Interviews

[witch]

I have just been for interview at a local Middle School - I was up against someone with less experience than me and no knowledge of the network management system - and I didnt get the job

 

The head told me that it may have been because when asked if I would take the job if offered it, I said that I was very interested but would have to go away and think it over. I did make it VERY clear that I was keen though. At the end of the interview I reiterated that I was keen and made it very clear that I was worried that I would be frozen out of the job because I wasn't prepared to make a snap decision - I was reassured that this was not the case (hah!)

 

I am very unhappy that I was penalised for this - How can you make a snap decision like that? obviously sometimes you know the job is 100% right or 100% wrong, but the rest of the time you need to mull over what you have been told and come to an informed decision

Apparently not

I was also asked questions about how I cope with the fact that I work in one middle school whilst I am a governor of a competing middle school in the same pyramid - how do I deal with people asking my opinions of the schools? Not in the least relevant, I would have said.

I am very very p***ed off

My current boss (of a part time job I would keep as well) even faxed over my reference as she only got the email asking for references 40 mins before the interview and I would have thought that would show that I am a worthwhile employee

Oh well

Rant over

[laserblazer]

Everything works out for the best. The HT sounds like a dick. You'd have hated it there. I had a similar experience going for an NM job at a High School. At the time, I was heavily involved in school sailing, which this school took part in. I said I would not be able to get actively involved in DOE and the shutters went down.

 

I'm much better off here.

[tech_guy]

I've been for interviews where it's blatantly obvious that one of the candidates has already got the job and they are just going through the motions. They're all wangs. Don't let it get to you.

[Oops_my_bad]

Damn that sux what a shithead

 

I'll reiterate what someone mentioned these things probably turn out for the best

[strawberry]

I wouldn't worry about it, the thing with interviews is that they'll only take you on if they think your right as a package. I'm sure you'd rather be turned down now than put up with the wrong job !

[mattx]

Did you ask for feedback during your interview just in case you were not offered the job ? I would contact the people who interviewed you if not and ask for it - it won't hurt.

[laserblazer]

I was reading a TES magazine about a supply teacher who went for a full time interview which he didn't get. He was told afterwards that it was his age, at 53 they didn't think he would fit into their younger staff structure. In Industry, he could have taken a company to the cleaners for that. The whole school interview process is a time-consuming and costly joke.

[russdev]

Interesting on of strong points is our shall we say staff who have seen a number of days as it means we have very stable staff.

 

Russell

[witch]

I only got feedback from the head who I met briefly before the interview. I think that the interviewers were slightly intimidated by the fact that I knew the system, as well as the assigned engineer from the network management system who I deal with in one of my other jobs.

The thing is, this is the fourth job in a row I havent got:

Not quite as bad as it sounds - I didnt want the first one, and came a very close second in the 2nd and 3rd (one of them took a male, in my opinion because the school has 'challenging' pupils).

I was heartened by a fellow edugeeker who was at one of the interviews I attended and who really thought I should have got the job!

And the absolute p**ser is that I am a trained electronics/computer recruitment consultant and so interviews should be a doddle for me.

Oh well - back to the drawing board (!)

[mrforgetful]

I got this job with no experience or qualifications when up against degree educated people and existing network people.

 

I'm very thankful for that.

[skunk]

You have to bear in mind that when teachers are interviewed they are asked before the interview if they are still firm candidates. If they do not answer yes, thats it, interview over.

 

Often teachers do not understand that the real world doesn't work like that.

 

Sorry, but things usually work out for the best.

 

Skunk

[bizzel]

I got this job with no experience or qualifications when up against degree educated people and existing network people.

 

I'm very thankful for that.

 

Me too. Our school has something of a history when it comes to hiring former students. My only qualification is A-level ICT which deals mainly with the business side of IT and...ugh...spreadsheets. Everything else I know is self-taught over the years so, in many respects, I'm very lucky to be here.

[mattx]

I only got feedback from the head who I met briefly before the interview.

 

And what did he say......?

Are you going to contact them and ask for more feedback ? You sound rather cheesed off at the whole thing and like you said its your third / fourth interview - I would certainly contact them and ask for a breakdown of why you did not meet their requirements.

Also - just because you are a consultant does not mean interviews are a doddle, it depends on who is interviewing you and what interview skills they have.

Not sure about you, but before interviews I have had in the past I am usually kaking myself which is no bad thing as it keeps you on your toes and does not make you overly confident....

[Guest richard]

I have lost count of the number of interviews I have been to where they had already chosen the person and are just going through the motions.

 

I remember one where the wife of one of the candidates was on the interview panel. The headteacher was too happy when I congratulated the guy on getting the job when the panel was introduced to all the candidates. Needless to say we know who got that one......

[apeo]

Sorry to hear what happened WITCH, totally understand, i know i would be pretty annoyed when stuff like that happens to me. Its true that its likely for the best but its annoying anyway. Always a p*ss take when you're not offered the job, and often the reason (if any) given is pretty stupid.

[broc]

Having sat on the both sides of the table during interviews in school, when I was seeking a job as a Network Manager and also recruiting as a Governor & line manager I have seen many candidates offered jobs where the decision is made based on the responses to quite vague questions that try to establish if a candidate will fit in, especially where there are multiple candidates who meet the person spec as far as technical skills are concerned.

 

We interviewed for a technician recently, one of the questions asked of all candidates was "Why do you want to work here, & what can you bring to our school?" There were some interesting responses, but the one that sticks in my mind was the quite truthful but 'killer' response..... because my partner is relocating to your area and I want a job close to her. While an honest response, it did not go down well and ultimately led to the post being offered to someone else. This same candidate did himself no favours by responding to another question "what will you find most challenging about the job" .... to respond "understanding the local accents"

 

I think being open and honest has to be tempered with the question you have to ask yourself..... what do they want me to say?

 

As a matter of interest, when the job offer was made the successful candidate accepted provisionally, subject to seeing the T&C in writing. This caused a flutter as it was not expected and it took a fews days to post out the offer letter..... but it is undoubtedly a good ploy if you need some thinking time before committing in writing.

[apeo]

I think those of us who been in this for a while fully understand that when choices are, there is consideration of whether or not that person will fit in the organisation. This happens in any industry but when you get turned down not because you werent capable but they felt you wouldnt 'fit in' kinda makes it worse. I have a friend who has never (yes never) failed at an interview and been offered the job every time. He even went for a job that he was completely under qualified for (on paper) and still got the job offer. I almost want his 100% record to be broken :twisted:

[intrigue]

The thing i have learned from Interviews is that honesty does not pay at all.

 

That is not to say that i have lied to get my job its just to say that people want a specific answer which may not be accurate.

 

for example, i went for a well paid primary school "IT Specialist" job in Leicester and the question they asked me which i got "wrong" was,

"What area of IT would you say you specialise in?"

Well funnily enough i told them the truth, i don't specialise in any one particular area as i am an all rounder and don't believe there is anything i cant do very well with IT which by any means makes me an IT Specialist!

Well no apparently not, they wanted me to say i was good at Server administration or networking what a joke if they wanted a server specialist then advertise for one, not an IT specialist.

 

I am very unhappy that I was penalised for this - How can you make a snap decision like that? obviously sometimes you know the job is 100% right or 100% wrong, but the rest of the time you need to mull over what you have been told and come to an informed decision

Apparently not

 

Witch, again, i think a lie is by all means acceptable here, if they ask you are you going to accept the job if offered then you always say Yes. Why? Well because some people go to interviews to get a pay rise and so the interviewer may think thats all your after. If they then offer you the job all you have to say is that you provisionally accept the job and will wait for the offer in writing this will give you a few days to mull it over before signing and accepting the post.

 

I only got feedback from the head who I met briefly before the interview.

Not sure about you, but before interviews I have had in the past I am usually kaking myself which is no bad thing as it keeps you on your toes and does not make you overly confident....

 

Under confidence is a problem also, i have been for interviews where i have not been overly confident and have tried to show the interviewer that i can do the job but sometimes it does not come across that way, i have personally found that going into a room with lots of confidence helps me no end i am able to answer questions more easily now i have great confidence in my own ability, and since leaving my last job at an insurance company, knowing my self worth which is most important.

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[witch]

Mattx: you seem to be having a bit of a 'go' at me - don't know why

The feedback I got WAS from the head and it was made clear that it was all there was

All I meant about being a consultant was that I have been trained to interview and also trained to teach people how to behave in interviews, and even then I got it wrong.

I wasnt 'over confident' if that is what you are suggesting - merely professional and concise. Underconfidence is more of a problem, and the fact that the people interviewing have no training or idea how to do it - Ihave been involved in training some of the staff at the school at which I am governor, as they didnt know how to ask the simplest questions.

 

broc: I was asked all those questions and I know how to answer those (see above)! That wasn't the issue, I dont think. But you are right, I should have lied! Will next time.

There version of that question was: "you have said that it seems a happy school - what would you bring to school that would fit in with this?"Obviously I said I was a miserable git!!

There were very few questions about my technical competence so it was definitely about how I would fit in. I did ask the current tech what the teachers were like and it has to be said that he wasnt THAT positive.

So maybe I am better off out of it.

Oh yes, I looked back and it is three interviews, not four - I was offered one and turned it down!

[mattx]

Mattx: you seem to be having a bit of a 'go' at me - don't know why

 

Sorry if that sounded like it did, but I'm not having a go !! Anything but.

I was a little confused as to when you got your feedback as your original posting sounded like you spoke to the head before the interview...

[torledo]

I have just been for interview at a local Middle School - I was up against someone with less experience than me and no knowledge of the network management system - and I didnt get the job

 

The head told me that it may have been because when asked if I would take the job if offered it, I said that I was very interested but would have to go away and think it over. I did make it VERY clear that I was keen though. At the end of the interview I reiterated that I was keen and made it very clear that I was worried that I would be frozen out of the job because I wasn't prepared to make a snap decision - I was reassured that this was not the case (hah!)

 

I am very unhappy that I was penalised for this - How can you make a snap decision like that? obviously sometimes you know the job is 100% right or 100% wrong, but the rest of the time you need to mull over what you have been told and come to an informed decision

Apparently not

I was also asked questions about how I cope with the fact that I work in one middle school whilst I am a governor of a competing middle school in the same pyramid - how do I deal with people asking my opinions of the schools? Not in the least relevant, I would have said.

I am very very p***ed off

My current boss (of a part time job I would keep as well) even faxed over my reference as she only got the email asking for references 40 mins before the interview and I would have thought that would show that I am a worthwhile employee

Oh well

Rant over

 

I think it's important to make all the right noises during the interview right up until the end. Decisions on salary and whether you'll actually take the job can be made after you leave the interview room. If you've been asked whether you're still keen on the job but you've got issues get reassurance/explanation on things you've discovered that concern you about the position there and then (this will have come up during the interview from the questions you've asked them) before you answer honestly.

 

If you've been put off completely by the job during interview there's nothing wrong with what you've said or to explain your apprehensions.

 

But all that tends to do is give the interviewers less confidence in your suitability (note not your ability).

 

Too many people who'd make otherwise good managers have absolutely no clue how to conduct an interview so they will ask wrong, pointless questions and invariably hire the wrong candidate. All you can do is make sure you're the person who ticks all their boxes. The good thing is you know where you came unstuck and you can do something about that in your next interview.

 

I had a similar tricky question before interview - they were shortlisting for a very well paid NM position. One of the requirements was an IT-related honours degree I received a phonecall as they needed me to confirm my degree (i just about scraped a pass no hons). Suffice to say they didn't call me for interview because competition was so fierce my degree from years ago was the determining factor because in other areas I could have held my own with anyone - experience, skills, interview ability.

 

What did i learn ? That stipulating for a certain degree mark does not guarantee a good candidate as I'm sure they'll find out. But also, I should have highlighted my experience in lieu of the right degree during that telephone conversation. They might have changed their mind if I could convince them - tell them what they want to hear don't be indecisive..i was re the degree that's maybe why they didn't call back.

[torledo]

Did you ask for feedback during your interview just in case you were not offered the job ? I would contact the people who interviewed you if not and ask for it - it won't hurt.

 

I remember going for an interview at a college at the end of my second year at Uni. I'd already landed a great job at a bigger organisation that I was really excited about - but this job paid more and was closer to home, and seemed to be less pressurised. I knew I had came second or third because of my lack of experience. The interview went okay, I was still nervous, but my lack of exprience showed.

 

After the interview I got a call saying I hadn't got the job...but after a few hours of indecision after the interview I knew I wasn't bothered whether I got it or not because what I had been already guaranteed was a much more valuable start to my career. So when the interviewer phoned, told me the news and asked whether I wanted to know why i hadn't got it i just said .....no, thanks. And she seemed a bit taken aback a few seconds of silence before she spoke to wish me luck. IT's great being in that position.

Not giving a shit.

[mattx]

Not giving a shit.

 

Like you said, not giving a shit is fine and dandy if you are in that position.

 

Asking for feedback certainly helped me in my current job, - I had been made redundant in my last job because of a take over. After being in the role for almost 15 years and having 2 young kids and a wife to feed I did give a shit as to how my interview skills were !! The first job I applied for I got down to the last two, I got the feedback I asked for and applied that in the next interview...I got the job after a test, and an interview with the NM, the NM at a linked school, the bursar and the head master - a nice 3.5 hour experience !!

[torledo]

Not giving a shit.

 

Like you said, not giving a shit is fine and dandy if you are in that position.

 

Asking for feedback certainly helped me in my current job, - I had been made redundant in my last job because of a take over. After being in the role for almost 15 years and having 2 young kids and a wife to feed I did give a shit as to how my interview skills were !! The first job I applied for I got down to the last two, I got the feedback I asked for and applied that in the next interview...I got the job after a test, and an interview with the NM, the NM at a linked school, the bursar and the head master - a nice 3.5 hour experience !!

 

wowwwww there tiger.

 

I was relating an exprience i had, an anectode if you like regarding the pressures of interview.

 

I don't go round 'not giving a shit' generally or in the majority of interviews i've had. I can honestly say that I'm good at interviews, can correct mistakes often without requiring feedback - although i agree feedback is useful. And I have a very good success rate the last few years as I've not gone more than two meaningful interviews without landing the job I wanted. I've been lucky as a lot of people are fortunate if they they land a job after the 9th or 10th interview.

[Disorder]

Hi Witch, sorry to hear you didnt get the job but from what ive heard now it was pretty much a forgone conclusion. Probably a case of Head teachers scratching each others backs. So don't take it personally cause I had a friend who was interested in the job aswell and he didn't even get an interview.

 

Best of luck on the next one.