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Original poster

2 unsuccessful interviews (physiotherapy)

17 replies

Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 12:28

Hi,
I'm so so upset now. We are relocating due to family commitments - think from Scotland to Wales, that type of distance.
We've bought a house in our new location (luckily tiny mortgage).

I am a physiotherapist with 5 years post graduate experience. I'm now band 6. Prior to that, I was a teacher and had a career change to physio. I've worked in physio roles in community learning disabilities and community adults. I got a first class degree and have now just finished my MSc. I am still in my post now and am planning to hand my notice in ready for September when we move.

I have now been to 2 interviews (1 community in older adults and 1 community in stroke) and received genuinely fantastic feedback from both interviews, but the words of both interviewers was 'you were just pipped at the post by someone with slightly more experience in this area'.
I asked for more feedback and was told by both that I couldn't have done anything differently, I scored really highly and it was purely that another candidate had more experience in the area.

I'm SO gutted now and feel like saying f*ck it and throwing the towel in. Each of these interviews I travelled 350 miles to (and back again) 😪

We are moving to a fairly small community and I've now been turned down at 2 interviews. I'm going to get a reputation of being the unemployable or something if I keep applying and keep getting 'pipped at the post'.

Is there anything I can do? Shall I now just wait until we move? Shall I just give up and go on benefits? (Jokes jokes).

Please be kind. I'm so miserable.

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 05/04/2024 12:32

Could you work as a supply teacher while you continue looking for a physiotherapist position?

FadedRed · 05/04/2024 12:44

I wonder if the person appointed was already local to the new post, there always being the chance that a) they offer you the post and then you decide not to move 350 miles (recruitment is very expensive and they would have to start the process again), or that b) local knowledge was deemed vital or very important to the new post, not just geography but contacts within the local services. In which case, you might be successful when you actually live in the area.
I would look to join Agency and Bank staff registers to get to know the area and suss out where are the best places to work, you’ll also get yourself known when vacancies occur.
it must be very dispiriting to travel all that way and be disappointed, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end. Good luck!

CreateYourOwnUsername · 05/04/2024 12:45

Gently, I don't think you need to throw in the towel after just two interviews! Can you locum as a physio? Maybe do that or supply teaching when you move and then keep applying.

Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 12:54

PaminaMozart · 05/04/2024 12:32

Could you work as a supply teacher while you continue looking for a physiotherapist position?

Yes I could do that. That's a pretty good idea actually.

I just feel so so down about it now.

OP posts:
foreverbasil · 05/04/2024 13:01

I think it would be better to sign up to NHS professionals. That would allow you to work whilst keeping up your physio skills. Two interviews is really nothing. Good luck!

PaminaMozart · 05/04/2024 13:17

Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 12:54

Yes I could do that. That's a pretty good idea actually.

I just feel so so down about it now.

Show quote history

Such a big move must be a little scary? Been there, done that...

Just remember: you are qualified to do TWO very different in-demand jobs, so you are better placed than most people who make such a move!

Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 13:39

FadedRed · 05/04/2024 12:44

I wonder if the person appointed was already local to the new post, there always being the chance that a) they offer you the post and then you decide not to move 350 miles (recruitment is very expensive and they would have to start the process again), or that b) local knowledge was deemed vital or very important to the new post, not just geography but contacts within the local services. In which case, you might be successful when you actually live in the area.
I would look to join Agency and Bank staff registers to get to know the area and suss out where are the best places to work, you’ll also get yourself known when vacancies occur.
it must be very dispiriting to travel all that way and be disappointed, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end. Good luck!

Thanks so so much. This is a very good point actually and possibly might not have helped. It would be easier if they said I did something specific at interview that they didn't like that I could work on, but it was purely the 'pipped at the post' thing. It's made.me feel very stroppy today 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 13:40

CreateYourOwnUsername · 05/04/2024 12:45

Gently, I don't think you need to throw in the towel after just two interviews! Can you locum as a physio? Maybe do that or supply teaching when you move and then keep applying.

Thank you so much, I just feel so stroppy today and like I must be unemployable 🙄🤣
I'm definitely going to sign up on NHS professionals

OP posts:
Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 13:42

PaminaMozart · 05/04/2024 13:17

Such a big move must be a little scary? Been there, done that...

Just remember: you are qualified to do TWO very different in-demand jobs, so you are better placed than most people who make such a move!

Show quote history

Yes I'm genuinely terrified now 😬 It's a HUGE move and whilst we've planned it for a number of years, it feels so real and scary now. Just need a few more things to fall into place.
Our daughter has a learning disability and her school place is sorted for September which is one great thing 😀

OP posts:
thecanadianloon · 05/04/2024 13:48

Most hospitals now have a bank, why don't you have a look and sign up, there may not be work straight away, but they'll have you on their books, Physios are always in short supply. You could also look at doing private work, I work with a couple of private physios and they always have a waiting lists, one specialises in neuro rehab, the other in sports rehab.

unbelievablescenes · 05/04/2024 13:50

I think you know yourself there's often a band 5 or bank worker or whatever with a very good chance of getting these jobs so it's a waiting game until you are that person or the one there with the most experience. You do not become unemployable by keeping applying, you show keen. I say this as a band 7 recruiter. You need a fighting attitude in this game not a defeatist one. Dust off and get your head back down, your turn will come.

BartiRum · 05/04/2024 13:54

Remember those two posts that have been filled have probably created two vacancies, hopefully one that is ideal for you!! Chin up, it will all work out in the end!!

FreeCheck · 05/04/2024 13:56

Join the staff bank at the local hospitals and community trusts.
It's all about getting a foot in the door and getting your face known.
Keep a look out for maternity cover jobs.

Something will definitely come up.
Good luck

Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 14:20

thecanadianloon · 05/04/2024 13:48

Most hospitals now have a bank, why don't you have a look and sign up, there may not be work straight away, but they'll have you on their books, Physios are always in short supply. You could also look at doing private work, I work with a couple of private physios and they always have a waiting lists, one specialises in neuro rehab, the other in sports rehab.

Yes I have often thought about working privately and would have started by now if we were staying in the local area. I was just worried to go to a newnplace and immediately set up privately but I guess there would be no harm in trying.
I'm going to look up bank work

OP posts:
Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 14:21

unbelievablescenes · 05/04/2024 13:50

I think you know yourself there's often a band 5 or bank worker or whatever with a very good chance of getting these jobs so it's a waiting game until you are that person or the one there with the most experience. You do not become unemployable by keeping applying, you show keen. I say this as a band 7 recruiter. You need a fighting attitude in this game not a defeatist one. Dust off and get your head back down, your turn will come.

This is really positive to hear that you'd just see me as keen. The interview I had yesterday said that he'd pass my details on to some other managers with posts coming up as he was impressed by my interview (not impressed enough to hire me though 🤬🤣).
Thank you, you've boosted my confidence

OP posts:
Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 14:22

BartiRum · 05/04/2024 13:54

Remember those two posts that have been filled have probably created two vacancies, hopefully one that is ideal for you!! Chin up, it will all work out in the end!!

Very very true. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Implosion85 · 05/04/2024 14:22

FreeCheck · 05/04/2024 13:56

Join the staff bank at the local hospitals and community trusts.
It's all about getting a foot in the door and getting your face known.
Keep a look out for maternity cover jobs.

Something will definitely come up.
Good luck

Thanks so much

OP posts:
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