Honest interview feedback - have I made a mistake?

chrisfroome

I am based in Dublin and a company in Cork contacted me and asked me if I was interested in a job they have. It seemed to be the perfect fit and if the salary was right, they wanted me to come down to Cork twice a month.

To cut a long story short, I had the online interview. It did not go smoothly and there appeared to be not much chemistry between myself and my "potential new manager". Maybe it is her way of interviewing. At the end she did not tell me the next steps but all she said was take care.

At stages, it was awkward with one particular silence coming to mind. I think the manager expected her colleague to take over the talking. The manager did all the talking and the other person only spoke briefly and did not even have the right CV in front of her. All my questions were answered but in 1 line sentences. Usually, I am fine during interviews but in this one, I was not relaxed and hesitated on a lof of answers.

I felt afterwards disappointed by the whole conversation and gave the company recruiter honest feedback of what happened, thanking her for the opportunity. She came back saying that the people wanted me for a 2nd interview but after my feedback, they decided against it as it seemed that I was not interested in the position.

The truth is that I am very interested in the position and have a lot of experience in the area. I would have welcomed going to Cork for an interview. Looking back, maybe going to the office would have given me a different experience and maybe the manager in question is different as a person when you meet in person and I would have met some of the new "colleagues" in the department. Hindsight is great in retrospect.

I am beating myself up over it all week. I am starting a new job on the 17th of July in Dublin but this is a better opportunity. I will be in Cork next week for a day going to see a family member and I was thinking of asking if it would be possible to have a 2nd interview if there was a change. I am in 2 minds over this. What do people think. Is it even worth it or is the damage done so to speak or was the first interview enough and don't go any further?

looksee

How did the recruiter turn 'I was rather disappointed with the way the interview went' into 'I am not interested in the job'? Surely if you were concerned enough to be disappointed with the interview that would suggest you were very interested?

CrookedJack

Think of it this way, while they were interviewing you, you were also interviewing them - and they did not pass your interview. Regardless of the opportunity you would have to work with these people and on the evidence of your interview, it would not be an enjoyable experience.

Also, the reaction to your honest feedback could have been "Oh that was not the impression we wanted to give, let's invite him back to correct things" Instead it was a very petty brush-off. That's a big red flag. You are better off out of there.

Mrs OBumble

You've dodged a bullet: if they couldn't be arséd having the right CV or planning the process, then it's not a good team to work in, even if it's a good company.

Jim2007

You seem to have been very unfortunate in have to deal with this particular agent as they seem to be a bit of a loose canon... Once she got the feedback from the client, they should have kept your feedback to themselves and got back to you to confirm your were definitely not interested before they let the client know you were not interest. I can only guess that they must have more candidates in play so that getting you into the next round was not of concern to them.

How you get yourself back in the game I really don't know... contacting them and tell them that you happen to be in Cork for some other reason, does not sound great either... Have you discussed it with the agent in the mean time, what is their position?

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120784036#Comment_120784036

The client is paying the recruiter for services. The OP is just one candidate and any sign of negativity, perceived or real means it's a safer bet for the recruiter to either tell the client about the feedback, or just flat out lie to the candidate and try find another place to put him. I had friends working in recruitment agencies and they mostly treat candidates as disposable products unless it's a tiny candidate pool, or a very in demand skill-set or field. The OP should definitely move on from this one and select a different recruiter, as there is no positive to be taken from how it was handled.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120784278#Comment_120784278

That was my experience of have dealt with agents for over 35 years both as client and as a potential candidate.

thefa

“She came back saying that the people wanted me for a 2nd interview but after my feedback, they decided against it as it seemed that I was not interested in the position.”

There’s part of me that thinks this is bullshit. You think your responses didn’t go as well as usual, there was no rapport and they were unorganized and disinterested. Regardless, would be time to let it go if I was in your shoes.

Having a good relationship with my manager has been a big thing for me so far in my career. Had one bad experience but learnt from it. Some places and job specs sound great but people you can work with too.

Flinty997

Trust your original gut instinct. Let it go.

chrisfroome

Thanks folks. Appreciate your comments. Just one thing. The recruiter was not an agency. She was part of the Talent Acquisition team at the company. I believe that once she heard negative feedback (honest but still) she said no way Jose!