Job offer 15 December 2022 at 7:59PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 10 replies 565 views

enzolondon1

Evening all, 

Here needing some opinions regarding recruitment etc. My niece was offered a local job on Monday. By all accounts it was a bad interview but because of her vast experience as a support worker and despite jitters on the day they offered her the job but the interviewer did say they expected more from her with her answers. She has verbally accepted but has holiday booked next year and has not mentioned it yet. So, few questions, when should she mention it? she is not confident in a couple of the essential key skills but is keen to learn, should she be worried (I have told her these days job descriptions are the absolute ideal) and would anyone be concerned by the fact she did bad at interview as highlighted but still got the job. I've given my uncle reassurances but any other opinions would be smashing. Cheers 🍻 

Marcon

enzolondon1 said:

Evening all, 

Here needing some opinions regarding recruitment etc. My niece was offered a local job on Monday. By all accounts it was a bad interview but because of her vast experience as a support worker and despite jitters on the day they offered her the job but the interviewer did say they expected more from her with her answers. She has verbally accepted but has holiday booked next year and has not mentioned it yet. So, few questions, when should she mention it? she is not confident in a couple of the essential key skills but is keen to learn, should she be worried (I have told her these days job descriptions are the absolute ideal) and would anyone be concerned by the fact she did bad at interview as highlighted but still got the job. I've given my uncle reassurances but any other opinions would be smashing. Cheers 🍻 

The interviewer seems to have done two constructive and positive things: given her immediate feedback and given her the benefit of the doubt. Alternatively, it could be they are desperate to fill the post and she was the only candidate, or at least the only reasonable one - but probably no need to say that to her!

Probably best to tell them about the holiday when she is discussing the proposed start date and other terms of employment. 

Savvy_Sue

Marcon said:

The interviewer seems to have done two constructive and positive things: given her immediate feedback and given her the benefit of the doubt. Alternatively, it could be they are desperate to fill the post and she was the only candidate, or at least the only reasonable one - but probably no need to say that to her!

Probably best to tell them about the holiday when she is discussing the proposed start date and other terms of employment. 

Agree with both the above: they may be desperate but more likely realise that someone with experience is unlikely to be hopeless! Not something I'd say to someone though.

I wouldn't wait long before mentioning the holiday - and will it be a deal breaker if they say she can't take leave then? 

enzolondon1

Yes, I think her experience is what has provided her with the job offer. That said she normally does brilliantly and is usually offered a position after interview. 

She is pretty nervy about accepting another wrong job offer having got her fingers burnt before and knows the effect this has on her family. I have told her to contact the recruiter to see if she can go and visit and get a good feel for the environment and people who work there before she fully commits but signing on that line! That said if her holiday is approved I am sure it would be a deal breaker!

DullGreyGuy

On the one hand the role sounds like a learning opportunity and on the other she probably wants to go on the holiday so it really comes down to the priority for her. If there is no chance that she's missing the holiday then the good thing to do would be to agree it before accepting the offer. If she ultimately would be willing to miss it then accept, get the feet under the table and put in the holiday request and hopefully it'll be approved anyway.

It is possible at times to tell you have a good candidate who's just having a bad interview... unfortunately other times it isnt and sometimes you miss the fact you have a bad candidate whos just really good at interviews 

TELLIT01

Tell them she was ridiculously nervous at the interview and forgot to say about holiday already booked for next year.  Certainly better to mention it before she starts.

concerneduk2020

If it’s a dealbreaker for her she should mention it now. She just needs to ask something like ‘I have a prearranged holiday booked from x to x date which I can’t move, will that be a problem?’ They will either say yes or no. Of course there is nothing to stop them changing their mind if they say it’s ok but ultimately most things with an employer involves an element of trust. 

diystarter7

Hi OP

They often ask if you can start or when can you start.
Was she asked the above and if so, did she say yes and would her hols clash with those dates?

Personally, I'd tell them A-Sap but as you know the choice is hers - ie,  are the hols more important than the job? If not tell them and as she tells them she could say, I'm will to give them up if it means me getting the job or not and write off the deposit on the hols. Yhat IMO will show commitment but again as you know it is her choice.

Good luck.

enzolondon1

Morning. Cheers for the replies.My niece has decided to decline the role. She is feeling a wee bit deflated and knows she was chosen as 'the only option' and with the fact that she will have to make sacrifices regarding her family to take the role anyway she would rather not take the chance. It hasn't done her confidence a great deal but knows she will need to provide more in depth answers next time.

Marcon

enzolondon1 said:

Yes, I think her experience is what has provided her with the job offer. That said she normally does brilliantly and is usually offered a position after interview. 

Any idea why the interview didn't go well this time? If she's normally a good interview candidate, it might be worth her while identifying why she didn't live up to her usual high standard in the hope of avoiding a repeat 'bad interview'. 

enzolondon1

Apparently she didn't provide enough information in terms of examples and competencies so I guess this was a red flag for them. They did apparently admit to using pre covid job questions so did take some responsibility in that the questions were not entirely appropriate. Seems like a good opportunity to miss up to me despite this but she has youngsters to think of. Have told her to think on it a bit more.