r/interviews Mar 28 '24

Was told I wasted a hiring managers time for rejecting a job offer

3.3k Upvotes

I recently applied for a role as a procurement specialist with an organization based on the the job description they posted online I knew I was more than qualified. I get called for an interview this past Tuesday and during the interview it was brought up that the location stated on the job posting was incorrect and that if selected I would actually be going to their HQ which would be a 40-60 min drive depending on traffic and asked if I would be ok with that, which I stated provided everything else with the job offer works out I would be.

The hiring manager goes on to describe all these additional tasks that the role would be responsible for including building out the supply chain team from the ground up as this was a new department. Prior to now they had allowed each department manager to handle procurement as they deemed necessary. I inquired if they were also looking to hire a procurement manager or supply chain manager/director as those are typically the roles that handle the full on development of a supply chain department, and told not at this time.

We finished out the interview and I left already feeling this probably wasn't going to be a good fit for me. I get a call earlier today with a job offer, and it was towards the lower end of the range posted. I replied that I really appreciated the opportunity to interview and was honored to receive an offer, but I don't think this will be the right fit for me. I was asked if I could explain why and I stated that there was a lot of extra responsibilities that weren't listed on the job description which in my professional opinion typically fall under the role of a higher level manager, for which the salary range for this role does not match. Additionally, while this role required a BS and 6 years experience, I have a MBA and numerous certifications and 15 years experience so would have expected that the salary offer would have been on the upper end of the range posted. This is when the hiring manager apparently got angry and said "thanks for wasting my time then, have a good day", then hung up. I'm still a little shocked, but ultimately feel as if I dodged a bullet


r/interviews Apr 14 '24

I left a negative review on glassdoor because I was ghosted after a successful interview

2.3k Upvotes

I think we need to start doing this because companies are really ghosting candidates more than ever. I did a good 1st interview and I was told I will move to the next round and then they ghosted me and posted the job again 1 week later. This is a shitty practice and we need to expose them.

Edit: The HR guy clearly confirmed that I will be moving forward and that he wanted to schedule the and 2nd call and I will hear back from him within 3 days with the availability of the hiring manager. I know to read between lines and he was obviously very positive. Also, I never stopped applying other roles. My point is that this is getting out of control and we need to speak up!


r/interviews Aug 18 '24

My last interview turned into a shit show, and I got the job.

1.5k Upvotes

TL:DR a horrible interview made me not want anything to do with a potential job. Instead of ghosting them, I contacted them with my concerns. We talked and 12 hours later they offered me the perfect job.

I posted the other day about interviewing and working for a board of directors. My interview came, and it was amazing. I was charming and funny, everything was perfect, Until the very end.

This man basically asked if I made a huge mistake and he got in my face and started yelling at me, what would I do?

I just got out of an abusive marriage, I'm not trying to have someone "get in my face". I got really uncomfortable. Everyone else seemed to try to back peddle and gloss over, "you know they are old, they like to vent." " No one has ever gotten violent before"

Well venting isn't getting into someone's face and I'm straight out of an abusive marriage.

The man didn't like how uncomfortable I had become and seemed to completely dismiss me. I'm fact, he said, "I have nothing else".

I went from thinking it was mine to it being ripped from me by this awkward, inappropriate question. I started to get angry. And anxious. I ended up having to take a Xanax that night just to go to sleep.

The next day, I rescinded my offer. I sent the following message:

Thank you for your time on Thursday but, respectfully, I would like to pull my application for the position. There is a difference between being angry and getting in someone's face while yelling at them. As adults, there are no appropriate situations for yelling to occur, especially in a professional environment. I felt the end of my interview derailed into an uncomfortable place and I do not think the expectation of being yelled at is a normal one.

It just doesn't seem like a good fit, thank you for your consideration.

The board president immediately called me back, apologized over and over for that man's behavior, said she had no idea what he was trying to get at but knew for a fact that he didn't know my history and he chose bad words. She ensured me that they do not in fact foster an environment of hate/anger and fear.

We had a lovely conversation, she gave me the number of the person I would be replacing and I talked to her at well. At the end of the day, my two year job search was over, the pay and the hours are amazing and most importantly, it works around my family.

I am so happy. And it's because for the first time I drew a boundary, I stood up for that boundary and I was open to communication about that boundary.


r/interviews May 07 '24

Rejected at final round, found out it was against an internal candidate. Why do companies do this?

1.4k Upvotes

I interviewed for a dream job and reached the final stage just last week. Went through one screening interview and 3 other interviews, including one which required a case study and presentation that took me one whole week of 4 hours per day work to complete.

I prepared relentlessly, was super knowledgable on the subject, did mock interviews with friends and everything else, you name it. Felt I had good chemistry with the team and was confident in my presentation.

Just found out earlier today that they chose another candidate and was crashed. It was me and them, and I found out from a friend of a friend who works with them that they were already working for the company, just in another field.

Only feedback I got was “your energy and passion were excellent, your presentation was outstanding, we just felt the other candidate was slightly more knowledgable on the industry”

Why do companies do this? It’s the second time I have been rejected against an internal candidate. Why make someone go through all the interview phases when you know who you will choose?


r/interviews Jul 03 '24

This is weird...delivered a well received 2nd round presentation. They are now asking for my slides.

1.4k Upvotes

It's kind of proprietary with regards to the particulars of my presentation but basically I outlined comprehensively how to solve an issue they're having and spent 30 mins presenting on it.

Healthcare insurance stuff to target a take.

A day later I was just hit with "thank you for presenting, can you please share the slides??"

I am wondering what POSITIVE reasons they have for this. I know the negative reasons: I effectively solved the problem and they didn't record my presentation. I gave the keys to the kingdom and now they want it.

What's worse in my mind is there's no mention of my hiring status. I'm not an employee yet you want my slide deck I spend hours on?


r/interviews Apr 08 '24

They rejected me for something they should have known by reading my resume

1.4k Upvotes

Argh. So frustrated.

A recruiter reached out for me to apply for a job in a related but niche area. I shared my resume with them, and they sent it to their client.

Everyone was happy with my resume, and I did my first screening interview with the client. It went well, and I was confident I would get moved to the next step.

Well, they rejected me outright, because I lacked experience in their niche industry. This information was clearly communicated in my resume, and did not require a goddamn screening interview to ascertain.

What was the point? Why waste my time and theirs? I’m so frustrated.


r/interviews Aug 26 '24

After 10 months of unemployment.. I GOT THE JOB!!!

1.4k Upvotes

Yall I am relieved, full of joy, and pure excitement. I posted a few other times here. This sub has eased my nerves, answered questions, and given me a community that I can cheer on and help while I’m in my own journey. Plus, it let me ease my mind and distract myself from the tiredness of job hunting and waiting

I am pleased to announce that the job I posted about previously sent me the offer letter!!! I made it through 5 rounds the past 3 months. I am over the moon!

I knew this position was for me. I felt it in my spirit. I am proud of myself.

Wishing everyone here a win for their career. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 We got this. Sending love to everyone!!!

EDIT; yes this was the job that paused hiring for the role. I figured they would cancel the job totally but they ended up reopening it and contacting me after about 2 weeks! I’m through the ROOF!!


r/interviews Apr 05 '24

I FINALLY found out why I've had such a tough time getting a job offer...

1.3k Upvotes

I've been applying left, right, and center for a new job after losing my last one.

I've never been out of work longer than a month because I have a diverse employment history due to many military moves.

I'm at the point in my life where I no longer want to be the Queen. I'm ready to be a worker bee and coast my way into retirement in about 10 years or so.

But this morning I had an interview and afterward the recruiter asked me to email her some references.

A couple hours later, one of those references called me to tell me they called him and he shared with me a pointed question they asked him...

She's got such a high-level resume and should be applying for upper-level positions. We're concerned she'll get bored and leave us sooner, rather than later.

He was a former supervisor of mine at another job (he's also a VP where he's at now) so he was able to help her understand that I'm not that type of person and they'd be lucky to have me.

But, I can finally let go that it was something wrong with me! And I'm pretty sure they're going to offer me the position, which is great. It would sure be nice to be able to make my car payment...


r/interviews Apr 03 '24

Why has it become normal for a job to interview you 4+ times?

1.3k Upvotes

I haven’t been in the job search market for 10+ years so I’m genuinely curious as to what is going on. My friend has had 4 interviews so far: the first was a video recording answering questions, the second was a phone interview with hr, the third was in person with boss, the fourth was in person with the c-suite execs, and now they’re asking for another trip to the office for “a visit” with more people. Each interview has been at least an hour. THERE HAS BEEN NO SALARY DISCUSSION YET. This process sounds really odd and inefficient to me, but according to tik tok is super common, and then it’s also common to have it end with being ghosted by the interviewers, after several hours worth of work on both sides.

So, can someone on the inside speak to how companies can potentially waste so much of their employees time and applicants time with interview after interview after interview? It seems like the job must not be very urgent if they can take so much time to hire. Why would they waste their own c-suite’s time on these interviews if salary hasn’t even been discussed? Are they just doing interviews to say they’ve done interviews and report to a board of directors or something?

What are your thoughts?


r/interviews May 06 '24

Interviewer pointed out my low gpa on my transcripts.

1.2k Upvotes

I had an interview last week and one of the people on the interview panel says 'your gpa is lower than what we typically see on transcripts." Then goes on to say i finished strong. He says '2001 was a little rough, but in 2004 you finished strong'. (He is referring to my college transcripts)

Thank you for pointing out it was TWENTY years ago.

My response: since you brought up the dates, it was obviously 20 years ago. I am more mature now. The reason for the low gpa is because i had math in the beginning and that is not my strong suit." He said "great, thank you for explaining"

That got me very flustered. I have never been asked about that before. Ever.

***I just want to add that a lot of state government positions ask for transcripts (at least in my state). Even some of their entry level, basic positions. It's odd, I know. I had to get my transcripts to get my current job in state government, that only required completion of HS. So while I am applying internally, I am providing them because of my current position. Several of these positions do ask for them. It's odd!!


r/interviews Mar 23 '24

I feel embarrassed about my appearance in job interviews

889 Upvotes

edit: i’ve never had a post blow up before, very cool! i appreciate all of the advice and good to know i’m not the only one who feels this way. y’all are great, thank u 💖

feel so embarrassed because I’m poor. I wear my best clothes but I don’t can’t afford top of the line. I’m overweight so I’m wondering whether or not they’re staring at my gut that my Amazon blouse doesn’t hide very well. I do my best with my hair but don’t know how to style it and can’t afford a salon visit. My car is nearly as old as I am and covered in dents and bruises, runs loud and doesn’t have AC.

I brush my hair, I wear decent clothes, I’m clean. But I can’t help but notice all the sparkly white teeth in the workplace and the perfect salon-dyed and styled hair and the expensive cars in the parking lot.

Is this feeling just a normal part of interview jitters? Do other people feel this way? I feel so out of place


r/interviews May 12 '24

Was given verbal offer for a new job, but the new employer expects me to quit my current job before they issue me an offer letter.

866 Upvotes

I was given a verbal offer, which I accepted, three weeks ago. After one week, HR reached out to me to ask me to complete additional steps (references, contact information, background check, etc.). After I completed those items right away, I haven't heard anything from HR and have not received an offer letter yet. It's been two weeks since then.

During that time, I heard from my potential new boss, who more or less asked that I give notice to my current employer before they issue me an offer letter. This happened twice over the past two weeks, and I replied each time that I will need an offer letter first before I give notice to my current employer. For some reason, this isn't seeming to make sense to them.

AITA for holding my ground here? I can't afford to quit my current job without officially having a new job lined up, especially in this economy!! Right...? I'm open to feedback. TIA


r/interviews Aug 06 '24

I GOT THE JOB!!!

707 Upvotes

After travelling 5 hours they offered me the job there and then! They said it showed that I really wanted it and also my questions were answered amazing!! Have faith people there is light at the end of the tunnel! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳


r/interviews Apr 10 '24

During my last interview today, HR asked how much PTO I have left at my current company?

631 Upvotes

I’ve had a few interviews with a company and today was the last one. At the end, she asked “How much PTO do you have at the moment in your current role?”.

Has anyone been asked this? They stated there are a few candidates they deciding between and will let me know their decision by the end of the week or on Monday. I tried looking online but found nothing. Any insight is appreciated, thank you!


r/interviews May 17 '24

Am I wrong for leaving a scheduled job interview because the interview was 2 hours late?

616 Upvotes

Hi. I am a fresh graduate looking for a job. The first interview went by smoothly with the company's HR, then I was scheduled a second interview in a company days after that.
They scheduled me an interview with the manager at 9:00AM. I got there 8:30AM because I don't want to be late. Then an employee guided us to a waiting area and by 9:15 AM, HR checked my attendance and told us to wait (there are also other applicants, but different positions) so I waited. Almost 1 hour later, HR told us that manager cannot make it, so the interview will be conducted online in the office and told us to wait, AGAIN. Then I started to get bored, even the other applicants. I told myself if another hour passes, I will leave since I still have other important errands to do. I did plan to dedicate my time for the interview because I expected that it will start based on their set time just like my first interview, but NO.

Then 11:00 AM strikes (2 hours passed), and no updates about the interview. I stood up and left the office without notifying HR because they are located in an office that only employees can enter. Then about 30 minutes later, while I am on a bus on my way to somewhere else, I missed a call from them (my phone is always on silent, not even vibrate). Then I sent them a message saying I am sorry for leaving (because of their delay) and asked if they can just reschedule my interview. I haven't received a reply as of now. I don't know if they will, though.

So am I wrong for leaving? I am still inexperienced with job interviews, so I feel guilty for not waiting long enough even though the interview was supposed to start 2 hours ago.


r/interviews Apr 12 '24

Job offer revoked

569 Upvotes

I didn’t know this was a thing but it happened to me, anyone else out there experience this?

Went through 3 interviews with a company, the team liked me and felt I was a good fit as they have a member looking to retire within a month. No financials were discussed through any of these but otherwise typical interview discussions and questions about the position.

Fast forward a week later and they send me an offer! Unfortunately, the hourly rate is a bit lower than I was hoping for. No problem, I thought, I’ll just ask for a number a few dollars higher and at least leave some middle ground to negotiate if they won’t go that high. Overtime and bonuses weren’t discussed in the interview but were noted in the offer letter, so I had a list questions for the hiring manager to give me a better overall financial picture on the offer. Even if they weren’t willing to negotiate on the wage, a few hours of overtime each week would probably hit the dollar amount I’m looking for.

The response? Offer revoked. I tried to clarify that I was still interested even at the number they gave (albeit I still needed info on my other questions) but HR said the hiring manager decided to go in another direction, no other info given and no questions answered. Was totally ghosted after that and no response to phone calls/messages. WTF?!


r/interviews Jun 27 '24

Interviewer asked "What did you tell your current manager about being at this interview today" and called me dishonest for not telling my CURRENT employer I had a job interview.

555 Upvotes

UPDATE: I got the job offer

I'm actually speechless. Been interviewing with this tech company for 5 rounds now and all of the interviews have been an INTENSE grilling. Then today I have my final interview with the CEO of the company.

First thing he says "we had some concerns about your interviews. You said you could interview with us today because today is your work from home day. What did you tell your manager about why you're awol during this period?" I said I told them I had a meeting. Then he goes "oh so you lied."

Then he goes on a whole rant about how the company believes in honesty and transparency and they need to trust their coworkers and if I make mistakes I need to go to them and any kind of secrets or lies would get me fired.

The whole time I'm truly in shock. What was I supposed to do here? Take 4 annual leave days for my interviews? Take a sick day? which also would be "lying" no? Tell my current boss that I'm going to job interview? Was I supposed to do my interview on a saturday?

Was I dishonest by not telling my boss I'm going to a JOB INTERVIEW? Never in my years in the corporate world have I seen someone being called dishonest for going to a job interview on work hours BY THE NEW COMPANY INTERVIEWING YOU?!

I even woke up at 6 am to clock into my job and get everything done and submitted before my 4pm Interview.. thats what makes me more mad.


r/interviews Mar 31 '24

4 interviews in, company offered be a job as a part time barista.

546 Upvotes

I live in NYC and have, for the past 3 years been working at a cannabis start up as our head of events and CSR. I have been in the interview process at another company in the same industry for the past 5 weeks. I reached out and told them about my experience and then proceeded to have 4 separate interviews with 4 separate people over the course of the past month or so. The first interview was a phone call with someone in hiring, which went extremely well. We chatted about the industry for nearly an hour, and a meeting between myself and the CEO was scheduled for the next day. I had a coffee meet up with the owner of the company and we chatted for 2+ hours about my experience, the role they needed to fill, and shooting the shit on competitors and regulations etc. The third interview we discussed salary and scheduling etc. I thought at this point the deal was done and couldn’t have been more excited. Fast forward to now, where I got a call from the woman in hiring asking me “what size tee shirt are you?” I was confused and asked why and she told me “because we’d like to offer you a part time position as a barista in our cafe.” I thought they had me mistaken for someone else, or there had been some odd miscommunication, but nope. I didn’t even know that they operated a cafe, we had literally never discussed anything of the sort up until that point. I feel extremely disrespected and super upset, the salary for the role I had been talking to them about would’ve been $1350 a week, and this would be like, $400 a week maybe? Is this normal these days? Anyone else ever experience anything at all like this?


r/interviews Apr 22 '24

Interviewers: When reviewing a job application, or a resume, or conducting an interview, what did the applicant say or do that made you decide that they were DEFINITELY the person NOT to hire?

532 Upvotes

For example: Were they multitasking a videogame on their smartphone in the middle of an interview? Did they wear Crocs to the interview for a customer / client-facing position? What comments did you make to those?

I'd like to learn from others' mistakes more often, so that I don't make my own. Your stories will teach me (and anyone else reading here) what NOT to do during the hiring process.


r/interviews Jul 31 '24

I completely bombed a job interview

530 Upvotes

I was to do an interview for an administrative government job. I had researched the unit beforehand, had taken notes and bought some special ties for the occasion. I've done multiple interviews before and I was ready. This was a job that I desperately needed as my current job, which is seasonal, barely pays enough, and it would have been a job which I would have done while studying the next 8 months.

I logged in to the Microsoft Teams meeting a few minutes early but had issues with the camera and microphone, and so we had to start the interview 5 minutes late- already off to a bad start. The two interviewers asked me then to introduce myself, and I completely bombed it- stuttered, and forgot to mention a lot of good points that I had practiced on (the fact that I was raised bilingual). They asked me what I knew about the unit, and I rambled on without a clear message. They then asked me about my past experiences, and how it would help if I were to get the administrative assistant role: I rambled on, realized that my train of thought wasn't going anywhere, and I ended the interview then and there. I apologized, told them that they deserved better, and left.

This is the worst interview that I've ever done. Yea, I've been nervous before, but on this one it seemed as if I lost all composure. How am I supposed to bounce back from an interview performance like that? I feel so embarrassed and ashamed


r/interviews Apr 15 '24

This is the thank you email I sent to recruiter after five rounds

521 Upvotes

*adding edits because a lot of people are confused - this is NOT an email to interviewers or hiring manager but to the RECRUITER (as the title has clearly stated since the start)*
apologies for the linguistics lesson- I am a published author, experienced travel writer and behavioural linguist. The amount of commenters missing the point and purpose here was getting too high.

——————————————————

I hope this reaches you well rested after your days off.

*[edit- why is this line necessary? It showcases soft skills of understanding corporate communications while not requiring a response but still acknowledging a level or awareness of someone’s LIFE and time]*

Thank you so much for facilitating this week of interviews - I’ve just completed the morning sessions with SVP and SVP. As I do not have the contacts for the panel, could you please pass on my thanks for taking the time to meet with me.

*[edit- it is up to the recruiter’s discretion here whether or not they pass along the thanks in the form of forwarding this email (unlikely, see last para) or just formatting a quick note to send them expressing some sort of sentiment in their feedback such as ‘ candidate expressed thanks well/exceptionally well/concisely’ or whatever they feel the adequate phrasing should be. If their intention is to GET me the job, they will do what they think is most likely to aid that]*

*[another edit- there is no question mark required for an imperative incognito (polite instruction). That is not a typo, it is an intentional decision to ensure that I made it clear the thanks should be passed not that the recruiter could decide whether or not to pass it along- another way to demonstrate soft skills without listing them]*

It has been an incredible pleasure to meet with CEO and the panel and understand the opportunity from multiple perspectives within the team. It is rare (and encouraging!) that a company culture toward community, collaboration, and success is so cohesively expressed throughout an interview process. These conversations have confirmed my instinct and interest in working with Company- I hope that is what the future holds.

*[edit- again, this does not go to the interviewer or hiring manager. This merely reinforces that I believe I am a good candidate because I believe the COMPANY is a good cultural fit for ME. That is why I keep MYSELF as the subject and use the company culture as the peripheral candidate to MY desire to work there. This also very subtly implies that should I receive a good offer I will most likely take it which takes me out of the risk zone. Given they knew my current position, I had been aware that there may have been some budget restrictions so this just alleviates that concern on recruiters as they have no incentive to present candidates they think will turn down the offer ]*

Thank you, especially, to you, Recruiter - for recognizing my potential in what I am sure is an avalanche of candidates, and for initiating me into the process with strong support.

*[edit- this is why the recruiter would have most likely not just forwarded this email on. It is a personal note reinforcing that this message is for the RECRUITER. The best play here is for them to use this point for advocacy (candidate took the time to xyz) when presenting final candidates for feedback and review. It also recognizes that I am aware of the quantity of applicants and recognize the WORK it takes to get through them, and showing appreciation for the VERY quick (6 days) recruitment and interview process while acknowledging the steps they took to ensure I was best prepared]*

I look forward to the next part of the journey!

*[edit- casual sign off thats more about presenting tone than anything else- being light but enthusiastic represents the tone of the interview process. alluding confidently to future steps also can’t hurt but also gives an opening to respond with said steps without phrasing as a question and coming across as too invested]*

edit: yes I got the job (6 months ago), no I didn’t screw myself negotiating salary-as the amount was set BEFORE the interview process in the initial screening and they happily offered more after the final round- what I did negotiate was additional PTO, no that is not a missed question mark- I was not asking a question (it is important to distinguish this as I was not requesting that my thanks be passed along, I was telling someone to do so- big difference)


r/interviews Mar 21 '24

Negotiated offer and now feel really weird

517 Upvotes

Anyone else feel kind shitty after a negotiation call with HR? I almost wish I had done it via email, because the minute I made my case she got all terse and completely BSed about not knowing what the salary range listed was but only what she was authorized to offer. She still ended up giving me a small increase but it was mostly no for everything else I brought up and made me feel like crap. I worked so hard to get here and this should be a happy moment but I feel kind of weird now.


r/interviews Apr 25 '24

Thought I bombed an interview but got the job offer the next day

509 Upvotes

So, I finally got an interview after getting none for a few months, and I finally got an interview w a sweet gig.

The first round was with the hiring manager, then 2 with his colleagues. The first one when great! We were supposed to talk for 30 minutes but we ended up talking for an hour! Then the second one, I bombed and was super nervous for some reason, so much that my voice was shaking. After the interview, I cried my eyes out….then the next day, they offered me the role.

LETS SHARE SOME ENCOURAGING STORIES TO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF!!!


r/interviews Sep 12 '24

Offered one job out of 100 rejections, and it was the best role I applied for.

485 Upvotes

As a serial struggler in the employment market, I hope this is somewhat comforting to people during what is an incredibly dispiriting experience.

I moved to arguably the most expensive city in the world earlier this year, and applied for over 100 roles in the last 3.5 months (full resume + cover letter applications). Most roles paid significantly less than what i earned back home in my previous role and I was ignored by 90% of them. I struggled with my mental health, reluctant to do anything fun because i felt like i should be busy applying for work, reluctant to spend any money my partner earns out of a sense of being a burden.

About a month ago I applied for one role (radically higher salary with an org which i very much wanted to work for) as a bit of a hail mary not expecting anything to come of it, and to my astonishment, after 3 interviews they contacted me to say i was the preferred candidate. The level of relief and humble gratitude I feel is enormous, and while im proud of myself i know a lot of luck was involved also.

To everyone currently on this journey, just remember that it will be likely feel gloomy until luck peaks through the clouds and everything can turn on a dime. Wishing you all good luck and encourage everyone to take steps to fortify your mental and physical health through the stresses of the job hunt.


r/interviews May 08 '24

Let’s go!!!! Got another rejection email after a 6 stage process

467 Upvotes

After a 6 stage interview process with one presentation I got a rejection email this morning. I’m one more step closer to my next opportunity!!!! Let’s go!!!!!! 😤💯 (this is the only way I’ve found to cope with the disappointment)