Feeling dejected after interview today.

[SantaFeSister]

Work in the NHS in the Trust Offices as an Executive Assistant. There is an extreme level of micromanagement and its become a generally toxic place to work. I've been applying for jobs.

I went for an interview today for an EA role in another NHS Trust that was a more family friendly organisation. It was more remuneration.

They rang me this afternoon with feedback that they had been deliberating all afternoon and it had been very close between me and another candidate but the other candidate had experience in the portfolio of the Director that the role was EA to..

I was told I blew them away in the interview and that had it not been for that, they would've offered to me.

I don't know why. But I just feel so dejected...like I'm not good enough for a side step role.

I feel so despondent as I desperately want to resign but obviously can't without securing another role.

I know it was largely positive feedback but just feel bruised.

I'm job hunting at moment (although not as got as far as interviews yet) and it's brutal isn't, even when you can understand why it's a no. Like you say it was very positive feedback you were just unfortunate in competition. If you've got to the interview stage once you will again (your applications are obviously strong) and you'd be very unlucky to come up against a similar candidate again.

You'll get there

Nothing but empathy, OP.

Although it's useful to have such positive feedback, (lots of places refuse to give it), the downside is hearing about items that aren't actionable. In your case that the other candidate had prior relevant experience in the portfolio.

I had an interview for a very senior position in November. I was told that I didn't get it because of something that wasn't in the job spec at all, never mind the the 'expected' or 'desirable' experience | skills. I am still irritated by this as this differential between me and the other candidate is something that isn't practical because I'm deaf. I suspect that they reached for this as a justification because they didn't feel ready to change their processes.

To save me wasting time crafting an application for a similar position, I had a pre-application chat with someone yesterday. I learned then that that organisation has never employed someone with a disability in that role. And, several questions later, they were pretty much indicating that they're not able to make reasonable accommodations. At least I know there's no point in me applying.

Both organisations, of course, have 'positive about disabled people' tickmarks and are awash in rhetoric about their inclusive policies.

I know how bruising and battering these rejections can feel. Good luck for the future and I hope that a suitable appointment comes your way.

I’m so sorry you feel dejected, I would too. That’s very strong feedback though, I would write an email back saying you loved meeting them all/the culture of the trust and if anything else comes up to please let you know as you can imagine yourself working there. Their preferred candidate might fall through for some reason (how my friend got her NHS dream job) or a new job might come up in the same trust.

Hello,
I have an interview coming up for a personal assistant job role in NHS band 4. Please any advice or idea on questions to expect please. It also says I would have a typing test, any idea on what that would be like please?

You should start a thread of your own so you receive applicable responses

It’s very difficult when you want something so badly. I find job hunting generally quite demoralising. However, the thing that helped me was detaching the results from my self worth. You’ve had great feedback, and though it sucks you didn’t get the job, it’s not like you didn’t get it because you were rubbish. If you can, compartmentalise. There are so many factors as to why someone offers a job or not. Keep going.