Tails said... » Do you have a website of your work kayak23?
I don't really. Not done too much for myself since leaving Uni but worked for other makers. Currently teaching cabinetmaking at a College.
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Had job interview - "Please come in for a trial day" ???
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Posted 7 months ago #
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'Trial Day' sounds very suspicious and I'd be pretty sceptical.
I'd also be a bit disappointed if this was only mentioned to me for the first time in interview and not beforehand in the letter etc.
Having said that I would go and give it my best shot anyway as it's only a day when all's said and done.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Have just remembered that 4 years ago I approached a local company and offered to do some freelance work for them. They had a good rep and were a competitor of a previous employer. Had a good (but informal) interview and was invited to spend a day in the office to check things out.
Turned up on the day only to find they hadn't got round to prepping anything for my arrival, so there was literally nothing I could do. So I spoke to a few people and tried to get the gist of things while their MD acted like a cock. Finally went out on a job with one of the sales guys but that was tosh and not at all thought through. Returned to the office, went up to the MD, shook his hand and said "Thanks, but no thanks" and left. He started apologising again but I'd had enough. So beware, even after qualifying and setting expectations, it can fall flat particularly if people don't 'set you up' with stuff to 'do'.
Posted 7 months ago # -
We do something similar (and have two people coming in next week for their 'trials') - the role in question is for a junior support developer (Oracle / PLSQL and various web techs).
We interview first and then ask the candidates to come in for a 1/2 day - it's as much a chance for them to see what the job involves as it is for us to assess their suitability. We're hiring into a small team and a good 'fit' is essential; it's hard sometimes to get a handle on someone in an hour or so of interviewing. We also get them in on the morning shift so they get to see what it'd be like - people are often blasé about starting work at 6:30am in interview, the reality is often different. No point us hiring someone who hates getting up early or can't function before 9am.
There's no question of it being a way of getting any sort of labour out of the candidates; it's an investment on the part of the company rather than vice-versa; team productivity will drop for the day anyway as people will be spending time with the candidates rather than concentrating on the day job.
We don't do it 'competively'
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'm currently on a months trial (paid). The offer was only made to me. Remember, it cuts both ways as I'm currently finding out. How's it going? I'll let you decide while I continue to browse STW.
Posted 7 months ago # -
have to say that it's an open plan office so my days of casual stw'ing at work could be over should i get the job
Posted 7 months ago # -
I don't really. Not done too much for myself since leaving Uni but worked for other makers. Currently teaching cabinetmaking at a College.
Where did you study High Wycombe? I did a couple of years cabinet making and then design, wish I had followed through with making now!
Posted 7 months ago # -
As above really, I'd be sceptical if it was a relatively unskilled job and wonder if they were just after a free day's work. For anything a bit more involved it'll be costing them to have you there as you won't do anything productive. If you want the job why not? You'll learn something about them and it'll probably be useful experience however it pans out.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Both my son & daughter got their respective jobs a result of a similar exercise.
Daughters first job interview to become a teacher and she had to spend time in the classroom environment. She impressed so much(she later found out)that no-one else got considered for the job.
Son was looking for a change and got invited to a similar event as the OP to test out his autocad skills. He was being assessed on whether he could transfer his skills from and electrical background to a civil engineering one. He got the job based on his skills and the fact that he was the first interviewee that had turned up wearing a shirt, tie, and shoes!! He now has a degree in civil engineering paid for by his employer and is going for his chartered eng certificate
Posted 7 months ago # -
Whatever it is. Good luck tm. Hope they don't shaft you like that last lot.
Posted 7 months ago # -
ta dd.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I'm in hospitality and if an applicant interviews well then they are invited back for an 'unpaid working interview.' The length of the working interview is usually 2-3 hours, as that is plenty of time to assess how the applicant takes instruction, how quickly they pick things up, whether their attitude to work is right for us and also for them to decide if they feel the job is suitable for them.
It has to be made clear that it is unpaid, so we always say 'interview' rather than 'trial.'
I'm amazed that such methods aren't more common to be honest, as it is a system that works.
Posted 7 months ago # -
just a quick update.
i had the trial day on weds and it turned out not to be part of the competitive interview process, more a case of does it suit me, do I suit them.
anyhow, they've emailed me today to offer me the position, references pending, which i'm pretty happy to accept as they seem like a really cool company (typically totnesian) staffed by bright capable people.
in my case they probably need to satisfy the diversity plan and introduce an idiot into the pool.
bye bye joblesstrackworld - again.
Posted 6 months ago # -
well done you--what is the office internet policy, have you asked yet?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Congrats.
Lend me a tenner.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Nice one.
Posted 6 months ago # -
thanks all,
jy an hours unlimited usage at lunch, so you haven't got rid of my nonsense just yet.
cougar, i'm sure we can arrange something based upon an outrageous rate of interest.
Posted 6 months ago # -
nice one
Posted 6 months ago # -
I'm assuming that you didn't turn up on your 'Winter' bike then ;o)
Posted 6 months ago # -
Congrats.
I was going to say I think these are AT LEAST as useful for the employee as the employer - gives you a chance to assess the office dynamic, chat informally with the other staff and suss out whether you're going to end up with a boss from hell/working with Andy Gray and Richard Keys.
Posted 6 months ago # -
cougar, i'm sure we can arrange something based upon an outrageous rate of interest.
Do you accept repayment in fish?
Posted 6 months ago # -
Good news and well done.
Posted 6 months ago # -
thanks for all the well wishes - tis a wonderful community here
Posted 6 months ago # -
well.. I'm loathe to wish you well.. who am I gonna ride with during the week now..!?
blinkin' Totnesians..
Posted 6 months ago # -
you'll have to save it for the weekends and come out with the d-mo posse dem
Posted 6 months ago # -
Ah I see, sorry, missed this thread earlier.
Posted 6 months ago # -
well i should think so. have a good hard think about what you've done.
Posted 6 months ago #
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