IF they even notice, acknowledge there is a difference between the resume and the online application, and just tell them what you told us here; that you felt the information was not relevant to the job you are applying for, and you wanted to focus on your skills that you are bringing to THIS job, etc…
Update: Omg, finished the second interview today. First off, there were 30 people chosen for the second interview, that was confirmed today. Second off, wtf. This is a really odd interviewing process for a freaking receptionist job. I got there about 15 minutes earlier, as had been requested. When I got there, the receptionist gave me a paper to fill out while I waited. It had about five questions on it, all of the interview type. Things like “Describe a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it”. So I filled it out, and waited and waited. Didn’t get seen till 30 minutes after my scheduled time.
I was nervous as hell, and had been working really hard to practice answers to classic interview questions, so I took that time to psych myself up. I finally get brought to the back and there’s 4 people there. Three I recognize from the group interview and a new one I hadn’t seen before. We did our greetings, and then got down to it. I was a bundle of nerves but doing my best to smile and put on a face of confidence. Finally, they say “Ok, go over the answers you wrote down and if we have any questions we’ll ask”. What…? Seriously. They wanted me to just go over what I had written down as answers on the paper and they’d take notes. I was like, this is the laziest fucking interview ever 
So I get through them all, and they look at each other and go “Ok, we don’t have any questions. Do you have any questions for us?”
Well, I had read over and over that you really need to ask something at this point so I asked “What do you like about working here?” And the looks on their faces were like “oh shit, she actually asked something?” So they went around and answered. At that point they said thanks for your time, we’ll make a decision by next week.
So I don’t know how I did. I don’t know if it was good or bad that they didn’t have any questions. And I’m second guessing myself on asking my own question. One interviewer was smiling at me warmly, like the whole time, while another looked like death warmed over. So I couldn’t get a good read…I’m not holding my breath, but…I hope not all government position interviews are like this has been.
I’m hoping it all works out for you.
BTW, it may seem like lazy interviewing, but it’s actually not. Government agencies tend to conduct interviews following a script–one they are very strict about. This removes any suggestion of bias in the job hiring process. The people on the panel scribble notes because they likely have to fill out a form documenting your performance (or their perception of your performance). In response to each of your answers, they were probably jotting down a summary of what you said, along with any specific words or phrases you used that would indicate your skills and qualifications. At the end of the interview process, the panel will convene and rate all the candidates individually, based on how the questions were answered. Then the hiring manager will tally up the rankings. It is likely the panelists’ notes and rankings will be kept by human resources, just in case someone wants to see how fair the screening process was.
I say “likely” because I can only speak for my state government. But I’m guessing the same thing applies here.
From skimming this thread, here are a few factors that point in your favour:
- You have made it this far.
- Your spelling and grammar are respectable (aside from a few wtfs that I’m SURE you didn’t use during the process), which will put you well ahead of many of the candidates.
- You have spent a lot of time preparing for each stage - this is extremely evident to those evaluating you, and will separate you further from the herd.
- We’ll miss you Opal!
- You self evaluation from the group interview seems to give you a leg up on the herd.
- Anyone who (may) outscore you on the list still has to accept the job, and not accepting the job is more common than you’d think.
- You really want this job - that shows too.
It seems like you’ve broken away from the peleton, and are with the small group or riders sprinting for the finish line - anyone can win at this point.
I would also be surprised, given the magnitude of this hiring process, if the top of the non-selected candidates didn’t end up in a hiring pool for similar level positions (but governments vary).
Please bring us some good news!
I was that interviewer, to people I now work with. Wasn’t doing it on purpose, just trying to be as neutral in presentation as I could because at least one interviewee was someone I knew and liked and it was easier (for me) to take (what I thought was) a straight face with everybody to avoid being warmer with some people than others. Only my straight face happens to scare the crap out of people, apparently.
Maybe that person was just in a bad mood from too many of these interviews.
That could make for an interesting interview! 