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Original poster

Interview disaster - wwyd?

18 replies

Rightgroove · 08/10/2021 20:57

Hi everyone

I'm looking for some views and advice please. I applied for two civil service jobs recently - pretty senior level, £75k-ish salary for reference. I'm an experienced civil servant already and have had one interview so far which went really well. However, i also had to do a briefing exercise type test which was a disaster. Basically it was a timed activity and there was a timer counting down on the screen. Unfortunately the timer was set for the full period of the test, rather than the 80 mins i had to complete the task. This meant i thought i had 30 mins longer than i did, so ended up having to wing the presentation at the end and definitely made some errors re data etc. This was my own fault and i am totally kicking myself, but i do think the on-screen timer was confusing and without it I wouldn't have messed up the timing. Following the test i emailed the facilitator to note that i had made a mistake on a key piece of data, and explaining the issue i had with timing. She said she would forward this along with my report.

Basically i am just absolutely gutted that this mistake could have cost me both jobs (they are using one test for two jobs). Should i contact the hiring manager to explain the issues i had? Or will that just come off as desperate or defensive? I'm gutted because I did SO much preparation for these jobs and the interview went so well, so it seems such a shame that such a stupid mistake could cost me the whole thing.

Thanks for reading - advice and thoughts welcome!

OP posts:
neednotknow · 08/10/2021 21:03

Honestly? I think its worth raising because it does seem unfair if you were misled by the software. However, it is a senior role so if you can't keep time on your own, it doesn't look good imo. You should have been able to keep track of your own time if you were told how long you had for each task.

I think it will depend on whether the other candidates had the same problem. If they understood the timer and exercise, then they might be less understanding.

Original poster
Rightgroove · 08/10/2021 21:16

Yeah, it was a really stupid mistake on my part and I'm really irritated with myself. I'm just concerned that contacting them will make me look worse

OP posts:
Blimmingdull · 08/10/2021 21:19

I would think most people would value the interview more than an exercise - unless it’s an especially technical job I suppose. Even then, you might expect candidates to make some errors under timed conditions?

What you can’t control is how well everyone else will have done, so it’s possible you did well enough (or not, if lots of strong candidates).

Fingers crossed for you. You never know.

IactuallyHateMN · 08/10/2021 21:19

Could all be part of the process. Set you up, see if you notice, see how you react.... At least let the know you eventually noticed. Be gracious about it, maybe from the POV of saving others from the "mistake"...

neednotknow · 08/10/2021 21:22

If you do contact them, I would avoid framing it as if you've made a mistake by reading it wrong. Frame it as their task system being misleading and you feel it didn't give you the full opportunity to complete the task. That gives them something to actually look into - their system isnt supporting applicants. It does sound as if they could have made it clearer. Hope things work out for you.

Bluntness100 · 08/10/2021 21:22

Op wouldn’t every candidate have faced the same issue? Effectively the timer was for the full thing inc presentation and not just prep and you misunderstood?

If they only did it this way for you then yes, but if they did it for everyone this way and only you messed up then it doesn’t work in your favour. Plus they would have explained at the start.

Original poster
Rightgroove · 08/10/2021 21:29

Yep, everyone will have faced the same issues, and most people probably didn't make the same daft mistake as me! The thing is, my presentation was poor as a result which really doesn't represent my skills at all. That's why i wanted to explain. But perhaps it will just make things worse?

I have an interview on Tuesday for the second job. Thing is, because they are using the results from this test for both roles i feel like I've blown it before I've even interviewed

OP posts:
Franklin12 · 08/10/2021 21:37

I wouldn’t contact them. If you interviewed strongly that is very positive and you have already contacted them re some missing data.

Fingers crossed for you though and do come back if you can to update. All of us have messed up in interviews. I applied for a role internally and had a horrible cold. I really should have cancelled but didn’t and ended up waffling on about someone I used to work with who I really didn’t get on with. Nothing to do with the question I was asked or the role itself.

A month later I met the interviewer again at a conference and it was dark. I sat next to him during a break out session and he clearly didn’t remember me at all.

Ps I didn’t get the role...

Original poster
Rightgroove · 08/10/2021 21:42

Thanks - can i ask why you think it would be a bad idea to contact them?

OP posts:
ElephantandGrasshopper · 08/10/2021 21:56

When you have the second interview then maybe you could mention your problem with the presentation at the end of the interview?

You could even use it as an example if they ask you about a time when you made a mistake / wished you had done something differently?

Original poster
Rightgroove · 08/10/2021 21:57

Ooh i like this idea! Thank you

OP posts:
Doorhandleghost · 10/10/2021 02:51

At that level I think it’s part of the test. For that salary (based on my own current grade/salary) I’m thinking your going for senior civil service roles.

vivainsomnia · 11/10/2021 09:21

At that level I think it’s part of the test
That was my first thought too.

At this salary, I would think they expect the candidates to have considered this dilemma and either work it out themselves or ask before the start. It's a pretty likely scenario of a live situation.

You're hope is that others have failed as you did and those who didn't have a very bad interview.

I definitely wouldn't do text them. Doing so a lack of acceptance of your error and makes it look even worse.

vivainsomnia · 11/10/2021 09:22

Totally agree about using it as an example of learning though.

ArnoldBee · 11/10/2021 09:28

I think the key piece of info here is: Following the test i emailed the facilitator to note that i had made a mistake on a key piece of data, and explaining the issue i had with timing. She said she would forward this along with my report.

There is no need to email anyone else if this has been done?

TokyoSushi · 11/10/2021 09:29

Yes agree, it sounds like you're making excuses if you complain that the timer was wrong, at a senior level I suppose they'd expect that you'd be able to organise yourself/correct a mistake on the spot rather than being reliant on a timer.

However, you could definitely point it out as a learning opportunity/what you would have done differently. The good interview is positive - good luck!

flowery · 12/10/2021 09:14

If the facilitator has noted it along with the report, as she said she would, don’t contact anyone else about it. Either they’ll take it into account or they won’t, you raising it again won’t help.

SeasonFinale · 19/10/2021 10:22

I agree that it was part of the test tk see who noticed it was incorrect and did the task within the time it was supposed to be done in and for those who didn't how they handled it.

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