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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:
ClementineWardrobe · 21/02/2018 21:43

I was a PA in the Civil Service, to Senior bods. It was absolutely my job to make sure the candidateswere completely comfortable; e.g. Arrival time should include comfort break time (so no one weed on the bloody seat, that's ridiculous) you should make sure the conditions are such that every candidate has a chance to shine. Anything less is bloody rude.

If this was a test, you passed in my book. I guess you were meant to take some of the notepaper and sit on it. I'd have have told them to take their bloody job and sit on it.

PerfectlyDone · 21/02/2018 21:43

I once sat on a fabric covered, upholstered chair.
In a nursing home.
My bottom came up wet....
Thank goodness I was able to go home and get bleached changed.
NOT a good experience.

So, OP, I think you were absolutely right to turn on your heel an leave.
Ask for feedback.
Depending on what you get back, feed fucking back to them!
Whether this was a test or not, this was not an acceptable thing to do to an interviewee.
Wine

BlondeB83 · 21/02/2018 21:44

You never know, you may have passed the test! May have been making sure you weren’t a pushover.

BlondeB83 · 21/02/2018 21:44

Shit tactics though!

Nonibaloni · 21/02/2018 21:44

Forgot my own point! They inadvertently interviewed the MD’s son this way and it was shut down. But they got their japes in the meantime.

calzone · 21/02/2018 21:44

What hideous people.

Well done for walking out.

TeeBee · 21/02/2018 21:45

If that was a test...you passed with flying colours. Who would want to employ someone who wouldn't be prepared to stick up for themselves. You did nothing wrong!

MrsJBaptiste · 21/02/2018 21:45

To be honest, I agree with JM and really can't see the issue.

Surely if it was your dream job, you'd have have just sat down and started the interview? A damp patch never killed anyone and for me, I'd have wanted all my prep for the interview to have been worthwhile. I actually can't believe you walked out OP Shock

Riverside2 · 21/02/2018 21:46

"but seriously anyone who has to add recruitment into their job hasn't got time to think about chairs"

No, Ive managed to treat interviewees with respect and I'm sure many other MNers have been in the same situation. How long would it take to get another chair? Ridiculous remark.

Some people get a kick out of the workplace being shit.

OP another possibility is that they knew who they were hiring so just didn't care. There's often a preset candidate. I've actually been that person, though I didn't know it till long after I was hired.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 21/02/2018 21:46

RE JM. As they say. There's always one, isn't there.
If she didn't want the job she wouldn't have gone to the interview.

They sound like a right gaggle of Twats.God help the poor soul who does get the job.

Original poster
LadyIrisBarclay · 21/02/2018 21:46

WiseUpJanetWeiss - that's the part I am now regretting. In hindsight I think I should have carried on with the interview but remained standing. Still not sure I'd feel comfortable working for them after that but I could have at least bought myself some more time to make a decision.

I can't remember what I said, something along lines of this obviously not being a convenient time for them or something. I'm really hoping that what I actually said was far more witty and cutting but I don't think it was sadly!

OP posts:
TathitiPete · 21/02/2018 21:47

Perhaps it was test, to see how you would overcome the obstacle of not being able to sit in the chair. You could have 1) tried to locate a new chair yourself 2) brandished a spare towel from your briefcase 3) refused to sit and insist on standing for the interview 4) declared "cool, you do it Japan style!"and sat on the floor among other options I'm sure. Whatever you decided to do then they would have inferred something or other about you. Whatever that might be, who knows?

They sound like wankers anyway. "Oh we're too important for normal interviewing. We're a big shot whacky company who think outside the box." You don't want to work for a company that enjoys making employees /potential employees uncomfortable for no reason.

BewareOfDragons · 21/02/2018 21:47

I would send the email.

They're twats. You don't care what they think of you, and nor should you.

And if the higher ups don't know what kind of rude games are being played in their organisation, they bloody well should be made aware of it. It makes you wonder how many good candidates they've driven off intentionally to get a 'friend' or 'internal' candidate the job by saying, 'ooh, they walked out of the interview, clearly weren't interested.'

gingergenius · 21/02/2018 21:49

@MrsJBaptiste Confused of course you think that. Are you also JM???

Scarydinosaurs · 21/02/2018 21:49

The only thing I can think of is that they wanted you to stand. Really odd. Be glad you don’t work for them.

Gemini69 · 21/02/2018 21:51

I agree with EVERYONE... what a bunch of vile arrogant twats....

credit to you for walking away from such people..... Flowers

Pengggwn · 21/02/2018 21:51

The problem with designing a zany, out-of-the-box interview is that you then have to design a whole other interview process to weed out all the cranks you chose in round 1. Seriously, who expects people to sit down in a wet patch, or sit on the floor? If the most important of your criteria is 'comes up with creative solutions', fine, provided you don't mind if they lack a basic sense of self-worth, standards and the confidence to say, actually, I'd like to sit on a chair, not the floor.

Riverside2 · 21/02/2018 21:51

OP I think carrying on the interview standing up would be like saying "sure, I'll be your doormat".

Agree with pp, you might get a call and be told that you passed the test.

aRespectableBureaudeChange · 21/02/2018 21:52

How rude and unwelcoming. Even the most serious formal interview does the pleasantries at the beginning.

Original poster
LadyIrisBarclay · 21/02/2018 21:54

Riverside2

Agree with pp, you might get a call and be told that you passed the test

They can shove it up their arse if they do Grin

OP posts:
iMatter · 21/02/2018 21:55

Why would you stay for an interview where you had to stand and feel uncomfortable while they sat there practically rubbing their thighs in delight at your discomfort?

Honestly OP you did the right thing.

As I said upthread - bullet dodged, bunch of arseholes

MammaTJ · 21/02/2018 21:56

Well, I think it was an excellent test! A test for you to know whether they are decent people to work for, at least, and they failed!!

They failed, not you!

Think of it as a lucky escape!

MrsJBaptiste · 21/02/2018 21:56

Not last time I looked! I just can't get worked up into a frenzy about things on here that seem to annoy people beyond believe. The OP now has no job interview so is back to square one. Was it really worth it?

CharisMater · 21/02/2018 21:56

They sound too complicated.

If a man gaslighted you openly on the first date you wouldn't want a second date. You were interviewing them and they didn't get through to the next round.

NoqontroI · 21/02/2018 21:57

They sound like arseholes. I'd call them out on it. If I was interviewing and couldn't find another chair I'd hand over my own. You did the right thing walking out.