personal comment during interview

jus_tin4

So i had a finance/IT graduate role interview this morning, with a food processing company. anyways at the end of the interview and being shown around, a manager( i think anyways,thats what i was told,but he seemed to know about my career path) came in to interview me more.

He was hard balling me basically, which I didn't really have a problem with. however he made a comment regarding my hair.... suggesting its not suited to the area i was applying for..... he also criticised my cv at, tbh, what seems like great length, and suggested i wasn't doing it the way he thinks it should be done...

now I'm not sure,hence the post, that that was sort of a personal insult? so I'm just wondering if I'm over reacting or is this a sign for whats to come? in truth the job isn't everything I'm looking for, but i am willing to give a little what i need at this time( trying to qualify as an accountant)

anyways would love to hear your thoughts

chickenlicken2

Kind of a strange one. Usually if you get something that is a bit of a red flag at an interview it's good to listen to your gut instinct...

Irish_Elect_Eng

For Perspective.

What was distinctive about your hair?

• Nothing!
• Unwashed?
• Slightly long?
• Flaming Red Mowhawk?

That will help us give an answer :-)

Hasmunch

Could be a couple of different things
1. Manager is putting under stress to see how you handle it and react.
2. Manager is an a-hole.

I would go with your gut.

Stavro Mueller

Never heard of this before. Maybe the manager wants someone else for the job and is tearing into other candidates such as yourself so that you know you're not in with a chance.
Or as has been suggested, he's obnoxious/testing you.

On the other hand, does he have a point about your hair and CV? I've heard people who employ graduates giving out about the sort of employees they are. Very basic things like showing up to work on time, dressing appropriately, knowing what a day's work entails. I've also heard of a surprising number of CVs which are full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Did you ask someone to check over your CV before sending it in?

druidhill

Hasmunch wrote: »

Could be a couple of different things
1. Manager is putting under stress to see how you handle it and react.
2. Manager is an a-hole.

I would go with your gut.

Could be 1, but I'm sure it's 2.

Regardless OP, you have to always treat it as option 1 at interview, which it seems you did, so well handled.

jus_tin4

My hair isn't the down to my shoulders but isn't skin tight, it's medium/medium long and it could do with a cut, I won't denie that, but it was washed groomed etc. I wore a shirt tie and slacks, the people interviewing me were in polo neck/shirt jeans so I was overdressed if anything, I was early for the interview. So I'm afraid I don't think I was open to the above suggestions.....

He made a comment toward my change of sector(once really, and I'm only 24, and due to a family breve meant I had to basically stay at home, but I'm doing ACA,accounting qualification, so tbh I'm not sure he had the right to critcise what happens in someone's life that's not in their control)

Anyways I think everyone's right stick to my gut!

Stavro Mueller

OP not being smart but your last post has two howlers. Denie? Breve? If they're not just typos then you would need to be aware that spelling and grammar may not be your strengths. It'd be wise to have someone vet anything you send in to an employer.

bjork

jus_tin4 wrote: »

My hair isn't the down to my shoulders but isn't skin tight, it's medium/medium long and it could do with a cut, I won't denie that, but it was washed groomed etc. I wore a shirt tie and slacks, the people interviewing me were in polo neck/shirt jeans so I was overdressed if anything, I was early for the interview. So I'm afraid I don't think I was open to the above suggestions.....

He made a comment toward my change of sector(once really, and I'm only 24, and due to a family breve meant I had to basically stay at home, but I'm doing ACA,accounting qualification, so tbh I'm not sure he had the right to critcise what happens in someone's life that's not in their control)

Anyways I think everyone's right stick to my gut!

Of course he's going to ask about your change of sector. That's what he's there for is to interview you. I fail to see how this is criticism. Unless he did it in some sort of demeaning fashion or something?


You admit yourself your hair needed a cut. Being neat and groomed is important in a food production facility as it reflects the products perceived hygiene.

The Masculinist

Stavro Mueller wrote: »

OP not being smart but your last post has two howlers. Denie? Breve? If they're not just typos then you would need to be aware that spelling and grammar may not be your strengths. It'd be wise to have someone vet anything you send in to an employer.

When posting on internet forums people tend not to take as much care in relation to spelling and grammar. I think your comment is unfair, particularly considering the OP would most likely spend more time proof reading his CV relative to forum posts.

Pat Mustard

Hasmunch wrote: »

Could be a couple of different things
1. Manager is putting under stress to see how you handle it and react.
2. Manager is an a-hole.

I would go with your gut.

Could be both. It is possible to ask tough questions and put people under pressure without resorting to personal comments or criticizing a job candidate's CV.

Therefore, I would think that this manager acted that way because he is an a$$h0le.

In my experience, people who come across like a$$h0les at interviews don't change their personalities to become decent people afterwards. So, if you get the job offer, remember that guy.

MouseTail

Asking you, or even grilling you about a sectoral change and career gap on your CV is legitimate, and you should have had prepared answers for this, as they will likely come up at any interview.

The hair comment was odd, I would imagine the food processing sector are sticklers for hygiene and grooming. I'm sure he was thinking it, but he shouldn't have said it.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

Mrs OBumble

The only comments that are inappropriate are ones violating the big nine discrimination issues (age, gender, nationality, disability etc).

Hair / grooming, propensity to job-hop, height, weight and various other personal factors are all things that can legitimately be taken into account in hiring decisions. If a manager wants to impress a job-candidate, then commenting about these factors out loud may not be a clever thing go to. But at your career level, OP, it's you who needs to impress them not the other way around.

jus_tin4

The spelling was an auto correct, it's a forum not an editorial piece, but to answer your question I had my cv looked at by a journalist and one other person so your point is without evidence tbh.. He knew my answers before I even answer him? Explain the logic to that? Grilling me on answers he already knew was strange to me.

Anyways thanks for all the comments, the fact is I had been there for 3 hrs for the last hr to turn into me just wanting to walk out. No interview should be like that.

ForstalDave

jus_tin4 wrote: »

The spelling was an auto correct, it's a forum not an editorial piece, but to answer your question I had my cv looked at by a journalist and one other person so your point is without evidence tbh.. He knew my answers before I even answer him? Explain the logic to that? Grilling me on answers he already knew was strange to me.

Anyways thanks for all the comments, the fact is I had been there for 3 hrs for the last hr to turn into me just wanting to walk out. No interview should be like that.

Most interviewers will ask did even if they know the answer, they want to see if your lying I generally wouldn't worry about that, Comments about look to me are a odd generally if they don't like how you look they wont hire you but not comment on it

_Brian

Some people just can't help but wander with their comments and questions in interviews.
I sat with one guy who asked a lady how many children she had and about childcare arraments. I felt like getting up and walking out myself, had at him about it afterwards and he wouldn't concede he was wrong.

Another guy would badger candidates to see if they would admitt they didn't know somethig, he thought it was important that engineers would know when to say they didn't know and to ask for help, it made for uncomfortable interviews.

tipparetops

jus_tin4 wrote: »

So i had a finance/IT graduate role interview this morning, with a food processing company. anyways at the end of the interview and being shown around, a manager( i think anyways,thats what i was told,but he seemed to know about my career path) came in to interview me more.

He was hard balling me basically, which I didn't really have a problem with. however he made a comment regarding my hair.... suggesting its not suited to the area i was applying for..... he also criticised my cv at, tbh, what seems like great length, and suggested i wasn't doing it the way he thinks it should be done...

now I'm not sure,hence the post, that that was sort of a personal insult? so I'm just wondering if I'm over reacting or is this a sign for whats to come? in truth the job isn't everything I'm looking for, but i am willing to give a little what i need at this time( trying to qualify as an accountant)

anyways would love to hear your thoughts

that wont be the last interview you do where you will scratching your head after.
By any chance is it a meat processing company, because they are tough places to work,
very confrontational.
You will have decision to make if you get the job offer, working with that manager.

SoupyNorman

jus_tin4 wrote: »

...the fact is I had been there for 3 hrs for the last hr to turn into me just wanting to walk out. No interview should be like that.

You’ll need to man up if you’re going to make it in the real world.

There is huge variation in interview styles and they all come with a mix of aggression, intensity, examination, interrogation and many others. I’ve had some very tough interviews over the years, in one case I was literally subjected to a ‘good cop bad cop’ barrage of questioning for 1hour solid. In reality I’m thankful for the tough interviews because it exposed the holes in my CV and I’ve filled them to the point where it’s air tight today. I don’t think you’ll ever fully have your CV covered until it’s torn asunder a few times by interviewers.

To the hair comment, I echo others in that it is most certainly an inappropriate remark but I feel like reaching through the fibre optic cable and slapping you as you actually agree that it could do with a cut. If it was me interviewing you, I would not have said it but I certainly would have noted that point which would make me ask questions to myself like, is this person lazy, is their attention to detail lacking i.e. if he cant be bothered to get a haircut for an interview etc.

I’ve read down through the thread and you have all the hallmarks of someone who is inexperienced and it is not something to take personally as you cant gain experience without seeking it and taking on advice…you’re getting plenty of advice here so don’t be getting defensive.

Bottom line is, each employee costs a lot more then just the salary on offer and they also want to ensure that you’re not just going to leave after investing X amount of education and training in you so they have every right to grill you and your CV (once kept on topic i.e. job, career, interests, ambition etc)

Geniass

Stavro Mueller wrote: »

It'd be wise to have someone vet anything you send in to an employer.

jus_tin4 wrote: »

but to answer your question I had my cv looked at by a journalist and one other person so your point is without evidence tbh..

He wasn't asking a question - he was giving advice. Your response was telling though.

jus_tin4 wrote: »

Grilling me on answers he already knew was strange to me.

You're at the start of your career, keep an open mind. Speaking as an accountant, having an open mind is very important. You are certain to come across a lot of techniques and new experiences that wont come naturally to you.

As has been pointed out already it's a very important interview technique to get you to verify your claims.

bjork

Op Use what you have learned for the next interview.


Prepare and practice explaining why you changed career, what you learned from this, transferable skills, how these can contribute to the role, etc.

Think of every question they might ask you surrounding this and have an answer ready.

daheff

Hasmunch wrote: »

Could be a couple of different things
1. Manager is putting under stress to see how you handle it and react.
2. Manager is an a-hole.

I would go with your gut.

Pat Mustard wrote: »

Therefore, I would think that this manager acted that way because he is an a$$h0le.
In my experience, people who come across like a$$h0les at interviews don't change their personalities to become decent people afterwards. So, if you get the job offer, remember that guy.

Unless you are desperate for the job i'd run a mile. In my experience an interview is a 2 way street. The company learn about you & you learn about the company, its people and how they treat people.

If you have an interview where the interviewer is a d*ck to you then imagine what he'll be like when you work for him!

but on the face of what you've said I wouldnt see that as him being a dick (appreciating context and tone could make a big difference)

Ask yourself, do many customers come onsite? Would your appearance 'embarass/let down' the company with customers? This could be why he made that comment.

jus_tin4

He was making that assumption based on a spelling mistake on the forum. As I said it was was vetted as he put it.

I believe I am open to any area I didn't see myself going, you may disagree, and that's your opinion, and that's fine.

And just to clarify, I actually take pride in presenting myself as professionally as I can without losing my personality and stylist choices. If I'm going to be judged( I have no problem explaining how certain events impacted on my career) it should be on who I am now, it's not like I'm a drug mule or part of some gang. I'm from a humble background like most, trying to improve and am willing to work for it, that's, in my opinion shows from my cv and talking to me, but an interviewer has to right to think different, but not comment critically on it! To that, that's assuming everyone had an straight foreword life, with no mistakes, no choices to make.

This has gone a bit off topic, and people are questioning my character, and I understand why it's gone that way, but in all I have no problem not taking/or maybe not even getting the position based on what happened. But don't insult me, interview me, show me around for over 3 HOURS, without at least mentioning that it could take that long.

And if that's how he treats employees, it is understandable as to why there is a split between upper and lower level management level.

Thanks for all the comments and view points. It's something for me to look at

Geniass

jus_tin4 wrote: »

He was making that assumption based on a spelling mistake on the forum. As I said it was was vetted as he put it.

I believe I am open to any area I didn't see myself going, you may disagree, and that's your opinion, and that's fine.

They made a suggestion based on the information they had. There was no point being snappy back to them. And, I've read the second paragraph above and I've no idea what you're trying to say.

jus_tin4 wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments and view points. It's something for me to look at

Genuinely, most people on here are trying to be helpful.

HungryJoey

OP I think you've come here and got more then you wanted. You sound like you have your head screwed on but unfortunately got thrown in at the deep end. Don't let this put you off your track too much, try forget the personal comments and take the rest as experience for your next interview.

All I would say is don't loose hope yet. I have been through some tough interviews, to a point walking out afterwards and saying to myself "Not a chance I could work for that company.." only to get a call a few days later to be offered the position and I accepted. I put the interview questions and approach down to the interview style that was used, allowing them to see how I reacted under pressure and certain situations - it was horrible. Needless to say, I left that job 3 months later, even though I was performing highly. I accepted another position with a much more enjoyable role & company, with a far different management style and I am getting on great for sometime now. I too am at an early career level.

Saint_Mel

Noticed your location is near Enfield so just as a matter of interest, was this a Midlands based job and was the manager from the Finance Dept?

Feel free to PM if preferred