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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask how you'd answer this interview question?

72 replies

Justanothernamechange2 · 13/03/2019 09:49

I didn't get a job I had interviewed for based on my response to this question.

My DP thinks the answer they wanted is quite company unique and he would have, and always has, answered like I did.. so im looking to see what others would answer.

The question: The end of your shift is here and you still have outstanding work that would take you around 30-40minutes to complete, what would you do?

OP posts:

AnnaMagnani · 13/03/2019 10:48

Handover is a big thing in medicine so this question was probably looking at that.

Also wanting someone who can hand things on and go home rather than stay late every day then want a lot of time back for all the overtime they've put in - historically a big part of some areas of medical culture.

Now a big shift to people who want to finish in the hours they are paid for or handover and go home on time, rather than stay and personally do everything themselves but then get burnt out.

WaxOnFeckOff · 13/03/2019 10:52

I think I'd have answered that it would depend if there was a manager on shift at that point as technically it would be for them to decide what they'd prefer. If no manager and able to make these decisions with autonomy, I think I'd have said the same as you. This is a job that has impact on the general public so I'd stay to complete it as long as it didn't impact anyone else and if it did, I'd discuss that with colleagues to see if anyone could help.

Are you sure that it was based on just that answer, or is that just what they are saying is the reason as they didn't really gel with you?

PtahNeith · 13/03/2019 10:52

Interesting. As a candidate I've asked the reverse of that question to try and establish the kind of workplace culture I'd be joining. And been offered the job.

I wouldn't be giving the impression at interview that I'd be cool with presenteeism and a culture where the job exceeds the time available on a regular basis and you're supposed to work unpaid to compensate. I think that's toxic, personally (having worked places like that).

I don't expect to neatly wrap up every task in my diary by the end of each day. You just plan the next day to finish off or handover or whatever. Urgent work and specific deadlines are a separate matter.

There are lots of reasons to finish on time besides childcare - various other commitments, or needing to pace your days for health reasons, etc.

If it's important to an employer that staff arrive on time, then it should also be important to that employer that staff leave on time. Otherwise it's exploitative.

MadameDD · 13/03/2019 10:56

Nothing wrong with your answer and nothing wrong with their question...

but - seems like it was a team playing question.

I've been told off in jobs before (as EA/PA) where I didn't offer/wouldn't offer to stay late soon after joining - no one asked me to stay late though and I certainly wasn't paid overtime!

Also coming from a similar job where I regularly had one senior person ask me every Friday before 5pm to do work that impacted on me - and took an hour and then had to go to be posted etc - his team actually said after a while 'oh he sits on it and is really disorganised' I certainly didn't want to get into the habit of doing that again! It only actually stopped after I made a point of saying to someone equally senior that it wasn't fair this happened every Friday! And to me, it wasn't fair.

blackteasplease · 13/03/2019 10:58

I agree it depends what it is and all the circumstances.

blackteasplease · 13/03/2019 11:00

Sorry- post I g delay and the thread moved on!

Redwinestillfine · 13/03/2019 11:00

I would prioritise the work. If it was something that needed doing straight away I would pass onto team mate on next shift with bells on it. If it was something not too important I would stick it in my calendar to pick up only next shift. Under no circumstances would I stay late. It not only impacts my wellbeing but sets a bad example for others... would be my answer.

badlydrawnperson · 13/03/2019 11:03

I suspect my response of "stick your job up your arse" would also have failed. HTH.

Thecabbageassasin · 13/03/2019 11:05

I would assume that the job regularly requires you to work over your contracted hours and that they are looking for someone to do lots of unpaid overtime, so would be politely declining the job.
Unless there was possible career progression to be had from working for free ?

WaxOnFeckOff · 13/03/2019 11:06

Surely though that is something they can say to you when you get a job? Part of the induction is pointing out that we as a company don't want people going over their shift, you need to work as a team to either complete the work within your hours or pass on to another team member. new person notes that and then you move on. It''s not really a non changeable behaviour is it?

Original poster

Justanothernamechange2 · 13/03/2019 11:08

I do think there is some level of my "face didnt fit".. but we shall see whats to come. Im lucky in the sense that im not out of work i guess - just want something with less travel

OP posts:

OurChristmasMiracle · 13/03/2019 11:10

Honestly It would depend on the deadline of
The work, my ability to fit it into tomorrow’s work load if appropriate and whether I had prior commitments that prevented me from staying.

I would also consider whether this was a regular occurrence and whether I needed to manage my time better or whether the work load was manageable or not.

Jess499427 · 13/03/2019 11:11

It does seem like they were looking for a very specific answer based on the culture in their workplace.

If I was on an interview panel that had asked that question I think I’d be looking for the thought processes behind the answer and how you would weigh up the decision on a situation by situation basis and pick the most suitable option depending on all the factors. Surely there can’t be a clearly right or wrong answer?!

I’ve worked in a similar job and the people who stay until 6.30pm every night and have to be told to go home are just as hard to work with as those that skip out the door bang on 4.30pm and handover everything to someone else without a thought as to how it would impact them.

starfishmummy · 13/03/2019 11:12

It would depend on what the outstanding work was and why it had arisen. If it was something Pinsgoupd have got do one in the day then I'd be addressing my workload and my ability to prioritise the work. If it happened as a one off situation that was out of my control - e.g. computer network had gone down - then I'd work with my colleagues to get the job finished in a timely manner. That might mean staying if I could or coming in early next morning if it could wait.

I don't understand the preferred answer because surely unless the shifts overlap staying to dona handover to someone else means you end up staying behind anyway.

starfishmummy · 13/03/2019 11:12

Something I should have done!!!

MotherWol · 13/03/2019 11:13

I asked for feedback btw, i was told the response to that question suggested I'm not a very good team player and would be more suited in a job by myself...

Honestly OP, it might not feel like it now, but you've dodged a bullet here. Interviews shouldn't be about trying to trip the candidate up, and I'd never ask a candidate a question that has them trying to second-guess what I'm thinking. If they're playing 'guess what I'm thinking' games at this stage, I can guarantee they'd be a nightmare to work for.

Lweji · 13/03/2019 11:15

I think the issue here was that it was a shift and not a day's work (9-5 type of thing).
If you have people taking the next shift or colleagues that can do the work as well and are staying longer, then, yes, the best answer would be to pass it on (unless you had been drinking tea and chatting all day).
This answer also implies that you'd be happy complete someone else's tasks.

But you wouldn't be able to do that at closure time, surely.

MirriVan · 13/03/2019 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Justanothernamechange2 · 13/03/2019 11:22

Thats something that has crossed my mind too Lweji..

The shift patterns are 8-4.30(10 people) 10-6 30(6 people) 12-8.30(4 people).. if you keep passing on what happens when Cathy finishes at 8.30 and had 7 incomplete folders on her desk.. i mean i understand theres considerable overlaps in the shift patterns but still.. those 4 in til 8.30 are gonna have everyone's left over work on their desk..

OP posts:

JenniferJareau · 13/03/2019 11:25

I think they were just making up reasons because it's illegal to say 'the other candidate looked like she'd be a laugh on a night out' etc.

Very good point

cheeseypuff · 13/03/2019 11:29

It seems like a very narrow minded way to run an interview process IMO. I agree that I think you've dodged a bullet not getting the job. If they're that strict about the "correct" answer to an interview question they're not going to be very flexible about anything else are they. Good luck to them if they employ someone that possibly needs to leave early one day to attend to something important or unexpected.

Hope you find a job soon OP.

Deadbydaylight · 13/03/2019 11:35

You dodged a bullet, but honestly with it being a medical practice (NHS?) I'm not surprised they want to avoid people that might cost them money on overtime. There's lots of people that claim overtime despite the fact they could have finished on time, they just want the extra money.

But still short sighted of them. And your answer was acceptable to me.

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