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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thecrabbypatty · 24/02/2018 15:33

Well done for showing them your (dry) arse and leaving! I would have said if it's not a big deal who here would like to swap chairs! Gits. Bullet dodged.

frasier · 24/02/2018 15:59

You know I don't think Alan Sugar would do anything so wanky. More Alan Partridge!

OutwiththeOutCrowd · 24/02/2018 16:32

‘What, no other chairs available? Don’t worry, I’ll just stand here and look down on all three of you.’ (unflappable punster)

‘Ok, so we’re one non-soggy chair short? Well, I’m up for a game of musical chairs if you are!’ (competitive lateral thinker)

frasier · 24/02/2018 16:40

Doing what the OP did

(Normal person who isn't impressed by wanky immature games)

FixItUpChappie · 24/02/2018 16:47

you sound very reasonable OP - you won in the self respect department Brew

Braeburns · 25/02/2018 08:22

I work in HR and I'd be amazed if that's a genuine test (as a pp noted stress interviews and similar have been discredited). If not a test then they are incompetent (why couldn't they get another chair) or just mean (to expect you still to sit in a wet seat).

I think you did the right thing leaving and I also agree you should give their HR department feedback.

However whatever the reason it was a lucky escape!

topcat2014 · 25/02/2018 08:29

by all accounts Alan Sugar is ok to work for in real life, and keeps staff for years.

I expect if he was a shite real life employer we would have heard someone spill the story by now.

Meanwhile, the oh so clever employer here will probably end up with unsuitable staff - deservedly so!

BrownTurkey · 25/02/2018 08:30

Send to management as well as HR, and maybe another level, so that it can’t be conveniently lost.

Dominithecat · 25/02/2018 08:52

Not so many years ago I had a job in the NHS (spine) my direct supervisor had to interview candidates for various roles. She would take her bff in to any interview. Before hand they would confer about which wanky thing they could getaway with saying,

So if you were ever interviewed and heard mashed potato, colander, Yorkshire pudding, double glazing, big screen tv, and the like You were probably interviewed by this pair.

They thought it was hilarious. I thought it was crass. That part of the spine didn't keep staff for long.
So OP you did the right thing, I hope if it was ever me in that situation I would do the same.

MissionItsPossible · 28/02/2018 16:42

OP, did you get a response to your email?

BlueLego · 28/02/2018 18:40

hygge I hope you took his chair as a replacement?!

Rachie1986 · 28/02/2018 18:47

OP, did anything happen?

crackerjacket · 28/02/2018 18:48

Yeah OP, any news?

Jamiefraserskilt · 28/02/2018 19:47

These days it is just as much about attracting the right candidate as them coming over well. To my mind, they missed out on an ideal candidate because of Their unprofessional behaviour. Their loss.

Steakandchips3 · 02/03/2018 12:42

OP any news? I'm so intrigued!

greenmagpie · 09/03/2018 16:38

@LadyIrisBarclay any response?

tectonicplates · 09/03/2018 22:53

OP did the company ever get back to you in the end?

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