To ask for interview advise, I've lost my job because I'm shit!

[RinkeyDinkey]

I've just had to apply for my own job, my manager thought it was a given that I'd breeze the interview despite me telling them again and again how shit I am in an interview. Loads of people applied, someone else got it because my mind went blank in the interview and I just garbled pure garbage. My boss phoned me crying as I couldn't possibly be offered the job now as my score was rock bottom, it was acknowledged that I was the best candidate and can do it stood on my head. My staff are in bits, I can't stop crying, what a mess.

I thought I would be ok this time, I spent weeks and weeks preparing, I had all the acronyms in my head to remember things, it went so badly, I could even do the 'tell us about yourself' properly. I don't really get stressed and was only nervous by the usual standard.

I've now got to find myself another job asap, wtf do I do now if I can't do an interview (it happens every time)?

OP - you are better off out of such an unbelieveably wanky employer.

They are beyond abusive, nasty and just plain awful.

Also just wanted to say that when bad things happen, good things are often just around the corner. I flunked an interview for a promotion in the same organisation a few years ago. I took a secondment for a role at national level on an affiliated organisation instead, was then made redundant from my local role while on secondment (did wonders for my self esteem, I can tell you ) but was offered a permanent job in the new organisation (cursory 'interview'). Better salary (60% increase) and loads of flexibility that suited my own family situation. Got loads of new experience that now looks great on my c.v. Try to see it as an opportunity to escape from a rut, op.

I've conducted lots of interviews and sat on interview panels using competency-based scoring matrices, particularly in the public sector where everything has to be evidenced. Unfortunately it's possible to be great at your job but totally flunk the interview and score the lowest on paper. I've seen it happen lots (and been on the receiving end).

So competency-based scoring matrices are total bollockspeak and don't actually work, but at least everyone gets to talk bollocks?

badlydrawnperson It is standard in the public sector.

Thank you so much everyone, you have been so kind. Some really good advise on here and I promise I will take every piece seriously. I'm sure I will be offered something else but it would mean that i was managed by the person doing my job which I really couldn't face. I like the recruitment consultant idea, I think this could actually be just what I'm looking for whilst I refocus on what I want to do.

Public sector hey!

If it's a secondment then you can go back to your previous job, surely?

I didn't say I was a fan, badly, I said it was possible for this to happen, particularly in the public sector. Which is exactly why I have a friendly interview style to try to get the most out of candidates - because they can easily fall foul of the system if particularly nervous. It's crap, I agree, but it's the way it is and done because everything is under so much scrutiny in the public sector. If people don't follow the rules to the letter it can result in all kinds of shit.

Yes I could, but I would be kicking out the person doing it, she has children to feed and I would be managed by the new manager. I want to leave, this is the best option for me but just needed interview tips which I now have.

I've been this manager in the NHS.

I had to make the same phone call to a very competent employee who simply didn't meet the matrix definitions which went beyond the job spec.

We ended up with someone who was as useful as a dead log. They'd researched the matrix we were using online and knew the exact answers we were looking for. They were fired within weeks. It took ages to replace the employee because of the stupid matrix we were forced to use combined with low salary and obviously the original employee wasn't going to reapply.

Everyone was required to reapply for their job "to save money" and it cost us a fortune. By the time I left the NHS everytime something was suggested to "save money" I'd change it to "spend more money". My manager would just look at me and not say a word - He did however ensure I was never part of any such meetings. It was a long time ago and it really pissed me off how money was thrown at useless projects and the attitude was "it's the NHS it doesn't matter" [anger]

To those asking why they're not changed, it's not up to us to change them, believe me I tried.

I've left the NHS now but you cannot assume the manager just wanted rid of the OP, it was purely on the numbers.

I left the public sector after having to reapply for my own job 5 times in 4 years. Management just used to say - you will be okay, you will get it. But that wasn't the point. It was so stressful. Every time it was because of cuts and a subsequent reorganisation. Since leaving the public sector I have never had to do this.

Oh the money wastage!

I know who got the job and I also know it will end up exactly the same Becca, so does my manager. There are no winners here. Maybe I could apply for the PM job, sort the shit from the top down?

Apply for other things immediately, but don't leave the job they do give you in the meantime and put yourself out of work. Just keep being professional (but without doing the new person favours) until you get something else and can go.

Wow - there is no better interview than actually performing the role for the last however many years. Your employer is crazy!

Such a shame for you but hopefully you will find something even better now. I hate interviews too.

Well they've shot themselves in the foot there haven't they? Not that it's much consolation. But, fucking hell, what a ridiculous system!

(Does it ever benefit anyone? Employee or employer?)

Interesting to see the public / private sector divide on this thread. I wish I was even vaguely surprised at how you’ve been treated OP .

Are you sure this was about the interview op? In my experience if a company knows you're the best person for the job in this scenario then the interview is simply a tick box exercise.

I'm not saying that to make you think oh I was also shit at my job, but more maybe there is more game playing afoot than you know, and your interview technique is not as poor as you think.

Let's be honest, no candidate knows how another candidate performs at interview, so the interviewers can give anyone they wish the job.

I agree with this.

Also agree that going via a recruitment agency for long-term temp roles (6 months to a year) might be your best bet. Make sure you get a stonking reference.

But I would also give ACAS a call.

In my experience if a company knows you're the best person for the job in this scenario then the interview is simply a tick box exercise.

IME, which has been all public and third sector, it all rests on the interview. Score more highly in that and you get the job, even if every other candidate has better qualifications, experience and skills than you. It's always seemed to me to be a really poor way of recruiting!

Not always in third sector, some are more sensible.

In the public sector when you have to reapply for your own job, personnel will be involved. When personnel are involved you can not as an interviewer fudge it. You have to follow the matrix scoring. To do anything else risks a disciplinary for the interviewer.
It may sound unbelievable to those who do not understand this system. But it is common.

I've sat on interview panels which were a real stitch-up - when the best person (who also interviewed best) was not given the job. I think you'd be amazed how much politics goes on behind the scenes. Not saying that happens everywhere, but it happens a lot.

I read some years ago that interviews were found in research to be a poor way to pick the right person for a job, and a far better way was to get them to try out the job for a while..

The OP's experience is quite common in the public sector, which is why so many people who can talk the talk get promoted and are useless at the actual job.

Then they get promoted again, so the system is run, with some exceptions obviously, by incompetents.

I don’t understand why you had to interview for your own job that you’ve been successfully doing for years?

I’m so sorry, what a shit situation. I wonder if you might benefit from interview coaching? It might help take the edge off your nerves next time?

OP, if you're based in or near London, Manchester or Sheffield and would like interview prep help (in particular a mock interview or two - these are crucial IMHO) please PM me. I'm a Grade 6 in the Civil Service and have lots of experience in recruitment, particularly competency and strength based interviewing.

Lady Usually because of reorganisations or redundancies amongst everyone doing the same type of job.

What a kind offer Havelock