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Original poster

Anyone got as far as an interview and thought "I don't want to work here?"

40 replies

bobbybobbobbingalong · 07/02/2006 02:10

Went for an interview today. I had been really excited.

Had the interview, which was very quick and then asked to look around. One of the other people showed me the type of room I would be working in, and I just thought - I can't do what I do in this tiny room.

They would be expecting me to teach 1 or 2 flute students in a room smaller than my bathroom.

I have now completely gone off the job and would rather continue to work from home in my enormous purpose built music studio with lovely piano and room to stomp around the room to demonstrate 2/4 time, even though once ds goes to school I won't really see him.

I am now hoping that they saw someone they liked more!

OP posts:
gladbag · 07/02/2006 07:41

I have. Had a teaching interview, when I was desperate for a job as moving 150 miles to be with dp. It was the only job that came up after months of looking. Went for the interview, and didn't like the Head, didn't like the only other senior teacher and wasn't keen on the school.
But....at teaching interviews in the UK they always ask "If we offer you the job, wil you take it?" and if you say "yes" then it's considered binding, so you have to decide there and then. I had to say "yes" and then was dreading being offered it.

As luck would have it, the Head phoned later to say I hadn't got it, but it had been very close, then the next day another Head called me to say that her senior teacher had just been offered the original job, so she had a vacancy, and the inspector who'd been part of the interviewing team thought I was pefect for her school, and would I come and see them.
Lovely school, lovely Head and I was very happy working there for the next 3 years.....so you never know where the interview might lead you!

Horrid situation to be in though. Did they ask you if you'd take the job?

Original poster
bobbybobbobbingalong · 07/02/2006 08:28

I don't think they thought for a minute that anyone wouldn't accept their offer.

Oh, what a strange thing to hope to be rejected.

OP posts:
Turquoise · 07/02/2006 09:03

I just have - been offered the job - horrible hours in a really gloomy dreary depressing place, but it fits in with school holidays and has 'prospects' so I'm taking it against my gut instinct which is screaming 'Noooooooooooo!'

elliott · 07/02/2006 09:08

I have. Unfortunately I ignored my gut instinct and took the job only to quit 9 months later....have now learned the lesson that it is not worth being in a job that makes you unhappy!
Don't do it!!

oops · 07/02/2006 09:09

Message withdrawn

acnebride · 07/02/2006 09:10

If they found a bigger room for you, would you take the job?

if so, no harm in ringing them up and telling them so? They must know it's not great but wd be hoping someone will be OK with it - give them a chance to change things around?

Blackduck · 07/02/2006 09:10

Yep...and stupidly I took it, and walked out 5 months later totally demoralised, stressed and depressed. The money, lack of travel and the holidays just weren't a big enough compensation....

Blondeinlondon · 07/02/2006 09:16

Yep, got offered a job at a PR firm - declined as they had the most ridiculous boardroom table - it was made from a piece of driftwood, uneven with holes in it!

Mosschops30 · 07/02/2006 09:19

Message withdrawn

Helen38 · 07/02/2006 09:39

Have to agree with everyone else, if it feels wrong, don't do it. I took a job in a nursery that I knew deep down was wrong, i hated it so much and only lasted 6 months. Worst thing was I left a nursery i worked in part time and loved for this full time job which sucked.

threelittlebabies · 07/02/2006 10:34

Yes, when ds was a baby, had interview/training for job working from home interviewing people about PI and writing statements. Woman interviewing me suggested, as I would be self employed and responsible for own tax/NI, that I might not want to bother declaring it. This at a supposed law firm! Plus felt would have to do more work for my money than was reasonable/ they were making out it would take

littlemissbossy · 07/02/2006 10:41

Yes, I went for an interview and felt exactly the same, I really could not see myself working there. What's more they offered me the job and I had to turn them down! Luckily I'd been offered another job so I had a valid excuse.

Albert · 07/02/2006 11:03

Yes, I was offered the job on the spot but turned it down since the interviewer (person I would have been working with) was a snotty old cow and I knew there was no way it would work, the job wasn't that brilliant either but it would have meant an income at least. Glad to say that DH was very supportive.

lahdeedah · 07/02/2006 11:04

Yes I've turned down a few jobs - the interview process goes both ways, it's your chance to check them out and make a decision about whether you want to work there or not. I am always suspicious of employers who don't show you round the workplace during an interview! As someone else said, if you get offered the job don't be afraid to address any concerns and maybe ask for another visit before making your decision.

FrayedKnot · 07/02/2006 13:49

I have done this twice since Christmas Bobbybob. I have been to 5 interviews, two I knew half way through the interview I wouldn;t be able to accept the job (didn;t like the people who were interviewing me, the culture, plus other things). I had to turn one of them down as they offered me the job. Of the other 3 inetrviews, two more didn;t offer me the job, and the 5th one has just offered me the job and now I am trying to negotiate the hours I want.

I'm just not going to start a job I think I will be unhappy with, it's already a big enough wrench deciding to work at all (have been a SAHM for 2 years).

Stick out for what you feel is right, when does your DS start school? Something else might have come along by then.

Original poster
bobbybobbobbingalong · 07/02/2006 15:20

I suppose if I could have a bigger room for at least part of the day, only teach flute (5 hours per week rather than 10 if I did recorder as well), use the same terms and conditions that I do in my home studio, and work on the morning my ds is already in preschool then I would try it.

If I'd seen the teaching rooms before she told me the school used to charge the teachers to use them I think I would have laughed out loud in the interview.

Maybe I could do the musical equivalent of Dead Poets Society and have students marching around the yard!

OP posts:
bosscat · 07/02/2006 15:41

Yes, I am currently employed by a company who I had the exact same feeling about. They were so pushy in the interview I ended up taking the job. I tried to get out of it before I started but they talked me in to it by saying "there is no problem you can raise which we won't deal with". Under the circumstances I thought I should give it a go. I've been there a month and I was utterly right in my instinct.

expatinscotland · 07/02/2006 15:43

This reply has been deleted

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threelittlebabies · 07/02/2006 15:49

Oh no Bosscat, is it really awful? Are you thinking about looking for something else?

Bugsy2 · 07/02/2006 15:51

Yes, has happened to me on several occasions. If they do offer you the position, just say thank you but unfortunately due to a change of personal circumstances you are no longer able to accept. Don't elaborate further but try and leave it on a good note (excuse the pun!) as you never know if you may need them in the future etc etc.

madmarchhare · 07/02/2006 15:55

Ha ha, yes. When I was at sixth form I went for an interview in a pub. Half way through the interview I just got up and said 'Excuse please, I have changed my mind, I dont like it in here' and left.

madmarchhare · 07/02/2006 15:56

excuse me please.

nulnulcat · 07/02/2006 16:22

temp agency sent me for a job really didnt like the woman interviewing me so i developed a bit of an attitude problem, agency got told i wasnt suitable for the position

Original poster
bobbybobbobbingalong · 07/02/2006 19:27

Never thought I'd be hoping I didn't get a job!

OP posts:
kokeshi · 07/02/2006 19:36

You know that happened to me quite recently. I've been working freelance, so it's a frequent thing that I meet potential employers. When I realised the interviewer didn't really know what or who she wanted, I just relaxed and had a laugh, maintaining I wasn't experienced enough.

She offered me the job saying that all the other candidates were too patronising and keen to tell her what to do! Maybe I should employ this tactic with my next one!