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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:
frieda909 · 21/02/2018 21:27

This is bullshit. I remember when I was a teenager preparing for uni interviews I heard loads of horror stories about interviews standing on desks or barking like dogs etc. And all I could think was that they sounded like utter bellends and I could not be arsed with working for/with anyone who behaved like that.

It might have been a test, it might not, but either way fuck it. That’s not OK.

If you feel up to it, email them and say that as a prospective Client Manager you would extend a certain level of courtesy and professionalism to your clients, and that you would expected to be treated with the same respect by your potential employers. Since they demonstrated that they are willing to behave so inappropriately with an interviewee, you can only assume that they are not the right employer for you.

Wankers Angry

gingergenius · 21/02/2018 21:27

@JMAngel1 she didn't want to sit in a wet patch. Would you?

Pengggwn · 21/02/2018 21:28

JMAngel1

So you'd have sat down in the mysterious wet patch rather than politely asking for a replacement chair? Confused

JMAngel1 · 21/02/2018 21:31

Just read the end of majority of posts and realised I'm in the minority' of thinking but seriously anyone who has to add recruitment into their job hasn't got time to think about chairs - you should have just got on with it. You clearly didn't want the job.

LascellesMoustache · 21/02/2018 21:31

There is no way that was a test. Did they know quite how wet it was?
I really think you need to feed that back to the company. Its just really unprofessional and doesn't give a good impression of the company

frieda909 · 21/02/2018 21:31

JMAngel1 so what would you have done?

Sparklesocks · 21/02/2018 21:32

How awful, either

  1. they’re happy for you to sit in a soaking chair and can’t make a simple change to avoid that

  2. it was a test and they’re trying to trick you

Either way - bullet dodged, you don’t want to work for such a company!

I interview people as part of my role and am very anti-test, you should be supporting the candidate and make them feel comfortable, you want them to perform well and show what they can do. You should be able to identify if they’re qualified/suitable without resorting to tricks and games!

running3 · 21/02/2018 21:34

How bizarre! Sounds like you handled it very well. Have a nice bath and a cuppa or glass of wine, and don't give those weirdos another thought.

Lashalicious · 21/02/2018 21:36

Op, you were the only normal person in that room.

I love Peng’s idea. Please do send that.

Unbelievable the lack of class, the lack of manners and civility for them to ignore you and actually lie to you...does anybody really believe that this company had NO other chairs? If that truly was the case, the polite thing to do would be for one of the people sitting to stand up and offer you their seat. You are their guest.

Where did the PA go to after she pointed to your seat? It would have been her place to fix the situation. One of the panelists could have called her back in.

You were dealing with some weirdos there, Op.

Mistoffelees · 21/02/2018 21:36

JM were you on the panel? How completely inappropriate to expect that of anyone.

littlemisscomper · 21/02/2018 21:37

Haha, this is totally nuts! You definitely did the right think op.

gingergenius · 21/02/2018 21:37

I reckon JM is the PA!

VladmirsPoutine · 21/02/2018 21:38

The whole thing sounds horrific. Your response was excellent. I wish you well in your job search. I doubt it was a test, more of a case of entitled twats.

Knittedfairies · 21/02/2018 21:38

I wonder what the panel was thinking about the candidate who came before you, OP..

ChasedByBees · 21/02/2018 21:39

So you’d happily sit in a sodden chair would you @JMAngel1?

I’ve been on similar interview panels where we had to get through 6-7 people in a day. I would have been mortified if the chair we offered was wet and it would have been sorted straight away.

Redwineistasty · 21/02/2018 21:39

Maybe just emails them in the morning, or after a week and ask for feedback.

TuftedLadyGrotto · 21/02/2018 21:40

So JM you would have sat on a wet chair?

Rudi44 · 21/02/2018 21:40

They sound hideous. I have interviewed many times and I go out of my way to try and make people feel as though they would actually like to work for our company. If they don't go out of their way to try and put you at ease to get the best out of you and actually try and make you feel ill at ease and uncomfortable then they don't deserve you.
No matter how you feel now, this wasn't your dream job and you had a lucky escape.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 21/02/2018 21:41

It was a test. You were supposed to shrug and say OK I’m ready, and do the interview standing to demonstrate you can deal with shitty clients.

Not very pleasant.

iMatter · 21/02/2018 21:41

I think you dodged a bullet there op.

Bunch of arseholes.

FabulouslyGlamorousFerret · 21/02/2018 21:42

That's hilare 🤣🤣 ... you've signed a bullet there op! Piss ridden bastards 🤣

buckeejit · 21/02/2018 21:42

Bizarre! I would have to go back to the company & ask what it was all about & request an official explanation if the company thought their behaviour was acceptable & why

twinone · 21/02/2018 21:42

That is just bizarre and good for you for not just hushing up and sitting down, even if it is at the cost of the job.

Nonibaloni · 21/02/2018 21:43

I wish I hadn’t read this. I’m starting applications soon and in a male dominating old fashioned environment.
I would send that email, if it was a test they’re not giving you a job anyway. Possibly higher ups don’t know what’s happening. I had an interview for a weekend job at uni, the 2 person panel set it up so you say between them on a bench. Basically for their own shits and giggles as you swung back and forth. I know this because they told me at my interview.

Smellylittleorange · 21/02/2018 21:43

Yeah ...they were arseholes ...interested to know the gender balance of the panel?

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