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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should I still go to this interview?

24 replies

Itslava · 28/06/2021 19:43

Had a telephone interview today for a job I really want. It was all going well until they asked if I could drive. (Job will involve some client meetings in other locations that wasn't made clear on advert). I answered truthfully that I've just started lessons & plan to take my test at Christmas.

I've got through the first round of interviews and have been invited to the second interview next Friday. It involves a presentation which will take time to prepare.

I just feel deflated knowing that they need someone who drives and I don't drive. Like I'm going to be wasting my time going any further. The interviewer said there could be short term work arounds - but realistically they are going to hire a driver over me aren't they?

OP posts:

Pumpkink · 28/06/2021 19:49

Personally I wouldn't. Coming from someone with management experience and that is a driver, having to organise and manage a non driver can be a total nightmare. There's no guarantee realistically that you will be passed by Christmas especially the way things are with covid. If I were you I'd wait until you're passed before going after this type of job x

CastawayQueen · 28/06/2021 19:53

How many meetings are these? What sort of locations?

If the advert wasn’t clear then it may not be a pressing requirement of the job. Just a ‘nice to have’. And as long as you can get to the locations it’s fine but driving is just easier.

Okcookie · 28/06/2021 19:55

Nothing to lose by going to the interview except time.

They wouldn't have invited you if they didn't think you could do the job.

Curiosity101 · 28/06/2021 19:55

If you want the job or the interview practise then I would definitely say you should go.

But also an interview is a 2-way process, you could smash the interview, be offered the role but then decide there's something about the company you're not keen on and turn it down.

You've been honest about your driving status so it's up to the company if they want to hire you or not.

CastawayQueen · 28/06/2021 19:56

Just to add I have relatives working in the agricultural industry and driving is a must - many rural places have no alternative transport not even a taxi.
In my IT role some jobs require travel between sites which while not impossible to access by car would be very difficult. So short term workarounds are still an option but not ideal

Cap89 · 28/06/2021 19:59

I never interviewed someone for a second round that I wasn’t seriously considering. Being on an interview panel is time consuming and dull. If the driving thing was a deal breaker it would have been more obvious on the person spec and you would not have been taken through to the next stage. I’d definitely still go for it. Any decent company will put up with a few workarounds for the odd meeting if it means getting the best candidate for the job. Just do a great job at the interview and make yourself impossible to say no to!! And remember, mindset is super important in these situations. If you go into it already convinced you’ve been beaten, you won’t get the job. Forget the driving thing and put your best face forward. Good luck!!!

MenopausalMargot · 28/06/2021 20:00

I would go for it. If you are driving you would be able to claim expenses. If in a taxi you would also be able to claim expenses. How is either different? Whether you are driving or someone else??

And to be be frank, are your skills, knowledge and experiences trumped by being able to drive? Is that the most important skill? I doubt it. If I was a trustee of an organisation where skills, knowledge and competency was overlooked by driving then I think I would resign. Bonkers!!

Original poster

Itslava · 28/06/2021 20:02

@CastawayQueen

Just to add I have relatives working in the agricultural industry and driving is a must - many rural places have no alternative transport not even a taxi. In my IT role some jobs require travel between sites which while not impossible to access by car would be very difficult. So short term workarounds are still an option but not ideal

Yes its similar to this. I thought the job would be office based. Which a lot of it is. About 20% of the time travel to more remote locations will be needed were there is some but not great public transport. The job doesn't actually start until end of September. So it would be 3 months of not being to drive. The interviewer said because I was one of the few applicants who met all of (the other) essential criteria they may be willing to see if they could find short term solutions. But it's all just so deflating and feels like a long shot.

OP posts:

Original poster

Itslava · 28/06/2021 20:19

The other factor is that the interview is in Manchester were the head office is. I am nowhere near Manchester so it would take pretty much the whole day to travel there and back. I don't want to travel for a job I'm not going to get. But then maybe I'm being too pessimistic. And would regret not trying. It's a hard one I think

OP posts:

Disfordarkchocolate · 28/06/2021 20:21

Go to the interview. If it was an issue they wouldn't have put you through to the next round.

I got a job in these circumstances, I managed until I passed my test.

ContessaVerde · 28/06/2021 20:24

Was a driving licence on the ‘essential’ criteria of the person spec?
If not, definitely go for it. It’s their problem to find a workaround if they didn’t mention it on the job spec.

If it is, I’d still be strongly inclined to go for the interview. It may be that other roles come up or the driver they choose doesn’t work out.

ItsSnowJokes · 28/06/2021 20:24

Go to the interview. You only have some time to lose really don't you? If they say no you are no different to when you were going to pull out. If they like you they will work around it as you have been honest.

Palavah · 28/06/2021 20:28

Go for it. It sounds as though you're a strong candidate and if it's that important you might be able to come to an agreement about them supporting an intensive driving course, or extra lessons.

Original poster

Itslava · 28/06/2021 20:31

@Disfordarkchocolate how long was it between you starting the job and you passing your test if you don't mind me asking? Glad to hear it worked out for you.

OP posts:

Disfordarkchocolate · 28/06/2021 20:35

6 to 9 months I think. I got the bus sometimes and I had a secretary who gave me lifts sometimes. It was fine. I don't think it's seen as inclusive to insist on being able to drive and have access to a car for jobs where its not a daily /weekly requirement to be somewhere else @Itslava.

Disfordarkchocolate · 28/06/2021 20:37

Lots of offices in places like Leeds or Manchester expect you to get the train to the office because parking is so difficult. Don't worry about that.

Could you think about an intensive course closer to September?

Original poster

Itslava · 28/06/2021 20:43

I'm working full time so an Intensive Course may be difficult but I'm doing 2/3 lessons a week. It's just getting a driving test booking that's so difficult because of Covid.

OP posts:

GrrrlPwr · 28/06/2021 20:49

Go for the interview!

Original poster

Itslava · 28/06/2021 21:38

Thank you everyone I think I will go for the experience if nothing else

OP posts:

DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo · 28/06/2021 21:43

@Itslava

Thank you everyone I think I will go for the experience if nothing else

Do it!! Prepare for it as though this hasn't come up. Put it right out of your mind.

If you're the right candidate they will make it work - and if you impress them, you'll be first in line for another role is this one isn't possible.

Really go for it - you'll get excellent experience so whatever happens will be a step in the right direction.

Dobbyisahouseelf · 28/06/2021 23:13

Good luck with your interview OP.

I have a teenager so on a practical level with your driving test if you haven't taken your theory test already take it soon. Then you can book your test. I tried to book my DD's test earlier this month and there was nothing available for this year!

Keeping trying for a cancellation, I tried various times of the day as the website is rubbish. After a week I got a cancellation for September.

23andbroke · 28/06/2021 23:18

I just feel deflated knowing that they need someone who drives and I don't drive

You never know, they may be understanding. You won’t be the first candidate they’ve come across that cannot drive, so presumably they’re aware that there’s a backlog/waiting list for driving lessons and tests. Your reasoning for not driving is completely understandable, don’t let that hold you back.

The client meetings off-site might not even go ahead! It will likely be over Zoom/Teams, especially if lockdown returns.

Dixiechickonhols · 28/06/2021 23:19

I’d go to interview and try and move your test forward - 6 months seems a long time. Can you book some annual leave and an intense course.

FionaMacCool · 28/06/2021 23:25

@Itslava

Thank you everyone I think I will go for the experience if nothing else

Come on OP! (to the tune of Come on Eileen). Bet on yourself... They've put you through to the next round. As someone else has said, they wont do that unless they are seriously interested.

It's all figureoutable...if you are really interested in the post, dont talk yourself out of it now.

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