group panel interview factory operative

huggy15

hi all!

I had an interview today for an operative position in a local factory. the interview was the second step in the hiring process as i had already completed and passed an aptitude test last week. well i went for the interview today and i feel it went dreadfullyðŸ™.
I was interviewed by 3 guys, the hr manager, production manager and line manager. it was my first panel interview and the nerves really got to me. one of the first questions asked was what do you expect from us as an employer? i stupidly said fairness, to which they asked me to elaborate and i took complete stage fright and couldnt answer the question. i also said safe work environment and a few minor other comments.
Anyway that question had past and i was on edge as i thought i had got off to a terrible start. i was put on the spot numerous occassions to give previous work examples i had encountered before of things like safety at work, solving tasks etc. have to say i found it very daunting and nerve wracking! I definitely wasnt prepared for such an intense interview. i left with a gut feeling that i am definitely not getting the job but im going to take it as a lesson learned ie be more prepared in future lol!
anyway has anyone else ever left an interview feeling they done terrible but still got the job?
the hr manager escorted me to the exit and said he would email me in a week to say if i had or hadnt made it to the next step. he also said 20 people are in for interview and 3 or 4 would be taken on. I will definitely be shocked if i make it to the next step!

BGozIE

Sounds like a standard competency based interview. It can be hard to prepare for these, and any group interview can be daunting. For me personally, the number one thing to do in any interview situation is try your best not to be nervous...easier said then done I understand.

Honestly I wouldnt worry at this stage, if its meant to be you will get to the next stage, if not then there is no point in worrying now, its out of your hands. To put some perspective on it - I've often come out of interviews feeling like I was on fire, A-grade answers, top of the world and I have not been offered the job .

Best of luck!

livedadream

interviewers allow for nerves,

i always appreciate an email after an interview thanking me etc.

some people see it as brown nosing but i actually really like it, shows the person was interested and really wants the role.

you could always say thanks for the opportunity bllaa blaaa, i hope my nerves didnt affect my performance i look forward to hearing from you etc etc

shows you are self aware too.

Best of luck with it!

amtc

Listen I managed to tell my boss in a interview that his boss was leaving. And I got the job. Another interview I vaguely knew the guy and he went to kiss me on the cheek and I turned my head and our tongues connected. And I got the job. Worked in both for 7 years.

I would agree with sending the email. Personally I wouldn't mention nerves but say I hope I demonstrated my skills in....

Interviewers do allow for nerves. I once interviewed a girl who was in tears but as it was a role that needed empathy she got the job and is still there now.

huggy15

yeah think i might email the hr manager thanking him for taking the time to interview me. it couldn't hurt i suppose, and at least they will know im keen.
i know one thing the interview wasnt cut short because i seen another candidate, an older gent go in before me and i was in for about the same length of time as he was. albeit he seemed better prepared with a folder full of notes with him which was probably his work portfolio.
im still clinging on to some hope!

Senna

Yeah happens to everyone, I once had an interview at 9 am and was working from 3pm to 6am the morning of the interview. To say I couldn't think straight was an understatement.
I even tried to reverse into a parking space that already had a car in it, straight outside the interview office window, thankfully I realised about half an inch from hitting that car. Went in and could not answer anything, my head went blank.
They asked me to describe a task, this was a task I'd done 3 times a day, everyday for the last 8 years, but I just couldn't get the words out.

If I had of been nervous, at least the interviewer could have put it down to that, but I was in no way nervous. Next day I got a call back and thankfully I was able to get a nights sleep before the next interview.
Dont write it off OP, if you don't get it, put it down to experience and even though competency questions are harder to prepare for, it's still very possible. Plenty of examples on the net, even broken down by industry roles. For competency questions, the interviewer just wants to hear you speak about your own experience and many times non work experience can be used for competency questions. For example, H&S answer could include what you have read about a new EU directive that's relevant to that industry, something like that can get you the job by itself (I've seen it happen)

huggy15

got a phone call today I've been offered the job pending a medical and my references checking out. shocked wouldn't be the word! Happy out :-)

Hunchback

Well done huggy. They obviously were able to see beyond your nerves and see that you are a genuine person and somebody who they feel they could trust to do a good job!


Getting hired as one of three or four out of 20 is really good!! Congratulations

PMBC

That brought a smile to my face.
Well done and congrats