AIBU to ask you to make me feel better about this absolute howler of an interview? Or should I just leave the country?

[TattyOldOwl]

So I had an interview today and it was over Teams in front of a panel of 3. I prepared well, and was sat in my home office at my desk on my new office chair

Anyway, before the interview, I’d been fiddling with the height adjustment of the chair as it wasn’t quite high enough for me. Finally got it sorted and all good.

so, I’m sat there and half way through an in-depth answer to a multi pronged question. I’m all animated and talking away when I suddenly feel myself descending but ever so slowly. I kind of stutter a bit as I’m SO distracted by this and I try to hold myself up by gripping my desk but it’s no use …. Literally, one moment I’m in their line of sight and then next, i gradually disappear from view as my hydraulic chair takes me all the way down as low as it will go.

I end up inches from my floor, desperately trying to scrabble myself back up and then I sort of PING back into view like a jack in a box to find one of the women on the panel literally helpless with laughter.

I just can’t. So mortified. Please tell me you’ve had worse?

Oh God, I'm actually crying with laughter, thank you so much

fucking hell @Okiedokie123 😂 Truly, I don’t need to be told not to say Jesus Christ in front of clients … and we don’t actually have ‘clients’ anyway

Well you said it during an interview and swore at me lol (I realise that was probably deliberate irony)😂 Both would be an issue at my workplace (if overhead by clients, fine amongst colleagues). I hope you get the job! For sure yours will have been the most memorable interview.

That's hilarious and will have made their interview process so much more fun! Keep us updated on the outcome. Xx

To add, an interview I went to, I got up and walked out...into a cupboard! I have no sense of direction and of course nerves. Got the job! Xxx

🤣🤣🤣

In a long career I have several memories that still make my cheeks burn when I think of them
i suspect that the panel loved it and was torn between admiration for the way you carried on and being in stitches at the incident.
you have certainly made me laugh💐

My friend's a barrister and I don't know if she's typical but she would've absolutely pissed herself.

I was taking an exam in the forces aged 19 in my best uniform where I had to explain some written prescriptions . The panel consisted of two senior high ranking officers and a civilian professor. I leant forward to read one of the scripts and slid off the chair and under the table . One of the officers leant over asked me if I was alright and helped me up.
He poured me a glass of water and asked if I wanted to stand outside , I didn’t , I managed to compose myself and carried on .
i passed 🤣

🤣

OP, I really wish I knew you IRL!

Told DP about your chair interview and we both cried with laughter for ages. It's the clinging to the desk, and the JBC that make it so funny. Still laughing now. Thanks for such an hilarious post!

I think you'll be remembered OP, sounds like you handled it well and gave the interviewers a much needed chuckle 😃

I managed to self tan my legs in a meeting last week (I thought my camera was off). I'd take you chair incident over that any day of the week. By the way, I'd have loved how well you handled it if I was interviewing you.

That is so funny.
Honestly unless you descended into unacceptable obscenities or started to cry I don’t think this will matter. At least they will remember you!

Many years ago, I was just about to walk up the building steps to an office for my first post uni, proper job interview, when a big ole lorry drove past. Fine on a sunny day, less so on an October rainy day…. and of course was splooshed from head to toe.

As such, I turned up to the office covered in puddle water, with actual grit on my face, and dirt in my hair. I asked for 5 mins to sort myself out pre interview, and as many here have pointed out, made myself memorable to the interview panel and got the job. Even though I was cursing that lorry drivers name on the day, a few days later I was so happy I coulda bought them a pint

Needless to say, hang tight. It may come good in the end

I doubt I will ever read an embarrassing interview story that will top this one. Thank you @veryoldwoman

Maybe them actually laughing is a good sign in that they found your mishap funny rather than unprofessional. It sounds like you regained your composure fairly quickly which showed them you can handle an unexpected turn of it events and think on your feet (or the floor). Try not to dwell on it and I really hope you get the job.

Years ago I had a phone interview at home. I prepped well, started the call, said hello, leaned back on the chair (v cheap crap ikea) and….

CRASH BANG WALLOP

It broke.
i fell off
I squawked.

They asked what had happened. I explained and (rubbing my elbows said I was fine to carry on.

I also got the job! Fairly serious in house legal job!

Here’s my interview horror story. Online interview, 2 interviewers. Our internet was a bit dodgy in my home office which is in the garden so I’d come inside to the kitchen and blurred my background. All was going well - I’d prepared thoroughly, had some prompt cards. What I didn’t know was that young DD had somehow managed to change the chime and volume on our doorbell to a very loud cockerel sound. Half way through the interview it went off mid-question as a delivery arrived. It was so loud that one of the interviewers said why can I hear a cockerel? And the delivery driver was very persistent and rang the bell about 4 times before leaving. I totally lost it - stumbled through the rest of the interview unable to remember anything. Got the job though - and my boss still reminds me regularly about this

Not an interview but had to do an important Zoom call during lockdown. Had the kids at home so had scheduled it round husband being available to watch them. Set up in the office, door shut, good to go. About 10 mins into call, see the door handle moving up and down and can hear faint meowing. Door then opens, bastard cat bursts in. Decided to jump on my shoulder in full few of everyone on the zoom call. Apologised and chuck him off.. only for him to sneak up behind my laptop, slam it shut, completely lost connectivity to the call. I was mortified. Cat couldn’t give a toss, obviously.

@TattyOldOwl Howling with laughter in the early hours (insomnia.) Thank you, this is priceless. If I was an interviewer this would make me more inclined to hire you, not less.

This is also brilliant. This thread is a gift.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

My friend's a criminal barrister and her go-to is "holy shitballs". Probably not in court though.

This is very funny but @randomchap and the fart beats it

I once interviewed for a management consultancy. They had a 'joke' chair that fell apart and they were filming it with a hidden camera! Luckily I was wearing a trouser suit. I was furious.

I hope you get the job.