Pre- interview interview

studentphil

I really just can not believe how stupid I have been to have got so worked up as I know I KNOW I KNOW that it will win me no friends, which I vitally need to get a job offer.

I am my own worst enermy.

newMS

ok so now you have realised your mistake, put it behind you, forget about it and get on with something more worthwhile, apply for other jobs, and get a life.

studentphil

msmicawber wrote: »

It depends what you mean by 'up to the job'. If it's a case of adjustments that need to be made to the workplace (such as a braille keyboard or a wheelchair ramp), then that's irrelevant to the job and something the employer has to deal with if you are the best candidate. A public sector employer, in particular, will just deal with that. Any employer has to do that by law, though smaller companies find it harder and don't always know about the grants they're entitled to to make changes, etc.

You sound as though you're looking for excuses for getting out of actually going to the interview. Try looking at the job description and considering what they're looking for and whether you meet those criteria. All this fluffy guff about passion to change the world won't make widgets, or get the photocopying done or whatever the employer needs, and if you come out with that in an interview, you'll justifiably lose yourself the job.

By all means once you've got a job and developed some experience and gravitas look at procedures and put forward improvements, but not pre-pre-interview.

I know I have screwed it up big time, all I wanted to do was to go and meet them before an interview and show them I am human being with lots of abilities and just to get a bit more information on the grey areas to see if I am truly able to do the job.

Savvy_Sue

studentphil wrote: »

These are not big things but it always ends up that I feel upset for some reason.

As I've said to you before, I think, life is tough, deal with it.

studentphil wrote: »

Because I am not physically able enough to help other disabled people in a physical sense but I can at least stand up for the ethics of it as that is a mental activity.

You display a VERY narrow view of disability in that sentence.

An application form from a truly Equal Ops employer SHOULD NOT ask about disability. In fact the page with any personal details on - including your name - should be removed. Application forms should be identified by number. Then the selection panel won't have a clue whether you're black or white, male or female, young or old, deaf, blind or stupid.

There may - perhaps should - be a separate Equal Ops form asking about ethnic origin for monitoring purposes, but that shouldn't ask for your name.

There may be a separate form on which you can give details of your disability. If there isn't, a simple covering letter saying "I have a mild disability which means I cannot easily manage stairs, and I hope that if I am invited to interview this can be taken into account. Having read the job description and person specification I do not believe my disability will prevent me carrying out the duties described, but I will need a suitable desk and chair. I am happy to discuss this prior to interview if it would be helpful."

HR told you to contact someone. That person was on leave. You speak very dismissively of the Clerk, when in reality that Clerk may be the key person in that department. They may not be able to make firm appointments for the manager, but if you won't be more forthcoming they have no reason to assume you're NOT trying to sell them disability friendly services. Every week at work someone phones me trying to sell the organisation something. They always ask to speak to the person responsible for X, Y or Z. And you know what? They don't get to speak to ANYONE but me until I know what they want, and why they want it. That means they don't usually get to talk to anyone but me ...

And if, by some miracle, you get this job, you're planning to go in shouting your mouth off about how the Clerk doesn't know how to treat people with a disability. And you do, so you will now instruct the Clerk in how to do their job.

Get a grip, Phil!

PS Cross posting with a few others. Sorry if I'm coming across harshly now you're in "Woe is me" mode again. But truly, deal with it!

studentphil

newMS wrote: »

ok so now you have realised your mistake, put it behind you, forget about it and get on with something more worthwhile, apply for other jobs, and get a life.

I still want this job and i think over the weekend I have to work out how I can make all this not a big deal and prove I am the super star they want.

pandas66

studentphil wrote: »

Not really, 3 phone calls and a few emails is not a huge amount.

I was fine and happy until this spammer rubbish came up and it did annoy me a bit.

However, I am cool now as I have made my point and I can go forward with a good chance now.

I'm probably wrong in this but you only posted the application on Monday, to have recieved any reply this week is incredible, certainly pushing the boundaries for my company!

FWIW I would not tolerate 3 phonecalls from you, I would most defiently tell you to be more patient.
When was the closing date for applications?
Use your time to apply for more jobs to keep you occupied.

I once had a phonecall from a woman whos husband had apllied for a driving job where I worked, truthfully I binned his application for phoning within 1 week of applying and getting his wife to call.

If you know so much of how they are going wrong you have most certainly applied for the wrong job.

I think you also confuse enthusiasm with ability, an easy mix up when you think you have plenty of the 2nd!

Incidently I had my pay review today :T .....................

LittleVoice

Iffy_Wallet wrote: »

. . . t, stating that you will be bringing a personal advisor with you (with a tape recorder stuffed up his/her jumper hopefully).
/QUOTE]

This is a regular job application. Really you would only take someone with you if you needed someone with you to do the job. Phil can do the job without a personal assistant.

Secret tape recordings are not acceptable. If a candidate were concerned they could take a tape recorder and ask if they could use it. That's in the open. Personally I wouldn't do that though.

msmicawber

Phil, the job specification will be very detailed for a public sector job - you just have to read it. If there are any grey areas, then you ask about them in the interview - it's a two-way thing and you're just as entitled to ask questions as the potential employer.

As for getting in early to prove you're human - why do you think you should steal a march on the other candidates? Do you think they might not have anxieties/problems/disabilities themselves? You'd be the first to cry 'unfair' if everyone else wasn't treated 'by the book' - why are you different? I'm pretty sure it's insecurity on your part, but it sounds like arrogance.

studentphil

msmicawber wrote: »

Phil, the job specification will be very detailed for a public sector job - you just have to read it. If there are any grey areas, then you ask about them in the interview - it's a two-way thing and you're just as entitled to ask questions as the potential employer.

As for getting in early to prove you're human - why do you think you should steal a march on the other candidates? Do you think they might not have anxieties/problems/disabilities themselves? You'd be the first to cry 'unfair' if everyone else wasn't treated 'by the book' - why are you different? I'm pretty sure it's insecurity on your part, but it sounds like arrogance.

I wish to prove I am up to it and just to allow my to prove I am serious and will go the extra for this job.

Other people are equally welcome to make informal enquiries if they wish.

studentphil

In contacting the HR in the first place I just wanted to make sure I was open and fair with them. I know I am lacking in certain elements for this job but I thought if I could be open and honest it would remove that negative of me having disability problems and having to spring it on them at interview.