I have to go on a trial for a new job and I feel a bit weird about it

[Pres11]

I had a really good interview last week for a administration role and was told they had one more person to see and would be in touch. The manager said that I was the best they had seen and were really impressed at the interview. I then got a call to say that they had also been impressed with the person they interviewed after me, and as such want us to both to have a 3 hour paid trial. So I agreed, and all weekend it’s been bugging me a bit, and I don’t like the idea of competing and being judged. Obviously when you have interviews you are being judged and are competing for the job but for some reason a trial is not sitting well with me. I’ve never had to do one before, and am I just behind the times or does anyone feel the same as me.

Do you have to commute in or is it WFH? For 3 hours, the travel/petrol/public transport cost might make it not worth your time if you have to go in.

so you already have a job and would have to hand in your notice for this job.
sounds a bit worrying - bit flakey

We did it once for maternity cover, because we were not 100% sure about either candidate - one lady interviewed fine but in front of a computer she went to pieces.

It'll be a good opportunity to scope out the culture of the office and the other people etc, there's nothing worse than starting a new job and it turns out the office is full of idiots!

We do job trials here for early childhood to make sure you're the right fit for the centre. Normally 1/2 day to see how you interact with the children and staff etc.

I was in a similar position some years ago. I said No I wouldn't do it but thanked them for their interest in me and wished the other person all the best. They came back to me by the end of the same day to say they'd decided to find the money for both of us as we each brought different skills to the job. I accepted and lasted only six months. The atmosphere between me and other person was tense from the beginning and I think we both felt we had something to prove. The other person was struggling with the employers and this was made worse for her ( I think) as I was considered Golden Girl. She was actually better at much of the job than me but unreliable and quite flakey and not liked by management. By six months I knew life was too short for this sort of crap and left

Oh and other person got sacked a month later

I think this is fine and could be positive for you both, you'll be interviewing them as much as they are you.

They're paying you and you'll need to be trained/guided by someone more experienced whilst you are there presumably, so you can see what their training process is like.

It's just three hours; I'd give it a go.

I think I would do it if it was the final step in the selection process for me only .... but not if it was to choose between me and one other. That's quite unusual I think.

Did you not read the OP?

my dc had this also for costa and bar work, slightly different as theses arent contract jobs normally.

You'll get to learn more about the company before committing. It could be a very toxic environment, or everyone could be lovely. This gives you more chance of finding out than an interview.

For whatever reason, something is telling you this isn't right. Take notice of that! I turned a job down a while back for something similar.

I'm not really sure they will glean any more information about you from a job trial so for that reason I would turn it down. It would also irritate me that they were dithering about making a decision.

Personally I would be okay with this if I was getting paid for it.

Personally I would be okay with this if I was getting paid for it.

It depends on your situation - would it cause problems at your current job?

At least they are paying you for the trial - I turned down a job recently after they wanted me to do 2 unpaid trial shifts. And then tried to argue with me about it. Bullet dodged!

I think this would be great - gives you an idea of what your colleagues and the company is like.

I would actually prefer this to interviews. I get so nervous I never do well in them, and wish I could just show them how I’d be in the job instead.
I agree their process here isn’t great though. Especially telling you it’s between you and someone else. If they had been clear from the start that the final stage would be a trial run, you might not feel as uncomfortable about it now.
I would do it, but take the approach that this is your chance to see if you like the role/people etc.

Nope.

I did. But it was as I'd actually interviewed for a different job with them. I felt it was a good way to suss eachother out tbh and its now going well 6 months in.
What's unsettling is that they told you they had another candidate, smacks of indecision and lack of professionalism.
I guess it depends how much you want this job...

I have been to job interviews where they expect an enormous amount of time and effort from you but don’t have much to offer in return. One job I applied for required an entire day of rigorous tasks and interviews. By the end of the day all the candidates were thoroughly tired and fed up as the role didn’t really match the recruitment process.

I applied for a waitressing job a couple years ago and the boss wanted me to do a trial shift...i declined...it made me feel a bit icky but im not sure why...it helps that i didnt really want the job anyway.

But what if you weren't off on the day of the trial?!

Surely they would be unreasonable expecting you to take time off your current job to do a "paid 3 hour trial" for another job?!

It's not as if you're some sort of teenager taking on a paper round!!

I think they're making you jump through hoops.

The interview is where they did decide who is the best for for the job.

And how will they decide in 3 hours when 2 people come in to do a job they've never done in an office they've never worked in?!

I think I'd go as it is possibly more just a chance for the wider team to meet you, and you meet them? I can't envisage them actually making you sit there and do admin for the 3 hours.

I've worked in a team before that did this, invited in managers and directors to 'work' for half a day before being offered the role. It was a chance for them to scope the office out, and for the team to feedback as to what they thought of them. They didn't do any actual work.