Interview in 2 hours. Want to cancel.

[Mrsfrumble]

Please talk me down!

I've been out of work for 5 years. This is my first interview since I started applying for stuff when youngest started school last September. I was gobsmacked to be invited; having been under the impression that such a break would render me fairly unemployable. I do (or did!) have relevant skills and experience for the job, but I'm so rusty, if I'm honest it will take time and assistance for me to get back up to speed.

There's going to be a 15 minute "test" before the interview. No indication of what it's about, only that candidates don't need to prepare. I've convinced myself it's going to be technical stuff that I won't remember how to do. I want to call and cancel so I don't waste their time and mine.

Any tips for salvaging some dignity if this turns out to be the case? How honest should I be about my rusty skills? Obviously I was upfront about the career break on my application (I have been volunteering in that time, but in a totally different area).

Just go for it! You aren't wasting anyone's time! They wouldn't have called you for interview if they didn't think you had the capabilities. I had a career break of 3 years, I didn't dwell on the fact I was rusty just said I understand I'll need to get back up to speed but given my previous experience I don't think it will take too long. Which in fact turned out to be the case!!

The worst that can happen is you don't get the job. Which is exactly the same position you're in now, with the benefit of some interview practice.

Don’t panic. Regard it as a fact-finding exercise.

Even just getting dressed and ready for an interview is helpful practice for your dream job interview!

The test might be writing something, number/calculation, or perhaps verbal reasoning. It’s a game! Imagine it is trivial pursuit on Christmas Day!

Please go!

You’ve done so well to get an interview! Think of all the people who didn’t and wish they were in your position now, you must go!

Unlikely to be technical stuff. Just stupid questions like : Give an example of something you did that "made a difference"

Just go for it. Even if this one doesn’t go well, it’ll prepare you for future interviews.

Anyway, you might surprise yourself!

Best of luck!

Please go op I nearly did the same last week but the test was much more straightforward than I expected and I feel like I learned a lot doing the interview.
Good practice- all best op will be rooting for you!

You sound like you’re realistic about your abilities but try and think about them in a more positive way, i.e. ‘with the right support I’ll be great in this position’ ‘I’m ready for a challenge’! Good luck

You'll be fine it's most likely to be a generic aptitude test of some sort - unlikely to be technical.

Thank you for being so kind and positive! I will go.

I'm most worried about the test. I'm scared they'll put me in a room with a computer and ask me to complete a task I haven't done for 5 years (and might have even needed to ask a colleague for help with back then!), I'll go blank and look like an idiot and a liar!

I must feed my children and hoover before the babysitter arrives. I'm too nervous to eat.

Wishful, did you get the job?

I doubt it'll be that, if you can't prepare it's probably verbal reasoning or aptitude.

Come and update us op!

Good luck

I don’t know yep op but it went much better than I expected so I feel more positive about the next interview if this one doesn’t come through for me :)

Good luck OP! Remember that an interview is just as much about you getting a feeling for the company so that you can see if you like it. Come back and update us!

You'll be fine OP. Please update us once you get back x

Go go go!
And we need an update later

I get nervous before anything. Good luck x

Good luck OP!

I once went to an interview which didn't say anything about any tests beforehand in any of the letters I received. I arrived for the interview and was shown into a small room with flip charts and marker pens and I must have looked a bit as they said: "You did realise there's a test first didn't you?"

Argh. No I bloody didn't.

Managed to cobble together a brilliant presentation full of waffle and bollocks anyway. When I went onto the proper interview, I had to present it to the panel. Cringe.

Managed to get away with it though. Didn't get the job, but it was a good lesson in coping with surprises.

Thanks again. Will come back and update!

I've realised I've only ever been to 4 job interviews in my life, and three of those were more informal, one-on-one "chat" type things arrayed through contacts, rather than by application. I've never had to sit a competency test before!

Oh wow PuppyMonkey, that's both horrific and inspiring! I can only hope to think so quickly on my feet.

On the bus on the way there now. Stomach is churning...

Done! It wasn't great, but it wasn't too terrible either. They asked a couple of questions where I just had to say "I don't know", because it seemed more dignified and efficient than casting around or making something up and getting it wrong. But I think I gave a few decent answers too.

The test was on some fairly specialised knowledge of local history (relevant to the job) and I left a few blank spaces, but did respectably.

Good luck and glad it wasn’t a nightmare.

Mrsfrumble Well dome! So pleased for you, have a large tonight!

Well done mrs frumble! Update us with whether you get it or not!