Made a plonker of myself at interview

Legacy_user

Well the day arrived, my interview for my dream job, For those who weren't following a previous thread I have a keen interest in I.T but am totally self taught, I.E have no qualifications, I search job markets daily and this is the first one I ever seen that didn't require qualifications, Great I thought, I applied and got shortlisted and as I say interview today.

Went into reception said I had an interview etc, the receptionist sent me down the hall to an office and told me to go in, I knocked the door and entered only to discover they were in the middle of interviewing someone else:rolleyes: So not a great start.

Finally got in and they asked why do you think you are qualified for this position and did I read the requirments for the job and they turned the monitor around.
I had a look, 2:1 degrees, 2 years experience various other bits and bobs, yes the job centre had failed to list 90% of the requirements, I apologised and said "They didn't list 90% of that, had they I wouldn't of applied, I am sorry for wasting your time" They saw I was dieing a death and let the interview continue but the moment was gone, I just feel like such a bloody pratt now:o Did I honestly think I could actually do any better that factory work, Grrrrrrrr That whole thing was so nerve wrecking I don't think I will apply for another job for quite some time.

Emmzi

nireland guy - if there is one lesson - call up first to talk through requirements. It also sjhows pro-activity which is a good thing.

Tenacity it another, don't let yourself fall at a hurdle...

venus_in_furs

Well, it isn't your fault...don't feel embarrassed. I would have held my head up high and told them that i may not have qualifications on paper but i have a working knowledge of what you want that can rival anyone with a degree. Places ALWAY ask for two years experience and as if they always get people with two years experience...how would all the young people get a foot on the ladder in that case? I have had a few jobs that have asked for that and i havent had anywhere near the amount of experience they want and they still offered me the job.

Just lay this down to experience and move on...learn from it. It will make you wiser and more aware in the future. Don't give up on what you want to do. What is the point wasting the life you have been given, being stuck in a job you don't enjoy? Its not easy to change and better yourself, but it is possible.

You will be okay...just keep on pushing yourself

greenspark

Hi nirelandguy

That sounds a pretty cringey experience!

But...to have been shortlisted for it in the first place, they must have seen something on your application that they liked. I take it you hadn't given yourself an imaginary degree and invented the required experience, especially as you didn't even know they wanted that. So you must be doing something else right in your application, as getting an interview for a good job is not an easy thing, especially these days.

They may have recognised you didn't have all the requirements but saw some potential and were giving you an opportunity to big yourself up at the interview - "ok, you don't have everything we want - sell yourself to us anyway". I can't imagine they just hadn't noticed you didn't have everything.

So I'd say that maybe you could have turned it round at the interview, and even though it sounds like you didn't pick up that that's what they hoped you'd do, they considered that you were worth interviewing. Remember you'd have been competing against people that did fulfil their requirements and they still shortlisted you. That's pretty good, and it seems a shame to let this one interview experience put you off going for jobs in the future. You could choose to look at it as a real sign that you're on the right track.

Pick up tips from it for the future - check with the jobcentre if they have more details on a vacancy, ask for a contact number for the employer, check the employer's website (they might well have a full job description on there), practise thinking on your feet in case you get another unexpected interview situation thrown at you, even look into doing some qualifications if that's appropriate. But don't give up, it might feel embarrassing at the moment but you came through a tough selection process to get to today's interview!

Good luck

wizk1

I disagree. You didn't make a plonker of yourself. They should have seen your CV with your qualifications first. That means they have invited you for an interview for a reason. Failing that, THEY have made plonkers of themselves for not screening their candidates, probably down to incompetent staff and poor procedures. Good on you for trying.

I work in IT myself, and the only thing that matters is experience, not qualifications. I can't help but feel my 4 years at university was wasted, considering what I do now couldn't be further from what I was taught. Brush up on your skills and sell yourself

System

Mysolicitorisbetter wrote: »

Tbh I agree you made a plonker of yourself

Firstly if you were no were near suitable why did you get an interview? Companies rarely state just a degree and will accept equivalent experience in its space.

As for experience you should have fitted your roles to that job

I think by turning round and saying you were wasting your time you did.

If the job centre did !!!! up you wouldnt have been the only shocked candidate. I bet your the only one who said they were wasting their time though.

Well they were, no point beating about the bush

jolouise1904

I totaly know how you feel nirelandguy! The same happend to me a few days ago!! I had been applying for jobs left, right and centre, and so was really happy when i got an interview. When i re-read through the JD I realised this job was way beond me, but still went along to the interview! Bad mistake, it was clear half way through they were wondering why they had asked me to interview!

System

jolouise1904 wrote: »

I totaly know how you feel nirelandguy! The same happend to me a few days ago!! I had been applying for jobs left, right and centre, and so was really happy when i got an interview. When i re-read through the JD I realised this job was way beond me, but still went along to the interview! Bad mistake, it was clear half way through they were wondering why they had asked me to interview!

Yes, you just want the ground to open and it really kills any confidence you have left.

jolouise1904

The way I look at it now is that when I (hopefully) get another interview I will know the kind of questions I will be asked so can prepare my self.

System

Mysolicitorisbetter wrote: »

Yes there was

You should have sold the qualifications and experience you did have and sold yourself. If you did a good job you might have got the job.

You only need to convince the most important person in the recruitment process your suitable for the job

I have zero confidence, being treated like a door mat for the best part of 4 years does that to a person.

But on a more positive note, I have learned 1 thing, not to apply for this type of job again.

System

jolouise1904 wrote: »

The way I look at it now is that when I (hopefully) get another interview I will know the kind of questions I will be asked so can prepare my self.

Yes, exactly. I never had an interview like that before,