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Original poster

Just flunked an interview. Sympathy required.

15 replies

newyearnewpoo · 19/01/2022 18:22

Just that.

First interview for a while. I was truly awful. Presentation went well. Just recovering from covid didn't help.

Waffled and couldn't summon up against any questions. And when I did it was circuitous and they looked beyond confused.

If prepped for technicalities in a way, and the questions were very generic. How could I have been so truly dreadful. What a confidence knock.

OP posts:
derekthe1adyhamster · 19/01/2022 18:28

I had a truly dreadful interview. But either they were desperate, or they liked something as I've been there 8 years now!
Fingers crossed for you

loloballlolo · 19/01/2022 18:29

If it doesn't come off then it wasn't the right job for you OP and something better will come along. These things happen for a reason and can be a blessing in disguise. Don't panic!

HirplesWithHaggis · 19/01/2022 18:30

I'll sympathise. I was applying for jobs all over the place, and chucked out some paperwork because it was weeks after the closing dates. Lo and behold, an interview came through!

I spent money I didn't have on a new top, travelled to the city, got lost and caught in pissing rain before spending more money I didn't have on a taxi, to arrive late and sodden. They saw me, but the information about the job was amongst the paperwork I'd thrown out and I didn't do as well winging it as I had stupidly thought.

They haven't told me yet they I haven't got the job, but that was in 2001...

Brew
Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 19/01/2022 18:51

Thank you. I feel like curling up. On dry Jan too which isn't helping.

I just waffled. How can I be clearer. They were really generic questions too. I'm a professional who knows her stuff. Interview like a stoned hedgehog.

OP posts:
Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 19/01/2022 18:52

@derekthe1adyhamster

I had a truly dreadful interview. But either they were desperate, or they liked something as I've been there 8 years now! Fingers crossed for you
How dreadful?
OP posts:
Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 19/01/2022 18:52

@loloballlolo

If it doesn't come off then it wasn't the right job for you OP and something better will come along. These things happen for a reason and can be a blessing in disguise. Don't panic!
I know. I don't feel it is meant to be. But I would have liked to have not looked like a bumbling idiot. No focus at all. Just awful!!!
OP posts:
Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 19/01/2022 18:53

@HirplesWithHaggis

I'll sympathise. I was applying for jobs all over the place, and chucked out some paperwork because it was weeks after the closing dates. Lo and behold, an interview came through!

I spent money I didn't have on a new top, travelled to the city, got lost and caught in pissing rain before spending more money I didn't have on a taxi, to arrive late and sodden. They saw me, but the information about the job was amongst the paperwork I'd thrown out and I didn't do as well winging it as I had stupidly thought.

They haven't told me yet they I haven't got the job, but that was in 2001...

Brew

Rude they have not replied. Grin maybe there's still time!
OP posts:
Howeverdoyouneedme · 19/01/2022 18:54

I had this last year for a teaching job. I literally lost my train of thought halfway through answering the first question. I could feel my brain struggling to comprehend what I was asked and what I’d previously replied. I cringed for about a week afterwards.

Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 19/01/2022 18:57

@Howeverdoyouneedme

I had this last year for a teaching job. I literally lost my train of thought halfway through answering the first question. I could feel my brain struggling to comprehend what I was asked and what I’d previously replied. I cringed for about a week afterwards.
That's it. I was all over the shop. Just terrible. I'm blaming covid and perimenopause. But I need tips! How to be more pointed and concise. And actually answer the question.
OP posts:
Howeverdoyouneedme · 19/01/2022 19:05

I find it really hard, I’m actually a pretty good teacher and I do know the answers, but it’s like my mind has gone blank.

Twitterwhooooo · 19/01/2022 22:52

I had an online interview for a job that I really wanted last year, but had been up half the night before with my mum being admitted into hospital (lots of calls from her, calling paramedics, them calling me back, doc calling me etc).

The interview was in the afternoon so I made some notes in the morning anticipating questions that would come up. My mind stopped working halfway through and I said that I'd made some notes earlier and would they mind if I referred to them.

They didn't mind, the notes helped a lot. Didn't get the job, but it wasn't because of my interview performance.

MakyJo · 19/01/2022 23:18

A technique I find really useful is to take in a notepad and pen. I explain that might make some notes. I write down the question as they ask it. I find it helps me keep on track and gives me a bit of thinking time.
In the last 2 interviews I've had both interviewers said they liked what I had done as it showed I was thinking about the question etc. I now have my dream job having used this technique.
Good luck OP x

Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 20/01/2022 08:25

@MakyJo

A technique I find really useful is to take in a notepad and pen. I explain that might make some notes. I write down the question as they ask it. I find it helps me keep on track and gives me a bit of thinking time. In the last 2 interviews I've had both interviewers said they liked what I had done as it showed I was thinking about the question etc. I now have my dream job having used this technique. Good luck OP x
Thank you. I've interviewed maybe over a hundred people myself. I cannot believe I was so utterly useless. Mind went blank. Mouth went into overdrive. It was online. Not sure that helped.
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Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 20/01/2022 08:26

@Howeverdoyouneedme

I find it really hard, I’m actually a pretty good teacher and I do know the answers, but it’s like my mind has gone blank.
I'm good at what I do too. How I presented yesterday would have seemed like it was a different woman to the cv/experience! Shocking.
OP posts:
Original poster
newyearnewpoo · 20/01/2022 08:27

@Twitterwhooooo

I had an online interview for a job that I really wanted last year, but had been up half the night before with my mum being admitted into hospital (lots of calls from her, calling paramedics, them calling me back, doc calling me etc).

The interview was in the afternoon so I made some notes in the morning anticipating questions that would come up. My mind stopped working halfway through and I said that I'd made some notes earlier and would they mind if I referred to them.

They didn't mind, the notes helped a lot. Didn't get the job, but it wasn't because of my interview performance.

That sounds tough. Well done for even showing up!
OP posts:
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