Today I had the worst interview experience of my life.
It was at a GP practice in a nearby town for an admin and telephony role. I arrived and they are 20 minutes late seeing me. Frustrating, but not a big issue, it's a doctor's office, I get there might be delays. Finally someone comes to take me to a meeting room, no apologies for the wait.
They ask how my journey was. I said it was good and commented on how the bus stop was right outside the practice, so it was easy to find. She replied "oh, you travel by bus?" And clearly sounded disappointed. We get to a meeting room and the practice owner is there. They spend the first 5 minutes talking about the bus. About how they really don't want someone who relies on public transport. I assured them I am fine with the trip and have verified I will be able to travel reliably to and from the practice but they kept going on about the bus.
Eventually they move on and ask me to tell them about myself. I begin telling them my work history and experience and the practice manager interrupts and says "no, tell me who *you* are." Okay, would rather not be cut off, but fine. I tell them how I've recently been working on a sci-fi novel. Again, he interrupts and says "you'll never get it published."
??
I met you 10 minutes ago, I never even mentioned trying to get published? I know if I ever want to be published it would be a long path. It just seemed like an unnecessary, blunt, and rude comment for no purpose. For some reason I decided to continue with the interview.
First real question. "How have you handled angry patients in the past?" Okay, kind of a damning question about the role, but important to know in health care. I start to talk about my process and I'm barely on the second sentence when he interrupts me *again* and asks if I let aggressive patients affect me mentally. I reassured them no, I recognise they're rarely mad at me, but mad at their situation, so I don't take it personally.
Right, ready for question 2. All they say is "that's all the questions we have for you. Are you free Tuesday for an unpaid trial shift?"
That's it? That's all they had to say? I was in mild shock at how quick everything was that I stupidly agreed. I am just about to write an email advising that I will not be attending the trail shift.
And on top of all that, the practice owner was yawning none stop throughout the entire interview, not that it even lasted long.