Weird 'interview' experience. Is this normal?

sarahmck92

I had an 'interview' on Friday there and I am not sure how to feel about it.

It was for the role of a statistical officer through a temp agency. I submitted my CV for the role two days late and didn't think much of it as I noticed the deadline had passed. However, I received a call from the temp agency a few days later with some follow up questions. They agreed to send my CV away and told me they would get in touch if the client was interested. A week later, the temp agency got back in touch and told me the client wanted to meet in 2 days time. They said it would be a very informal chat just talking about the role and my experience and that it wouldn't last long. They also informed me it was for the civil service so I was delighted. So I then met with 2 employees from the civil service on the Friday. They were very friendly but the whole experience was unusual for me. The entire chat lasted around 10 minutes, they talked about the role briefly and then asked a few questions regarding my CV. They didn't ask me about anything else (e.g. why did you apply, what do you think you can bring to the role, nothing competency based). Just the likes of "it says here you have used SPSS, what did you use it for?". They also asked me some questions about coding, something I have never done (which I was honest about) but this wasn't on their essential or desirable criteria (which I ticked all the boxes for). However, they did mention it was something that I could be trained on. At the end of the interview, they didn't ask me if I had any questions. Instead, one of the interviewers just out of the blue told me not to panic if I don't hear back that day as they recruit through the HR of the civil service and she requires approval from her line manager who is currently off until Monday. Though, I thought the recruitment agency did the recruiting?

I have never temped before or used a recruitment agency but does this experience sound normal or legit? I told a few of my friends and some think they have already filled the position with someone else and so they only met with me for legal reasons. However, the post requires an immediate start so others said it could have been a quick screening and I am in.

Could anyone with more experience than me when it comes to interviews/temping/agencies etc. give their opinion please? My nerves are away as this is a job I really want and it would be excellent experience for my future goals.

fira

Sarah

I’d the same experience and also with the civil service.

Made redundant two months before the company I’d worked for folded and had been in their accounts dept for many years. It was the first time I’d ever used an agency, and was nervous because I’d only ever had one job interview in my entire working life so felt uncomfortable about what to expect. It went fine and being honest I could have written almost exactly what you have.

I was interviewed by two pleasant ladies, was told about the job, they worked through my CV but didn’t ask, as I’d expected, that I should give examples of how I’d used competencies. They did say they needed someone good with figures though. The only thing they questioned was why I didn’t write the grades I got for my Highers and O’Levels. I explained when I sat them it was so long ago they didn’t grade and certificates were issued to everyone simply showing a list with ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ marked against the exam subjects taken!

The whole interview was no more than 10 mins.

A few days later the agency called and said I’d got the job subject to satisfactory qualifications and reference checks. I worked for them right up until I retired, loved the job and the folks I worked with there.

I’ve my fingers crossed for you and wish you success.

Bill

stuartJo1989

sarahmck92 wrote: »

I told a few of my friends and some think they have already filled the position with someone else and so they only met with me for legal reasons. However, the post requires an immediate start so others said it could have been a quick screening and I am in.

They only had to LEGALLY meet you if you qualify for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, for example if you are disabled. Aside from that, they could simply put your CV in the bin and not lose any sleep over it.

I'd say stop stressing out and wait until you hear from them. Nobody can say what the job will be like if you accept, but you have to appreciate that different companies/interviewers will have different styles to interviewing.

TELLIT01

sarahmck92 wrote: »

Instead, one of the interviewers just out of the blue told me not to panic if I don't hear back that day as they recruit through the HR of the civil service and she requires approval from her line manager who is currently off until Monday. Though, I thought the recruitment agency did the recruiting?

Sometimes, but more often the recruitment agency is used to do a sift of the applicants and possibly an initial interview. The company you will be working for will generally also conduct their own interview, which is what would appear to have happened in your case.
Local CS managers have interviewed you, but they then feed back to a central HR department who are responsible for sending out any job offers. The final part can take weeks depending on where the job is due to the checks required and reference gather.

NeilCr

I’ve interviewed like this for CS type temp roles. I don’t know whether or not it is usual but we did it quite regularly at my place

It’s because it’s temporary. They don’t need to go through the full procedures and it’s easier for interviewers and interviewees. Certainly, in my experience, you wouldn’t have been seen unless you had a good chance. They wouldn’t have bothered if they had already got someone lined up

As StuartJo1989 says stop stressing and good luck

pelirocco

Many years ago I had an interview with HMRC, it was a very formal interview with 3 interviewers, quite intimidating! I didn't get the job but a few months later I received a letter from another government employer asking me to attend an interview. This was just a chat with one person, nothing really work related and ended with them asking when I could start..... So yes your interview is nothing unusual

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

If it's a genuine temp agency job then they don't need to be particularly thorough. If they don't think you are up to it a few days after you start they just have to tell the agency to send somebody else please.

Tumtitums

i think its because you are applying as a temp. If it was a permanent role id imagine they would be more thorourgh. They sound like they just to find someone who meets the basic requirements quickly.

IAmWales

They're crying out for SOs. If you've got a reasonable element of stats in your degree they'll give you a job and train you. There are good opportunities for promotion to HO and SO roles too.

stuartJo1989 wrote: »

They only had to LEGALLY meet you if you qualify for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, for example if you are disabled.

The GIS is not a statutory requirement, it is a voluntary scheme. There is no legal obligation to interview anyone. Even where the GIS is offered it is not enforceable.

stuartJo1989

IAmWales wrote: »

The GIS is not a statutory requirement, it is a voluntary scheme. There is no legal obligation to interview anyone. Even where the GIS is offered it is not enforceable.

Aye maybe, but anyone who signs up for the GIS (more so with government agencies) would probably never not follow it....

sammyjammy

IAmWales wrote: »

They're crying out for SOs. If you've got a reasonable element of stats in your degree they'll give you a job and train you. There are good opportunities for promotion to HO and SO roles too.



The GIS is not a statutory requirement, it is a voluntary scheme. There is no legal obligation to interview anyone. Even where the GIS is offered it is not enforceable.

There won't be any opportunities for the OP beyond the temp post offered as they won't have been through fair and open competition.