To think I just won't get a job?

[ILeanne94]

9 unsuccessful interviews...I'm doing something wrong. I honestly do so much prep as well but the information just isn't sticking... Going over policies and procedures and then also trying to go over answers to your scenario questions. Yet here I am, just had my 9th unsuccessful job interview.

My next one is on the 30th, an entry level NHS position.

These roles before have been entry level but I do have a degree and I feel I prepare a lot of answers and things but on the day they will ask me something and if it's not an exact question I prepared I am lost and end up trying to waffle something together or have to skip it completely!!!

I really am needing a job and any advice would be amazing. Thank you

The thing that sticks out for me is that you say you can't think on your feet. That's a really big problem for any employer. It means you'll need to be told everything in detail and that you won't be able to deal with unexpected issues you haven't encountered before.
I don't know how you could work on that but I think that's the underlying problem.
Are you neurodiverse? Because if so there might be some support and courses available to you to help you learn to be able to deal with the unexpected a bit better.

I have a degree in biomedical science @ILeanne94, what grade did you achieve, how long ago did you graduate, and what kind of jobs are you considering?

One thing to remember is that there must be a lot of competition for entry level jobs so I think it can be harder to get lower end jobs.

Could you gain experience in your field by volunteering at a hospital, lab, kids science club, science museum, your old University that sort of thing? Or even consider setting up your own business?

You can do this, I am envious of your Biosciences degree. I know there are many graduates but you must be quite clever.

When I graduated Uni I applied for 100+ jobs had 9 interviews and was rejected for all but 1 where they told me I was placed on a reserve list (I just thought this was a way to soften the rejection) however 2 months later I got a call where they said someone had turned down the job last minute and was I still interested, I could not say "I accept" fast enough.

I was loosing hope but you will get your lucky break you just need to keep trying and the right job thats the right fir will come up.

@titchy

but that's not the answer! That's a straight data protection question

Yeah I was assuming that they were asking as if OP had her friends results having processed them. Obvs if the samples are labelled with hospital numbers or she's not inputting the results then she'd have to look them up which is a no-no.

its a data protection question regardless of how the OP can get the info. Data protection as a general entity existed long before computers and isn't limited to digital data.

You have all been amazing, honestly. I have been struggling with this for so long and if I hadn't asked here I would probably be going in there on the 30th with my half memorised exact answers to about 5 questions and lose out on the opportunity yet again and basically setting myself up to fail before I even get there! When it comes to these scenario questions, is it okay to use multiple different examples within different lab experiences, like I have done summer research projects and went abroad for a 2 week lab placement, if I was doing the scenarios do I say when I was taking part in a summer research project, but then if I say that again even tho I am talking about a different time, it will look like I am using the same example, so should I then use a time in retail, or does that look worse as not as relevant, I am so beyond stressed out by this!! It's so hard when you want something so bad. Lol, I asked a question about a software they use, but as I say she didn't respond but did about the amount of people in the team.. oh well, at least I made contact! She said there is a tour at the end of the interview so I didn't book in for one.

Sorry if I am repeating anyone, I haven't rtft.

Get an A3 notebook to take in with you. Write the answers you gave to the questions on the job application in the book, but in the shortest possible way. I use STAR format, situation, task, analysis, result. So what it was, what you did, what the outcome was. Write one answer per page so you can easily find the write one. And have 2 more examples that you haven't mentioned in the written application, so if you get thrown by a question you have something else to draw upon. Then practice out loud so you are able to rattle off each star example. Take the book in with you as a prop.

And I put write when I meant right!

@MesElephants

I have a degree in biomedical science *@ILeanne94*, what grade did you achieve, how long ago did you graduate, and what kind of jobs are you considering?

One thing to remember is that there must be a lot of competition for entry level jobs so I think it can be harder to get lower end jobs.

Could you gain experience in your field by volunteering at a hospital, lab, kids science club, science museum, your old University that sort of thing? Or even consider setting up your own business?

You can do this, I am envious of your Biosciences degree. I know there are many graduates but you must be quite clever.

Hi! I got a 2.1 and graduated last year, I have been in retail and have been applying for things... but yeah not much success, i know i suck at selling myself and not even that, just basic common sense answers as I mentioned with not thinking on my feet, not great. I am considering anything full time lol! I have applied for full time retail and couldn't even get it despite working part time in retail rn, again interview struggle. Have had most my interviews as biology related jobs tho, with nothing, my personal statement must go down well as i get interviewed from like 150 people but its a shame im not so great in person...

I did 2 weeks in Ghana in a hospital doing very similar job roles to the MLA job and its always something they are interested in when i go to interview and im in my element until we move on to the scenario stuff... i also took part in the summer research programs the university offered with outside companies so i do actually have quite a bit of lab experience, just none as an employment and i remember in one of the interviews im there bragging about how i can do this and this and then they asked me how i do it and i froze... it was just embarrassing, like i have done it before but i just couldnt remember exact steps off the top of my head, not ideal i know... probs shouldnt have been bragging. Thank you for your comment x

Yes you can use different examples, it's a good thing, but don't rush them or muddle them up (ive done this!)

Think beforehand, what do you want to tell them? Find opportunities to do that. So far you've been able to tell us-

• you REALLY want this
• you've done multiple different experience placements in different countries -! Wow!

What else? Tell them what you want them to know.

You can use the question time to tell them whatever you still haven't been able to say, eg 'When I did my placement in Germany, that was in a central hub lab for a big network and I learned to process samples from multiple different submitting centres. There were a lot of procedures! How many submitting centres do you have to deal with?'*

*obviously I have no idea what a relevant question would be for you!

@PermanentTemporary

Yes you can use different examples, it's a good thing, but don't rush them or muddle them up (ive done this!)

Think beforehand, what do you want to tell them? Find opportunities to do that. So far you've been able to tell us-

• you REALLY want this
• you've done multiple different experience placements in different countries -! Wow!

What else? Tell them what you want them to know.

You can use the question time to tell them whatever you still haven't been able to say, eg 'When I did my placement in Germany, that was in a central hub lab for a big network and I learned to process samples from multiple different submitting centres. There were a lot of procedures! How many submitting centres do you have to deal with?'*

*obviously I have no idea what a relevant question would be for you!

Gosh, it sounds so good. It feels me with fear at the idea of saying something like that, I don't know what is wrong with me, I am an introvert but I mean I work with customers all the time, communicate with others, etc. but I don't know... really gonna try with the short words/bullet points for the prep and focusing on the bigger picture

@ILeanne94

Hi, hiring manager here (not NHS- so apply this as appropriate)

I don’t want to rate candidates on how well they can recite things, I want to know who they are and how they approach things. I do also want to make sure they have an understanding of what the role needs and how they will fill it.

You’ve received great advice on some of your question examples, so I won’t add on to that, but will add a few other things. Essentially, try to get back to basics. The 5 W’s.

Be on the lookout for role related questions, like the one about the friend asking for results. You passed the first bit about what you would do, but missed the why.

With questions about your approach (the ‘how did you persuade someone’) it’s less about the ‘what’, instead it’s the why and what happened and who you were working with. It’s even ok in these answers to admit that you didn’t do everything right, if you can explain what went wrong, what you learned, and how you applied it or would apply it in the future.

As someone else mentioned you won’t be able to know all the questions, so quit trying to memorize answers. Do your basic homework on the role and organization, brush up on the high points of your achievements, but then really listen to the questions and ask follow ups if you’re not sure what they are asking., and answer based on your experiences or what you think you would do in a situation if you don’t have a ready example.

#ibms #ibmschat are probably good places to start on Twitter

Let us all know how it goes on the 30th

You need to get someone to do interview prep with you and ask random questions, you surely can’t be surprised you aren’t successful if you are skipping questions at interview.

And stop being so hard on yourself, OP ! You keep saying you “suck”, that you’re “useless”, and things like that.

You do not suck. You are not useless.

You graduated with a great degree a matter of months ago. You’re employed, getting interviews and it’s only a matter of time til you get the role you need. Keep the faith!

On average, recent graduates go to a lot of interviews before they land an entry level role, and while it feels awful and shocking at the time what you should remember is a) you’re getting interviews - amazing - and b) each one is vital practice. Interviewing isn’t something that comes naturally. It’s a skill like anything else.

I assure you we have all had our brain fart moments where you cannot answer the simple question and feel like a fool. There’s a particular question for my industry that’s like instant death to me, my brain wants to shut off! And out of a pressure interview scenario I’d happily yammer on about it.

Take deep breaths, smile and listen properly, take your time and remember it’s not an interrogation.

Good luck! Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

@NoSquirrels

And stop being so hard on yourself, OP ! You keep saying you “suck”, that you’re “useless”, and things like that.

You do not suck. You are not useless.

You graduated with a great degree a matter of months ago. You’re employed, getting interviews and it’s only a matter of time til you get the role you need. Keep the faith!

On average, recent graduates go to a lot of interviews before they land an entry level role, and while it feels awful and shocking at the time what you should remember is a) you’re getting interviews - amazing - and b) each one is vital practice. Interviewing isn’t something that comes naturally. It’s a skill like anything else.

I assure you we have all had our brain fart moments where you cannot answer the simple question and feel like a fool. There’s a particular question for my industry that’s like instant death to me, my brain wants to shut off! And out of a pressure interview scenario I’d happily yammer on about it.

Take deep breaths, smile and listen properly, take your time and remember it’s not an interrogation.

Good luck! Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thank you so much that was such a lovely reply!! I really appreciate it. I definitely have a bit more hope after this thread

@elbea

You need to get someone to do interview prep with you and ask random questions, you surely can’t be surprised you aren’t successful if you are skipping questions at interview.

I'm not necessarily surprised I just don't know how to do better when I thought I was prepping the best I could but turns out this thread has helped me on why I wasn't!

It’s hard isn’t is @ILeanne94 I’ve got a job but am trying to get another within the NHS. What I do know is that they tend to score 1-4. 1 being something along the lines of meets expectations and 4 well over expectations. Not many people seem to get 4’s on the feedback sheets I’ve seen. My advice would be to focus on the ‘desirable’ category and you can pretty much guess the questions. 1. Why do you want the job? (Always get in at least one of the trust values) 2. Something about conflicting priorities 3. What does equality and diversity mean and how have you demonstrated it? (This is a make or break question)

Think about your STAR answer and how they could ask it in several different ways. Eg.

S- I was doing an experiment
T- My task was to find out a cure to Covid
A- As part of this I made sure I had all the information and equipment to hand. I liaised with colleagues at our team meeting to decide on a plan of action and delegated tasks.
R- We cured Covid
R (reflection) On reflection it would have been better if we’d spoken to other labs about what they’d been doing to get a wider picture before starting.

So…this star answer could relate to the following:

Tell me about a time you used communication skills
Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team
Tell me about a time when you solved a problem
Tell me about a time when you involved external stakeholders
Tell me about a time when you completed a project
Tell me about a time when you delegated to junior colleagues

You can use this one STAR answer for all these questions (and more)

I'm not surprised your mind goes blank it sounds like you're going totally overboard on the preparation.

IME if you're know what you're doing you shouldn't have to think too hard about your answers they should come naturally. Prep is always great and usually necessary but not too much. They're humans interviewing you not robots. They want to see who YOU are and if you'll fit into the team.

Relax, smile be happy and confident.

There's always another thing to think about is quite often the jobs is already going to an internal candidate!

If you want a different result you're probably going to have to approach this differently.

Hi! Just want to say that I had the interview today, I think it went better than other interviews because I managed to answer every question. Problem is I think I was overprepping and forgot the one thing that matters most, the question of "what are we actually looking for in the samples" and I was uhhming for about 10 seconds and just said inconsistencies. I truly think I lost out on that one answer sadly. Thank you so much for all the help

When they call, whatever the outcome, you might have an opportunity to address that. I was offered a post recently having really fluffed a question and when it was offered I laughed and said “well I better get brushing up on [thing I was asked about]! I’m sorry for giving such a waffly answer!” - the line manager admitted it’s an area the organisation is weak in so wasn’t overly concerned by my answer. Anyway - if you get a chance to acknowledge the less than perfect answer it can just leave things on a positive note if you decide to apply again in future. Good luck!

@ILeanne94

Hi! Just want to say that I had the interview today, I think it went better than other interviews because I managed to answer every question. Problem is I think I was overprepping and forgot the one thing that matters most, the question of "what are we actually looking for in the samples" and I was uhhming for about 10 seconds and just said inconsistencies. I truly think I lost out on that one answer sadly. Thank you so much for all the help

That’s positive though if you feel it was just one question you felt flustered on.

Will send good hiring thoughts your way! And even if you ultimately aren’t successful this time hopefully it gives you confidence to keep going - it’s a numbers game in the end.

All the best OP!