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Original poster

Horrible interview - I didn't get the job did I?

60 replies

conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 11:27

Had an interview for a job this morning. They asked me to bring along any relevant convictions along with a letter detailing and explaining the situation regarding these in a sealed envelope which I did.

I have two convictions from 12 years ago. These have never stopped me getting a job with vulnerable adults or children and I was completely honest about these. Haven't been in trouble since.

When I walked into the room I was surprised to see one of the interviewers with my conviction declaration sitting on her desk.

She said hello then said I see you have convictions, is there anything else you would like to share? I replied that there wasn't. She said nothing else outstanding or pending? I replied no. And then she said and these are in the past yes? I responded yes.

The interview went well I thought. However at the end she said, I will contact you tomorrow afternoon whether you've been successful or not but if you apply for a job with this council in the future can I just recommend that you (and gave me advice on my application). I just said yes thank you and left.

Also as I was waiting on interview another candidate came out and was given paperwork to complete after her interview. I wasn't given any paper work at the end.

It doesn't look good does it? I wasn't aware that interviewers were allowed to see convictions due in to the risk of bias?

OP posts:
Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 11:44

Bump - I feel so deflated

OP posts:
thecatsthecats · 11/07/2023 12:02

Sorry you had a crap interview experience.

I have some limited knowledge in this area, but I think the best people to speak to would be Unlock, if you haven't already.

For some roles you must declare convictions, and there's no legal prohibition as far as I know about interviewers knowing or not - that's down to individual policy and due process within the organisation.

ABugWife · 11/07/2023 12:22

Are the convictions spent? Are they in any way related to the job?

Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 12:24

ABugWife · 11/07/2023 12:22

Are the convictions spent? Are they in any way related to the job?

They are spent yes and I'm not sure if related tbh. It was drink driving and communications act domestic (sent abusive texts to an ex).

OP posts:
Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 12:26

The role is a support worker

OP posts:
GwinCoch · 11/07/2023 12:29

You did everything right, made a full disclosure, it’s just rough when some people can’t see past that. Separating out the two issues - if the interview went well overall then try not to feel too despondent and start to prepare for the call tomorrow. If it’s a no then definitely ask for feedback and you can be very candid and ask them about the disclosure specifically if that would help put your mind at rest. They aren’t legally allowed to discriminate. Good luck.

Escapefromhell · 11/07/2023 12:31

Guess it depends who else was being interviewed. If there were two identical candidates, one with past convictions and another not, then the one without would get the job. Lots of people have convictions, or other negatives unrelated to qualifications or experience. It depends how much weight an employer places upon these.

Hibiscrubbed · 11/07/2023 12:35

Local councils are notoriously bad at allowing prejudice into their practice, and treatment, of people. I too, have worked with some people surrounding this. They really should, almost more than anyone else, know better.

SilverstoneF1 · 11/07/2023 12:52

The paperwork could have been anything for the other candidate but offering feedback for next time doesn't sound good.

Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 12:57

SilverstoneF1 · 11/07/2023 12:52

The paperwork could have been anything for the other candidate but offering feedback for next time doesn't sound good.

I already work for that council which is the odd thing. I'm doing my social work so hoping she just meant for that but doesn't sound good

OP posts:
ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 11/07/2023 13:16

She didn't handle that very well, did she?!

Sorry to hear you felt it went badly OP.

I have no idea what the other applicant would be filling in though?

19lottie82 · 11/07/2023 13:18

If they’re spent, then you don’t need to declare them, except for certain jobs.

GwinCoch · 11/07/2023 13:18

On the topic of paperwork, I’ve never been asked to fill in anything before/after an interview regardless of whether I got the job or not. Maybe they had neglected to send in something that was required for the interview ahead of time? Either way, focus now on what you want from that phone call, whichever direction it goes in. Chin up.

Sarah061991 · 11/07/2023 13:21

I wouldn't think you'd get a support worker job with a communications conviction no matter how long ago tbh

Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 13:31

Sarah061991 · 11/07/2023 13:21

I wouldn't think you'd get a support worker job with a communications conviction no matter how long ago tbh

Can you explain why please? It will be completely off my record in 3 years, I didn't need to disclose it but chose to be honest. I have made it through a masters in social work and my placements with it on my record. Why do you think it wouldn't be accepted for support work?

OP posts:
Scienceadvisory · 11/07/2023 13:50

Maybe the candidate who was filling out paperwork doesn't already work there? They already employ you so they will have the info they need on you already.

NewNameNigel · 11/07/2023 13:52

Scienceadvisory · 11/07/2023 13:50

Maybe the candidate who was filling out paperwork doesn't already work there? They already employ you so they will have the info they need on you already.

I thought this. You need to do right to work checks at interview for external candidates but not internal ones.

Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 13:52

Scienceadvisory · 11/07/2023 13:50

Maybe the candidate who was filling out paperwork doesn't already work there? They already employ you so they will have the info they need on you already.

Oh yeah, perhaps actually!

OP posts:
WildUnchartedWaters · 11/07/2023 13:54

Maybe the candidate hadn't done one of the forms they were meant to do? Or maybe they needed to clarify something? Please don't overthink that bit , OP.

However, no, she sounds like she was very rude. They can ask I think but they should certainly be askng more about it - the one I had at my interview (also today) had a section of what did you learn from it bla bla bla to promote a discussion.

Ignore the PPS saying you wouldn't get a job. Companies are way more understanding now.

Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 14:08

WildUnchartedWaters · 11/07/2023 13:54

Maybe the candidate hadn't done one of the forms they were meant to do? Or maybe they needed to clarify something? Please don't overthink that bit , OP.

However, no, she sounds like she was very rude. They can ask I think but they should certainly be askng more about it - the one I had at my interview (also today) had a section of what did you learn from it bla bla bla to promote a discussion.

Ignore the PPS saying you wouldn't get a job. Companies are way more understanding now.

Thanks!!

OP posts:
Sarah061991 · 11/07/2023 14:50

It wouldn't prevent you studying, or the placements as that it supervised and part of your uni course. Without obviously knowing your specific case etc and what happened for you to be charged, that charge means you have been harassing and or abusive, repeatedly, and as someone who interviews, if I was presented with 2 candidates one with that and one without, I'd go with the one without charges, if it's off your record in 3 years then obvs it won't come up, but those charges can be from a scale of behaviour, the worst end clearly being abhorrent behaviour

MortgageConundrum · 11/07/2023 15:01

Those convictions wouldn’t have prevented you being offered a job at the council I used to work with. One of my colleagues had served a prison sentence for something that was quite shocking, so it didn’t prevent them from getting quite a good job.

Original poster
conflictedaf · 11/07/2023 15:01

Sarah061991 · 11/07/2023 14:50

It wouldn't prevent you studying, or the placements as that it supervised and part of your uni course. Without obviously knowing your specific case etc and what happened for you to be charged, that charge means you have been harassing and or abusive, repeatedly, and as someone who interviews, if I was presented with 2 candidates one with that and one without, I'd go with the one without charges, if it's off your record in 3 years then obvs it won't come up, but those charges can be from a scale of behaviour, the worst end clearly being abhorrent behaviour

Yes fair enough, if they had a choice between a candidate with that conviction and a candidate without I have no doubt who they would pick. However, that's not what you said in your previous comment. You said you doubt I would get a job as a support worker with that on my disclosure, full stop.

Also I work for that local authority as a youth worker, having direct and unsupervised contact with children so...

OP posts:
pinkunicorns54 · 11/07/2023 15:10

As a hiring manager in this field, I would have been asking you how your convictions shapes you as a person and what you can then bring to the job as a result.
What would happen if you were now faced with a client going through similar things - etc!

For me I'd be interested in your growth! Did they ask anything that allowed you to reflect on your last?

Sarah061991 · 11/07/2023 15:17

Everyone makes mistakes and errors in judgment and immature decisions at times totally, yoy already work in the LA and broadly in the same area which obvs goes in your favour, this is nothing against you personally, but I am surprised that you are working unsupervised with minors with that conviction, based on our guidlelines, and those minors parents if they knew you had a conviction for abusive behaviour round here would kick off massively, be cause of course no one will know the actual ins and outs of your case, I know that's blunt but it's how it is here anyways