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Original poster

To be upset after screwing up dream job interview?

33 replies

Dooglebuggler · 11/09/2018 17:29

I want to cry. DH doesn’t get why at all. So this afternoon I had a job interview and it was all going really well. It was for the perfect company in the perfect position. Then suddenly they said they needed me to take a 30 minuite test on Excel. I haven’t used Excel since secondary school. The job description didn’t mention it at all. I spent 20 minuites using the help bar looking up Pivot tables and the like and managed to get a third of the questions done before time was up. I fucked this up didn’t I? I just want to cry.

OP posts:
FantasticoGabba · 11/09/2018 17:30

Ah fuck
Nothing worse than being put on the spot like that.

If it wasn’t mentioned in the job description it may not be a pre requisite?

Original poster
Dooglebuggler · 11/09/2018 17:36

The recruitment guy I had to phone afterwards said he had no idea that Excel features in the job at all or that they would be doing any kind of test. I just feel really stupid and made myself look really stupid. Sad

OP posts:
daffodillament · 11/09/2018 17:47

I would think about emailing them, thanking them for taking the time to see you and somehow make a little joke about how you hope it doesn't come down to how you find your way around Excel.. esp as you weren't expecting it ! Good luck !

mumonashoestring · 11/09/2018 17:50

If that's the kind of thing they do to interview candidates I'd question whether they're all that perfect to be honest, sounds to me like they hadn't thought the interviews through or planned them particularly well. It's basic good practice to let candidates know if you're going to ask them to do a test, give a presentation, answer questions via the medium of interpretive dance...

CottonSock · 11/09/2018 17:53

I was once put on the spot in a similar way (identify these dead things!). I didn't have a clue and kind of laughed it off. They offered me the job anyway as I did well elsewhere. You might still have a chance

BessMarvin · 11/09/2018 17:54

It's possible that they just want to gauge how much you do know, that it's not something where you have to get it all right in order to get the job, and that if they liked your other skills and thought you were a good fit for the team are happy to send you on an excel training course.

Or it's essential and somehow this was not communicated to you.

gottastopeatingchocolate · 11/09/2018 17:54

IF you email, I wouldn't make a joke of it, TBH. I would state that you are aware that you aren't up to speed on Excel, and that it had not been made clear to you that Excel would be a part of the job or the interview, and that if you are successful and if needed, you would, of course, update your skills in this area.

Was the recruitment guy from the company or an agency?

Mosaic123 · 11/09/2018 17:55

You could say to the recruitment guy that you'd be willing to take an Excel refresher course if they are worried about your skills.

Original poster
Dooglebuggler · 11/09/2018 17:55

Recruitment guy was from the agency.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dooglebuggler · 11/09/2018 17:56

They said I would have feedback tomorrow don’t know if it’s worth holding on to some hope until then. DH has ordered me a takeaway to cheer me up.

OP posts:
Basta · 11/09/2018 17:58

I was once put on the spot in a similar way (identify these dead things!).

That's a bit random! Was it a job in a kitchen? A laboratory? A mortuary?

delphguelph · 11/09/2018 17:58

Did you mention excel on your cv?

Seems odd they just decided to test you

MissLingoss · 11/09/2018 18:02

IF you email, I wouldn't make a joke of it,

I agree. If you mention it all, be brief, factual and professional.

Original poster
Dooglebuggler · 11/09/2018 18:06

Excel not mentioned on CV either. It was a customer service job in a store. Very weird.

OP posts:
Foslady · 11/09/2018 18:06

Had something similar happen only they specifically said no experience needed in their particular field as wanted other skills first and foremost then gave you a written test on a v specific what if scenario that you no way be able to answer without experience HmmAngry - I was doubly gutted as I both hate my current role and also was 5 mins down the road rather than some awful roads that I travel down and less hours....

CottonSock · 11/09/2018 18:15

basta it was related to wildlife. Species identification.

Alpacanorange · 11/09/2018 18:18

Oh you must feel awful. Chin up, they are not being ur though, just finding out what skills potential staff have, it may not matter.

sirmione16 · 11/09/2018 18:23

That's so hard OP but certainly a "jokey" email WONT help you at all- it'd only damage your chances. I agree with pp in that if you're going to contact them, do so with the intention of "haven't heard from you, just wanted to enquire about the position which I interviewed for" and do mention that you felt you didn't show strength in the excel test, but state you weren't informed that it would be necessary, and that if required you'd be happy to brush up on or take a course in your own time.

Do not state "I didn't know" "I failed at" "I didn't realise" basically don't make yourself seem unprepared or like it was your fault - it wasn't. There's a huge difference between not being informed and being able to prepare, to not preparing efficiently.

Don't let it get you down. I missed out on a dream job, turned out I was pregnant and actually the move would've been a really bad option!! You never know what's round the corner :)

Sorry10 · 11/09/2018 18:30

Not necessarily
I've just changed jobs recently and when I went for interviews was really worried when they asked about excel , my previous job very old school everything written down in a book lol . I said I'd used excel but not regularly recently but was a fast learner ( all true) it's been fine tbh a lot I remembered and what I didn't I asked for help to remind me and wrote it down .
Like someone else said send email saying wasn't prepared for excel test and that was a bit rusty but I am a fast learner . Good luck

Basta · 11/09/2018 18:43

basta it was related to wildlife. Species identification.

Ah, I see!

leghairdontcare · 11/09/2018 18:47

You applied for a retail role and had to do an excel test on pivot tables? Something has gone really wrong there.

QueenDoris · 11/09/2018 18:51

I went to a job interview today. All good. Except I turned up on the wrong day. Doh!

Oblomov18 · 11/09/2018 18:58

Thanks, you've reminded me to have a go at a few online excel tests.....

gamerwidow · 11/09/2018 19:02

Wait and see we quite often have IT competency tests included in our interview process and hardly anyone gets all the questions right.
You might have done enough with the interview and the answers you managed.

ATowelAndAPotato · 11/09/2018 19:02

Maybe the actual test was to see how you dealt with an unexpected situation, were you able to stay calm, find out the answers for yourself, etc. If so, then sounds like you did quite well! (Hopeful face)

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