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Original poster

I want to cry, terrible interview

39 replies

Gnashingofteeth · 20/07/2018 20:51

I had an interview today for a senior position in the public sector. It was awful. The panel was very nice gave encouraging nods and asked questions but my answer were unstructured and all over the place. I forgot to mention some key actions and things I'd done. To top it off, they asked what I saw as my development area. I do not know what possessed me but I mention one of the areas that was a core part of the job. I just can't believe I did that. I did mention that I have done much better in that area since undertaking a lessons learned and then training. I feel so demoralised. I messed it up. I just want to curl up and cry because I messed up a great opportunity.

Waiting for the outcome is going to be excruciating.

OP posts:
goodbyeeee · 22/07/2018 17:51

Thank you. Hope you get good news!

LilacTeal · 22/07/2018 17:57

I had an interview a few days ago..

They must think I'm an absolute nutter!
I can't help but laugh when I'm nervous.
So I sat there talking about suicidal patients while smiling broadly.

I'll keep you updated on that one Confused

Tatiannatomasina · 23/07/2018 23:46

Try not to beat yourself up over the things you missed. I had a terrible phone interview where I had to speak for half an hour. I went round and round talking rubbish and repeating myself over and over. The panel interupted me and told me to move on 😣 I have had that job for the last 8 months 😁

Original poster
Gnashingofteeth · 24/07/2018 08:39

Thanks for the positive vibes. I haven't heard anything yet. It's torture. I'm trying to keep distracted. Happy day and good vibes to all.

OP posts:
goodbyeeee · 24/07/2018 18:28

Mine wasn't great at all Sad

Original poster
Gnashingofteeth · 24/07/2018 21:14

Sorry to hear that Goodbyeeee. It may not be as bad as you thought and regardless of what happens, ask for feedback. I know there is little I can say to soothe you disappointment but I believe that it will all turn out well for you, whether this one or another.

Keep your chin up.

OP posts:
goodbyeeee · 24/07/2018 22:22

Thanks. It wasn't a total disaster bit it felt "weak" like I just didn't nail it. Thrown by some of the questions as my planned 'scenarios' just didn't fit. Lots of winging it. Don't feel I gave the best account of myself. Frustrating but at least it's over!

trickydickie · 25/07/2018 15:54

Gnash - no news is good news.

To make you feel better thought I would share my past 2 weeks. I have been to 5 interviews and not got one of the jobs. On the bright side I have another 2 interviews to go to but not hopeful.

Two of those 5 interviews were awful. I had the "fear" without the "hang over" for days and days after one of the interviews. Still getting the "fear" just not quite as frequently as the days are passing. Think I was actually worse than Spud in his interview in Trainspotting.

Fingers crossed that you hear soon and it is good news.

TheLesserOfTwoWeevils · 25/07/2018 16:12

I have an interview disaster that might provide some relief. I wanted to career change from admin to accountancy - I'd started studying AAT in my spare time, took on some accounts duties as part of my admin job, and wrote to every accountancy practice in the area with my CV. It seems impossible to get a job in a practice unless you're a school leaver doing an apprenticeship or a graduate trainee so I was over the moon when one practice offered me an interview for a trainee role. I swotted up on the firm, got a new suit, practiced answers to every interview question I could think of. I knew they'd probably ask why I wanted to work in accountancy so I had an absolutely fantastic answer planned (this was years ago, I can't remember what my answer was now).

I got to the interview, greeted the panel with a smile and a good handshake. Nailed "so, tell me about yourself" and was feeling that everything was going my way. Then they asked "why do you want to get into accountancy". I smiled knowing I had a great answer up my sleeve, opened my mouth and.....my mind went completely blank.

"Umm...err....well.... I um, like numbers and... er... patterns... and... umm... I like working with numbers... and patterns in numbers... and...I'm good at it...and...umm... yeah"

I was mortified. Needless to say the interview didn't last very long after that! I received a rejection letter in the post the next day. My interview was mid afternoon so they really didn't hang around.

Any interview I've had since then I've thought, well, however bad the interview is it can't be as bad as that one!

Original poster
Gnashingofteeth · 25/07/2018 20:44

I didn't get the job. Sad

Best of luck with the other 2 Tricky. Sorry the others did not pan out.

The Lesser, I know what that feels like.

Thanks for the support everyone.

OP posts:
goodbyeeee · 25/07/2018 22:32

Sorry to hear that.

trickydickie · 27/07/2018 00:35

Chin up Gnash. There will be other jobs.

daisychain01 · 27/07/2018 07:58

TheLesser, the fact the interviewers made no allowance for interview day nerves is their bad.

There's no way I'd let someone with potential slip through the net just because their mind went blank! Hopefully you went on to better things. Sometimes these things are a sign it wasn't to be.

When I think back to interviews that didn't work out for me it was always with the benefit of hindsight it was a lucky escape!

Chottie · 31/07/2018 22:11

Gnashingofteeth

I'm sorry you didn't get the job, would you consider using the interview as a learning experience and asking for interview feedback? I would do that and use the feedback as preparation for my next interview.

Onwards and upwards. Flowers

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