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Worst interview of my life!

12 replies

Wineandshine · 05/07/2021 10:55

Just that really. I am trying to get back into my profession after maternity leave and have just interviewed for a job I would on paper be perfect for. Unfortunately I didn’t know the answers to any of their questions and there was no way I could have prepared for them. I’m just feeling so very sad about it all. I have had lots of rejections recently but normally the feedback is that I interview well but just lost out. Please cheer me up as these opportunities are highly competitive and no interview is ever similar so I think I am prepared, do loads of prep about the role but in this case no questions were really asked about the role.

OP posts:
maxelly · 05/07/2021 11:45

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that. Please don't feel bad about it - I work in HR so have done lots of recruiting/interviewing and (a) it always feels worse to you than it does to the interviewer so you may not have done as badly as you think and (b) all sorts of behind the scenes weirdness goes on that you have no idea of as the interviewee, it's possible for instance they already have someone in mind for the job and designed the questions accordingly (hate when people do this but it does happen!) or they may have written the job description and advert really badly (possibly copying and pasting from a different job) so their questions were totally different to what you would have reasonably expected or prepared for, neither your fault at all but it still feels horrible Flowers.

To cheer you up, here's some anecdotes from my own chequered career as an interviewee... job 1 was for a v posh global company, arrived at their swanky offices and was shown to what can only be described as a cupboard with a landline phone - receptionist explained the panel were all at one of the American offices that day so the interview would be 'remote' - this was well before Zoom/Teams were a thing so this involved me shouting my answers down the very-poor quality line to where the panel were huddled around a speaker-phone somewhere in the mid-West... Their questions were also really odd, I work in the operational side of HR (recruiting, employee relations etc) which is what their JD/advert said they wanted, but the questions were all about the other side of the profession, learning and development, OD etc which at that stage I'd had next to no experience in (as was very clear from my CV). I stammered out some nonsense in response (literally not even understanding the question in some cases) and exited the cupboard red-faced asap. They later called with the feedback I'd done a wonderful interview and they would absolutely have hired me Confused but another candidate had more experience - I can only conclude they either couldn't hear my answers at all or knew nothing about HR - or possibly both Grin!

Another humiliating experience, at the other end of the poshness spectrum, v. cash poor public sector org. that couldn't even stretch to a waiting room/receptionist to look after candidates so I had to wait in the corridor outside the interview room sat on a hard plastic school-type chair while the previous candidate finished their interview. It was clearly going wonderfully, they were all in gales of laughter the entire time and as she left the room they all shook her hand and the panel chair showed her out grinning and saying how wonderful to have met her - during my interview they all sat stony-faced throughout, I failed to even raise a titter or smirk with my (I think, excellent) small talk and little jokes and the panel chair didn't even shake my hand after, just pointed at the door. Unsurprisingly didn't get that job either!

I could tell you lots more bizarre stories from my HR experiences, from the lady who's interviewer technique was to solely ask 'yes/no' questions, no open ones whatsoever (on the grounds it was 'easier for the candidates that way' Confused ), same lady would also usually simply hire the candidate who lived nearest to the office for the role as her main selection criteria (well I guess she could hardly use their interview 'answers'!), to the man who always called candidates in for a second interview and asked them the exact same set of questions as the first interview, in the same order (to check for consistency!) and wouldn't hire them if their answers deviated in the slightest from what they'd said the first time, to various amusing mix-ups (interviewing candidates for the wrong jobs etc) but basically it all goes to show it's a weird old world and a bit of a lottery, I'd chalk this one up to experience/lucky escape and press on! Good luck!

CrashingCymbals · 05/07/2021 11:53

I interviewed for one hospital job- first one just as I graduated. I did loads of research but completely missed their organisation action plan. Guess what 75% of the interview questions were about! And the awful group discussion- which I always struggle with as I find it so hard to force myself/views into the group- was also based on this. Honestly was the worst 3 hours of my life!

Fingers crossed something amazing comes up for you soon OP!

Hairymoohead · 05/07/2021 18:40

I'd say sometimes interviewers are not great and their questions can also be a bit shit...who gives feedback to the hiring company? - they need to know they are doing a poor job too. Ask them for feedback, sometimes you get something more worthwhile that other candidates were stronger or had more experience.

Wineandshine · 05/07/2021 21:24

Thank you for all your positivity and bizarre stories. As predicted I did not get the job but now anxiously prepping for another one tomorrow. I know I’m in a very competitive field and now I’m not even sure I feel confident in it. Let’s hope this one is less strange although I definitely feel the pressure as we are already loosely acquainted 😬

OP posts:
CrashingCymbals · 06/07/2021 18:28

I hope it went well today @Wineandshine 🤞 for you!

CardinalLolzy · 06/07/2021 18:32

I could tell you lots more bizarre stories from my HR experiences, from the lady who's interviewer technique was to solely ask 'yes/no' questions, no open ones whatsoever (on the grounds it was 'easier for the candidates that way' confused ), same lady would also usually simply hire the candidate who lived nearest to the office for the role as her main selection criteria (well I guess she could hardly use their interview 'answers'!), to the man who always called candidates in for a second interview and asked them the exact same set of questions as the first interview, in the same order (to check for consistency!) and wouldn't hire them if their answers deviated in the slightest from what they'd said the first time, to various amusing mix-ups (interviewing candidates for the wrong jobs etc)

These are brilliant!
Op can you make a note of the Qs that threw you while they're fresh in your mind?

Wineandshine · 08/07/2021 11:52

My feedback was that I would never have been expected to know those things. I have just been turned down for another job despite the feedback being really good. I’m just really sad by it all ave feel like I’m being punished for things outside of my control. I am so fed up of everything right now and this has been the worst 18 months. I think I should just accept that it’s not meant to be and the last 12 years of training have been a waste.

OP posts:
Cazz246 · 12/07/2021 13:28

@maxelly

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that. Please don't feel bad about it - I work in HR so have done lots of recruiting/interviewing and (a) it always feels worse to you than it does to the interviewer so you may not have done as badly as you think and (b) all sorts of behind the scenes weirdness goes on that you have no idea of as the interviewee, it's possible for instance they already have someone in mind for the job and designed the questions accordingly (hate when people do this but it does happen!) or they may have written the job description and advert really badly (possibly copying and pasting from a different job) so their questions were totally different to what you would have reasonably expected or prepared for, neither your fault at all but it still feels horrible Flowers.

To cheer you up, here's some anecdotes from my own chequered career as an interviewee... job 1 was for a v posh global company, arrived at their swanky offices and was shown to what can only be described as a cupboard with a landline phone - receptionist explained the panel were all at one of the American offices that day so the interview would be 'remote' - this was well before Zoom/Teams were a thing so this involved me shouting my answers down the very-poor quality line to where the panel were huddled around a speaker-phone somewhere in the mid-West... Their questions were also really odd, I work in the operational side of HR (recruiting, employee relations etc) which is what their JD/advert said they wanted, but the questions were all about the other side of the profession, learning and development, OD etc which at that stage I'd had next to no experience in (as was very clear from my CV). I stammered out some nonsense in response (literally not even understanding the question in some cases) and exited the cupboard red-faced asap. They later called with the feedback I'd done a wonderful interview and they would absolutely have hired me Confused but another candidate had more experience - I can only conclude they either couldn't hear my answers at all or knew nothing about HR - or possibly both Grin!

Another humiliating experience, at the other end of the poshness spectrum, v. cash poor public sector org. that couldn't even stretch to a waiting room/receptionist to look after candidates so I had to wait in the corridor outside the interview room sat on a hard plastic school-type chair while the previous candidate finished their interview. It was clearly going wonderfully, they were all in gales of laughter the entire time and as she left the room they all shook her hand and the panel chair showed her out grinning and saying how wonderful to have met her - during my interview they all sat stony-faced throughout, I failed to even raise a titter or smirk with my (I think, excellent) small talk and little jokes and the panel chair didn't even shake my hand after, just pointed at the door. Unsurprisingly didn't get that job either!

I could tell you lots more bizarre stories from my HR experiences, from the lady who's interviewer technique was to solely ask 'yes/no' questions, no open ones whatsoever (on the grounds it was 'easier for the candidates that way' Confused ), same lady would also usually simply hire the candidate who lived nearest to the office for the role as her main selection criteria (well I guess she could hardly use their interview 'answers'!), to the man who always called candidates in for a second interview and asked them the exact same set of questions as the first interview, in the same order (to check for consistency!) and wouldn't hire them if their answers deviated in the slightest from what they'd said the first time, to various amusing mix-ups (interviewing candidates for the wrong jobs etc) but basically it all goes to show it's a weird old world and a bit of a lottery, I'd chalk this one up to experience/lucky escape and press on! Good luck!

@maxelly thank you so much for the first paragraph stating the spin on the questions in an interview when the interviewer has already got a chosen candidate. This has happened to me on several occasions in the NHS, it’s so bloody obvious what’s going on! As soon as the weird unanswerable questions appear, which happened in my last interview I wanted to stand up and walk out. I knew the previous candidate had the job as I was kept waiting for an hour! I thought it was my imagination about the spin on the questions, but you have confirmed to me , was right !
DadAManger · 12/07/2021 16:03

Hello OP - can you give any insight into what profession you are returning to? It may overlap with my own or at least enable some more focussed advice?

Summerleaves · 12/07/2021 16:12

I had this on first returning to my field of work. One interview I volved me gaping silently as five people stared at me waiting for an answer for what felt like eternity.

Took a while but I'm back working in my profession now!

I'm terrible at interviews no matter how well I prepare but am really good at my job.

Wineandshine · 03/08/2021 19:29

I just wanted to update with the news that I was offered a position last week and two previous companies I interviewed with offered me positions after being unsuccessful! I’m so happy as the position I accepted is something where hopefully I can have lots of opportunities to expand my skills!

OP posts:
FindMeInTheSunshine · 03/08/2021 19:34

Congratulations!

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