Charity role - 4 stage interview process

[Cherryblossom200]

Hello!

I’ve just been through a very, very intense interview process for a charity. It’s a role I would be paid for, and doing something I enjoy.

In my second interview I had to do a presentation and the last stage was again a gruelling round. Lots and lots of competency based questions. I’m over qualified for the role by miles, but want to do something impact led which feels like the next stage of my career. I almost gave blood, sweat and tears in my last interview (obviously I didn’t cry 🤣) to show my dedication to want to work for a charity because I believe in their cause. They said they would tell me the outcome, I believe it’s between two of us.

I’m not working at the moment. My concern is that the interview process felt very informal, no humour or warmth and I want that in my role. The majorly of my job will be remote which will help. I may or may not get the job, but not sure how I feel at the moment - help!!!

I need an income, but don’t want to end up in the wrong job x

You haven’t even got this job and you’re starting a thread about a potential issue in the atmosphere of the workplace . I mean… come on

Why is Fable so invested in someone else's work history. I've had 7 jobs in 14 years, and I've left twice to travel the world. Chew on that. There's always going to be another job, it's not a crime to leave a bad job or take a break from it all. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'd rather the variety than rot in the same office for 40 years.
Good luck with job OP. 4 interviews sound intense. You could always keep applying for other things now and you might be able to have your pick of 2 offers.

Oh and before you use your subscription to stalk me. Yes today I was cleaning up cat shit and yesterday I was taking a cat with an emergency injury to the vets.

@AzureCats🤣 loving your comments and my thoughts too!

I think it was a mistake to share your concerns with your would be line manager at this stage.

Your concerns seemingly being that it seems like a formal, professional environment and you were hoping for something less professional I assume?

They said they would tell me after 2.00 today as it’s the Easter weekend and not heard anything..so I think they have offered it to another candidate and I’m on hold until they accept. A bit annoyed as will rather know!

Or, they are being extremely careful about who is going to work with them. My DD went for an 'informal interview' as a dental nurse and at each stage she was told they're be another stage. After part 4 she was told they were happy to give her the position, but needed to make sure she was the right fit as they don't like employing new staff who aren't friends or family 🤔. As it happens they were very good but a very incestuous work environment and IME some charities can be like this too.

Yeah but it doesn’t give me a good impression of them. In each stage I’ve had to chase for information or updates. My instincts are normally right. I’ve ignored them and gone with the company who ends up treating people badly 🫣 This gives me bad vibes already! So maybe it’s the universe telling me to avoid anyway and that I had a lucky escape 🤣 After four rounds of interrogation, yes that’s what it felt like! It should be courtesy to at least message me to say there is a delay and apologise.

I recently went through a 4 stage process for a specialised but not that senior role. I wasn’t offered the job, and on balance that was probably fine by me 😄.

It’s fine if I don’t get the role. But don’t say you will tell me after 2.00 on a Friday and delay me as the other candidate hasn’t decided on a bank holiday. That’s what I’m not happy with. I prefer honesty or just a polite apology for the delay to communicate they will tell me on Tuesday x

I gather that 4 stage interviews are not uncommon at all nowadays.

This is likely to take a month at least.

It's always good to ask politely when you might hear.

Well they said today because they are aware of the four day weekend and not said anything.

If you automatically think you are overqualified and superior for a charity sector job I hope they see through that and appoint someone on their way up. I've seen plenty of corporate types fail in the charity sector, it's a different beast and no less pressured, particularly when the economy is screwed.

@Cherryblossom200 A family member worked for a charity and found the managers incompetent. They had failed in commercial organisations and wanted a haven of niceness. They probably found it but annoyed everyone else because they were useless and work shy. Hopefully this isn’t you.

I worked in the charity sector for over 20 years and never had to do more than 2 interviews. Unless you apply to become a charity CEO or maybe a Director there is no reason whatsoever to drag the interview process for that long. It is a red flag.

It’s Thursday

I got it 😊 Bloody hard!! But I got the job 🙌

Congratulations!!

So what now? You don’t like them

No I’m happy, I’ve spoken about everything to my line manager and feel a lot happier! Lovely start to the weekend 🙌

Agree
you know an interview is a two way thing
you’ve gone through a gruelling process and you didn’t like it
the charity sector is really tough - massive pressures at the moment from all fronts
it will not under any circs be an easy ride
what is the role?

This will surely just go the same way as the others? Probably even quicker given you’ve already highlighted problems

No I’ve not highlighted problems, it was more the working culture but my line manager seems very similar to me, which is what I’m looking for. Otherwise I honestly wouldn’t have accepted it. I’ve learned the hard way and realise what I need in a role.

I meant you have highlighted problems that you felt even before you secured the role… to yourself!

Good luck.