Does anyone else's brain leave home at job interviews?

dickydonkin

Ok here is my contribution.

You won't believe this - my wife didn't but I will swear that this happened.

I was up early for the interview and after washing and scrubbing up, I dug out the suit and fumbled about in the dark at the bottom of the wardrobe for my shoes. I did not want to switch on the lights as Mrs P gets a bit grumpy when she is awoken early.

Trousers and shoes on, I went into the spare room where there is a long mirror and I could put on my shirt and tie with meticulous precision.

So there I was, dressed like a Tailors dummy, but ready for whatever was to be thrown at me.

I arrived in good time like all candidates should and I was asked by the smiling receptionist if I would like a cup of coffee.

So the receptionist kept looking at me and smiling - another visitor came into the reception area looking up and down at me and smiling, well what could go wrong? Everything is alright with the world, everyone is happy a good sign for sure.

That was until just before the interview I dropped the pen from my notebook on the floor and then I realised I had put on ODD SHOES.:eek:

I know you will all think that I must have noticed prior to interview but I swear I did not until that moment. And was the difference obvious? - well yes it was.

On being called in to the interview, I decided to walk with a heavy limp incase my 'situation' was discovered and it may have just seemed that I say, had a gammy toe and that shoe felt more comfortable on the injured foot.

Was my predicament noticed? I don't know - but as one of the signs many employers look for is appearance and dress, I suspect it might have been, but certainly the receptionist most likely had clocked my situation.

Did I get the job? No - in fact the interview went awful as I suspect my 'discovery' prior to interview had well.........put me on the back foot!

Some great stories on this thread BTW!

eamon

Interview tip.

Always refuse tea, coffee & biscuits. I shouldn't need to explain.

valos_mummy

Well, more brushing up on my interview techniques, I heard back today and didn't get the job Dammit, I would have been bloody good at that job, it's just what I was after. Oh well, I suppose there are worse things in life than being 30 and a temp who hasn't had a sniff of an interview in months (apart from this one), lives with her mother, and can't move in with her boyfriend because she doesn't have job security. At least the boyfriend buys me booze to cheer me up! If they give me feedback I'll pop it on here if anything's useful!

Eliza_2

valos_mummy wrote: »

Well, more brushing up on my interview techniques, I heard back today and didn't get the job ............snip..... At least the boyfriend buys me booze to cheer me up! If they give me feedback I'll pop it on here if anything's useful!

Really sorry you didn't get the job - I haven't heard about the one I went for yesterday either, still that's no surprise.

Do you think you could pop the booze on here too please - could really do with that!

DS

olly300

eamon wrote: »

Interview tip.

Always refuse tea, coffee & biscuits. I shouldn't need to explain.

I've always been warned to take up the offer of tea, coffee or water particularly if the interviewer passes near the kitchen/water cooler but never drink the drink. Apparently it puts the interviewer at ease.

You can look like you are going to drink the drink but never actually put anything in your mouth.

loisa

eamon wrote: »

Interview tip.

Always refuse tea, coffee & biscuits. I shouldn't need to explain.

Never heard that one before! I think it might seem like slightly bad manners to turn down the offer without even stopping to think, but then on the other hand the last thing you want is to be left on your own for 10 minutes while the interviewer queues for the coffee machine and then can't remember what you asked for!

I think a glass of water is usually a safe bet, it's simple and quick. I would just take small sips during the natural pauses in the interview (when the interviewer is looking at their notes for example). It also stops you from getting a dry mouth.

Eliza_2

I always turn down the offer of a drink etc, knowing my luck it would all end up spilt down my best white interview blouse! And I have no sympathy with putting the interviewer at ease, they're in the position of power and I certainly don't buy the myth that the interviewer is as nervous as the interviewee. Having been in both situations I know which I'd rather be!
Liz

valos_mummy

olly300 wrote: »

I've always been warned to take up the offer of tea, coffee or water particularly if the interviewer passes near the kitchen/water cooler but never drink the drink. Apparently it puts the interviewer at ease.

You can look like you are going to drink the drink but never actually put anything in your mouth.

Ooo. never heard that one before. I dunno, if I was the interviewer and I'd offered a drink, I'd be a bit put out if it was never drank.

Eliza, still have some cosmo in a bottle left! No martini glass icon, so this will have to do lol :beer: Hope you hear soon x

valos_mummy

Well, I heard back. Apparently I was perfect, had exactly what they wanted and could do the job. What decided it was the person who got the job had some previous m.o.d experience (but the job wasn't specific to that though, it was in financial admin). So it sounds like a matter of connections, nothing I could have done :undecided Must network my ar*e off for the future!

foxy-roxy

olly300 wrote: »

I've always been warned to take up the offer of tea, coffee or water particularly if the interviewer passes near the kitchen/water cooler but never drink the drink. Apparently it puts the interviewer at ease.

You can look like you are going to drink the drink but never actually put anything in your mouth.

I would be so annoyed if i had made someone a drink and they didn't even bother to drink it.

I just think it's best to politley refuse. At most i would have a glass of water.