Rude interviewers
Discussion
Alorotom said:
<snip>
The second, im actually still in process with, kindof. They arranged an initial Teams interview/screening, partner and director, then neither dialled in. I contacted them and they responded after 3 days(!), no apology etc., rearranged and this time the partner didnt dial in, the director dialled in 20mins late and I was sat chatting to a Senior Manager (lower grade than I am) for the first 20 or so mins, again no apologies. Curiously, this position they have no-one who knows about the field, the subject matter, what they want to do, who they want to do it with, they don't even have a division for it. I was very clear that I don't/won't do sales and that I won't be surrendering my network of contacts for them to try and levy, the director wasn't happy and just kept banging on about his 10yrs at EY (which he'd left some 5yrs previous). At the end I asked some pointed questions about why they were considering a field they knew nothing about, had no client base, expertise, knowledge of etc. and the director hung up! The Senior Manager was mortified. I just laughed and said I guess were done then, I wished her luck (she's going to need it, only been there 3mths). However, ive now had notification they want to meet me again, Partner and the same Director - not sure how to play it, may take the call just out of sheer curiosity and screen-record it.
In followup to this, I spoke with their recruitment people who informed me there is no update as they haven't met with me??? curiously, I informed them that I had met with X and Y on Z date/time. She was bemused and said she would call me back. A few minutes later the phone rings and I am informed that according to Y (Director who flounced off on the call), he has never spoken with me - she asked if I would like something arranged, "erm thats very strange considering we did meet and Y decided to leave the call and not answer my Qs, so with that in mind, I would rather not as this is ludicrous" was my response. The second, im actually still in process with, kindof. They arranged an initial Teams interview/screening, partner and director, then neither dialled in. I contacted them and they responded after 3 days(!), no apology etc., rearranged and this time the partner didnt dial in, the director dialled in 20mins late and I was sat chatting to a Senior Manager (lower grade than I am) for the first 20 or so mins, again no apologies. Curiously, this position they have no-one who knows about the field, the subject matter, what they want to do, who they want to do it with, they don't even have a division for it. I was very clear that I don't/won't do sales and that I won't be surrendering my network of contacts for them to try and levy, the director wasn't happy and just kept banging on about his 10yrs at EY (which he'd left some 5yrs previous). At the end I asked some pointed questions about why they were considering a field they knew nothing about, had no client base, expertise, knowledge of etc. and the director hung up! The Senior Manager was mortified. I just laughed and said I guess were done then, I wished her luck (she's going to need it, only been there 3mths). However, ive now had notification they want to meet me again, Partner and the same Director - not sure how to play it, may take the call just out of sheer curiosity and screen-record it.
All very odd indeed and not professional (esp considering its "Professional Services"!)
Alorotom said:
In followup to this, I spoke with their recruitment people who informed me there is no update as they haven't met with me??? curiously, I informed them that I had met with X and Y on Z date/time. She was bemused and said she would call me back. A few minutes later the phone rings and I am informed that according to Y (Director who flounced off on the call), he has never spoken with me - she asked if I would like something arranged, "erm thats very strange considering we did meet and Y decided to leave the call and not answer my Qs, so with that in mind, I would rather not as this is ludicrous" was my response.
All very odd indeed and not professional (esp considering its "Professional Services"!)
I was speaking with my sister (who is also in PS) last night and she happened to mention her boss is very much like this; one of those "always have to have 1000 things on the go at once" and has no memory of discussions or meetings and insisted they didn't happen if he can't remember them. Drives her up the wall as he's a control freak as well and won't let her get on with stuff unless he says so, but then denies ever having discussed the matters with her even if was only a few days ago. Even when presented with e-mails he'll change the context of the discussion and shift blame.All very odd indeed and not professional (esp considering its "Professional Services"!)
I'd say you've dodged a bullet if you want nothing more to do with them; sister is seriously considering her choice to switch employers just 6 months ago.
A few years ago I'd just finished a contract ( I.T ), I was called up by one of the big Indian services companies about a role managing a data centre move for a large financial services company in Edinburgh -I'm a senior PM - sounded good, ( and so did the day rate)so they arranged an interview with them and their end client a few days later.
Travelled through to Edinburgh and met an Indian bloke in reception - he really struggled with English - he explained again the role, who I'd be meeting etc
Went to the interview room and in walks another contractor guy I knew from previous gigs - he says I thought it would be you but couldn't understand why I was there, anyways before he got a chance to explain anything, the programme director arrives and starts talking about role - the actual role was fed all to do with data centre migrations, it was a test managers role - they apologised profusely, the guy I knew was mightily pissed off and embarrassed, meanwhile the wee indian bloke was totally bemused and asked me if I wasn't taking the role and why not - FFS
Travelled through to Edinburgh and met an Indian bloke in reception - he really struggled with English - he explained again the role, who I'd be meeting etc
Went to the interview room and in walks another contractor guy I knew from previous gigs - he says I thought it would be you but couldn't understand why I was there, anyways before he got a chance to explain anything, the programme director arrives and starts talking about role - the actual role was fed all to do with data centre migrations, it was a test managers role - they apologised profusely, the guy I knew was mightily pissed off and embarrassed, meanwhile the wee indian bloke was totally bemused and asked me if I wasn't taking the role and why not - FFS
Nothing as high powered as most in this thread but many years ago when I first arrived in the UK I had a job interview for the position of 'Hall Porter' in a fancy hotel here in Embra. I had been a Porter in hotels before but wasn't sure from the description if it was the same thing. At the i/v , a few minutes in, I asked, 'what exactly does the role involve?' The interviewer said, I'll ask the questions, thanks.' I didn't get a call back from that one.
A few years back, CFO and HR Manager.
Offsite interview. Had to sign NDA prior to interview. Sat down, they seated me at one end of a boardroom table, and the two of them then sat at the other end.
Bad vibes were coming when the HR Manager then sat on her phone reading emails. I ignored. The second time she did it I paused, and asked her if there was anything urgent then I'd wait whilst she dealt with it. She apologised and dropped her phone.
Five mins later the CFO picks his phone up and obviously scrolls through messages or emails.
I gather my bits up, thank them for their time and go to leave. CFO says we haven't finished yet...... I explain we have, an interview is a two way process and I have come here today for a chat about the position open. Unfortunately I don't have your attention as you have both sat on your phones, so I'm no longer interested in joining XXXXX and left the room.
Offsite interview. Had to sign NDA prior to interview. Sat down, they seated me at one end of a boardroom table, and the two of them then sat at the other end.
Bad vibes were coming when the HR Manager then sat on her phone reading emails. I ignored. The second time she did it I paused, and asked her if there was anything urgent then I'd wait whilst she dealt with it. She apologised and dropped her phone.
Five mins later the CFO picks his phone up and obviously scrolls through messages or emails.
I gather my bits up, thank them for their time and go to leave. CFO says we haven't finished yet...... I explain we have, an interview is a two way process and I have come here today for a chat about the position open. Unfortunately I don't have your attention as you have both sat on your phones, so I'm no longer interested in joining XXXXX and left the room.
Sir Bagalot said:
A few years back, CFO and HR Manager.
Offsite interview. Had to sign NDA prior to interview. Sat down, they seated me at one end of a boardroom table, and the two of them then sat at the other end.
Bad vibes were coming when the HR Manager then sat on her phone reading emails. I ignored. The second time she did it I paused, and asked her if there was anything urgent then I'd wait whilst she dealt with it. She apologised and dropped her phone.
Five mins later the CFO picks his phone up and obviously scrolls through messages or emails.
I gather my bits up, thank them for their time and go to leave. CFO says we haven't finished yet...... I explain we have, an interview is a two way process and I have come here today for a chat about the position open. Unfortunately I don't have your attention as you have both sat on your phones, so I'm no longer interested in joining XXXXX and left the room.
What did they say?Offsite interview. Had to sign NDA prior to interview. Sat down, they seated me at one end of a boardroom table, and the two of them then sat at the other end.
Bad vibes were coming when the HR Manager then sat on her phone reading emails. I ignored. The second time she did it I paused, and asked her if there was anything urgent then I'd wait whilst she dealt with it. She apologised and dropped her phone.
Five mins later the CFO picks his phone up and obviously scrolls through messages or emails.
I gather my bits up, thank them for their time and go to leave. CFO says we haven't finished yet...... I explain we have, an interview is a two way process and I have come here today for a chat about the position open. Unfortunately I don't have your attention as you have both sat on your phones, so I'm no longer interested in joining XXXXX and left the room.
Sir Bagalot said:
A few years back, CFO and HR Manager.
Offsite interview. Had to sign NDA prior to interview. Sat down, they seated me at one end of a boardroom table, and the two of them then sat at the other end.
Bad vibes were coming when the HR Manager then sat on her phone reading emails. I ignored. The second time she did it I paused, and asked her if there was anything urgent then I'd wait whilst she dealt with it. She apologised and dropped her phone.
Five mins later the CFO picks his phone up and obviously scrolls through messages or emails.
I gather my bits up, thank them for their time and go to leave. CFO says we haven't finished yet...... I explain we have, an interview is a two way process and I have come here today for a chat about the position open. Unfortunately I don't have your attention as you have both sat on your phones, so I'm no longer interested in joining XXXXX and left the room.
Sadly this is getting increasingly commonOffsite interview. Had to sign NDA prior to interview. Sat down, they seated me at one end of a boardroom table, and the two of them then sat at the other end.
Bad vibes were coming when the HR Manager then sat on her phone reading emails. I ignored. The second time she did it I paused, and asked her if there was anything urgent then I'd wait whilst she dealt with it. She apologised and dropped her phone.
Five mins later the CFO picks his phone up and obviously scrolls through messages or emails.
I gather my bits up, thank them for their time and go to leave. CFO says we haven't finished yet...... I explain we have, an interview is a two way process and I have come here today for a chat about the position open. Unfortunately I don't have your attention as you have both sat on your phones, so I'm no longer interested in joining XXXXX and left the room.
I was working as an external consultant for major supermarket ( rhymes with Besco) and the IT director wanted me to take a permanent role, but I'd have to go through their recruitment process, but not to worry, it would be purely about my specialism.
Turned up to find it was a full day assessment, with multiple sections about retail, statistics, and shop management.
Needless to say it didn't go well.
He never did get the role filled.
Turned up to find it was a full day assessment, with multiple sections about retail, statistics, and shop management.
Needless to say it didn't go well.
He never did get the role filled.
Alorotom said:
Sadly this is getting increasingly common
After a week and a bit now I've heard nothing, even after emailing the recruiter (ok she might had been on holiday but it's just piss poor).I think if this wasn't a Teams meeting I probably would had done what you said tbh, pretty discusting for a C level to be that rude.
In the early 1980s I was working as an Application Engineer for a relatively small CNC machine tool manufacturer. My role was to give technical support to the salesmen, European agents & customers. I applied for the position of Application Manager at a similar, but larger company. The interview was to be with the Sales Director.
On arrival I was shown into a room where the interview started without the interviewer introducing himself. After a few minutes it was obvious that he know nothing about the company or the role so I asked his job title.
He didn't even work for the company but for a consultancy. I left the interview & asked to see the Sales Director. I was told he had taken a day's holiday! So I asked to see the MD who apologised & explained the situation. It seemed the previous App Man, who was a friend of the Sales Dir, had been sacked by the MD & the Sales Dir disagreed with that decision. So I said I wasn't interested in a role where my direct boss took a day's holiday to avoid meeting me. The MD said he totally understood, paid my travel expenses plus a sum to compensate me for wasting my time.
A year later the role was still vacant.
On arrival I was shown into a room where the interview started without the interviewer introducing himself. After a few minutes it was obvious that he know nothing about the company or the role so I asked his job title.
He didn't even work for the company but for a consultancy. I left the interview & asked to see the Sales Director. I was told he had taken a day's holiday! So I asked to see the MD who apologised & explained the situation. It seemed the previous App Man, who was a friend of the Sales Dir, had been sacked by the MD & the Sales Dir disagreed with that decision. So I said I wasn't interested in a role where my direct boss took a day's holiday to avoid meeting me. The MD said he totally understood, paid my travel expenses plus a sum to compensate me for wasting my time.
A year later the role was still vacant.
This always gets me
Surely someone in these organisations must sit there and think “this position is still open after all these months; this isn’t sending out a good message to the world”.
There are some shocking examples of a chronic lack of professionalism in the above posts. I must admit, I have been tempted to walk out of an interview before now, but never had the guts to do it
I had interviewing explained to me by a HR manager nearly 20 years ago. One of the rules she told me……
“Remember to treat the person on the other side of the desk with decorum and respect – they may be interviewing you in 10 years’ time….”
Surely someone in these organisations must sit there and think “this position is still open after all these months; this isn’t sending out a good message to the world”.
There are some shocking examples of a chronic lack of professionalism in the above posts. I must admit, I have been tempted to walk out of an interview before now, but never had the guts to do it
I had interviewing explained to me by a HR manager nearly 20 years ago. One of the rules she told me……
“Remember to treat the person on the other side of the desk with decorum and respect – they may be interviewing you in 10 years’ time….”
fourstardan said:
Alorotom said:
Sadly this is getting increasingly common
After a week and a bit now I've heard nothing, even after emailing the recruiter (ok she might had been on holiday but it's just piss poor).I think if this wasn't a Teams meeting I probably would had done what you said tbh, pretty discusting for a C level to be that rude.
andyA700 said:
I had an interview three weeks ago, for a job which I could do quite easily. I haven't heard anything from the company or the agency since - no phone calls or emails. I think that is bloody rude. I am certainly not going to contact them.
Pretty common sadly. A few years back I was looking for a job - had 4 interviews: one I got, the other three I didn't hear back from. It was annoying as I had made the effort to find out about the companies, travel there etc. I even did a trial afternoon at a business - it was pretty s
t and I never heard back from them either. bucksmanuk said:
This always gets me
Surely someone in these organisations must sit there and think “this position is still open after all these months; this isn’t sending out a good message to the world”.
There are some shocking examples of a chronic lack of professionalism in the above posts. I must admit, I have been tempted to walk out of an interview before now, but never had the guts to do it
My company is having a horrendous time with staff retention on a global level and across all levels within the business, execs to front line are leaving on a weekly basis, most just doing a flounce and not even working their notice. The companies response to this has been to ratchet up the toxic work environment and start taken attendance registers to confirm people are at their desks 9-5 (we’re a multi site company, so it’s not uncommon for support functions to travel to sites rather than doing everything via teams). Surely someone in these organisations must sit there and think “this position is still open after all these months; this isn’t sending out a good message to the world”.
There are some shocking examples of a chronic lack of professionalism in the above posts. I must admit, I have been tempted to walk out of an interview before now, but never had the guts to do it
I recently interviewed for a role based in York (I’m in Sheffield) on the understanding that it would be one day a week in York unless there was an urgent requirement. Rest would be site based (again multi site company so plenty of depots to work from).
When they made the offer they changed their minds. Apparently they thought my skills would be better deployed helping other departments in York 5 days a week so that’s where I’d be based. I only noticed this when I read the contract and they were livid that I challenged them over it.
Had another interview the other day at short notice (at their request). I was off on holiday and they were “desperate” to see me before I went away for 2 weeks. Went to see them and they were totally disinterested, I had to initiate all the conversation and prompt them to ask questions. Again they were angry at me for wasting their time when I declined a second interview.
Most jobs I went for via an agency I was ghosted after interview, even though they seemed happy enough with me. One job I was keen on I chased a couple of times but was fobbed off about the "other" director being on holiday but he needed to sign off any new recruits blah blah. They are the same low level as slimy car salesmen and telesales as far as I'm concerned.
I once went for an interview at a medical company in their IT team that was 10 minutes down the road from my house.
Went to the first interview and everything was fine, wasn't 100% sure on the role but I wanted out of my current job so would have took it as a stop-gap (and it was a massive saving in fuel being nearby). I did a knowledge test that I passed, I answered the question well, and they seemed happy with me at interview.
Got a call from the recuiter a day or so later saying they really liked me and want to offer me the job, but the IT director demands he meets all potential new hires before offering a job. "Its just an informal chat". They were insistant I see them as soon as possible, but it was a few days before Christmas, so I bend over backwards to meet them on the last working day before the Xmas break at about half 4 ish. Im sat in reception and everyone is leaving to go home for the holidays, and I'm sat waiting to be interviewed.
Anyway I go in (same guy who interviewed me first collected me), and sit down with this director who basically grilled me on every aspect and detail of my CV, and was moaning and berating me that I was referring to one particular employment period for most of my answers about experrience and knowledge (this was the job I had straight from Uni, was there for 5 years and where I gained the majority of my experience at the time).
Anyway, didn't feel it went well and never heard from them or the recruiter again. I wouldn't have accepted anyway purely based on how that second interview went.
I once went for an interview at a medical company in their IT team that was 10 minutes down the road from my house.
Went to the first interview and everything was fine, wasn't 100% sure on the role but I wanted out of my current job so would have took it as a stop-gap (and it was a massive saving in fuel being nearby). I did a knowledge test that I passed, I answered the question well, and they seemed happy with me at interview.
Got a call from the recuiter a day or so later saying they really liked me and want to offer me the job, but the IT director demands he meets all potential new hires before offering a job. "Its just an informal chat". They were insistant I see them as soon as possible, but it was a few days before Christmas, so I bend over backwards to meet them on the last working day before the Xmas break at about half 4 ish. Im sat in reception and everyone is leaving to go home for the holidays, and I'm sat waiting to be interviewed.
Anyway I go in (same guy who interviewed me first collected me), and sit down with this director who basically grilled me on every aspect and detail of my CV, and was moaning and berating me that I was referring to one particular employment period for most of my answers about experrience and knowledge (this was the job I had straight from Uni, was there for 5 years and where I gained the majority of my experience at the time).
Anyway, didn't feel it went well and never heard from them or the recruiter again. I wouldn't have accepted anyway purely based on how that second interview went.
My wife recently interviewed for a legal administrator job, for a local firm.
Two junior staff turned up on Teams to ask her questions for 20 minutes. Nothing about her CV and considerable experience. all nonsense questions like what's your ambition within the company?
The recruiter had of course been perfect, just what they are looking for...
My theory is someone in the department was in the running...
Two junior staff turned up on Teams to ask her questions for 20 minutes. Nothing about her CV and considerable experience. all nonsense questions like what's your ambition within the company?
The recruiter had of course been perfect, just what they are looking for...
My theory is someone in the department was in the running...
KarlMac said:
My company is having a horrendous time with staff retention on a global level and across all levels within the business, execs to front line are leaving on a weekly basis, most just doing a flounce and not even working their notice. The companies response to this has been to ratchet up the toxic work environment and start taken attendance registers to confirm people are at their desks 9-5 (we’re a multi site company, so it’s not uncommon for support functions to travel to sites rather than doing everything via teams).
I recently interviewed for a role based in York (I’m in Sheffield) on the understanding that it would be one day a week in York unless there was an urgent requirement. Rest would be site based (again multi site company so plenty of depots to work from).
When they made the offer they changed their minds. Apparently they thought my skills would be better deployed helping other departments in York 5 days a week so that’s where I’d be based. I only noticed this when I read the contract and they were livid that I challenged them over it.
Lots of companies are in denial that in the current labour market, the power rests more with the applicant (in some sectors).I recently interviewed for a role based in York (I’m in Sheffield) on the understanding that it would be one day a week in York unless there was an urgent requirement. Rest would be site based (again multi site company so plenty of depots to work from).
When they made the offer they changed their minds. Apparently they thought my skills would be better deployed helping other departments in York 5 days a week so that’s where I’d be based. I only noticed this when I read the contract and they were livid that I challenged them over it.
vaud said:
Lots of companies are in denial that in the current labour market, the power rests more with the applicant (in some sectors).
Absolutely. I’m just puzzled that these supposed high flying, super clever C-suite execs seemingly seem to be so far behind the curve. Not just in one region or company but across the globe in multiple industries. Are they all telling each other they’re doing the right things in their little networking circles? Or are boomers completely detached from reality these days?
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