Awful interview. Anyone have advice?

Nelly1234

Hello, I am looking for work at the moment and had an interview Friday that went awful.

The man interviewing me basically just looked at my cv and called out my information on it. He didn't ask any questions about anything on my cv even though I have excellent experience in the position I applied for. Everytime I tried to elaborate on any points he looked uninterested and looked at the table ( hardly any eye contact given) the interview lasted a total of 15 awkward mins.

I had prepared hard for this interview and was ready for any questions that would be thrown my way, so I was so disappointed when I didn't get asked any.

How come the man was so rude? Why was I called to an interview that he wasn't interested in interviewing me anyway?

Anyone have any similar experience that this one? He said he would let me know either way next week as there are second round interviews.

Jim2007

Nobody can answer your question, but not doubt many will speculate!

Over the course of seeking employment, sooner or later you are going to have some funny outcomes, all you can do is chalk them up to experience!

Two of my recent ones:

- At one interview I realised after about 10 minutes that I was total the wrong person for the job, so I stopped the interviewer ask him why I was here - his answer: "I was wondering the same thing!" so we called it a day.

- On another occasion I was shown into a reception room and told that the person I had the meeting with would be along shortly. After about 30 minutes I decided to go and see what was happening - I found the offices completely empty, they had all gone off to lunch and forgot me! So I left them a note, pulled the door after me and never heard a thing after that.

Count yourself luck that you found out what they were like before you signed up.

JustAThought

I wouldn't stress too much about it.

1 - you Were called for interview - they obviously did see your experience and that you could be right for the job

2 - they already knew the answer to the question of experience - it was you they wanted to see & get a look at! We're you the right fit for their team, were you smelly , could you speak English properly, could you turn up on time & behave politely, look respectable , be patient & mannerly etc!

3 - the guy interviewing you was probably inexperienced, embarrassed or bored by it all & was just going through the motions - at a very basic level! Take it as a poor reflection on him rather than you. Maybe he was standing in for someone, or had a sick child at home & had had no sleep etc. either way they want to see an professional , enthusiastic, attentive smiley you that they will want to work with for 9 hours every day - you need to remember that & give that side of you to them in the short timeframe yiu have to make an impression & persuade them- even if they don't give you time to expand they are observing you!

cloudatlas

I can only assume based on similar bad experiences that sometimes they are sent a load of people from human resources who they would not have picked themselves or they have already chosen the person but have to continue with the interview process.

cml387

Just my 2C worth (from the other side of the table, so to speak).

I agree he sounds a bit offputting, but do you think you could have got his attention a bit better? Ask him a few questions?
You sound as if you were put off by his disinterest. It's up to you to sell yourself.

Nelly1234

Thanks for all the replies:)

Jim- haha appreciate sharing your stories!:) I know what you mean, I wouldn't like to work for a company like them!

JustAthought- Yeah thanks for the advice!! Greatly appreciated:) I promise I tried my very best to make an impression( without coming across too eager and annoying!!)

Cloudatlas- I totally agree with everything you said there!! It was a hr person in the firm I sent my cv to and I got the impression that he had found someone already for the job

Cml387- I asked him numerous different questions and I honestly tried to get his attention without coming across as desperate ( like I said above) but to no luck.

Just hope I find a job soon as I am going mad not working!

cml387

Nelly1234 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies:)

Jim- haha appreciate sharing your stories!:) I know what you mean, I wouldn't like to work for a company like them!

JustAthought- Yeah thanks for the advice!! Greatly appreciated:) I promise I tried my very best to make an impression( without coming across too eager and annoying!!)

Cloudatlas- I totally agree with everything you said there!! It was a hr person in the firm I sent my cv to and I got the impression that he had found someone already for the job

Cml387- I asked him numerous different questions and I honestly tried to get his attention without coming across as desperate ( like I said above) but to no luck.

Just hope I find a job soon as I am going mad not working!

Keep the faith. Also remember, you learn as much from bad interviews as good ones.

Nelly1234

Thanks!! Applied again today for jobs and am waiting around looking at my phone all day! Lol


Hopefully will hear something this week!:)

Stheno

Jim2007 wrote: »

Two of my recent ones:

- At one interview I realised after about 10 minutes that I was total the wrong person for the job, so I stopped the interviewer ask him why I was here - his answer: "I was wondering the same thing!" so we called it a day.

.

Weirdly I had the same experience recently!

boobar

In the same way that some are terrible at interviews......some are terrible at interviewing.

It could just be this. I don't think there is much that can really be done to sort it.

almostbroke

I know how awful it is to be unemployed....but I'd rather be out of work than work for an asshole like this! Ive had similar intervews over the years....once two guys were interviewing and were sniggering with each other and making snide comments during the interview, basically ridiculing me....it was just humiliating....they had absolutely no interviewing skills whatsoever....I didnt get the job and wouldnt have taken it if it was offered to me.

Dont stress about the interview you had....the interviewer, if he could be called that, was at fault, not you. Keep trying and dont give up.....good luck to you.

Potatoeman

Some companies advertise the job internally but are required to advertise it publically too (not sure if its a legal thing). The job could already have been gone and they had already scheduled the interview.

dazberry

Had a similar experience many years ago. Simply put the jobs were gone by the time I got to the so called interview. Would have rathered they cancelled than make me go through the motions and the false hope. But thankfully life goes on...

D.

micromary

On another thread I had a similar situation Nelly. I went down to Cork before Christmas and had a interview with "my future manager and team leader". I don't know whether it was inexperience or that they just did not care but they were not professional with sitting incorrectly, elbows on the table and fists on the chin looking bored, some poor questions asked and laughing to eachother when I asked a sensible question about the department. I put it down to rudeness and made my decision there and then that I would not work for these people. In fairness the HR lady was embarressed and very apologetic about the whole experience.

Chazz Michael Michaels

Hello, that interview just seems like an unlucky incident. I wouldn't let it get to you. My only advice is to be well prepared and keep your chin up. I was recently unemployed for a year and made a similar post here asking what the point in trying was. Thankfully, I finally found employment. Just keep battling away and the right fit will come.