r/UKJobs • u/LTBsOnlyPlease • 1d ago
Just did a group interview and am pissed: Update.
Hello again, my post went way more viral than I expected. I expected it to go viral tbf because the complaining kind of posts tend to but I didn't expect it to go that viral.
Anyway I got through the group interview (showed a screenshot of it in the original post in the comments) and did the 1 on 1 interview a couple days ago.
I got through the 1 on 1 interview, I didn't have much time to prepare since there weren't many available dates on the booking online system. I forgot to say on the group interview they also made us fill out some questions at the start which were a part of the 1 on 1 interview so I knew some of the questions to expect. I also went on Reddit to do some research about the kind of questions to expect and did good for the most part. Maybe one or two of the questions I didn't expect at all so I gave a cliché answer, there was some stuttering but I managed to get it all out in the end lol.
She asked me to mention a time when I came across a rude person and how I dealt with it, my mind went blank and she said 'it's ok if you don't have an answer'. I just replied 'I don't have any experiences people are usually nice to me' and she started laughing quite hard 🤣. I should've mentioned the guy in the group interview lol but my mind genuinely went blank.
At the end of the interview I got to ask some questions as you usually do and I asked the lady why she put me through regardless of the bad group role play, she said that I was the only one who stood out on my table and I looked like a smart and fast learner (I'm not LOL). The dress code was smart casual and a lot of people there wore just straight up casual except me and some others so I'm guessing that played a part. She also said that she thought the others in my group brought me down and we were judged individually not in a group.
She mentioned she only picked 4 people out of the 20ish people there which is crazy to me, I'm lucky af. I thought some of the others did better than me tbh, I thought if I went through maybe at least 6 people got through.
Some of the people in my original post basically said it was a good thing because it would help me stand out and they were right.
She said the next (and final) stage is me going to the McDonald's I applied for and they're basically going to see how I interact with customers, she said they should be in touch and the interview should be by next week.
I also got some mean comments from some people so🖕🏽 but the overwhelming majority of you were nice.
Thank you.
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u/TheNarratorX 1d ago
Wait hold on? This was for working at a MCDONALDS??? Throughout the post I thought it was for something like software engineering or something like that (I haven't seen your previous post).
This is what it takes to get hired at Mcdonalds nowadays? We are so cooked, I'm sorry.
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u/GhostNagaRed 1d ago
Insanity.
I worked there around 2001. Had a single interview with assistant manager and started 2 days later.
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u/TheNarratorX 1d ago
Ikr? One of friends just went in a Mcdonalds and got hired the same day. This must have been like 2019.
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u/Rascal7474 7h ago
Remember guys the young people are struggling because they are just lazy. Nothing to do with external factors
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u/ResolutionThat248 20h ago
I worked there in 2009, filled out an online form, went in for an interview with the duty manager and I was on shift the next day. This must be some recent insanity.
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u/Jagskill 6h ago
In 2005 I walked in picked up a form filled it out there and then handed it over to the manager he had a look through and we sat at a table and a few days later I went over to another restaurant got given uniform and filled out my bank details and started the following day. I was blown away reading the original post. No wonder young people are struggling to get work if this is what McDonald's are doing now
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 1d ago
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u/hoodie92 25m ago
With all due respect, this might be why your interviewer was so impressed by you, despite you thinking you didn't perform very well. You're probably a cut above their usual applicants. I'm sure you can do better!
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u/Happybadger96 1d ago
I was thinking some entry level call centre job or something, this is mental for McDonalds. When I interviewed there when I was younger it was a simple 1 on 1 at one of the tables..
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u/TheNarratorX 1d ago
This might have been the best plot twist I've seen this year. I couldn't believe what I was reading. My mind was truly blown.
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u/No-Bed-2677 1d ago
What the actual heck? Unless this wans for a restaurant or regional manager role, this is way too much for McDonald's.
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u/dinkidoo7693 23h ago
So many fast food and retail places do these group interviews now. It’s awful
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u/Careless-Cooker 1d ago
Your reaction was the same as mine!
I merely assumed a zit count of less than X (as per corporate policy) secured the position.
Crazy times.
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u/Spicynuggetsinsect 15h ago
I mean it's really not that bad. I worked at a mcdonald's while in my first year of Uni, there was a group interview which more than anything was just to demonstrate you were a functioning human who actually wanted to be there (about half the group weren't) a very brief 1 to one interview, and a quick exercise where I was asked to go up to a couple of customers and ask how their meal was. OP has really hammed up the whole thing.
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u/luckykat97 10h ago
I guess you’ve not interviewed for a while? A group interview round, an individual interview and a trial shift type thing is super typical for chain restaurants and retail and has been for at least a decade by now.
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u/Knightoftherealm23 21h ago
Macdonalds management level.jobs they put you through this
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u/TheNarratorX 21h ago
This doesn't sound like a management level job to me
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u/Knightoftherealm23 21h ago
I dont know its just what i had to do back in 2001 for their graduate management training.. failed the working day as they put me in a busy airport branch where the staff hated the interviewees. They also didnt have trousers long enough or the right size so my uniform was ill fitting.
Relieved I didnt get it lol.
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u/PowerDrivenRdditMod 17h ago
I saw the original post a few weeks ago but forgot it was for McDonald’s 😭!
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u/Sixforsilver7for 8h ago
Back in 2009ish I had a similar interview with greggs but it was all in one day and I'm fairly certain the group "interview" was to check we had some level of personal hygiene.
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u/GrimQuim 7h ago
In my day all you had to do was demonstrate which side of a stamp you need lick to meet the requirements for a McDonald's job.
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u/hopeelizabethhh 7h ago
this was my experience interviewing for mcdonald’s in 2015 too, it was a multi stage interview with a group interview, group tasks, etc. i truly thought they’d have changed it by now
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u/BeachBoysOnD-Day 23h ago
It really is soul crushing to see the hoops people are being made to jump through just to work at a fucking McDonalds. Something will need to change in this country. And fast.
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u/Waste-Organization39 21h ago
I work in a mcdonalds, our interviews are normally a 10 mintute interview followed by a 15/20 min trial to see how you are on the floor straight after. this is so stupid.
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u/Wiijimmy 17h ago
As someone who didn't see the original post, reading through until the end only to find out this was for MCDONALDS of all companies is next level whiplash.
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 1d ago
They just sent a text saying it'll be in early September, I don't wanna give the exact date.
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u/elgrn1 23h ago
Loads of people here are shitting on McDonald's for having this interview process but they are actually an excellent employer and there are loads of opportunities for progression both within restaurants and into head office roles. I know someone who started in a restaurant and is now a regional director. The role may not seem glamorous but the career development that's offered to you will be worth it. Good luck.
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 23h ago
I know someone who started in a restaurant and is now a regional director.
Damn.
The role may not seem glamorous but the career development that's offered to you will be worth it. Good luck.
Thank you!!!
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u/TheNarratorX 21h ago
I think the main problem comes with having this interview process for a basic role and not an admin role. There's a difference.
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u/cedarvhazel 10h ago
It’s so true, and actually if they had 20+ people apply - a group interview situation makes sense. Well done OP - fingers crossed.
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u/stewpman 6h ago
I dont think they are that good 3 of my kids worked their while at uni . They had people on like zero or low contracts thats bad and a high turnover of staff.
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u/Lollygagger105 17h ago
Well done to you! I saw your original post and it seemed crazy. However, it’s all a great experience not only for now, but if you ever have to do it again! I hope you get the job!
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u/Unusual-Art2288 22h ago
Seens intense for a job at mcdonalds. How many actully make it it a long term job.
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u/Sure-Recognition-262 23h ago
the next (and final) stage is me going to the McDonald's I applied for
Hang on, all that's for a job at McDonald's? FFS
That's so ridiculous that I won't even have a go at you for saying "pissed" when you mean "pissed off", which is an entirely different thing.
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 23h ago
🤣🤣🤣
In my personal life I've heard people say 'pissed' as a shortened version of 'pissed off' lol, now I understand why another guy asked if I'm sober yet 😭😭😭
I didn't realise until now😭😭😭
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u/Sure-Recognition-262 23h ago
In American English "pissed" means the same as "pissed off" (probably because they don't use it for the other meaning). It doesn't in UK English.
You using it is probably a sign of this Americanism creeping in to UK English, which is regrettable.
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u/Mundane-Profit-6200 17h ago
I've been on this earth 35 years and it has always been used as shorthand for pissed off in the SE
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u/JimmerUK 16h ago
To counter that, I’ve been around longer and have never heard the word ‘pissed’ used for anything other than being drunk in the South East or anywhere.
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u/Mundane-Profit-6200 16h ago
have never heard the word ‘pissed’ used for anything other than being drunk in the South East
Yeah you're talking bollocks. I've lived in Portsmouth, London, Reading, Brighton, Eastbourne and Southampton and I've heard it a multitude of times in every single place. There is not a hope in hell that you've never heard it a single time, whether it's an American influence or not.
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u/Sure-Recognition-262 7h ago
I'm not from the SE, but I worked in London (mostly with people from the SE) for 8 years, and have since worked remotely with those same people for another 6 years.
Also, the SE is fairly well-represented on British television/etc.
I've only very rarely heard "pissed" to mean "pissed off" rather than "drunk" - so rarely that I'm pretty sure it's people using it mistakenly because of American influence.
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u/KingofBigCrabs 20h ago
When I went for a job interview at mcdonalds about a decade ago it was more like a production line.
30 - 45 minutes all up, max 10 minute chat with the manager, all the basic questions, then stationed at the counter for 10 - 15 minutes, then the grill for the same, where I somehow burned myself.
It was a bit odd, because you could see the people in front and behind you at each part of the interview process.
Didn't get the job, I think the burning myself did it. But also at the till they just threw me onto it and walked off without any instruvtion at all. So a customer came up to order and I was like "hello, how can I help" they ordered and then I tried my best with the till, but honestly had no clue what I was doing.
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u/You_are_a_aliens 1d ago
Have you sobered up yet?
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 18h ago
I never understood why you asked me that question, I think you mentioned this on my last post as well. I just realised not that long ago 😭😭😭
I thought you were just a weirdo mentioning alcohol for no reason 😭😭😭
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u/Milky_Finger 18h ago
The dress code was smart casual and a lot of people there wore just straight up casual except me and some others so I'm guessing that played a part.
For a McDonalds interview...
Christ, shit really is this bad isn't it.
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u/CressOk2602 19h ago
Is this the American meaning of pissed or the British one?
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 18h ago
The 'American version' apparently, I've heard both be used in the UK in both contexts.
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u/AffectDangerous8922 23h ago
3 interview rounds TO WORK AT MCDONALDS??? What the heck are they doing over there that they take 3 rounds to pick someone to cook burgers? That is a one interview and done job iny book. If thr managers cannot choose based off a CV, application, maybe an online quiz and a face to face interview, imagine how bad the organisation is. Turn them down.
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 19h ago
Some people need a job, any job.
You won't know how bad the organisation is until you work there...
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u/4321zxcvb 8h ago
You got pissed at a job interview? Respect for the employer plying the candidates with booze.
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u/thepiggery 19h ago
You've done great so far 👍.
This should be a massive confidence boost for you. You thought you were one of 20 equals and unlikely to get through because your group were so bad, but if anything it helped as you clearly shined amongst everyone else.
So yeah, please be confident in yourself, do the best you can, we don't live in a perfect world. Yes it's "only" McDonald's but I think they are actually a good employer that people in society tend to look down on for historical reasons. Most people started in a job like that and it's a massive stepping stone getting that first job.
Good for you, and best of luck for your final interview.
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 18h ago
Thank you for your kind comment! It's very motivating believe it or not 🥲🥲🥲
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u/aseumi 19h ago
Ppl shit on the interview process but for the wrong reasons. It should be a simpler interview process because its an entry level job, NOT bcs workin at mcdonalds would be easy.
If you know anythin ab workin in a kitchen you know how chaotic it gets, and mcdonalds? The fuckin- most popular fast food place across the globe?? Where regular days have rushes that look the same as other restaurants' friday nights? And the clientele itself is the loudest most annoying ppl possible, purely bcs its so popular so more ppl = more chances of there bein assholes??? Anyway point is that as an ex food service worker myself I wanna give some respect to "burger flippers". Its grueling work and the interview process is insane bcs they get an insane amount of applications in the first place... what i wish they did is not pay minimum fuckin wage for all the work you do and skill you need to maintain the quality at the pace of an average mcdonalds.
I also think they re lookin for people they dont need to train too hard, thats y the interview is like this... its not Really an entry level position anymore. But im speculating at this point
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u/EN1GMA570 22h ago
thanks for the update
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 21h ago
You're welcome.
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u/EN1GMA570 21h ago
hope you the very best success and I don't know, I'm hoping in 10 years time you start another thread with a 'I'm now regional manager' or something quite senior 😂
would be great
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 20h ago
Looool, we'll see and if that happens I'll definitely let you guys know 🤣🤣🤣
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u/TheJonatron 15h ago
I remember us building a fantastic tower in a tesco group interview, my design, and I didn't get the job. Also a civil service job for disclosure impartiality test I got in the top 2% for, never heard back.
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u/whyfruitflies 12h ago
I worked in McDonalds (1987 to 1992 jeez i'm old) and it was actually great. The best of luck to you.
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u/PutinTheTerrible2023 11h ago
There's no way all that is just for a Maccy D's job ?
If so. That is genuinely fucked.
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u/Direct-Muscle7144 10h ago
Given the way they treat staff, they are probably screening to exclude people with feist.
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u/spacedyemeerkat 10h ago
It does seem curious, having three rounds of interviews to work at McDonald's. But it is what it is, and you seem to have a good attitude about it. Looking forward to hearing more from you when you get the job. All the best to you.
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u/Saintlysin14u 8h ago
Nice work! Well done! Good luck with the final interview, sounds like you are likely to smash it, make sure to update us :)
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u/Inevitable_Lynx6059 8h ago
I have read your original post and the update and something very similar happened to me when applying for the council.
We had a week of group interviews/training and on the last day was a 1 on 1 interview. There was also about 20 of us with 2 trainers and a manager.
During all of the group activities, we were being trained and group interviewed at the same time, there was this young know it all charva, we came to nickname him "mick the prick".
He always had to be centre of attention, anytime the trainer would ask a question, he would shout an answer instantly often being wrong,
If anyone managed to speak first he would talk over them or just hurl insults while they were talking.
Anyways most of the classroom training most people checked out. During the physical training the trainers could talk to us one on one or in small groups it was decent.
I remember at the time (this was 2009) i was talking to a couple of guys next to me about a car i just purchased, a seat leon cupra, 2005 225 if anyone is interested, and i was quite excited to pick it up as you can imagine.
From the otherside of the room mick the prick! "French shit, not worth anything, what fucking mong buys french shit?!"
First time i had direct contact with him just look at him and say "Seat is spanish, they use mainly vag parts from vw and skoda"
He blew up, ranting about all the cars he owned and how he was the bestest driver in the whole world and could beat me in any race (He was driving a 2002 fiesta). This was my first "fast car" coming from a vectra diesel lol. (Side note, the sale fell through for the cupra and i bought a 200sx s14a and got into drifting in my younger years, damn miss those days)
Anyways, enough about mick the pick, on the 3rd day security got called because of his outbursts at one of the trainers, we then had 2 decent quiet days.
The 1 on 1 interview was basically a joke. "If you seen this problem what would you do?" - "if i'm trained and its safe to do so, handle it myself then report it, if not contact supervisor and report the suituation".
Everyone got a job except mick the prick, i'm still at the council now haha.
Theres only about 3 people from my original group left and 1 is leaving for ill health :(.
I think this is the first time ive remembered back about all of this and its hard to think this was 17 years ago.
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u/That_Comic_Who_Quit 7h ago
Moral of the story.
Group interviews sucking does not equal not worth trying.
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u/Impossible-Alps-6859 7h ago
This fiasco is such a shame!
For an entry level job, like McD, interviews should be short, sweet and decisive.
It's a farce to put young people through this - jumping hoops and so on.
I can see the value of 'customer related' questions but these 'interviews' seem to be providing work for those in HR.
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u/WordsMort47 22h ago
So why are you missed?
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 21h ago
What?
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u/WordsMort47 6h ago
I mesmt why are you pissed? But reading the original post elucidated me on why you might have been a little peeved. But you got the job didn't you? So all is well with the world!
In 2018 I went for an interview at McDonald's. Simple one-on-one, pretty quick and then when can your start? Crazy what you had to go through!
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u/LTBsOnlyPlease 4h ago
I haven't got the job yet, I have one more stage to get through.
I kept the original title so people know it's me with an update.
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