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Original poster

Missed my NHS job interview, feeling like a failure.

102 replies

milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 15:19

I was nervous so I arrived an hour early to try and get a parking spot and realised only then that I had accidentally forgotten my bank card and had no cash. I was in a very large city centre and my interview at a hospital. I tried driving around to various car parks incase you could pay by an app but I had no luck. I parked in one multi-storey that gave no indication of how you could pay, so I parked up in a tight spot and walked to find the machine and it was cash only. Same again everywhere I went. Finally I found a car park that accepted app payments, put in the code for the location and it said sorry no parking here today. I tried to ring my husband to see if he could give me my bank card number and his phone was off. I rang department & say I cant come (25 minutes before I am due) and nearly cry on the voicemail. I then start going home and my phone rings repeatedly so I pull over and one of the ladies who was interview said to come back and told me where to park that was free. I had trouble finding it and then when I did there was not a single space anywhere, I drove around and around. I then drove into a carpark then see it says staff permit only and as I realise this I lightly hit the wall and slightly scrape the front of my car. At this point I can't see for crying so I drive home and email when I arrive home to say sorry and good luck with filling the role.

I desperately wanted that job.

I haven't worked in 4 years and it was a perfect part-time job. It was also relevant to the degree I'll be studying next September.

I'm so sad and kicking myself over and over. Sad

I guess it was not meant to be.

OP posts:
Marylou2 · 11/04/2018 15:23

Call them OP. Apologise and explain the situation. Be open and honest. Ask for another chance. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Good luck and go by train next time

Misty9 · 11/04/2018 15:24

Oh you poor thing. Perhaps they'll offer to interview you another time? Maybe call again and explain you crashed the car and were so stressed you had to go home? Flowers do something nice to cheer yourself up

Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 15:27

I don't think they can, but I'm not 100% sure how it works with NHS interviews. One of the ladies who was interviewing me, and was the lead specialist, emailed me back just saying thank you for letting me know and I'm sorry that you had trouble parking.

I was going to go by train but for some silly reason thought the car would be easier. Which it would have been had I remembered my bank cards. Hmm

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 11/04/2018 15:28

Don't email and say you crashed the car, it just adds an air of not coping to it.

Email again and say, apologies again, if you don't fill the role, let me know if you are reinterviewing.

Honestly though, why didn't you just risk the fine and not pay? You were clearly able to just drive in and out.

katiehoffler · 11/04/2018 15:28

Hey.. Call them and explain everything and i'm sure they will give you another chance. It shows how determined you are aswell. Good luck : )

Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 15:32

I can't afford a fine Bluntness. I've only been driving for 2 months and so I don't actually know how much a fine is but I imagine it's more than I can afford right now.

OP posts:
AnnaHindrer · 11/04/2018 15:39

Sorry about the distress. Next time, plonk your car and get the fine! You can definitely afford the fine if you can afford to go jobless. You could have got the fine but got the job!

Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 15:45

I could have also got the fine and not got the job, which really would have been a kick in the teeth.

Just like asking me why I didn't just plonk my car anywhere when I'm already feeling bad enough.

OP posts:
nellly · 11/04/2018 15:57

I agree there's nothing to lose by asking for another shot but I'd be astonished if they gave you one, you don't seem to cope well with stress or unexpected problems so the NHS might not want you right now. Not saying that's how
You are always but certainly how this one incident comes across.

Treat it as a lesson learned, next time visit the area ahead of time if you can, check
Your bag etc, park somewhere you know or get a train and taxi Thanks

EmmaC78 · 11/04/2018 15:58

Sorry to hear you had a stressful experience. I interview a lot as part of my job and to be honest would not give you an second chance at that time as they would no doubt have interviewed and made a decision by now. However I think you did all you could by letting them know and hopefully they will bear you in mind for any future roles.

BeardofZeus · 11/04/2018 16:07

I’ve done this before (not for an interview, just the parking and forgetting the card to pay with) and found that people are generally willing to help out, especially as I was able fo transfer money to people by my banking app as they paid for me. You were unlucky this time, and opportunities will come again and you can know to chance the fine (usually the terms of parking are posted in the car park if you wanted to check the risk reduced by paying promptly) if you ever forget your cards again, or test the kindness of strangers as I did Smile

penguinsandpanda · 11/04/2018 16:10

I would e-mail them again and say you are really sorry you missed the interview as you really wanted the role. You realise they've probably found someone now but if not you would be very happy to attend another interview and will make sure you bring cash. I wouldn't say about the car crash.

In a similar situation I would maybe have recommended asking someone if they could lend you £3 or whatever the parking is as you've got a job interview and forgotten your wallet and I would imagine someone would give you the money. And offer to pay it back later.

Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 16:15

I emailed and they emailed back offering me another interview at 16:30, but I wouldnt be able to make it on time :(

Nevermind. What's done is done.

OP posts:
Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 16:17

Treat it as a lesson learned, next time visit the area ahead of time if you can, check
Your bag etc, park somewhere you know or get a train and taxi

The only lesson to be learned was to not forget my bank card Grin I knew the area, I arrived an hour early, and found a spot. I just couldn't pay!

OP posts:
crisscrosscranky · 11/04/2018 16:18

Chalk this one up to experience OP. Good luck on your job hunt Brew

Bluntness100 · 11/04/2018 16:18

Ah you're a new driver. Ok most experienced drivers would have risked the fine in this situation. A job has a much bigger financial benefit, and the terms of fines are normally displayed. In addition, very often no fine is forthcoming, and you could easily have called the car park operator on return home and preempted and explained. Many people park and don't even pay because they would rather risk it. Not something I'd advise but it happens.

I'd also maybe prepare the night before in future, keep your bank card and cash in your purse and the handbag you will use. If driving is still stressful for you, as it would be, then just take public transport to important things.

Just chalk it down to experience, it was just one of those days. You will find another opportunity.

I don't think calling them and explaining it all will go down well. As said, a brief email saying "thanks, if you don't fill the position, and re interview just let me know, I'm very keen, also a quick learner and have the parking sussed now!" And leave it there.

Bluntness100 · 11/04/2018 16:19

Why can't you make it on time?

plire · 11/04/2018 16:20

Ah that's shit op.

From what you said in your op I'm guessing it's not a qualified position? So maybe band 2/3?

We have dreadful trouble filling the roles, so if someone has skills and experience we'd honestly re-interview. We always have HCA type vacancies.

Honestly, pick up the phone and talk to them. Explain what happened. In our trust you'd be kind of applauded for 'problem solving' etc.

Bluntness100 · 11/04/2018 16:21

Just say I'd love to, thank you, but I live in x location and I cannot physically make it by that time as the journey takes x by train and x by car. Do you have any other options maybe?

If that's the reason,

eggsandchips · 11/04/2018 16:21

A similar sort of thing has happened to me - try and ask for another opportunity but prepare yourself for the high chance they'll offer it to someone at the end of day. Good luck.

Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 16:23

Band 3 yes. They said they'd set aside today for

bluntness because it's almost rush hour, and I live too far away to make it in the 35 minutes I was given... it took me 52 minutes to get there this morning... On the train would take even longer.

OP posts:
Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 16:24

Sorry, the toddler is trying to climb on me and is distracting me from typing Grin

They had set aside today for interviews, I imagine they are very busy people.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 11/04/2018 16:24

Then tell them that,,,,

QuiteLikely5 · 11/04/2018 16:24

Seems like they have tried to accommodate you!

I can’t for the life of me understand why you just didn’t park somewhere other than a car park.

Original poster
milliegeobotandyou · 11/04/2018 16:24

I did...

Are you trolling me?

OP posts:
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