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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

4 candidates, 1 role, smashed the interviews.. chances of success?

164 replies

anyonegotacrystalball4 · 22/09/2023 15:10

I know this is a really difficult question to answer but it's very stuck in my head!

I'm applying for my dream job and have had two very promising interviews, nailed the task set for me and had very good feedback on what a strong candidate I am.

There are three other candidates in the pool and I don't know anything about them. What would you say are the chances of success in this scenario if all members of the interview panel loved your CV and performance in interview.

Is it likely this could happen across the board, or is it a sign you're a strong contender?

My stomach is in knots waiting for the outcome, so please humour me with what your view is on this one!

OP posts:
CobraChicken · 22/09/2023 16:44

I think @anyonegotacrystalball4 's mistake was posting in AIBU instead of chat. Nothing that she wrote was arrogant but this board always seems to bring out mega-bitchy responses.

heyathere · 22/09/2023 16:44

Really really really don't mean to sound catty but your initial post genuinely confused me too... I would get it if more nuance was provided, but the only info is that 100% of everything went swimmingly well. What would you expect to hear apart from this generic answer: high chances unless there are other factors (eg internal candidates / other candidates performing well / other mysterious factors), so it's really a toss up and no one can know? Like what other possible answer could there be? Kindly, if you wanted reassurance or congrats you could just state so directly - it's a life skill in a sense :)

Well done, truly, congrats!! And it's ok to be optimistic and hope for the best!

Poppyseed14 · 22/09/2023 16:45

Good luck OP. My wee granny would have said if it's for you it won't go by you. 💚💚

krustykittens · 22/09/2023 16:45

Dominoeffecter · 22/09/2023 16:42

And it’s no wonder that we are all so afraid to ever be proud of ourselves if you get labelled arrogant for a straight forward turn of phrase like ‘I nailed the task’ fgs

Right?! God forbid we ever say anything positive about ourselves or take pride when we do something very well!

FernsInTheFire · 22/09/2023 16:45

Impossible to say! I know the agony though… I’ve not progressed in processes where the interviews went like a dream and been offered jobs after performances that left me kicking myself.

In my last experience on the interviewer side we ended up going not for the candidate who was clearly capable of doing the job from day one as they’d already been doing an equivalent for years but someone who could grow into the role as we wanted someone who’d do it for a while. There are all sorts of variables.

YouJustDoYou · 22/09/2023 16:46

Are you of a minority/"marginalised" group/LGBTQKJTSRF+? Then it's a shoe-in. Unless of course the other candidates are the same....

InfoFreako · 22/09/2023 16:47

Good luck OP! It’s either yes or no. As others have said, it can come down to other factors besides role competence, e.g. personalities, physical characteristics, non-verbal behaviours or whether another candidate knows a panel member. Fingers crossed!

OatsChoc · 22/09/2023 16:47

I think there is a high chance that you will get the job.

What were the interviewers like? Any bad feelings about any of them?

I was the strongest, by far, candidate in interviews last year, internal too, aced the task, did a great first part of the interview until one woman who's know to be a massive bitch started asking me questions and mad me trip up. In the end no candidate got the job and they had to advertise again. Lucky for me as I got a much nice job with nicer people as a result.

I hope you get what want but by the sound of it, you will!

heyathere · 22/09/2023 16:47

CobraChicken · 22/09/2023 16:44

I think @anyonegotacrystalball4 's mistake was posting in AIBU instead of chat. Nothing that she wrote was arrogant but this board always seems to bring out mega-bitchy responses.

I really wasn't trying to be bitchy but OP posted it as a question which I was trying to answer but couldn't... What kind of objective evaluation can one be expected to provide in answer to "every single thing went really well"? I think it's really worth congratulating fwiw, and offer my genuine congrats, but maybe it's less confusingly phrased as an "I'm chuffed but still really nervous about a possible spanner in the works! Please keep your fingers crossed with me" etc

Birdsongsinging · 22/09/2023 16:48

It sounds like you have a really good chance of getting it - I think if you felt it went really well then it probably did! Good luck!

saveforthat · 22/09/2023 16:49

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I had an interview a couple of years ago and the interviewer said "you would be a perfect fit for this role". I didn't get it! Clearly there was more than one perfect fit. There are too many unknowns especially around other candidates. I hope they don't keep you waiting too long.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 22/09/2023 16:51

I don't understand the snippiness of some posters to you OP and you're not coming across as arrogant to me, just supremely hopeful. Ignore the twats.

1 in 4 would be correct only IF there were nothing to choose between the four candidates. They may have done as well as you - or better - or worse. You have done your absolute best and are pleased that you gave a good account of yourself. You really can't ask more of yourself than that so be proud of your interview, come what may. You know that you can interview well and, should you not get the job, you will not be needing to go through the 'what if's' with yourself as you've done all you could.

i hope you get it. I was in the same position as you. Interviewed really well for a job that I really wanted - and I got it. It's awful waiting but, be calm and wait and see. I'm a firm believer that if the job is meant for you, you'll get it. I never believe that about men or relationships, that's bunkum but jobs - absolutely!

Great good luck that you'll hear soon. Star

CobraChicken · 22/09/2023 16:53

heyathere · 22/09/2023 16:47

I really wasn't trying to be bitchy but OP posted it as a question which I was trying to answer but couldn't... What kind of objective evaluation can one be expected to provide in answer to "every single thing went really well"? I think it's really worth congratulating fwiw, and offer my genuine congrats, but maybe it's less confusingly phrased as an "I'm chuffed but still really nervous about a possible spanner in the works! Please keep your fingers crossed with me" etc

Show quote history

Your reply wasn't bitchy in the slightest. None of the ones that were just saying that there's no way to know, were...

I'm referring to people saying stuff along the lines of "Hope you didn't come across as arrogant as in your OP!"

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 22/09/2023 16:54

Fingers crossed for you too, 7Worfs

Iheartpizza · 22/09/2023 16:55

Based on what you've said I think you have an excellent chance!

It's unlikely all 4 candidates smashed the interview and made a really good impression on the panel.

Good luck, I hope you get it!

OatsChoc · 22/09/2023 16:55

I don't understand the snippiness of some posters

If a guy on a forum with men had posted that he 'smashed' an interview, the other guys would say great well done! But as women we must be meek an unconfident.

Too many women love to undermine other women.

SurprisedWithAHorse · 22/09/2023 16:56

Zenwey · 22/09/2023 16:41

@anyonegotacrystalball4 you may well be the least arrogant person in the world, but I was commenting on how you’ve come across in the few posts you’ve made. Comments such about how much you “nailed the task” and some of the tone have come across to me that way. I’m not being “mean”, you’ve asked a question and this is my answer. It’s not indicative of you as a person when it’s only based on a couple of posts, but equally it’s a possibility.

Oh come on. You've never, ever taken pride in something you knew you did well? You think you're always shit at everything?

heyathere · 22/09/2023 16:57

CobraChicken · 22/09/2023 16:53

Your reply wasn't bitchy in the slightest. None of the ones that were just saying that there's no way to know, were...

I'm referring to people saying stuff along the lines of "Hope you didn't come across as arrogant as in your OP!"

Show quote history

Maybe some were malicious but I guess I can understand that perspective. If you're asking for an objective evaluation but then just say 100% of everything went well, it can come across as a bit arrogant. Not to try and mind read OP, but I learnt years ago that it's ok to ask straight up for reassurance or congrats, rather than fish, and I feel it's a handy life skill sometimes.

TheGoodBanana · 22/09/2023 16:57

Well OP I for one really hope you have got it, it sounds like you have done well so I foresee good news in your future!

My fingers are crossed for you. Good Luck!

NeedToChangeName · 22/09/2023 16:57

I was once told that I was the successful candidate, brought in for training, shown where I would sit, introduced to the team...... and they STILL went and offered the role to someone else ! Completely bizarre and highly unprofessional

But, the joke's on them as I now earn twice as much elsewhere and love my current role

I hope you are successful. But if you're not, it'll all turn out fine in the end

ManateeFair · 22/09/2023 17:01

Without knowing how good the other candidates were, nobody can tell what you what your chances are. If there are four candidates and you all did equally well, then obviously you've all got the same 25% of success, but of course we don't know that.

HikingforScenery · 22/09/2023 17:04

That’s usually when you find your dream job, when you’re alright where you are and not desperate for the one you’re interviewing for! Good luck!

Henryhover · 22/09/2023 17:04

Awww OP I wouldnt worry about how shitty other people are, some are so jealous 🤣🤣

You sound anxious not arrogant and that's completely normal! If you don't get it then it's their loss as I'm sure you're a great person! 🤞 soo good luck to you and your dream job! ❤️

ManateeFair · 22/09/2023 17:06

anyonegotacrystalball4 · 22/09/2023 15:25

Absolutely not. I'm the least arrogant person and do nothing but doubt myself. These are the comments that the interviewers made, hence what I'm repeating here. But as I'm actually so full of self doubt, this is why I'm asking the question.

Show quote history

I don't think you sound arrogant at all, OP! We've all had that feeling of knowing an interview went as well as it possibly could have done and sitting there on tenterhooks waiting to find out the outcome. Even though we can't really tell you what your chances are, I've certainly got my fingers crossed for you.

PyongyangKipperbang · 22/09/2023 17:07

I had one recently. I knew I fulfilled all the criteria and the reason I know I did well at interview was that they told me so in the feedback. I was second choice and they offered it someone who had more experience within the sector than I did. Apart from that there was very little in it. She did say it was difficult to chose between two very strong candidates.

Gutted wasnt the word but at least I know I did well and I didnt imagine it when I walked out thinking I had nailed the interviews!

Keeping everything crossed for you!