Had some interview feedback from a failed interview today..

[GadgetMan]

I hoped to at least have an interview for station staff as quite a few staff I've seen on the platforms look like they struggle to spell their own name.

Nice way of speaking about your potential colleagues.

The person sifting must have put you down as over qualified, perhaps you should mispell your name in future applications.

 

[NI 271]

I know many teachers who don't come to teaching interviews in suits. I don't want to teach in a suit - I'm not going to go to interview in a suit either. I teach in what I feel comfortable in, in clothes that are fitting to most schools.

Great point. My fault for thinking he'd applied for Gateline Assistant, where he'd be expected to wear a tie as part of uniform, not teacher. Not 100% sure how I made such an assumption.

I understand your concern, but then you have to remember that not everyone wears a suit to interview and not every person in employment will have worn suits to their interviews...

Which means you'd therefore have had to score higher than them in the interview itself, which is possible, but why handicap yourself that way?

Earlier facetiousness aside, I covered that possibility (see above) in the post you quoted, however the fact that he was told he'd been "Poorly/badly presented" suggests that failing to dress 'appropriately' (in the eyes of the interview panel, NOT you or I) was a direct reason he didn't get the job. I'm quite satisfied suits aren't always necessary for interview, however they are often expected. I'm not remotely interested in whether there is or is not a valid reason for this, or I'd have debated it, but it is an indisputable fact that in many (most, perhaps?) cases, people recruiting expect candidates to wear suits at interview. Somebody not liking this does not make it any less true.

And as for the feedback not being helpful - it's certainly more helpful than any I've received in recent times. If you've received feedback which has explained absolutely explicitly where you've been unsuccessful previously, then that's fantastic (and it should ideally be something all candidates receive after interview in my view), but I have not received anything further than "other candidates scored higher than you" in cases affecting me in recent times. Furthermore, it has led to this discussion on here, which I would suggest is unlikely to do anything but assist JSB in future interviews, and if that isn't helpful, I don't know what is.

 

[TDK]

It's really knocked the wind out of me to be honest. It's been about a three month recruitment process, I passed my assessment a while back and only just got round to having the interview last week. So I thought the interview went well personally, but then I got a rejection letter.

I e-mailed the TOC asking for feedback, had a phone call back from HR & Recruitment who pulled up my interview notes for me, this is what they said.

- Poorly/badly presented.

- Had a poor of understanding of what the role entailed.

- Gave boring and irrelevant answers.

I was a bit gutted to be honest. Has anyone had any similar experiences? I turned up to the interview wearing a shirt, trousers and shoes. Was it because I didn't wear a tie? I broke the bank getting that outfit together to be honest. I also couldn't really understand how I had a poor understanding of the role or that I gave boring answers. I've spent months on this forum preparing for this role and taking in every bit of knowledge I can think of. I feel very put out.
Has anyone else had a similarly cold rejection? When asking for feedback I thought I would hear back for things I could work on, but I'm unsure how to approach this criticism in all honesty as it doesn't quite match up with how I thought I did.

There have been loads of threads and posts on here that have always said a suit is essential, you didn't wear a suit so obviously didn't either read the posts or chose to ignore them.

A poor understanding of the role will mean you did not research the role you were applying for.

Giving boring answers probably means you gave the same answers as many of the others who take answers from forums and quote them in interview, maybe you needed to have a bit more individuality.

Sorry to sound blunt on this one but if this is the feedback you were given you have a lot of hard work ahead.
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Indeed, I guess my service in the army and previously working in customer facing roles before joining wasn't enough, I've applied for different roles..ranging from depot drivers to station staff..got the rejection email every time, I hoped to at least have an interview for station staff as quite a few staff I've seen on the platforms look like they struggle to spell their own name.

With that attitude I can see why you have had 9 interview and still jobless. Who are you and how would you know by just looking at someone that they couldn't spell their own name. Here's to another 9 failed interviews
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Rejected from SWT? not surprised..I applied for 9 jobs recently for their company..different roles..didn't even get an interview or assessment.

Maybe you need to look like you cannot spell your name then :roll::roll:
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Sounds like standard "fobb off" feedback to me that gets sent to everyone who didn't get through

This is the first time I have seen this kind of feedback - where else have you seen it Bev?

 

[Beveridges]

All the reasons for failing an Interview are well documented.

Indeed I have seen the detailed Interview notes relating to the position I hold today. All the good and bad points are clearly documented. It is part of my file which details everything.
Unfortunately TOCs can't be arsed to distribute detailed Interview notes to failed applicants. All the information is clearly there, and its really detailed and useful, but unfortunately you will never see it unless you are successful in getting the position and if your manager lets you look at your competency file.

Theres nothing in it for the TOCs so they don't do it. But how useful would this info be to failed applicants? Its extremely detailed, giving scores for every answer and notes saying what was good or poor about every individual answer.

 

[JSB]

There have been loads of threads and posts on here that have always said a suit is essential, you didn't wear a suit so obviously didn't either read the posts or chose to ignore them.

A poor understanding of the role will mean you did not research the role you were applying for.

Giving boring answers probably means you gave the same answers as many of the others who take answers from forums and quote them in interview, maybe you needed to have a bit more individuality.

Sorry to sound blunt on this one but if this is the feedback you were given you have a lot of hard work ahead.
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With that attitude I can see why you have had 9 interview and still jobless. Who are you and how would you know by just looking at someone that they couldn't spell their own name. Here's to another 9 failed interviews
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Maybe you need to look like you cannot spell your name then :roll::roll:
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This is the first time I have seen this kind of feedback - where else have you seen it Bev?

Actually, I never came across a thread that said a suit was essential at all. Many people in this thread alone have documented people who have got even higher ranking and better paid jobs just wearing a shirt and jeans. And, as I explained - I couldn't afford a suit. The letter said business attire, which can mean many things - not just a suit. I arrived in a shirt, trousers and shoes (missing a tie as most have pointed out)

I know what a poor understanding of the role means. But I was trying to point out that it didn't make sense, as upon review before and after the interview I had a very good understanding of what the role entailed - objectively speaking I could talk confidently about what exactly the role was for as I had researched it well. I could understand if I walked in and started talking about how it's very important to check signals in an interview for a Gateline Assistant but as I said that wasn't the case. Hence my confusion. It's almost as if the feedback didn't really match up with my interview.

Lastly, I never quoted any answers from this forum in the interview contrary to what you seem to be implying in your post, I'm not an idiot. Despite the fact I don't think I've ever SEEN anyone on this forum post actual answers they gave in an interview, I wouldn't do that anyway. With all due respect, I've posted on this forum for some illumination, not to be further dragged through the mud for criticism I felt was harsh and unfair to begin with.

To be clear, I don't blame anyone else but myself for the interview failing. (It would be impossible not to..) but this thread up to your post was filled with helpful advice, suggestions on how I could get a suit etc. All you seem to of done is come in here and be unnecessarily blunt, a little judgemental and dare I say it a bit rude.

I know I've got work to do. I intend to work even harder and use this experience to build on myself as a person, not just as a candidate to work on the railways. Your post seemed to be an exercise in some kind of online flexing, and paled in comparison to almost everyone else's help in this thread. So thanks for taking your time out for making a post, but if that was your idea of help or increased understanding of recruitment..it wasn't very helpful at all. I hope at least you feel a bit better about yourself and more superior, as then at least one of us has benefited from your post.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Thanks NI 271. That was a rousing post. I guess I will start saving for a proper suit as of now, seems to be one of the top things on the list to get ahead.

You can often find a bargain in charity shops. Just make sure you try it on first.

 

[JSB]

Charity should is going to be top of my list. I have a few local, I don't know why I didn't think of it before hand. Does anyone have any idea how much a suit would cost in a charity shop on estimate?

 

[theageofthetra]

You can buy a suit for £40 in several supermarkets.

 

[Barn]

I don't know anything about railway interviews, but on the rather mean 'boring' comment, perhaps this is a symptom of you actually preparing too well, and responding a little like a textbook answer, providing every piece of information that you know on a topic.

It might be a good idea to remember that an interview is at its core a conversation, so try to keep answers to how you might speak to a customer or colleague in real life, involving the other person in the conversation and using a lighter tone when appropriate.

It'll make you seem more human and give the company a better idea of how you might cope with others on the job. Good luck.

 

[TDK]

Actually, I never came across a thread that said a suit was essential at all. Many people in this thread alone have documented people who have got even higher ranking and better paid jobs just wearing a shirt and jeans. And, as I explained - I couldn't afford a suit. The letter said business attire, which can mean many things - not just a suit. I arrived in a shirt, trousers and shoes (missing a tie as most have pointed out)

I know what a poor understanding of the role means. But I was trying to point out that it didn't make sense, as upon review before and after the interview I had a very good understanding of what the role entailed - objectively speaking I could talk confidently about what exactly the role was for as I had researched it well. I could understand if I walked in and started talking about how it's very important to check signals in an interview for a Gateline Assistant but as I said that wasn't the case. Hence my confusion. It's almost as if the feedback didn't really match up with my interview.

Lastly, I never quoted any answers from this forum in the interview contrary to what you seem to be implying in your post, I'm not an idiot. Despite the fact I don't think I've ever SEEN anyone on this forum post actual answers they gave in an interview, I wouldn't do that anyway. With all due respect, I've posted on this forum for some illumination, not to be further dragged through the mud for criticism I felt was harsh and unfair to begin with.

To be clear, I don't blame anyone else but myself for the interview failing. (It would be impossible not to..) but this thread up to your post was filled with helpful advice, suggestions on how I could get a suit etc. All you seem to of done is come in here and be unnecessarily blunt, a little judgemental and dare I say it a bit rude.

I know I've got work to do. I intend to work even harder and use this experience to build on myself as a person, not just as a candidate to work on the railways. Your post seemed to be an exercise in some kind of online flexing, and paled in comparison to almost everyone else's help in this thread. So thanks for taking your time out for making a post, but if that was your idea of help or increased understanding of recruitment..it wasn't very helpful at all. I hope at least you feel a bit better about yourself and more superior, as then at least one of us has benefited from your post.

I do understand your frustration with this however a suit in ASDA can be as little as £30. You need to remember that there is very stiff competition with any railway job and something as simple as not wearing a tie could in fact fail you the interview. Every thread that has been on here that I have seen about attire at interviews has certainly mentioned wear a suit, polish your shoes, have a neat haircut and ensure you look the best you can.

It's not the point of being or trying to be superior it's the point of observing what you have put and being honest, I have interviewed before for drivers and believe me it is essential to be at your best. I am notorious on this forum for being blunt and honest and to be fair this is in my opinion the best way to get a message across to someone who has failed an interview, I could have said sorry to hear you failed you will do better next time but this certainly will not help you.

 

[carlejo]

They must of really not liked you!! I had one interview with them, got quite friendly with one of the hiring team then subsequently got an assessment and interview for every job I applied for!! And he put in a really good word for me

No need for this IMHO, the OP is down enough without comments like this. Try and be a little more constructive in advising in the areas they need to concentrate on would be better.

 

[JSB]

I do understand your frustration with this however a suit in ASDA can be as little as £30. You need to remember that there is very stiff competition with any railway job and something as simple as not wearing a tie could in fact fail you the interview. Every thread that has been on here that I have seen about attire at interviews has certainly mentioned wear a suit, polish your shoes, have a neat haircut and ensure you look the best you can.

It's not the point of being or trying to be superior it's the point of observing what you have put and being honest, I have interviewed before for drivers and believe me it is essential to be at your best. I am notorious on this forum for being blunt and honest and to be fair this is in my opinion the best way to get a message across to someone who has failed an interview, I could have said sorry to hear you failed you will do better next time but this certainly will not help you.

Not that it matters much at this point, but I wasn't interviewing to be a driver. I was interviewing to be a gateline assistant. But at the end of the day I've learnt this much at least: a suit is essential. Come hell or high water I'll have one next time I manage to get an interview.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[47802]

I surprised there even a discussion about wearing a Suit and Tie for an interview, that goes without saying doesn't it in any industry, and especially in any sort of customer facing role.

Whether or not you will actually wear a suit in the job roll is not an argument to wearing a suit at an interview.

 

[Surreytraveller]

My opinion - you've done your research, know your stuff and put in the effort. Some managers can feel threatened by this. They do not like taking on staff that know more than they do. The only way these people can maintain their authority is to prevent those who are more capable than them from getting feet in doors.

Just my opinion....

 

[Traineeconductor]

I surprised there even a discussion about wearing a Suit and Tie for an interview, that goes without saying doesn't it in any industry, and especially in any sort of customer facing role.

Whether or not you will actually wear a suit in the job roll is not an argument to wearing a suit at an interview.

I'm sorry but not all industries have Shirt and tie Compulsory. However I do agree that a suit and tie is the best way to attend a interview most definitely.

And what I will also say That When people go for these competency based interviews a lot of people don't really no How to answer the questions until you get told and shown what that type of interview is.
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My opinion - you've done your research, know your stuff and put in the effort. Some managers can feel threatened by this. They do not like taking on staff that know more than they do. The only way these people can maintain their authority is to prevent those who are more capable than them from getting feet in doors.

Just my opinion....

I agree with you matey, I had that happen to me.

 

[Monty]

Charity should is going to be top of my list. I have a few local, I don't know why I didn't think of it before hand. Does anyone have any idea how much a suit would cost in a charity shop on estimate?

Have you tried Burtons menswear? You can find them in most high streets and pick up a smart jacket and trousers for next to nothing.

It's worth pointing out that not wearing a suit does not equal an instant rejection. But when you have a limited number of vacancies and abundance of suitable candidates the management have to look at small details such as what you wear and how early you turn up to an interview in order to whittle it down to those final lucky few. I know of someone who fell at the last hurdle because the only thing that could separate him from the winning candidate was that he forgot to polish his shoes.

 

[rush476]

Firstly, you should have worn a tie. First impressions count!

Considering this feedback, when you next have another interview, ask family or friend to do a role play.

Have to agree with this man, tie essential!
also i know it might seem a bit pointless, but when you enter something like shaking the persons hand and asking to take a seat etc helps a lot.

when you bring paperwork, have it neat in a folder and so on, shows organisation.

And defiantly role play. little trick, ask your mate/family to ask you a question about any subject what so ever and try to reply. can be quite a laugh too

 

[JSB]

Have you tried Burtons menswear? You can find them in most high streets and pick up a smart jacket and trousers for next to nothing.

It's worth pointing out that not wearing a suit does not equal an instant rejection. But when you have a limited number of vacancies and abundance of suitable candidates the management have to look at small details such as what you wear and how early you turn up to an interview in order to whittle it down to those final lucky few. I know of someone who fell at the last hurdle because the only thing that could separate him from the winning candidate was that he forgot to polish his shoes.

Certainly does explain a lot if miniscule detail like that can lead to rejection. I won't leave anything to chance next time.

Burton yes, but I have a limited budget. Even £40 is a huge stretch for me. I'm not going to get into why because it's not relevant but as you can all probably tell I'm unemployed.

I think someone mentioned JSA give you vouchers for suits which I had no idea. Will have to enquire.

Thanks again everyone for the responses, quite overwhelmed really.

 

[theageofthetra]

Are you on JSA & on the work programme? If so your work programme provider will issue you clothing vouchers on proof of an interview. Similarly they will also issue travel warrants to cover your fare to/from an interview. If you have been on JSA for over 6 months? If so you need to ask for a JSA railcard which gives you 50% off all train (& bus/tubes in London). None of these will be offered to you on a plate, you need to ask for them & print off the relevant pages off the DWP website as many job centre staff are clueless at what you are entitled to.

 

[canman31]

I've passed all my guards and drivers assessments inc fault finding and mechanical. All first time.
And don't get through the interview stage.
Although I have given all the correct type of answers.
I have had fob off answers which you find hard to believe.

My situation is different as to why but the same as the posters.
It's not what you wear sometimes although agreed be as smart as possible.
You see people in suits for the assessments but its test day not impress day.
Interview day yes.
Sometimes you can give them the answers but it doesn't make any difference.

Check out the toc blacklist post of do not hire list !
Must be some truth in it.
As their is a couple of responses on the thread which makes it quite clear to all.
Current known staff not wanting to stick their neck out on here !.
Or am I wrong ?.

 

[Frontera2]

As an industry manager, who has by coincidence employed several people for SWT, I feel it's worthwhile to expand on the "poorly presented" aspect.

Being poorly presented isn't exclusively about what you wear - far from it - it's how you present yourself as an individual eg did you sit up straight, make good eye contact, show empathy with the interviewers and generally make it a pleasure for them to spend time in your company? Interviews can be enjoyable and / or pleasant experiences for both sides. Doing an interview with a slovenly (and I'm not saying you were) but smartly dressed individual would not be pleasant!

Also, tone of voice is part of presentation as well eg did you give clear and concise answers in a normal voice or where they delivered in a monotone?

All of these things count.

 

[JSB]

May have slouched slightly (do naturally). I was told I has good and engaging she contact (one of the few bits of good feedback I had) so not sure that was it. My tone of voice is pretty pronounced and concise. I have a strong south London accent.

 

[siscor]

JSB, don't feel disappointed about your interview, sometimes is for you to learn/progress, sometimes is because you are not meant to be in that role.
In my experience I have applied and get to interview stages in 4 different positions in the same TOC.
Each interview was different, they were looking for a different profile and I had prepared around 40 different examples. And what helped most was to share this examples with my wife and friends, different views and ideas enriched my examples.
I have 19 years experience in customer facing and one of the feedback received was that I didn't demonstrated enough customer facing experience.
Today I have received the job offer for Depot Train Driver, after a tough last year now I am over the moon.
If you would like to work around trains, keep going and carry on. For each position there are hundreds of applications and reaching the interview stage is an excellent sign.