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AIBU?

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Did I ruin this interview?

39 replies

meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 16:02

I had an interview yesterday to volunteer in a really important sector to me. I prepared so much, I had 9 pages of notes. It was a competency based interviews and I had loads of examples but of course the examples I had ready were not relevant to the question.

So I had to really think on the spot which I think I managed to do okay and they were nodding encouragingly, however, one example I gave he said, 'that's a good answer as we are working with families but do you think there's another answer you could give us? It's fine if you can't'. I then clarified the question and came up with another example which I thought was a weak one but really was wracking my brain.

Another question I answered and then he said, 'I don't want to prompt you but are you trying to say....'

I felt like the way I was speaking was very dumbed down, I just couldn't find the words I was looking for. And I realised AFTERWARDS that I had never used any of the buzzwords notes down. Kicking myself.

At the end he said that those were the types of examples they were looking for and there was no right and wrong and were just looking for my experiences and opinions. And he said twice he could tell I'd done a lot of background research.

It only ran for 25 minutes also.

I can't stop thinking about it, I feel like I really messed it up. And when trying to think back I can't even remember some of my answers to the question, it all seems a bit of a blur and I worry that I was rambling on.

Does it sound like I've well and truly fucked it? It's my first interview in 3 years and I'm kicking myself. So gutted.

OP posts:
Astrid01 · 06/03/2021 16:05

Where I work, the questions have specific answers that you have to give and use particular wording. So interviewers will often try to lead you to use those specific words if they can tell you know what you're talking about but haven't said exactly what they need you too. That could be the case here.

Stompythedinosaur · 06/03/2021 16:09

Honestly, it's over now so not worth worrying about. Ask for feedback after the interview (whether successful or unsuccessful) and see if it helps make sense of what they were looking for.

meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 16:32

I know I just feel so frustrated at myself

OP posts:
TheLumpySofaCushion · 06/03/2021 17:16

Ah, OP - sounds like you had prepared really well. The event itself is always so nerve wracking.

Did they say when you would find out?

OwlinaTree · 06/03/2021 17:17

This is an interview for you to volunteer? So for no money?

TheLumpySofaCushion · 06/03/2021 17:19

@OwlinaTree

This is an interview for you to volunteer? So for no money?
Oh yes - I missed that!
TomHardyAndMe · 06/03/2021 17:20

It was a competency based interviews and I had loads of examples but of course the examples I had ready were not relevant to the question.

How did that happen? You match your examples to the person spec/job description!

GellerYeller · 06/03/2021 17:23

Remember doing exams at school and afterwards only recalling the questions you struggled with? But forgetting all the ones you whizzed through with no problem? Same applies to interviews I find! Good luck 😊

Glitteryone · 06/03/2021 17:24

Ive worked in recruitment for a very long time and I can honestly say I despise competency based interviews!

Champagneandmonstermunch · 06/03/2021 17:29

Competency based interviews are hideous! It sounds like they liked what you were saying and were trying to help you get out what they needed to hear though. Fingers crossed for you.

meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 18:04

@TheLumpySofaCushion they said not till mid April 😔

@OwlinaTree yeah no money but will be amazing for experience.

OP posts:
meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 18:06

@TomHardyAndMe emm...it happens very easily? For instance if you have prepared for times you have communicated well and they ask you to tell them a time where you have encouraged someone to open up to you? Totally different things and not a question I was prepared for.

OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 06/03/2021 18:07

I can't believe they have you jumping through these sort of hoops for a voluntary position. I did something like this for an international aid agency when I graduated - there was no pay - but I thought it would look good on my CV. Never again!

TomHardyAndMe · 06/03/2021 18:20

[quote meetmeinarizona]@TomHardyAndMe emm...it happens very easily? For instance if you have prepared for times you have communicated well and they ask you to tell them a time where you have encouraged someone to open up to you? Totally different things and not a question I was prepared for. [/quote]
What sort of role is it? Could you not foresee that some of the role might require that?

TheLumpySofaCushion · 06/03/2021 18:23

Sorry to hear that, Op.

You may well have done better than you thought.

Is there any way you can follow up directly with a 'thanks for seeing me, I'm so keen to work with you, I'd be very happy to give more evidence of my experience', etc?

TheLumpySofaCushion · 06/03/2021 18:24

@TomHardyAndMe - I imagine it's quite hard to prepare a STAR-based answer for every single question that might be posed..

meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 18:31

@TomHardyAndMe please do not try and insinuate that I did not prepare enough. I studied my arse off but it is impossible to totally prepare and there is always an element of winging it

OP posts:
GhostCurry · 06/03/2021 18:33

TomHardyAndMe you’re being really odd!

meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 18:34

@GellerYeller I'm hoping and praying that's the case but not too optimistic

OP posts:
ElfAndSafetyBored · 06/03/2021 18:35

I’m interviewing volunteers next week for two posts and we are only allocating 30 minutes per candidate.

lljkk · 06/03/2021 18:40

What kind of voluntary roles have such a rigorous selection procedure? I'm astonished to learn of OPs experience. In my world they bite hand off if you offer any time. I needed good references & DBS at most.

meetmeinarizona · 06/03/2021 18:46

@lljkk it was for the children's panel.

OP posts:
thosetalesofunexpected · 06/03/2021 18:49

@meetmeinarizona

I really think you did a lot better than you thought,
I think the people interviewing you,
were just asking you to clarify stuff,
so that they know, you know your stuff, and it's not just saying things in parrot fashion.

You proved showed the people interviewing you that you had done the research/homework,required for this role and you were very knowledgeable.

You did your best on the day,
especially considering its been a while since you been to a nerve -interview situation.

Best of luck
Hope you get this volunteer experience role op DaffodilBrewCake

ps I have lots of volunteering in past,
And I know they are often looking for volunteers for different charties.

TomHardyAndMe · 06/03/2021 19:00

[quote TheLumpySofaCushion]@TomHardyAndMe - I imagine it's quite hard to prepare a STAR-based answer for every single question that might be posed..[/quote]
I train people how to handle competency based interviews. Have done for the past 10 years or so.

Trick is having a portfolio of STAR based examples that cover a range of competences, and then to choose the right ones based on what is said in the JD/PS.

When I’m on a panel I can tell which candidates understand how it works, but appreciate its a learned rather than an innate skill.

TomHardyAndMe · 06/03/2021 19:02

[quote meetmeinarizona]@TomHardyAndMe please do not try and insinuate that I did not prepare enough. I studied my arse off but it is impossible to totally prepare and there is always an element of winging it [/quote]
I’m not. But if competency-based interviewing is done right you should have all the answers (albeit maybe you need to enhance particular bits on the hoof) from what they say they’re looking for in the JD/PS.

I’m happy to send you the PowerPoint for my interview training if you want to DM me an email address.

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