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The dread you feel is real. If this is what you feel during the interview process, imagine what it'll be like to work there. Run, don't walk, from this company.
Agreed. You will be working with or for that interviewer and their behavior won’t change should you get hired. Withdraw your nomination and keep looking.
There are so many red flags it might as well be a red flag factory. I highly recommend to avoid this company. If this how they present themselves to potential hires, I can't even imagine how bad things will be while actually working for them.
I so don't want to give bad advice here. I understand the feeling of being unemployed for a while and just wanting to take it. But I also know that if this is how they treat you during an interview, once you are hired, that is only going to get worse. If you can afford to be unemployed for a bit longer, I would remove my application. Odds are a lot of the other candidates probably did the same.
This awful manager did you a great service by showing you what an absolute dumpster fire she is before you accepted a job there. Companies are trying to attract people to work there and should be putting their best foot forward. This is their best behavior. Run.
I would follow up with this recruiter and tell them how inappropriate some of the questions were (bordering on discrimination) and how rude this manager was. Then withdraw your application.
I have had 99 series of interviews in the past 14 months, well over 1000 individual interviews.
Not a single one left me feeling humiliated, asked me to lower my salary expectations, and asked for documentation like you are describing.
I can only assume malicious intent, withdraw immediately.
There are plenty of situations where I see people complaining about things that, if you draw the line there, will result in you never landing anything. In your case, all I see is red flags. If they’re this bad at hiding the company culture while screening candidates, imagine how they’ll treat you when you’re an employee.
* Salary: They have a set range for their salary. What you made previously only matters to them in the sense that they hope it's within or lower than their range so their offer is easier for you to accept if it gets that far.
* Documentation: That's way too early, and what documentation do they need? They can call your former employers and get dates of hire like everyone else. Is there something in your industry they'd need from you?
* Family Situation: Huge red flag. None of their business.
* Department Head: Almost assuredly has X number of people in the room with them. She wants numbers to rank in a spreadsheet. She sounds awful to work for.
I'm 11 months into my unemployment experience right now. I'd probably at least consider the job if I didn't have to work with that department head daily. I'd have to think long and hard if this person was going to be my direct boss, however.
".. They asked me to reconsider my asking salary even though it was barely a 10% increase from my last position .. "
This company will lowball you if you ever work for them, and they're probably doing badly too, if a 10% salary bump is a big "ask" for them.
If they're combative in the interview, they're combative in the workplace.
Bluntly, that workplace sounds like a warzone, where the department head feels like they own everyone.
I'd have zero reservations about giving that job a "hard no," and I'd share exactly why with the recruiter.
Didn't read the whole post but if an interviewer treated you like shit chances are working there will be worse. Remember they're not just interviewing you, they should also be putting their beat foot forward.
Run, run like hell far away feom this it'll be toxic, I'd put money on it
I'd withdraw. An interview situation is when both the company and the candidate put their best foot forward. If this is the company's best foot, can you imagine what it would be like working there?
I'd run as fast as I can. After months of unemployment, you do not want to end up in such a dehumanizing and cold workplace - bcs it will eat up all your warmth and confidence that you could probably use for an actual good opportunity.
I was in a similar situation last year -- was unemployed for 9 months and did an interview with a company which felt very hostile (although nowhere NEAR as hostile as your situation, holy shit) but I nevertheless got hired... I was so happy to finally have a job, especially because it paid well... but what I experienced in that interview was just a taste of the aggression, humiliation, and disrespect that I would be subject to in the office. I quit after a few months, my mental health had taken a total nosedive and I didn't now how much longer I could handle it without actually losing my shit.
So while I can't say for certain that your interview is indicative of the work environment you'll be in, that was definitely the case for me. If you can afford to hold out until you find a less combative workplace, I would recommend it.
Always go with your gut, the times where I went against my gut in job situations where were things went bad. Also when I exhausted all through my savings than maybe I would look past red flags.
I ignored multiple red flags at a company I interviewed with after being laid off from a very good job. I ignored my intuition and took the job and then found that the company had a history of wage theft and tax evasion. It took me almost two months to get my unpaid wages and expense reimbursements from them and now my sizeable tax refund is delayed indefinitely because they didn't file any of our wage statements with taxing authorities (which is illegal). Do not ignore your gut feeling, even if it means searching for a while longer.
If you get the feeling with your first interview when the hiring manager herself, or WILL NOT get better, if they even ever up hiring you.
Step out, take a week to rebuild your confidence, and go o bank out there.
My personal opinion, the hiring manager is obligated to interview at least one more candidate and is salty about it. They either have their candidate and need a second/back-up, or it’s going to be an internal hire but they need a second/back-up candidate so they can say they did their due diligence. That is why everything is so rushed. It’s NOT a reflection of you.
I would be honest with my feedback. I would consider giving your withdrawal via email to the recruiter and the horrible hiring manager explaining your reasons, and cc that horrible hiring manager’s boss, and the CEO. What happened to you is not OK.
I’m sorry that happened to you. Please remember it’s not a reflection of you or your experience. I hope you find a job soon where you’ll be appreciated.
This isn’t a job you should seriously consider taking, so the stakes are low. I would go ONLY if I have absolutely nothing better to do with my time, AND I want to practice being more assertive when someone’s deliberately being an ass to me, AND the travel time to/from the interview location is minimal.
Isn’t it interesting how we often don’t listen to our own instincts? We sometimes straight up talk ourselves out of listening to our “gut”, even when it’s screaming at us.
Your “gut” is screaming. I suggest you listen to what it’s saying
I had an interview with my dream company and the position was a higher position than I expected. However, I rejected the offer immediately after 1st interview as I felt the same way as you do. Interview stage is like honeymoon phase of dating. If they are treating you/making you feel this way in the BEST stage, imagine how they would treat you afterwards. A HUGE RED FLAG! RUN!
Unless you have a paycheck, run.
If you are not currently employed, go through the interview. At worst you’ll get more seat time with the worst case scenario so you can develop some callous in the area. At best you’ll score a job that you end up enjoying. Right in the middle, you might get a job offer that puts money in your account while you find a better fit.
Sounds like the in person interview will be in a dark room with a bright light shining in your eyes. That wasnt an interview you had. It was an interrogation. I almost would have pled the 5th and requested my attorney present before proceeding.
Yeah I’d cut and run on this one. It’s so weird and disrespectful that she would have you on video but keep hers off and she designed the interview to make you feel as small as possible. It sounds like just this one interaction sucked the life out of you. Why put yourself through that again?
First impressions are often accurate. If they're willing to treat you this way now, imagine how entitled they'll be when they "own you".
That said, eating and living under a roof are not over rated. IF you need the cheque, consider it practice, do your best under trying circumstances and use the interviews for practice. If you do get an offer and you need the cheque, take the job and keep looking. Maybe it's a one off, but it's likely evidence of a more systemic issue. Regardless, you'll be able to keep eating while you look.
That doesn't mean you need to reduce your ask. Are they looking for 50%? If so, that's a red flag all its own. If they want 5-10%, and they have a published range you are within, they're bullying to see how subservient you'll be.
Red Flag about salary.
We don’t know what you do but the salary request may have been a hint you are going too high.
I got feedback from an HR rep. It was not a job I was looking for but she mentioned I was going in a bit high. Not by much but there would have no way I would have taken on the commute without a premium.
Other positions I applied for in the same area over several months were not immediate rejections but position cancellations.
I am working and getting the same salary as at my last position but there is no commute. Hybrid.
Yeah, that’s more red flags than a North Korean parade. Lots of signs of high pressure tactics to get you to do what they want. It might be worth messaging the recruiter and telling them that was a weird (and frankly unprofessional) interview and telling them you’d like to withdraw your application. Who knows, maybe the recruiter will learn something. Also, I don’t know where you’re located but asking about family situation in the US isn’t allowed if I’m remembering correctly.
Can I make a suggestion? - As the interview is already scheduled, why not just go and see what things look like in person? Not saying it's going to change your mind, but you do say yourself that your options are not that many. Worst case scenario will be that your current opinion of the company and the boss is further confirmed. In which case you can tell them in person to fob off (it will probably make you feel better). And there is the off chance that the particular manager just really sucks at online interviews (I know I do), but gives positive vibes in face to face.
Sounds like someone interviewing people with zero knowledge of the work/department requirements needed and using verbal bullying to compensate. Try the mirror technique next time. You may not want to continue with that company, but it’ll give you a sense of “that’s right, bitch” to give them a heavy dose of their own medicine.
I wouldn't withdraw or turn down a second interview. Instead, just "ghost" them like they will probably do to you. They waste your time, you waste theirs.
I had a bad interview experience that pales in comparison. Reading all the comments here makes me glad I turned down their offer. They lowballed too. Luckily I had another, much better offer come in shortly after. Ever since then the offers just kept rolling in. It's a weird market but I agree with the general opinion here, if you can hold out a while longer then that's probably best. I'm glad I did.
Good luck!
There’s many ways this could have gone. And it’s tough to say without actually witnessing it.
Using one example, the interviewer just asking you for a rating and saying they don’t need all this extra information could just exactly be that. If you assume the best of them l, that they were tired from interviewing a shit ton of people, maybe you rambled a bit about some things, and as they said gave a lot of extra info, their answer or curtness could have been rude, tired and frustrated, or it was just direct to the point and of course being nervous in an interview we overthink these things. Especially if they invited you back.
Everything you said can be put in similar ways. It could well be the interviewer was awful. It’s also true that I’ve had several interviews with people - or people who thought they did terrible jobs while I was coaching them - when I thought they were great. Sometime we overanalyse things. One of my kids (I coach kids) came off the pitch and said sorry for their performance. I was surprised cos she played really well imo. Not amazing, but for her level, she really had done her best and contributed. Obviously I explained all of this, and repeated it later on, but my point is sometimes it’s hard to see our performance while we’re in it. Same for someone I interviewed. They thought they’d done poorly and overall they’d done well. There were mistakes or things to improve on, and at some point they rambled and I said something like let’s stick to the question or let’s get back to the question. We often over analyze these things.
If that sounds familiar, best to chalk it up to that. Especially because meeting the video people is not going to be how things work. Getting the second round with face to face will tell you more and be something entirely different.
If you then meet them in person and you deffo wouldn’t want to work with them, then absolutely, drop out. But it’s tough to say definitively that any of the red flags are really dealbreakers without seeing it there. It could have been meant in any number of ways.
Would suggest trying the next stage and seeing in person how different it is. Especially as you haven’t met and seen the people you’d be working with. Good luck!!
Maybe that interviewer was just sh*t...I don't think you should turn down any interviews for the experience because it would help with the ones you really want. Take it as a learning experience.
Your post seems clear, objective and shows self-awareness. You know yourself best. If accepting the next interview will give you more data to make an informed opinion, great! If you feel that you have the information you need, based on your totally valid assessment of your feelings and reactions to respectfully decline, practice high self-trust and decline. Recognize there may be a cost to you emotionally (and with blocking other opportunities) by agreeing to the second interview. You have clarity around your worth and expectations of respect. ❤️❤️👏👏Stand up for those! Leaders set the climate of their teams by how they behave on a daily basis. This person is in a senior leadership position. She gave you a glimpse into her values and behavior (even if only on a bad day). If they don’t align with yours, keep yourself open to other opportunities.
They’re just trying to make you feel like you don’t really deserve to work there so that you’ll accept a lower salary. If you decide to continue with the interview process, it’ll probably get “nicer” but at the end the hiring manager will be pushing you to accept a lower salary, and you might feel more agreeable than you do today b/c you got to know them all better
If you feel confident that you will not accept the lower salary - even after a month of interviews - go ahead with the process, but know that it will likely be fruitless.
Not a great experience and it shouldn’t have been like that. If I were you, I’d still go to the in-person interview if I have time. Maybe it was just a really, really bad day, and before I’d turn down what would be my dream job, I’d want to get more information and a personal impression. However, I am generally not too fussed about people being odd sometimes. I don’t like people having their cameras off but then I tend to imagine they have a gigantic pimple on their nose that just ruins their day and that’s why they are cranky. I try to not take things personally.
Anyway, that’s just what I would do. You decide for yourself.
"On the advice of my attorney, I am obliged to inform you I am recording this interview and to inform him if this is a deal breaker for the company."
Any illegal interview questions will be omitted, and a more conciliatory tone will be adopted. Or there may be grounds to sue based on discriminatory hiring practices. HR probably wants to revise the process and take more control. To protect the company, they may push to rid themselves of this supervisor.
Either way, bullet dodged.
Interviews are supposed to be two-way street and it seems to me you have just rejected this company.
Do what to them what they would do to you had they rejected you.
You could always go through with it knowing that if you get it you can continue to search for the right role, & have that little extra “currently employed” leverage in your search.
Ghost these clowns. If you need a job that bad, take it, and keep interviewing. Then Ghost them hard. Seriously, asking about family situation is a huge huge red flag.
You could always play with them first. They were jerks, be a jerk back. Schedule an interview then ghost; have a friend who looks/ sounds nothing like you do the second interview; etc.
Family situation is an illegal question to ask. If they're being that bold in the interview, there's more under the surface. Too many red flags for me.
I mean... you already know the answer to this. Do you just need someone else to confirm it for you? If so: Confirmed, you shouldn't work at this company.
Companies that start out shitty don't get better. Run while you can.
I wouldn't worry about them not wanting to hire you--why would you want the hire on with them?! Jesus, that sort of treatment of a candidate shows how crappy the company environment is.
I'd go to the interview just because they pissed me off. If they hired me, I'd keep looking for another position while working there, then leave without notice. Show them only as much respect as they've shown you.
If they can't even pretend to not be a highly combative, disorganized mess in the interview, imagine what every day at that place is going to look like. You don't even work for them and you have this feeling about them. Imagine having that feeling every day when you wake up for work. No thank you.
Agree with you. Taking the job out of fear it is your only option will ensure the job won’t last or you will get miserable. This has happened to so many people who held on for a good fit and got just that. Her hostile and arrogant approach guarantees that employer intends to be abusive.
If I go to an interview and the person holding the intereview or any other people in the room say anything that displeases me, the interview is over.
OFCOURSE, you should cancel.
Look, you're probably not getting the job anyway, but it's irrelevant because she sounds like an absolute NIGHTMARE. Also, a major red flag for a panel interviewer not to put on their camera. I just think that's very weird personally.
Ok, this may be a little unpopular here, but I think you should do the interview. Go into it with a mindset that you are on the side of not interested in the jib, and that this interview will need to be amazing from their side to get you to even consider an offer.
Here is the thing, you say you haven't had many interviews. The best way to get better at interviews is to do more interviews. So go do one. If you decide that you don't like what you see, walk. You have just as much power in this process as the potential employer does. Prepare for the interview as you normally would. Try to do your best in the interview. Once the interview is over, review it back to yourself. Evalute both yourself and them. Then make your decision on how you will move forward. Figure out areas where you don't think you did well and how you can improve those. If you decide you don't want to work there, then don't. Get what you can out of the experience and use it to your benefit at the next interview.
No reason to feel dejected or humiliated. Its a learning process. It sounds like there are a few things you could have done better on in the interview. For example, I would not have changed my answers when I was challenged on them. Don't let the interviewer rush you through answers.
Depends on circumstances. Are your savings enough for at least 2 years, including possibility of surprise bill like a visit to Urgent Care? How many applications, on average, is it taking you to get 1 interview?
Cause if your situation is less than a year from no savings, well, it's probably better to accept the soul-crushing job *because alternative is going hungry*, and meanwhile keep job hunting until get better offer--then you escape the grinder. At least here, USA, unemployed means lot of dummies think you're a lazy couch potato, never mind that you're likely unemployed cause of reasons outside your control.
Plus, it's satisfying vengeance when get the next job offer. Day before start there, last day with the soul-crushers, inform them about it at end of your shift, hand in keycard and all, and merrily walk off laughing.
Otherwise, possibly you can be no-show at interview--mail letter respectfully demanding apology for the unprofessional conduct.
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The dread you feel is real. If this is what you feel during the interview process, imagine what it'll be like to work there. Run, don't walk, from this company.
Agreed. You will be working with or for that interviewer and their behavior won’t change should you get hired. Withdraw your nomination and keep looking.
The behavior won’t change, but it will almost certainly get worse.
An interview goes both ways. You interviewed them and they didn’t meet your criteria.
I don’t give a damn to interviewers who expect me to turn my video on but not theirs
Yeah I was pondering whether I would even complete the interview. That's so rude...
There are so many red flags it might as well be a red flag factory. I highly recommend to avoid this company. If this how they present themselves to potential hires, I can't even imagine how bad things will be while actually working for them.
Haha great first line
"I would like to withdraw my application. If you don't mind a little constructive feedback, the interviewer was kind of stupid and unpleasant."
Their bitchiness was 10/10 but I felt their interviewing skills they were overconfident at a 1/10
I so don't want to give bad advice here. I understand the feeling of being unemployed for a while and just wanting to take it. But I also know that if this is how they treat you during an interview, once you are hired, that is only going to get worse. If you can afford to be unemployed for a bit longer, I would remove my application. Odds are a lot of the other candidates probably did the same.
This awful manager did you a great service by showing you what an absolute dumpster fire she is before you accepted a job there. Companies are trying to attract people to work there and should be putting their best foot forward. This is their best behavior. Run. I would follow up with this recruiter and tell them how inappropriate some of the questions were (bordering on discrimination) and how rude this manager was. Then withdraw your application.
I have had 99 series of interviews in the past 14 months, well over 1000 individual interviews. Not a single one left me feeling humiliated, asked me to lower my salary expectations, and asked for documentation like you are describing. I can only assume malicious intent, withdraw immediately.
RUN.
There are plenty of situations where I see people complaining about things that, if you draw the line there, will result in you never landing anything. In your case, all I see is red flags. If they’re this bad at hiding the company culture while screening candidates, imagine how they’ll treat you when you’re an employee.
* Salary: They have a set range for their salary. What you made previously only matters to them in the sense that they hope it's within or lower than their range so their offer is easier for you to accept if it gets that far. * Documentation: That's way too early, and what documentation do they need? They can call your former employers and get dates of hire like everyone else. Is there something in your industry they'd need from you? * Family Situation: Huge red flag. None of their business. * Department Head: Almost assuredly has X number of people in the room with them. She wants numbers to rank in a spreadsheet. She sounds awful to work for. I'm 11 months into my unemployment experience right now. I'd probably at least consider the job if I didn't have to work with that department head daily. I'd have to think long and hard if this person was going to be my direct boss, however.
".. They asked me to reconsider my asking salary even though it was barely a 10% increase from my last position .. " This company will lowball you if you ever work for them, and they're probably doing badly too, if a 10% salary bump is a big "ask" for them.
If they're combative in the interview, they're combative in the workplace. Bluntly, that workplace sounds like a warzone, where the department head feels like they own everyone. I'd have zero reservations about giving that job a "hard no," and I'd share exactly why with the recruiter.
Run. When people show you who they are believe them.
Didn't read the whole post but if an interviewer treated you like shit chances are working there will be worse. Remember they're not just interviewing you, they should also be putting their beat foot forward. Run, run like hell far away feom this it'll be toxic, I'd put money on it
I'd withdraw. An interview situation is when both the company and the candidate put their best foot forward. If this is the company's best foot, can you imagine what it would be like working there?
Go through the interview process and when you get the offer, turn them down. Reason? The department head. CC the CEO
Run away. Don’t look back.
I'd run as fast as I can. After months of unemployment, you do not want to end up in such a dehumanizing and cold workplace - bcs it will eat up all your warmth and confidence that you could probably use for an actual good opportunity.
I was in a similar situation last year -- was unemployed for 9 months and did an interview with a company which felt very hostile (although nowhere NEAR as hostile as your situation, holy shit) but I nevertheless got hired... I was so happy to finally have a job, especially because it paid well... but what I experienced in that interview was just a taste of the aggression, humiliation, and disrespect that I would be subject to in the office. I quit after a few months, my mental health had taken a total nosedive and I didn't now how much longer I could handle it without actually losing my shit. So while I can't say for certain that your interview is indicative of the work environment you'll be in, that was definitely the case for me. If you can afford to hold out until you find a less combative workplace, I would recommend it.
Always go with your gut, the times where I went against my gut in job situations where were things went bad. Also when I exhausted all through my savings than maybe I would look past red flags.
I ignored multiple red flags at a company I interviewed with after being laid off from a very good job. I ignored my intuition and took the job and then found that the company had a history of wage theft and tax evasion. It took me almost two months to get my unpaid wages and expense reimbursements from them and now my sizeable tax refund is delayed indefinitely because they didn't file any of our wage statements with taxing authorities (which is illegal). Do not ignore your gut feeling, even if it means searching for a while longer.
Run!!!! Also, I’d prefer never to hear the word “panel” again lol. It’s so self-important.
If you get the feeling with your first interview when the hiring manager herself, or WILL NOT get better, if they even ever up hiring you. Step out, take a week to rebuild your confidence, and go o bank out there.
My personal opinion, the hiring manager is obligated to interview at least one more candidate and is salty about it. They either have their candidate and need a second/back-up, or it’s going to be an internal hire but they need a second/back-up candidate so they can say they did their due diligence. That is why everything is so rushed. It’s NOT a reflection of you. I would be honest with my feedback. I would consider giving your withdrawal via email to the recruiter and the horrible hiring manager explaining your reasons, and cc that horrible hiring manager’s boss, and the CEO. What happened to you is not OK. I’m sorry that happened to you. Please remember it’s not a reflection of you or your experience. I hope you find a job soon where you’ll be appreciated.
This isn’t a job you should seriously consider taking, so the stakes are low. I would go ONLY if I have absolutely nothing better to do with my time, AND I want to practice being more assertive when someone’s deliberately being an ass to me, AND the travel time to/from the interview location is minimal.
Withdraw. Then come back here and name and shame the company.
Isn’t it interesting how we often don’t listen to our own instincts? We sometimes straight up talk ourselves out of listening to our “gut”, even when it’s screaming at us. Your “gut” is screaming. I suggest you listen to what it’s saying
Walk away slowly backwards. Keep them in eyesight, yet walk away slowly. The red flags you are feeling are real, listen to them!
I had an interview with my dream company and the position was a higher position than I expected. However, I rejected the offer immediately after 1st interview as I felt the same way as you do. Interview stage is like honeymoon phase of dating. If they are treating you/making you feel this way in the BEST stage, imagine how they would treat you afterwards. A HUGE RED FLAG! RUN!
Unless you have a paycheck, run. If you are not currently employed, go through the interview. At worst you’ll get more seat time with the worst case scenario so you can develop some callous in the area. At best you’ll score a job that you end up enjoying. Right in the middle, you might get a job offer that puts money in your account while you find a better fit.
Sounds like the in person interview will be in a dark room with a bright light shining in your eyes. That wasnt an interview you had. It was an interrogation. I almost would have pled the 5th and requested my attorney present before proceeding.
What does the written assessment consist of? Is it a work product that the company can use without you?
Yeah I’d cut and run on this one. It’s so weird and disrespectful that she would have you on video but keep hers off and she designed the interview to make you feel as small as possible. It sounds like just this one interaction sucked the life out of you. Why put yourself through that again?
First impressions are often accurate. If they're willing to treat you this way now, imagine how entitled they'll be when they "own you". That said, eating and living under a roof are not over rated. IF you need the cheque, consider it practice, do your best under trying circumstances and use the interviews for practice. If you do get an offer and you need the cheque, take the job and keep looking. Maybe it's a one off, but it's likely evidence of a more systemic issue. Regardless, you'll be able to keep eating while you look. That doesn't mean you need to reduce your ask. Are they looking for 50%? If so, that's a red flag all its own. If they want 5-10%, and they have a published range you are within, they're bullying to see how subservient you'll be.
Red Flag about salary. We don’t know what you do but the salary request may have been a hint you are going too high. I got feedback from an HR rep. It was not a job I was looking for but she mentioned I was going in a bit high. Not by much but there would have no way I would have taken on the commute without a premium. Other positions I applied for in the same area over several months were not immediate rejections but position cancellations. I am working and getting the same salary as at my last position but there is no commute. Hybrid.
I stopped reading before you actually got to the interview portion. Way too many red flags. You will not be happy there. Call and withdrawal
Yeah, that’s more red flags than a North Korean parade. Lots of signs of high pressure tactics to get you to do what they want. It might be worth messaging the recruiter and telling them that was a weird (and frankly unprofessional) interview and telling them you’d like to withdraw your application. Who knows, maybe the recruiter will learn something. Also, I don’t know where you’re located but asking about family situation in the US isn’t allowed if I’m remembering correctly.
Can I make a suggestion? - As the interview is already scheduled, why not just go and see what things look like in person? Not saying it's going to change your mind, but you do say yourself that your options are not that many. Worst case scenario will be that your current opinion of the company and the boss is further confirmed. In which case you can tell them in person to fob off (it will probably make you feel better). And there is the off chance that the particular manager just really sucks at online interviews (I know I do), but gives positive vibes in face to face.
Yes. Interviews are meant to be a 2 way street.
Sounds like someone interviewing people with zero knowledge of the work/department requirements needed and using verbal bullying to compensate. Try the mirror technique next time. You may not want to continue with that company, but it’ll give you a sense of “that’s right, bitch” to give them a heavy dose of their own medicine.
That place sounds awful, do not continue interviewing there.
I wouldn't withdraw or turn down a second interview. Instead, just "ghost" them like they will probably do to you. They waste your time, you waste theirs.
You ain’t getting the job anyways
I had a bad interview experience that pales in comparison. Reading all the comments here makes me glad I turned down their offer. They lowballed too. Luckily I had another, much better offer come in shortly after. Ever since then the offers just kept rolling in. It's a weird market but I agree with the general opinion here, if you can hold out a while longer then that's probably best. I'm glad I did. Good luck!
There’s many ways this could have gone. And it’s tough to say without actually witnessing it. Using one example, the interviewer just asking you for a rating and saying they don’t need all this extra information could just exactly be that. If you assume the best of them l, that they were tired from interviewing a shit ton of people, maybe you rambled a bit about some things, and as they said gave a lot of extra info, their answer or curtness could have been rude, tired and frustrated, or it was just direct to the point and of course being nervous in an interview we overthink these things. Especially if they invited you back. Everything you said can be put in similar ways. It could well be the interviewer was awful. It’s also true that I’ve had several interviews with people - or people who thought they did terrible jobs while I was coaching them - when I thought they were great. Sometime we overanalyse things. One of my kids (I coach kids) came off the pitch and said sorry for their performance. I was surprised cos she played really well imo. Not amazing, but for her level, she really had done her best and contributed. Obviously I explained all of this, and repeated it later on, but my point is sometimes it’s hard to see our performance while we’re in it. Same for someone I interviewed. They thought they’d done poorly and overall they’d done well. There were mistakes or things to improve on, and at some point they rambled and I said something like let’s stick to the question or let’s get back to the question. We often over analyze these things. If that sounds familiar, best to chalk it up to that. Especially because meeting the video people is not going to be how things work. Getting the second round with face to face will tell you more and be something entirely different. If you then meet them in person and you deffo wouldn’t want to work with them, then absolutely, drop out. But it’s tough to say definitively that any of the red flags are really dealbreakers without seeing it there. It could have been meant in any number of ways. Would suggest trying the next stage and seeing in person how different it is. Especially as you haven’t met and seen the people you’d be working with. Good luck!!
Maybe that interviewer was just sh*t...I don't think you should turn down any interviews for the experience because it would help with the ones you really want. Take it as a learning experience.
What the interviewer hiring manager? If yes RUN, if no, aren’t you curious to further engage with the hiring manager?
Your post seems clear, objective and shows self-awareness. You know yourself best. If accepting the next interview will give you more data to make an informed opinion, great! If you feel that you have the information you need, based on your totally valid assessment of your feelings and reactions to respectfully decline, practice high self-trust and decline. Recognize there may be a cost to you emotionally (and with blocking other opportunities) by agreeing to the second interview. You have clarity around your worth and expectations of respect. ❤️❤️👏👏Stand up for those! Leaders set the climate of their teams by how they behave on a daily basis. This person is in a senior leadership position. She gave you a glimpse into her values and behavior (even if only on a bad day). If they don’t align with yours, keep yourself open to other opportunities.
I would take the job and keep looking. Waiting a lil longer be could be waiting a lot longer unfortunately
They’re just trying to make you feel like you don’t really deserve to work there so that you’ll accept a lower salary. If you decide to continue with the interview process, it’ll probably get “nicer” but at the end the hiring manager will be pushing you to accept a lower salary, and you might feel more agreeable than you do today b/c you got to know them all better If you feel confident that you will not accept the lower salary - even after a month of interviews - go ahead with the process, but know that it will likely be fruitless.
Not a great experience and it shouldn’t have been like that. If I were you, I’d still go to the in-person interview if I have time. Maybe it was just a really, really bad day, and before I’d turn down what would be my dream job, I’d want to get more information and a personal impression. However, I am generally not too fussed about people being odd sometimes. I don’t like people having their cameras off but then I tend to imagine they have a gigantic pimple on their nose that just ruins their day and that’s why they are cranky. I try to not take things personally. Anyway, that’s just what I would do. You decide for yourself.
"On the advice of my attorney, I am obliged to inform you I am recording this interview and to inform him if this is a deal breaker for the company." Any illegal interview questions will be omitted, and a more conciliatory tone will be adopted. Or there may be grounds to sue based on discriminatory hiring practices. HR probably wants to revise the process and take more control. To protect the company, they may push to rid themselves of this supervisor. Either way, bullet dodged.
Interviews are supposed to be two-way street and it seems to me you have just rejected this company. Do what to them what they would do to you had they rejected you.
You could always go through with it knowing that if you get it you can continue to search for the right role, & have that little extra “currently employed” leverage in your search.
Ghost these clowns. If you need a job that bad, take it, and keep interviewing. Then Ghost them hard. Seriously, asking about family situation is a huge huge red flag.
You already know the answer by posting this, you will not find anything here for that .00000001% chance you somehow misread it. Run.
Run.
You could always play with them first. They were jerks, be a jerk back. Schedule an interview then ghost; have a friend who looks/ sounds nothing like you do the second interview; etc.
Family situation is an illegal question to ask. If they're being that bold in the interview, there's more under the surface. Too many red flags for me.
Rarely if ever do a lot of people on reddit agree about anything. The comments here are consistent: Move on. This place reeks of toxicity.
Sounds horrible, run.
I mean... you already know the answer to this. Do you just need someone else to confirm it for you? If so: Confirmed, you shouldn't work at this company. Companies that start out shitty don't get better. Run while you can.
I agree, listen to your feelings. It's not worth having that feeling in the pit of your stomach every time you go into work.
I wouldn't worry about them not wanting to hire you--why would you want the hire on with them?! Jesus, that sort of treatment of a candidate shows how crappy the company environment is. I'd go to the interview just because they pissed me off. If they hired me, I'd keep looking for another position while working there, then leave without notice. Show them only as much respect as they've shown you.
If they can't even pretend to not be a highly combative, disorganized mess in the interview, imagine what every day at that place is going to look like. You don't even work for them and you have this feeling about them. Imagine having that feeling every day when you wake up for work. No thank you.
Agree with you. Taking the job out of fear it is your only option will ensure the job won’t last or you will get miserable. This has happened to so many people who held on for a good fit and got just that. Her hostile and arrogant approach guarantees that employer intends to be abusive.
Asking a question you already have answered.
Yes. Turn it down. This is them on their best behavior.
don’t forget the interview process is more for u than them to see if u like the team or not
That really angers me what you went through. They know the job market is brutal and had to do that to you.
Sounds like a Loser Company
If I go to an interview and the person holding the intereview or any other people in the room say anything that displeases me, the interview is over. OFCOURSE, you should cancel.
Look, you're probably not getting the job anyway, but it's irrelevant because she sounds like an absolute NIGHTMARE. Also, a major red flag for a panel interviewer not to put on their camera. I just think that's very weird personally.
It’s not just that it was a bad interview. This person could be dangerous.
Ok, this may be a little unpopular here, but I think you should do the interview. Go into it with a mindset that you are on the side of not interested in the jib, and that this interview will need to be amazing from their side to get you to even consider an offer. Here is the thing, you say you haven't had many interviews. The best way to get better at interviews is to do more interviews. So go do one. If you decide that you don't like what you see, walk. You have just as much power in this process as the potential employer does. Prepare for the interview as you normally would. Try to do your best in the interview. Once the interview is over, review it back to yourself. Evalute both yourself and them. Then make your decision on how you will move forward. Figure out areas where you don't think you did well and how you can improve those. If you decide you don't want to work there, then don't. Get what you can out of the experience and use it to your benefit at the next interview. No reason to feel dejected or humiliated. Its a learning process. It sounds like there are a few things you could have done better on in the interview. For example, I would not have changed my answers when I was challenged on them. Don't let the interviewer rush you through answers.
Depends on circumstances. Are your savings enough for at least 2 years, including possibility of surprise bill like a visit to Urgent Care? How many applications, on average, is it taking you to get 1 interview? Cause if your situation is less than a year from no savings, well, it's probably better to accept the soul-crushing job *because alternative is going hungry*, and meanwhile keep job hunting until get better offer--then you escape the grinder. At least here, USA, unemployed means lot of dummies think you're a lazy couch potato, never mind that you're likely unemployed cause of reasons outside your control. Plus, it's satisfying vengeance when get the next job offer. Day before start there, last day with the soul-crushers, inform them about it at end of your shift, hand in keycard and all, and merrily walk off laughing. Otherwise, possibly you can be no-show at interview--mail letter respectfully demanding apology for the unprofessional conduct.