Peter Serafinowicz

KatherinaMinola · 23/02/2018 12:17

Thanks for posting that Bev. I literally spat my sandwich over my keyboard Grin

strawberrisc · 23/02/2018 12:19

Don’t let this put you off other interviews!

Jux · 23/02/2018 12:24

Polarbearflavour, literally jump through hoops? People actually have to jump through a hoop at an interview? Grin

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