How many interviews does someone have to go through before they actually get offered a job?
Although we are setting up our own business I currently only work part time doing basic administration. I'm not used to a part time wage, and not being able to do the things I would like to because I don't have the money. Our Orlando holiday needs to be paid off in January and I haven't saved a penny for it. I have also backed out of a Christmas meal because I know I don't really have the money, and when you add drinks and the taxi home that's way more than I've got.
So far I have applied for 6 jobs and got 6 interviews. I'm pretty good at writing application forms! Also I don't apply for just any random jobs. I apply for things I feel I can do and have the qualifications or experience for.
My first interview was going well until I was ask a question which I hadn't researched. At that point I knew they wouldn't be offering it to me. I'd missed a basic rule of researching the post.
My second interview was with Next. Well to be fair it wasn't really an interview. They invited me in for training, I did two shifts and they sent me my P45. My second shift I forgot my phone, which had my clocking in details on. I asked a manager for my details and they said to just clock in on the manual in/out sheet. I was never paid the right hours for those 2 shifts, even the one I clocked in properly for.
My 3rd interview was a telephone interview with Debenhams and I got a 2nd interview at the store. I thought I did well. But I forgot to bring my proof of right to work in the UK, my passport. I never heard back from them.
My 4th interview was for a basic data entry job. I knew the manager in passing so I thought I had a good shot at getting it. It was something I had done before in a different role and I thought the interview went ok. Obviously not. Never heard from them.
My 5th interview was again a telephone interview, this time for a travel company. I thought I would have a go at working as a travel agent again after 10 years. She sounded positive about my interview. She said she didn't want to get my hopes up but she was sure I would be invited back for a 2nd interview, she just had to discuss with the recruiting manager first. Yesterday I got a rejection email. I'm obviously not cut out for the minimum wage retail jobs.
So on Tuesday I have interview number 6. This is a job I really like the sound of and it is a job where they provide training for you to progress. It is part time again but the base pay is £2k more than what I am on now. I don't have the qualification they need but I have worked with something sort of similar. I am really nervous and I am putting myself down. They probably have someone in mind already. There are lots of people who already have the base qualification they need (I personally know several people who do) but you have to work in a certain field to get it, you can't just sign up for the course. I am wondering if I will be waisting my time. I don't know what to do or say that will put me ahead of the other candidates.
I have never been great at interviews. At least 3 times I have been the 2nd choice, only getting the job because the 1st person turned it down. I am better than I was, having more experience behind me that I can draw from to answer questions rather than just sitting there in stunned silence being unable to think up an answer. However my anxiety sometimes gets a hold of me and I forget the obvious bits of the answer, waffling my way round in the hope it will come to me. Only later do I think 'why didn't I say that!'.
So if anyone out there has some great interview tips they want to share please let me know and cross your fingers for me!