To wonder why I didn't get the job..?

[PoweredByFairydust]

I recently applied for a job which they invited me for an "informal chat" about it. They asked me no questions about myself other than what my CV already told them, and I was capable of everything the job included.
They said they had 4 people to fill 2 roles in mind.
I didn't get it. But I don't understand how they have judged it by meeting me, when they asked no questions? Didn't even tell me how much the job would be per hour or what the holidays would be etc. it was very strange.

Either the other people’s CV was better, or they already knew who was getting the job and were going through the motions.

Don’t dwell, just keep applying. Good luck.

You don’t need to ask questions to judge whether someone would be a good fit

If they didn’t need to ask questions it sounds like a very entry level role, so the informal chat would most likely be to gauge how you present yourself, your personality etc.

Other people must just have had more experience, chalk it up as good interview practice and carry on - it might not have paid well anyway!

Maybe they already had internal candidates earmarked for the roles but were going through the motions.

Maybe your apparent lack of interest (why didn't you ask about how much the job per hour or what the holidays were?) put them off?

But most likely that other candidates had better CVs.

@shepherdsangeldelight I did ask about holidays and they didn't seem to like it. They said they weren't sure if they would be unpaid or not and would need to work out how they would be accrued. I assumed it would be minimum wage.

The job doesn't sound like much of a loss to be honest. I wouldn't even apply for a job that didn't state the salary in the application form. And their lack of awareness of their own employment contract is alarming. Probably a lucky escape.

@Catza yes it was every Sunday and I have children so I simply said "how do holidays work? Is it a zero hour where holiday pay is given in each wage, or are they paid?" And they muttered about how they would have to be accrued and booked well in advance and their attitude seemed to change at that point.

Informal chats are a vibe check. You gave them the vibe of a grown up who won't be treated like shit when you asked about basic rights. Bullet dodged, OP!

A lot of employers don't like offering roles to women with young children, they won't admit this of course, in their mind they think youll want a lot of time off, even if it isn't true and offer a man with young children a role! I'd be vague with this unless they ask, doesn't seem a fair employer anyway if they can't answer a simple question on holidays

They sounds like shit, dodgy employers and you probably had a lucky escape

I think you've massively dodged a bullet there, be pleased. They clearly don't know what they're doing as an employer.

If it was council or NHS, then it's not what you know but who you know. The interview was just to tick the boxes.

Going for jobs in education I was too old, too inexperienced, too knowledgeable and, best of all, I was told it wasn’t my turn! They obviously hadn’t thought things through. Just pick yourself up and look for other jobs. Rejection is never pleasant.

You could ask for feedback but honestly sounds like a bullet dodged.

@Evaka has it right! They couldn't answer a simple question about a basic right, they want to hire someone who won't ask questions.
There's a better job out there for you @PoweredByFairydust.

They can see your experience and want to know you as a person. How do you present? Are you well spoken/presented? Do you engage well etc? It’s a vetting interview and they just didn’t see you in their team. Doesn’t mean you don’t have the experience. Just means you aren’t for them.

An informal chat isn't a formal interview.
Could have been part of weeding out process
But worth giving them a ring and asking for feedback
Good luck for next application!