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redfrock

Finally had my interview on Friday - UPDATED!

By redfrock, in The Nesting Box

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redfrock Chatty Chicken

redfrock

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.... and it was ghastly :shock:

 

It lasted 3 hours, and although I had done a lot of preparation and research I was still very nervous.

 

I had 45 minutes to prepare for a role play scenario, which was easy enough although I 'interviewed' the alleged perp at 90 word to a minutes because I was so nervous :oops:

 

Then I wrote up the report - again, easy enough.

 

Finally I had a 40 minute interview before a board of 3 people. They asked me a lot of questions, naturally, but nothing about what was on my 8 page application form :? Each of them questioned me individually. When it came to the third person's turn, it was simply awful. He was miserable as sin and every question he asked me was a negative one eg. what type of people don't I like to work with, what have I been criticised (and that was the word he used) at work for etc. Then he told me that the job would involve evenings and weekends and how would this effect my home life? Now I am already in a job which sometimes involves this type of overtime work, which I explained, but as far as I am aware they are not allowed to ask about my home life.... I think he was digging to see if I have children (which I don't and can't have). I would be curious to know if he asked the men this question as well. I think the icing on the cake was when he said that he saw I had a Law degree, but what was it in :eh:. I sat there for a moment rather confused, and then replied "erm, Law". He then proceeded to ask what I had specialised in. Now, if he had done his research he would know that you do not specialise until you go to the Bar etc.

 

Unfortunately this person would be my line manager :( , and to be honest if that is the case I don't think I want the job. His boss was also part of the interview team.

 

My friends and family think I have answered the questions well and stand a good chance, but I really think it unlikely that I shall get the job based on the above and I had been so excited about it all :( . I guess the only consolation is that several hundred people applied and I was one of 5 to be interviewed, and I hit it off with the chap who did the role play :P:shh::wink: and also the the clerical admin lady who was looking after us all.

 

I find out in a week or 2... don't hold your breath

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keyhole kate Chatty Chicken

keyhole kate

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It sounds as if you were being grilled not interviewed :!:

I am very easy going but I dont think I could work with that man I think instead of looking forward to work you would end up dreading it (been there trust me) he sounds horrible just the sort who could fight with his own shadow.

 

Unless it was his way of testing your mettle putting you under a bit of pressure to see how you handled him :?: If it was and you are offered the job he might turn out to be a pussy cat :) Best of luck whatever the outcome :!:

 

Kitty

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Looney Effusive Egg Layer

Looney

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Ooh sounds horrid :( You may have done better than you think though, so I wish you luck 8)

 

Oh, and they aren't supposed to ask questions about home life! They can ask if you are available to work late / weekends but can not ask how it will affect you as this is none of their business. :roll:

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Ms Marple Chatty Chicken

Ms Marple

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Gosh that sounds like heavy going - what are you actually applying to do/be?

 

I remember an interview from 21 years ago with a rather huge accountacy firm KP***** who asked similar questions about my home life and socialising etc - am sure that they can;t do that now. Anyway - got the job, but then found out I was pregnant and decided to stay put - teaching as it would be more' userfriendly'.

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Cate in NZ Feathery Fanatic

Cate in NZ

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The whole interview experience sounds ghastly, so well done for getting through it and putting up a good show :D:D:D . Not sure about the creepy boss though, he might turn out to be fab, or ignoreable if you do end up working there.....but I'm afraid I tend to think once a creep, always a creep :shock::lol::lol::lol:

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chocchick Effusive Egg Layer

chocchick

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Interviewers vary but it can be a test of how well you are under pressure, or dealing with difficult situations as the job may involve this. Sometimes it's a process of how you think through problems. It can be poor interview technique sometimes!

I think he was just asking are you in a position to work evenings and weekends rather than specific details of your homelife. Well I hope so anyway.

You might be interested in a book or website that gives model answers to difficult questions. I got a secondhand one that covers things like how to handle questions on salary or having children.

 

Good luck, you said yourself it is competitive so well done on being shortlisted and hope you can find what you are looking for.

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redfrock Chatty Chicken

redfrock

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well you will never guess what - I have just been offered the job :shock:

 

I nearly fell off my chair when I read the email.

 

I haven't a clue what to do so am going to sleep on it.

 

Apparently the chap was playing 'bad cop' and is ok to work with.

 

It is a salary drop - several thousand, but much less to pay into pension which negates it a bit. It is much further to travel but we are currently restructuring and I am likely to have to move to another office much further away and be 'interviewed' for one of the new jobs (although guaranteed a position). I am jaded with my current job, but the restructure has put a spanner in the works as the job I had always wanted will be available to me (and they have mooted that it is mine as they know I have gone for this job).

 

:think::?:think::anxious:

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