Job Interview = Please help

[MrsSnape]

I have a job interview tomorow and I made a huge mistake in applying for it because a) Its full time and I can't really do full time just yet, b) I know NOTHING about the department (NHS) and I've tried looking it up on google and all I can find out is that its the treatment of blood clotting. I do not fit the person specification either, they want someone that can work excel and I can't...

I'm stressing like mad, I dont want to end up looking stupid in the interview and its seems pointless me going for it when I can't take the job anyway.

Trouble is, its in the NHS which is where I want to work so I can't go and piss them off or I'm worried they won't give me another chance when a more suitable job comes up

What should I do?

well be positive MrsSnape - you were successfully shortlisted which means
after reading your application, your content and statement met their criteria- well done!

go back re-read your application in particular the person specification and JD they will offer more detail of tasks and expectations job demands

can you be more specific about job what does it entail, reread the job spec and JD

also many posts can be PT and "bank" NHS informal staff as when reqd

go to interview for experience
ask for pt or flexible hours - all they van do is say no

Would they offer you a different day if you said you were too ill to go? If they didn't, then that would be fine and if you applied again in the future, it would only look as if you turned it down from being ill and unable to attend.

Is it an admin based job? If it is, then you could call them and be honest and tell them you didn't see the Excel specification and you thought you could do full time but due to personal circumstances,you are only able to do part time but would there be somebody to job share.

They'll either say yes or no and they shouldn't hold it against you. If you just didn't turn up and ignored it, then they might think that's a bit off.

People I know have been to interviews where it's the other way around and the company turned around and said actually we can't offer you the full hours we originally quoted, so I wouldn't worry about that aspect too much.

contact them early in the morning and appologise that something has come up and you will not be able to attend the interview and that thank them for their interest.

The chances are they get so many applications that they probably won't remember you anyway.

Congratulations for getting to the interview stage where you don't meet the criteria, or for creative writing skills.

Excel is a basic business package. If you don't know how to use it I would suggest if there is anywhere local you can get free training on it. I didn't bother with one particular job as it specified experience in creating formulas. Simple ones I can do easily enough but anything complicated and I would be lost.

if you do decide not to go then do telephone and cancel,as a courtesy.

a lot of hard work goes into recruiting potential candidate's

writing job spec
writing questions
lots of liaison with HR
Getting post approved and funded
booking venue, arranging dates
chasing the paperwork
arranging interviewer's (if they are interviewing they are taking time away from work)
interviewing itself is hard/tiring