interview for youth worker job- and the youths will interview me!

Errata

The appointing officer is always a member of a client group interview panel.

starsinmycrown

Errata wrote: »

A client group interview panel is a fast and smart way of testing both the knowledge and calibre of a candidate.
Don't underestimate them. They'll put you on the spot in various ways, and that's what will happen in the job. If the thought of one of you to ten of them horrifies you at an interview, how on earth would you cope when ten of them gang up on you to get something they want that you might not agree with?
Be honest - if you don't know how to answer them, say so. They'll appreciate that far more than some pre-bottled reply or attitude.
I'm not sure why your black skirt suit gave you a problem in your previous interview - where's the difficulty in taking a jacket off, rolling up sleeves and getting down to the task in hand ?
If you feel uncomfortable about being in a vulnerable position as a candidate then perhaps you need to think about your confidence. All the other candidates will be in the same position as you.
Did you get feedback from your last interview? Did you ask what areas you need to improve on? Have you?

i just felt that i would have felt more comfortable in some more relaxed clothing thats all. i'm quite good at interviews, i'm usually top 3 choice, but sometimes its easy to feel self conscious when youre in an "all eyes on you" situation, and when youre self conscious, its not easy to relax and just be yourself!

cazziebo

fengirl wrote: »

My post did not suggest there was discrimination in the process. I am just saying 'waht if' you didnt get the job and someone younger got it and you felt you were being discriminated against in terms of age....or race...or sex, etc? You would have a case for an ET - so who do you sue if the organisation itself was not on the interview panel?

Your complaint is against the company. It's the company's responsibility to ensure that the selection process is free of discrimination. If they fail to brief their interviewers on this, or the interviewers contravene any regulations or codes of conduct, then the buck stops with the company. It would be very unusual if the service users were the ones to make the decision, they may input to it but the decision will be taken by the hiring manager.

We encourage our companies to include service users in the interview panel - and most interviewees welcome this. It's more inclusive, it lets the prospective employee see what they're coming in to, and gives a much clearer picture of how someone will interact once in the job.