To think I should have let him fail the interview?

[TheMessyCleaner]

I had an interview for a cleaning job this morning. There was one other candidate, a man in his forties; English wasn't his first language. He was late for the interview but as they weren't on time calling us in no one noticed.
We spoke for quite a while and I really hoped that he did alright as he needed the job. We were then left alone to do an English and maths exam. He looked really stressed and asked me what to do. I tried to help him by reading the questions, he still looked confused. Anyway I ended up helping him so much that he ended up passing me the pen and test. I refused to actually write the answers for him but I did tell him if he was wrong if he directly asked me.
When we were called in for the interview, the interviewer said 'messy, you first, sorry mr X I know you arrived first, but messys name is first on my list.' The other man didn't correct him, even though I was there ten minutes before him.
Now I just have a horrible feeling that I might have done myself out of a job. I was trying to be helpful but I basically gave the man a lot of insight into the job whilst we were waiting as I had researched where the job was and what we were doing and he hadn't. Then there was the test, and them thinking I was late.

Why are you sabotaging yourself, OP?

You helped him to the extent it was cheating. That's not good and it's unlikely either of you would be offered the job if known. Shows poor judgement.

Didn’t it occur to you that you were screwing over your potential employer? If they have the test then clearly they are interested in the results.

@Spingtrolls I think the problem is that the people least likely to go to those classes are exactly the people who need them. I meet lots of candidates through my other job as a receptionist in a busy hospital. Somewhere along the way things have gone wrong. Any candidate over 40 is usually immaculate, well organised, on time. Under 40, it's a whole different story!
I'm still a leftie at heart but we've lost our way somewhere. Education really needs to be more than just Uni.

@BogglesGoggles they said the test didn't matter, and he could read and speak English. In my honest opinion I think it was overly difficult. But I have had issues with this before (thinking I'm above the rules )

I think you did a nice, selfless thing. It was a random act of kindness.
Even if it costs you the job, something better will come along.

All my kids did lessons in school where they had to apply for a job and go through a role play interview. (Bog standard comprehensive). I think they got an outside provider in. They also had the opportunity to do the same at uni.

People don’t necessarily take things in though when they are 15. And to be honest, they don’t always want the job they are interviewed for. Sometimes they are Harassed into it by the job centre (or their mum)

It's good to be helpful but if he got the job, would you turn up and do the work for him? Of course not, so why take the money out of your families mouths by helping him to do better than he would otherwise have done.

@TinklyLittleLaugh that's good. I'm a big supporter of the younger generation. They have so much passion and great ideas. They just need to learn to sell themselves better to the older generations who are the ones who will employ them and invest in them.

Agree with the Doctor. What’s meant for you will find you. If you don’t get this one, something better will come along down the line.

I would argue that those over 38 are well organised/well dressed
I was interviewing recently, for an office style position, and was surprised when 2 candidates turned up in cargo pants style trousers. My mam would have told them to 'dress for the job you want!'
Interestingly, both people were at opposite ends of the age range, one in their 50s, one in their 20s. The person appointed was dressed in a smart style, but they were also the best person for the job. I wouldn't not employ someone just because of their dress, but both the other interviewer and I mentioned it afterwards - that job interviews seem to have become quite casual now! We aren't a cool company, with table tennis tables and air beds in the break room (I dunno what cool companies have, evidently!) where such a style may (???) be appropriate, so it stood out.
I'd always go to an interview dressed smartly, and advise my DC to do the same, but perhaps things are changing?

tbh in all ive heard it is actually the older now having more toruble.everyone is hiring the young guns.most people (often after the influx of redundancy are struggling if they are over certain age over the younger

How come no supervisor overseeing the test?

Everyone is attributing this to kindness but I actually just think it’s weird. Why on earth would you do that? You helped him cheat effectively and shared your research. Why?

I don’t know OP, if you went to uni and are doing cleaning jobs I think you need to worry about yourself more and others a little less.

I think you were responding with kindness to another human being.

I also think women are socialised not to push themselves forwards. I probably also would not have challenged the statement about being there first and regretted it later.

@TatianaLarina I can't find a graduate job that I can work around two small children. I can't find an admin job that pays over £9.

OP you sound like you have a kind heart. I think you would surely be ideal in a role that has a social focus, (housing? homeless? community support?) and put those "helping other people" skills to better use!

£18 an hour !!!!! FFS !!! Tell me where please. I’m a nurse with 30 years experience, and I get £15.

I know how you feel and can totally see where you are coming from. Why were you applying for the job op ?

@Runmybathforme I know, it's an absolutely ridiculous wage, they would still have applicants if they paid half that. I'm surprised that the regular domestic staff aren't all clambering to work weekends like HCA's and RMN's are on my ward!

If you feel that bad and you don't need money maybe you should just sit at home and do nothing? But if you need to earn a living, stop worrying about everyone else.

If you have lost this job because you helped another candidate get it, take it as a lesson and stop self sabotaging. Take it as a lesson even if you get the job!

@BrendasUmbrella I really need this job, my debt is costing me £100 per month in interest and overdraft fees!

Whilst I understand your kind heart, the test may have been there for a reason. If he gets the job and then it is noticed that he cant do the simplest of tasks, not only will he be in a bad situation so will his employers. That wont help you either as you will be known as some one who came second to a person who was under qualified.
its a lose lose situation.
Hopefull you learn something from this and carry it onward.