Underqualified but offered an interview!!

[Mspontipine]

I applied for a job a month ago and heard nothing. Assumed I hadn't got it. I got an email at the weekend inviting me for an interview. It is only the 3rd interview I've been offered despite having been applying for jobs for approx one year.

The hours sound perfect for me!!

The thing is while I was waiting to hear I re-examined the job advert and there is more required than I thought. Job is at quite a high grade and some supervising required over lower grade. Also the secretarial requirements they've asked for are a bit higher than what I have (Sure they've changed it!!!) eg they are asking for RSA II/III and I can only type 28WPM.I kind of realised it's not quite me - ie I would like it to be but I'm not quite there!! Anyway. I gave them all my details, qualifications etc. Realistic and honest - not a complete glow job. And they want to see me!!! Basically I'm worried I'll trot along to interview and feel completely out of my depth or even worse I'll get the job and I won't be able to do it.

They've seen all my details and still want to see me!! Do you think they've made a mistake? Thinking maybe they have something else to offer me. I'm a little concerned. I have to confirm I'll be attending. As have had so few interviews I am planning on going along for the experience. Wondering if it'll turn into a complete nightmare!!

What do you think?

[Grevling]

Turn up. The worst they can say is no.

[Smadarama]

Give it a go. As you've said yourself they've seen your details and still want to interview you - there must be something about you that that they like. Good Luck.

[10poundstogo]

Go for it. Do your homework on the firm and try and antcipate the questions they'll ask and think thru the answers. If there are bits of thr role that you have not done research them and tell them what you would do and what you would need to consider in any particular scenario. Id rather take an a keen learner over someone experienced but less motivated so dont let that put you off. Good luck.

[fit2drop]

They have obviously seen something in your application that has them interested in you.
Go for it! as 10poundstogo says , do your homework on the firm.

I got my ideal job when I thought I was under qualified but at the interview (panel) they said
we can train people the qualifications if we have to but if you have not got the right personality to do the job , it does not matter how many qualifications you have




Good Luck , let us know how it goes

[Mspontipine]

I will do :)
It's NHS if that affects anything at all.

[fit2drop]

well if its any help, the scenario in my previous post.... Thats NHS too

never looked back .

[Mspontipine]

Yayy!!!! fit2drop. That does help

[Mspontipine]

It's next week - I will let you know :)

[10poundstogo]

Good luck!

[Mspontipine]

Interview is tomorrow. Shoes polished. Shirt ironed. Oufit ready. Childcare sorted.

Just hope they've got air conditioning!! I'll melt in my polymix blouse

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye...

[FootballFriendSays]

Good luck! Tell us how it went.

[fit2drop]

Oh Im glad you let us know with an update.

what time is your interview?

You will be just fine, remember they asked you because they liked what they read. :)

Just be yourself.

Good Luck and positive vibes Mspontipine

Come back and let us know how it went


fingers crossed

[Mspontipine]

12.30. feeling ok at mo. interview is 1/2 hour drive away so planning on leaving at 11.30. Have just filled my bird-feeders in hope to keep myself calm. One was filled with hibernating ladybirds!! I'm afraid one got squashed in the fitting :( !!! Wish it wasn't the hottest day ever.

[TheMitfordsMaid]

Good luck!  I'm sure they wouldn't have called you for interview if they thought you under-qualified.  

[MimieD]

Good luck! You must have something they like or they would not bother with an interview! I have an interview in the City at 4 today....I'm going to be sooooo hot on the tube...

[fit2drop]

Sending more positive vibes Mspontipine

Go girl!!!

[Mspontipine]

Well well well what a day (I took ds out for a treat tea so have just got in)

Day was sooooooo hot. Straightened my hair to death (prone to serious frazzle) dressed polished and ready to go just after 1 hour to go.

Got down the road and needed a nervous wee so dropped into mum's on way.

Drove 15 minutes down road (listening to encouraging cd - The Killers)

Met road block. Serious crash. Panicked. Talked to a man in a white van as no idea how to now get there. Followed him, bless him. Turned back. Drove back 15 minutes then back on route. Got to nearby carpark. Paid and ran. In new shoes. In complete agony. Limping. Running. Combing desperately frazzled hair. Got there realised had left folder of completely important info bring to interview stuff in car. No time to go back. Got there in a complete sweaty, hurt, unprepared heap.

Hang on...

[fit2drop]

OHHHH

[Mspontipine]

Lady greeting was very nice and helpful and understanding. Said they were running very late - mainly due to heat - having to change rooms etc. Gave me a nice glass on cold water.

Then started on interview tasks but cuz so hot and sticky and flappy took ages to calm. Took way to long on 1st task. Should really have enjoyed 2nd task - copying a letter but was so hot and sticky couldn't type properly :(
Then had almost finished 3rd task when got called in.

Interview itself went really well - well I didn't look like a complet twonk. Interviewers looked very cool. I sweltered and frizzed in my polymix shirt and jacket.

Like I say - didn't go at all badly.

Got out. Had another glass of water. Kind lady gave me plasters for my heels :) Stuck them on. Limped back to get my important info folder. Put crocs on and took jacket off Trotted back. Points for me apparently I was the 1st person to actually offer these, so others hadn't been seen

Left and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Don't know really how it went.

Or whether I want it - it's very managery and one night have to work till 8.
Lone parent of 8 year old

Will hear next week - many lessons learned today

for all the messages

[Mspontipine]

Interview tips learned today

1. Get a pure cotton interview shirt
   
2. Leave house an extra hour early, half hour not enough
   
3. Stick plasters on back of heels before wearing new shoes
   
4. Plan alternative route
   
5. Remember to take important info folder out of car
   
6. Have no interviews between March and December to rule out possibility of freak bloody heatwave - hair can't cope with heat or sweat
   
7. Buy a wig
   

8 Most important - despite all this I still feel the day didn't go as badly as I had worried. ie things are never as bad as you think they'll be - and even if they are - you survive - and the huge relief when it's all over PHEWWWW!!!

[fit2drop]

Sounds a rollercoaster , bless ya,
Pamper yourself with wine , you have earned it .
Well I hope you get offered it, and one night till 8 is not too bad...is it? Or would it cause child care probs, ermmm Grandparent? mature teen? neighbour?

If its offered and you take it and it doesn't work out you can always look elsewhere and the thing is for some reason being employed makes you more emplyable iykwim.

But absolutely well done on getting this far and I hope it turns out the best way for you.

NHS are pretty good at getting back to you either way but it can take time.

Good Luck

[fit2drop]

oh and keep us updated

[Mspontipine]

Cheers fit2drop
They said early next week.
Bit about working till 8 as have spent last 9 years filling life with non-work commitments to keep me and ds busy.
He has mass of afterschool activities and I'm doing a course on Tuesday eves 6-9 only just started. Guess what day I'd possibly need to work late??
Even if I had the other day - Thurs it's really putting pressure on all my lovely stand-by circle I have to enable me to do Tuesdays!! I really wanted to be able to work and sort childcare out myself - afterschool clubs etc therefore able to call on these favours for emergencies. Hmmm we'll see if I'm offered it first before I fret any more!!

[FootballFriendSays]

Oh, well done, fingers crossed.

[10poundstogo]

Ooh good luck and well done for gettibg thru it :)