Lifeguard interview

[Bufftailed]

DC had interview. So many applications to get to this point. Never done a job interview before. Was quite hard with questions about equality etc. He felt it went well and they were nice.

However they asked him to take certificate / ID in case he was successful. Didn’t ask to see it. Said he should hear in 2-3 weeks, interviewing loads of people and if he doesn’t hear assume not got it. He also mentioned interviewer prompted him a few times.

As someone who has done loads of recruitment / interviews this feels to me like he probably hasn’t got it.

Obviously he has to wait, but really feel for him as been applying for p/t jobs for months. He is 16

Reasonable - to assume not got it
Unreasonable - to assume not got it

If he needed prompting it suggests it didn't go too well

But well done to him.

Seems he has a strong work ethic.

He has the qualifications and seems keen to start working.

Yeah it’s all learning. He said they were nice to help him with Qs, I was thinking hmmmm

When he gets the next one we can do more prep. Just so many applications to get an interview and been messed around, feeling a bit protective!

My ds got a job as a pool lifeguard just after his 17th birthday.

Apparently, there were two candidates they were happy with but DS got it because the other one was 18 and therefore the NMW would have been higher for the older candidate.

So your DS has a £2.85 an hour advantage over older candidates, from April. Sad but that's how it is.

Surely this is age discrimination

I wouldn't say that prompting would indicate that he hasn't got it. Especially with an job aimed at younger people who aren't used to interviews. If I prompt people, it means I want them to score well. If I'm halfway through and they've completely missed the mark then I'll stop prompting

They weren't messing him around

Best case - he gets the job
Worst case - he had some interview practice

gosh that sounds hard - round where I live the leisure centres are crying out for lifeguards. They recruit a lot around September when they lose a load who go to uni - keep plugging away and he’ll get there.

They were always crying out for lifeguards when DS was 16. Paid for him to do the course and get qualified and he got an interview. They told him on the day the other candidate had got it. He was very academic and more brain than brawn so it wasn't a surprise but was very demoralising for him.

Cash strapped businesses will likely take the most cost effective option, if it's as well qualified and effective as the alternative.

Given the responsibilities, it ought to pay more than NMW. I say that as someone who worked as a lifeguard in the late 70s when I was at Uni. I loved the job TBH.

My DS got a lifeguard job a few months after turning 16.

Our pool pays all lifeguards the same, which is more than NMW for age 21. The responsibility is the same no matter what age they are.

OP I wouldn't worry too much. When DS interviewed he knew more than the person doing the interview.

If he doesn't get this one keep looking, try hotels, private gyms like David Lloyd and local pools. Round here they are crying out for lifeguards and swim teachers.

Happy ending to report!

DC had another lifeguard interview today. We did some intense prep, especially around coming across assertive, confident etc. He got the job on the spot and they told him it was 10/10 interview! Turns out persistence pays off!!

Thanks all!

Fantastic. My two DC both love it and the local authority have since paid for them to train as swim teachers so they get hours for that too

Well done!