Deflated by "interview"

[pascalandrapunzel]

Finally trying to get back into the world of work after almost 3 years as a SAHM, I had my first interview in 12 years today for a very large well known high street store.
Understandably I've been very nervous all week and have spent the week preparing, new outfit, researching, and refreshing my interview skills.
Arrived at my interview and was asked to wait in the staff room and that the manager would be along shortly, 15 minutes later the manager appeared and handed me a stack of papers to fill in with questions about me and 3 interview questions then disappeared again. I sat and filled them in then she reappeared again, read through them and said "that's great thanks, someone will be in touch if you've made it to the second interview stage", no chat, no going over my answers or anything, she couldn't get me out of there quick enough.

Now this was a complete career change for me so I've never interviewed for this sector before, is this normal protocol? I found it really deflating and disappointing after having to really prepare myself all week... it's really put me off if I do get through to second stage.

Sorry op I don't have any direct experience so can't tell you if it is normal but just wanted to say well done on getting out there and don't let it get you down. Maybe they are disorganised or just caught them at a busy time and normally they are better.
Hope you get some good news on it or hopefully another even better job will come up.

@TooOldandTired

Sorry op I don't have any direct experience so can't tell you if it is normal but just wanted to say well done on getting out there and don't let it get you down. Maybe they are disorganised or just caught them at a busy time and normally they are better. Hope you get some good news on it or hopefully another even better job will come up.

Thanks so much, I will definitely try not to it just threw me a bit because I was expecting something at least a bit more formal. I have another interview for somewhere else in the week so we'll see if that goes any better

Best of luck with the other interview - hopefully it will be a nicer experience and 🤞 you will get the job.

What a strange interview and I dont blame you about part two, if you get called up.

But well done for getting back out there.

Massive labour shortage, they will probably offer you some hours.

Thankyou all for your replies!
Well I've just had a phone call and apparently they've decided I don't need a second interview and have offered me the job,
I'm very apprehensive given how unorganised they seem but I've taken it for now and will attend the interview I have for the other job this week.

Congratulations! Yeah id still go to the other interview, the more experience the better and its an employees market out there right now

Congratulations! Definitely attend the other interview that you have, you might end up having 2 jobs to choose between.

Dont worry about the disorganised interview, retail is terrible for not giving managers enough time to do stuff like interviews.
It will not reflect (necessarily) on the shop floor, which will have its own routines and knowledgeable staff.

Sounds like a good plan. Income/experience and an exit strategy if they live down to their rubbish first impression.

I once attended an interview for a retail job that was basically just the store manager whingeing to me about how shit and unreliable her staff were. "We don't pay wages on a Friday anymore because nobody would show up for their shift on a Saturday morning when we did."

I don't think she asked me any questions. It was just this painful stream of consciousness from her.