I have an interview for a "proper" job, Friday 1 PM GMT in Town

[Mr Allen]

Topic.

Got an email about an hour ago on my Hotmail account from Mojico.co.uk, they want me to attend an interview based on my CV, which they have through Totaljobs.co.uk website! I think it's a sales position through an Agency, so I may or may not get it, but heck, I have an interview based on a CV I created myself, that's good news innit?

Now I just have to hit the clothes shops in Meadowhall to find something to wear that will fit me, normally I'd have something made from Ashley Rogers' at Manor Top but it's too short notice and too expensive up there.

Yay! Go me! Obviously I can't get too overexcited, there's a possibility I might not get the job due to the limited hours I can work because I can't come off benefits, but we'll see.

 

[Momo]

That's great! Hope it goes well!

 

[Keigan]

Look at this as an opportunity to practice "interviewing".

Write down a few questions that you want to ask them.

 

[Mr Allen]

Look at this as an opportunity to practice "interviewing".

Write down a few questions that you want to ask them.

Thanks that's really good advice.

I could also do with hitting the clothes shops for interview appropriate clothes, I was planning on going swimming this afternoon, but the clothes for the interview's more important

Might be cheaper to try Charity shops, but on the other hand, Charity shop clobber tends to be for older folk

Well I've just spoke to Mum and she specifically told me NOT to go and buy anything clothes wise, I have a smart pair of trousers I used to wear at a previous job, and a few decent tops, plus I have smart shoes, it's not shirt and tie which would be a lot more formal, but physically I can't do a tie or the buttons on a shirt, and under "reasonable adjustments" they have to accommodate that.

 

[Keigan]

At the end of the interview, ask these questions;

What else do I need to know?

What can I do better?

 

[Mr Allen]

I've already wrote a document with some questions I'll ask, nothing like being prepared.

Here's some of my questions.

1: What's minimum hours I can work? I can only do up to 10 hours in a week.
2: What days would you like me to do if successful?
3: What's the pay?
4: Is there any Weekend work required?
5: Is it shop floor selling or is there cold calling involved?
6: I do have disabilities including being deaf, spinal stenosis and Asperger's, would this impact my chances?
8: What products do you sell?
9: Would I have to wear formal attire to work for you? Due to manual dexterity problems I would struggle to wear a shirt and tie, although I can wear smart casual, would this be an issue?

What do you think? Everything covered?

 

[Bender5]

Work on an anwer for this one if asked: If hired what can you do to help this organization be more successful?

 

[Mr Allen]

A sense of humour and loyalty to the brand.

And a wicked accent (in a good way) for any required telephone selling.

 

[Bender5]

I would hire you.

 

[Mr Allen]

I just got back from the interview, the job is not suitable for me, it's telesales, and door to door selling, I don't drive and probably never will so logistically door to door selling would be a nightmare.

I asked about my wearing a hearing aid and would they be able to accommodate this for the telesales, and the guy's answer didn't exactly fill me with confidence, he said, and I quote, "they'd look into it", what annioys me though is that legally they can't turn round and say they're not hiring me because I'm deaf, if they did then by rights I could sue the crap out of them for blatant discrimination, and any Judge worth his seat in the Wig and Pen would say I had a good case.

 

[Judge]

he said, and I quote, "they'd look into it", what annoys me though is that legally they can't turn round and say they're not hiring me because I'm deaf, if they did then by rights I could sue the crap out of them for blatant discrimination, and any Judge worth his Wig would say I had a good case.

Probably best not to dwell on why prospective employers turn you down. After all, you may have to go through many such interviews. No matter what discrimination laws may exist, odds are it's very easy for just about any employer to skirt around them. They just have to be clever and careful about why they turned you down. No matter what "protected characteristics" you may have pertaining to anti-discrimination laws.

Besides in most cases when one is looking for work, they're not likely to be in a position to secure an attorney to pursue a civil matter. Time and expense factors that seldom change. So there's no point in harboring bitter feelings against them. Just move onto the next interview and stay positive. At least you're getting physical interviews rather than dealing with emails that get parsed by some computer program.

 

[Mr Allen]

Probably best not to dwell on why prospective employers turn you down. After all, you may have to go through many such interviews. No matter what discrimination laws may exist, odds are it's very easy for just about any employer to skirt around them. They just have to be clever and careful about why they turned you down. No matter what "protected characteristics" you may have pertaining to anti-discrimination laws.

Besides in most cases when one is looking for work, they're not likely to be in a position to secure an attorney to pursue a civil matter. Time and expense factors that seldom change. So there's no point in harboring bitter feelings against them. Just move onto the next interview and stay positive. At least you're getting physical interviews rather than dealing with emails that get parsed by some computer program.

Thing is though, this was my first interview in nigh on 20 years for a job that's not voluntary, and there ere guys there sat in the waiting room that looked better suited to it then I ever could, for one thing, I don't drive and it's highly unlikely I ever will, so logistically the "Door to Door" selling thing would've been a nightmare.

Meh, i tried, it was probably a waste of time, but, I tried, if the Daily Fail readers on Facebook don't like it then bloody well lump it, it's not my fault or problem that nobody will take the chance on a 41 year old disabled Aspie who's sadly deaf as a doorpost without my hearing aid.

 

[Judge]

Thing is though, this was my first interview in nigh on 20 years for a job that's not voluntary, and there ere guys there sat in the waiting room that looked better suited to it then I ever could, for one thing, I don't drive and it's highly unlikely I ever will, so logistically the "Door to Door" selling thing would've been a nightmare.

Meh, i tried, it was probably a waste of time, but, I tried, if the Daily Fail readers on Facebook don't like it then bloody well lump it, it's not my fault or problem that nobody will take the chance on a 41 year old disabled Aspie who's sadly deaf as a doorpost without my hearing aid.

Think of it as experience in just interviewing. With each experience where you may learn something for the better with the next interview.

 

[Mr Allen]

Think of it as experience in just interviewing. With each experience where you may learn something for the better with the next interview.

And maybe next time I'll do better research into what the company does, to see if the job is suitable before I apply for it in the first place.

Also, while we were in the interview building, my carer got a Parking Charge Notice on her car, we were parked just round the corner from the Office, and she has one of those cards that lets you park almost anywhere for free, she put 2 hours parking on the card but we were there and back in bang on half an hour.

 

[Darius]

Maybe you're looking for the wrong jobs? You can be deaf and sit by the computer. Online stuff should be ok. Customer service by e-mails. Dunno what skills you have.

Research about the company is basic. You will usually hear questions about the company on interviews.

 

[Judge]

And maybe next time I'll do better research into what the company does, to see if the job is suitable before I apply for it in the first place.

Sounds like a plan, Rich.

 

[S-Head]

Topic.

Got an email about an hour ago on my Hotmail account from Mojico.co.uk, they want me to attend an interview based on my CV, which they have through Totaljobs.co.uk website! I think it's a sales position through an Agency, so I may or may not get it, but heck, I have an interview based on a CV I created myself, that's good news innit?

Awesome, go for it man!

Don't be afraid to ask for the work conditions you want, you have a good reason.

 

[OlLiE]

it's a learning experience, it's like dating, a lot of frogs before finding the princesse, one thing though, for every interview - research the company you are applying for, knowing them and understanding what they do and stand for shows that you want to be part of the organisation rather than 'just looking for any old job', Good Luck - is there any government sponsored career counselling you can get to help identify your strengths and weaknesses and to help identify what type of jobs may be suitable for your profile

 

[Mr Allen]

it's a learning experience, it's like dating, a lot of frogs before finding the princesse, one thing though, for every interview - research the company you are applying for, knowing them and understanding what they do and stand for shows that you want to be part of the organisation rather than 'just looking for any old job', Good Luck - is there any government sponsored career counselling you can get to help identify your strengths and weaknesses and to help identify what type of jobs may be suitable for your profile

They offered me an employment scheme through Social services, but then they turned round and said I wasn't eligible because I don't have a learning disability.

It would end up being a "disabled specific" job anyway in some Factory for £2 a day because the clients are on benefits and can't earn much without severe sanctions, and no, I'm not doing it.

I want, for want of a better word, a normal job with normal pay.

 

[OlLiE]

i wasn't suggesting that you don't deserve a normal paying normal job, just suggesting that consulting with someone specialised in helping you define what your strengths and weaknesses are and trying to match what jobs may be a good fit, may be useful

give yourself some credit , being deaf, having back pains and being on the spectrum in no way condemns you to working in a job that is undesirable to you

i'm doing it next week tuesday, i hope that it will broaden my horizons and maybe suggest jobs that may fit me and that i hadn't thought of yet, and that will help focus me