[Help] Job interview - advice needed

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

When I was interviewed for my current job, I was in a situation where although I wasn't formally under redundancy protocol I knew that my role was being removed so it was a matter of when, not if, I would be made redundant.

During the interview, it turned out that they wanted someone on short notice to replace someone who was retiring. I was honest about my situation and confident I could negotiate a shorter notice period as one of the reasons for the restructure was cost saving so saving both my salary for a couple of months plus any redundancy payment was a bit of a no brainer.

When asked about salary expectations, I said "you know my current salary, you know my skills and potentially my salary will be zero in a couple of months so I will leave it to you to make an offer".

The offer they made was higher than the advertised salary and nearly 13 years later I am still here so I would echo the honesty advice.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Because everyone lies in interviews.

 

[Dorset Seagull]

yes, however I was planning to leave. The company have simply sped up the exit process for me.....

Then that’s what you need to tell them. Honesty will get you through but deception, albeit implied, will be your downfall

 

[WATFORD zero]

I wouldn't offer the information unless asked, particularly initially. If you get the 'why are you looking to move' question, I would then give all the reasons (including future growth of the company) and offer up that you are in the latest round of redundancies, ideally towards the end of the interview if possible. Good luck

I do remember joining a company where HR insisted on doing all recruitment, even for quite specialised positions. I gave them a jobspec and they rang me a few days later to say they had well over a hundred applications and how did I want them prioritised. I told them to split the applications in half and then bin one half as I didn't want unlucky people working for me. I was allowed to use my own recruitment people after that

 

[Coldeanseagull]

In an interview, has anyone really asked where do you see yourself in five years? and has anyone really answered, get the f*** out of my chair!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

When I was interviewed for my current job, I was in a situation where although I wasn't formally under redundancy protocol I knew that my role was being removed so it was a matter of when, not if, I would be made redundant.

During the interview, it turned out that they wanted someone on short notice to replace someone who was retiring. I was honest about my situation and confident I could negotiate a shorter notice period as one of the reasons for the restructure was cost saving so saving both my salary for a couple of months plus any redundancy payment was a bit of a no brainer.

When asked about salary expectations, I said "you know my current salary, you know my skills and potentially my salary will be zero in a couple of months so I will leave it to you to make an offer".

The offer they made was higher than the advertised salary and nearly 13 years later I am still here so I would echo the honesty advice.

Yes but.....has anything in society changed in the last 13 years that might.....alter the way employers value integrity?

 

[tedebear]

I'm interviewing next week, what would be the chances!! Anyhow if I interview candidates I'm more interested in your experience and your fit into my team, than I am that you'd been made redundant. Redundancy is such a part of life these days, that there are always good people out there through no fault of their own find themselves redundant. I have a salary range, and feel free to push me if your experience and what you can bring to the role benefit our team or go over and above what we need, but I won't pay over the odds and I don't think screwing people down if they are desperate has ever formed part of my compensation decisions. If I ask you outright and you lie, i'd never employee you (and I will find out as our company checks are extensive, and some people lie really badly!!) but if I ask you and you tell the truth, it will just be more ticks in the yes box.....

 

[Gwylan]

I've had a few job interviews recently and have bluntly honest about my situation. I'm a freelance journalist and copywriter and my commissions have fallen about 80% in the past year - too many companies using ChatGPT for copy. It's a different situation from the OP, but there's no point in lying in an interview (I still remember the bloke who put on his CV that he spoke fluent German; handily I did too. I won't forget the blank look on his face when I switched languages).

Something must have worked as I got a job in a completely new field - as a PR manager. Again. I was honest that I didn't have a clue about the day to day activities of a PR manager but I knew how to write, I knew the industry and I had good contacts in the press and knew what editors wanted. I really think being upfront is always the best policy in an interview.

Interestingly, they did want a reference from my previous employer but I had to tell that the company doesn't give them so they'd have to make do with someone else. It seems to have worked.

 

[sparkie]

I hate interviews, so much so I have stayed in my current job for 14 years now, I cannot offer any advice other than Triggaar's & Commander's advice sounds pretty solid.

I would like to say good luck for the future, during a very stressful time for you.

Same here - I hate interviews so much that I avoid switching jobs because of it. One job 15 years then redundancy, the current job 11 years.

As to mentioning it - my excellent interview experience advice is that I'd tell them with a positive tone that the new job with them "couldn't come at a better time as I've just been given the chance to explore new options by my current company and the new position would be ideal".

 

[Skaville]

As a recruiter, my advice would simply be to be open, honest and most importantly, not negative about your current employer. That’s an easy mistake to make in your position. Make sure you come across as loyal, hardworking and positive, all traits any potential employer wants. Do that and you’ll turn this scenario in your favour.

Good luck.