Did I ruin this interview?

[meetmeinarizona]

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.

Whether you volunteer or are in paid work you still have to prove your competence and commitment to organisations you want to work for.

I'm volunteering atm and I was interviewed online by 3 members of staff for well over an hour. There are scores of people trying to get experience and paid work, never more so than now probably.

I think you probably did well OP, if they were trying to prompt you then they may want you! Fingers crossed. It always comes down to who else is interviewed too and there's nothing you can do about that.

Most of us get nervous, forget things in interview situations. Good luck!

I hope you get it op. I'm just amazed at expecting all that for a role with no money attached.

It sounds like you prepared and really want it. Don’t overthink it, I often interview in my role and enthusiasm goes along way and often comes across. Best of luck and let us all know how you get on.

Thank you everyone I will update when I know! It would really be amazing!

You haven't had an interview in 3 years so it's understandable you were a little flummoxed at points. In my experience it often takes practice and a number of competency based interviews before you know your examples inside out and back to front and are able to seamlessly tie them back to whatever questions are thrown at you. I'm sure it was no where near as bad as you think. Good luck

Fingers crossed for you op, you would be doing a great service for our young people.

Don't worry about it "only" being 25 minutes. Unless a role is really specialised and they need to test your technical knowledge, that amount of time is more than enough to get to decide whether someone is suitable.

I once interviewed someone in 10 minutes flat, they were astonished when I offered them the job because they assumed such a short interview meant they had failed. From my point of view, they were clearly suitable, there was no point wasting my time or theirs.

Such a tough one to call, got my fingers crossed. Just for a bit of encouragement though, I was offered my dream job last Monday and this was after very nearly forgetting a key thing and just rushing it in at the end. My feedback was that they thought I did well overall but would still need some support in certain areas which I thought was fair. You may surprise yourself 🤞🤞

I recently moved to a new job, I was so embarrassed after the interview thinking about what I said/didn't say. I had written it off. Anyway I got offered it, I was amazed. It is also about how the other people do too. Hope you get it but if not it was good experience for next time. I think something needs to be done about recruitment to make it less of an ordeal . Good luck !

@BigPaperBag Well done! That's fantastic! It is true you can just never tell, I've always found the interviews I think I've done terrible in I've always got the job and the ones I think I've smashed I haven't. So you just never know but I think they use a points scheme and if that's the case I just don't see myself scoring very high because there will be others that have hit all the points and I just didn't. Feel like mid April is ages away 😔

@Sleepingdogs12 amazing! Congrats to you! See you just never know! It is an ordeal indeed, I have such bad anxiety when it comes to public speaking and interviews and today I took first propanalol for the interview and I have to say it is a life changer. So yeah even if I don't get this opportunity, it was good practice for next time and I now know the wonders of propanalol because of it and so won't dread the next one so much

Obviously I get that they need to do an interview for a volunteering job to sift out people who are completely unsuitable.

But surely as you are not actually getting paid they will offer a bit of leeway for the odd minor skip up for a completely volunteery role?

Do you think you actually prepared too much?! I get researching the charity etc, but personally, if I prepare set answers it makes me flustered if they don't come up or there is a different twist. Whereas of I go in expecting to think on my feet a bit more, I do much better.

Can a friend/family member do some practice competency questions with you to sharpen up before your next interview? You really do get quicker thinking on your feet with practice.

@TomHardyAndMe that would be a great help thanks! Will pm you tomorrow