Well, that couldn't have gone any worse.

My presentation was much more 'woolly' and I fear went on too long although I wasn't timing myself very closely. It just didn't seem to 'flow' or even be coherent at times. Forgetting to actually switch from the title slide to the first of my points seems like the very minorest of problems in the light of that. Even more embarrassing: an academic I know quite well socially turned up. I think to encourage me - which would have worked if I hadn't felt it was such a disaster. He even asked a question which I'm not quite so sure I would have suggested he do!

On the upside there were fewer of them there to see it (10 or so?) and it was less note dependent!

I stayed in the room (much cooler yesterday thankfully) and chatted to the other candiates this time. It had occurred to me as I travelled down that it wasn't impossible I might see some of those who'd applied the last time round. And, lo and behold, there was Mrs T of the nice accent back again. So we joked (as much as you can about neither of you getting a job you want) and chatted. I was brave enough to ask if she'd taken them up on their offer of doing the same presentation. Turns out she'd decided to start over and cover different ground. Oh dear - should I have done the same? I'd done mine by then so there was nothing I could do. She was last up and had not yet been - and she was regretting not sticking with her first effort. Still, brave of her to give them something fresh and given that 3/4 of the audience had been there first time round, probably not a bad decision in theory.

Aside from learning she was saddle sore from a 34 mile charity bike ride, it also turned out in a curious bit of coincidence that she was also presenting a paper at a conference for the first time this week. So we could commiserate with each over that. Hers is in the e-literacy realm as well; a trio of them presenting practical ways of getting faculty, library and individuals involved.

Of the other candidates, one was local and disappeared for most of the time so I barely exchanged a 'good luck' with him. One was a stocky guy in a double breasted suit that seemed a little over the top, but he was affable enough. The last was a lady from London who I didn't get to speak to so much.

And then to the interview. As they were trying not to ask the same questions, they were evidently forced to stretch a bit further. It seemed much tougher this time round and some were so hard that I barely recall the question, much less my answer. To do with research and supporting the faculty and oh dear I'm starting to whimper just thinking about it.

It may be that I was fine; it may be that they'll take my performance the first time round into account; and it may be that I don't have to worry; but I certainly left feeling very despondent about the whole thing and pretty certain that I wouldn't be giving me the job!