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

[conflictedaf]

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?

If you already work for the local authority wouldnt they already know about your convictions from a previous interview?

I may be wrong but for an enhanced DBS all convictions will show however long ago they were. You would need an enhanced DBS to work with children or vulnerable adults. It is not something you could hide. However they should have a policy on how they deal with this and this should be followed.

I'm in Scotland and no - protected convictions committed under 18 come off the record (even an enhanced) after 7.5 years. Protected convictions committed over 18 come off the record (even an enhanced) after 15 years.

Unprotected convictions stay on forever.

Both of my convictions are protected.

You can also apply to the court to have protected convictions removed after they’re spent bit before the 15 years.

She already works with children.

Yeah I tried this but it's a headache and a lot of money unfortunately

Since it’s a role working with vulnerable adults, you would need an enhanced DBS and they would show up, so you were wise to declare them.

In my experience in school recruitment, the interview panel will normally know and can ask questions. Sometimes advice is also taken from LADO or LA. It’s hard for the candidate but doesn’t mean the panel have done something inappropriate- they have to safeguard the people you would be working with, or that they definitely won’t offer you the job. In fact I’d say I’d they had decided not to offer you it for sure, they wouldn’t have bothered having you in for an interview.

Your convictions are on the more serious side, I’ve only ever dealt with more minor convictions and cautions. So I don’t know the procedure for this role but I wish you the best.

Remember if you go for a role which isn’t eligible for an enhance DBS then you will have a much easier time (if spent you don’t have to declare them and won’t come up on a basic DBS).

Sorry, I’ve just seen you’re in Scotland where everything is different. Wish you all the best.

The paperwork might have been something she took in with her, notes, whatever.
Don’t be disheartened on disclosing, they obviously gave you an interview and had knowledge of them.
When will you find out?

I always feel like absolute carp after interviews. It's the let down after the nervous tension before going toe to toe with the interviewers. There's always things that you'll think "oh yeah I shouldn't have said...." or "Gah, why didn't I mention...." All my friends remind me that every interview is practice for the next one.

Best of luck with your job search - you'll get that perfect role at some point!!

It doesn't sound particularly positive but I am taking that from the advice you received as to what you should do next time.

But I don't see any issue with the hiring people being aware of your convictions, it is relevant. I recently took on a job in a school and in my interview, which was before they applied for the enhanced DBS they asked if it was going to show something that could be an issue.

I think this was reasonable as I would be working with children and I think it was reasonable that you were asked considering you will be working with vulnerable people.

If your convictions were deal breakers then I don't know why they wasted everyone's time interviewing you.

Sadly sometimes it is to been to be doing the right thing. Twice I’ve applied for a role where it has gone to an internal candidate so I was very pleased when the public sector started doing the ring fencing thing in adverts “Only for internal candidates” because you know there is a candidate lined up already.

*seen not been. Sausage fingers.

Well they said the would let me know either way today but not heard anything.

I got the job 😊

Yesss 👏👏👏👏

🎉🎉🎉 Well done!!!!!!

Yay! Well done!

Well done! 🥳🥳🥳

Congratulations!
I was just logging on to say that one of my colleagues has a conviction for dealing drugs (again over 10 years ago but came up on check when she started) and she still got a support worker job.
I think the main thing is being honest during the interview process and explaining the circumstances around it so its not a shock to them if it comes back on a check.
HUGE WELL DONE OP, it just shows you were right in being honest

Thank you all so much. I am thrilled!

So chuffed for you! Well done, and good luck!

Thank you! And yes totally agree. I was saying to my mum, I'm so glad I was upfront and honest as I know there will be no nasty surprises when my PVG comes back as they know what is on it. We all make mistakes, some more and worse than others, but I've certainly learned and grown from mine.

You clearly don’t understand how the law works, and I hope you’re never in a position of hiring or worse, managing people if you’ll allow illegal prejudice to influence you.