HELP! Support needed quickly after a disastrous IT test at job interview. How important is it?

[curlywurlywee]

I feel bloody awful at mo. Have just been for an interview and it seemed to go well. I was interviewed by a panel of 3 women for a part time admin job. I thought it went quite smoothly but then I had to do a timed IT test.

First of all, I had to do it on a laptop and I've never used one before - just couldn't get the hang of it. Couldn't really do it in fact. Fell at the first hurdle because I couldn't import 2 logos onto the letter. Could have done it at home on my own computer. Managed one and then finished the letter sort of OK.

Then had to do a spreadsheet on Excel but only got round to typing 3 entries on it and then my time was up.

Feel absolutely awful and I know in the grand scheme of life it's not that bad but I haven't worked in 18 months and am now really worried about my capabilities.

What is the likelihood of them giving me the job now? Pretty low I should think. I came out of the building and promptly burst into tears - what a wuss!

Say nice things to me so that I don't feel like a completely hopeless failure.

Hmm, I'd say it probably depends on how essential those sort of things are to the job - sorry .

If you don't get it (and you may well, you never know!), come on here and ask for help of you need some training in Excel etc. I'm an Excel programmer (amongst other things!), I might be able to help.

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Thanks Lapin, brush up on Excel would be good. I'm hoping that my dazzling personality won them over!!!!

Depends how important it is and how well you performed at the interview. If you were stunningly good at the interview and seemed quite 'on the ball', I'd be inclined to pick you on the basis that Excel training is pretty easy to either do on the job or send you on a course, but some of the other important qualities you can't send someone on a course for.

Good point FBB. I've got a bad feeling though. Busy telling myself it's not the end of the world. If only it hadn't been on a laptop! Everything looks so different without a proper mouse and those bloody silly buttons for left and right click. Perhaps I'm just not very adaptable. Of course, then the nerves kicked in and that was it really. Surely they would make allowances for these things.

Hey, there are other jobs out there. Need to get back on the horse so to speak.

Mellowma I feel so much better now. Perhaps it will be OK.

The interview was before the test and I felt it went really well. I seemed to answer their questions successfully and we had a bit of a laugh (appropriate laugh I hope). To make things worse one of the panel members is a lady I know, not well, but she goes to the church that I used to go to. Don't know if this is a good thing or not.

Anyway, they said they would let me know one way or another today so I'll keep you posted.

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Thanks Mellowma, you have made me feel a bit more hopeful. I know I can get round all these things given the time to do it - not very good under pressure. Oops, maybe that's what they want!

I'll let you know the outcome later.

Mellowma - didn't get the job

They said I had a strong interview but there was someone else with more experience than me who had a stronger interview.

Bit disappointed but heh - trying not to beat myself up about it. There will be others. I sound so philosophical - normally I would break into an 'I hate myself and I am crap' rant but I'm talking myself out of it. I should be able to as I'm training to be a counsellor!! I should practice what I preach.

Thanks for your interest in this and hope all goes well with you.

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Thanks v much LL and MM. May be calling on you LL if I'm facing another Excel test, in particular basic book keeping spreadsheets - don't have a clue.

MM, love your expression "What's for you won't go past you". I believe in fate too.

Thanks so much for your support and take care of yourselves.