Interviewers are becoming increasingly hostile 😞
“I see there’s a gap in May 2020 until September 2020.”
“Yeah I was in a startup and Covid caused the company to dismantle since Covid caused revenue to go to 0 really quickly with the restrictions on public gatherings. And we’re in the nightlife niche.”
“Really? Why’d it take you so long to find a job?”
“Umm. It was unprecedented times and no one was really hiring in 2020.”
“You didn’t see this coming? It took months though”
“Yeah, it was during Covid with mass layoffs across the US and the city. No one was hiring until the following year really”
“No there were companies hiring”
“… I wish I had you in my network at that point then, haha”
“Wow. It took you 3-4 months to find a job. Eh”
“Umm. Okay. I don’t think this is an uncommon situation”
“My point is that we need go-getters here. It’s fast-paced. There’s a lot. A lot, a lot. A lot. There’s almost 800 entries a month on top of operational duties. I’ve been here 15 years and I deal with a lot of people that just aren’t go-getters. You’ve also switched jobs every 2 years it seems. My manager and senior manager quit recently”
“What? Wow. Umm.. uhh… okay. How long is your close?”
“3 days preclose, 10 days close”
“Umm so that’s 7 workdays of no close?”
“Yeah exactly. I need someone to come in here and really drive the change we need. It’s also 5 days on-site. We can take 2 Fridays to wfh but it’s encouraged to show up daily”
“Umm, okay. I’m actually 2 days a week in the office now. Umm… uhh… Didn’t HR say it was 3 days in the office each week.
“For sales and marketing. Not for Accounting. Who was your HR person? You know what, Alright. Thanks for your time buddy. Thanks”
Believe it or not; this was an actual convo almost verbatim. Major brand. What a fucking douchebag. I think I’m done with external recruiters.
I’ve had 3 interviews in the last month with this shitty holier-than-thou vibe.
One response
It’s unfortunate to hear that you’ve had such negative experiences with interviewers recently. It’s important to remember that interviews should be a two-way street, where both parties have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about each other.
It sounds like the interviewer you encountered had a hostile and judgmental attitude, which is not conducive to a productive interview process. It’s completely understandable to feel frustrated and discouraged by this type of interaction.
When facing difficult interviewers, it’s important to remain professional and composed. You can try to steer the conversation back to your strengths and qualifications, and how they align with the requirements of the role. If you feel uncomfortable or disrespected during the interview, it’s also okay to politely address your concerns or even politely end the interview if necessary.
In terms of your specific situation, it’s common for people to have employment gaps or take time to find a new job during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s unfortunate that the interviewer did not show empathy or understanding towards your circumstances.
Overall, it’s crucial to remember that not all interviewers will behave in this manner. It’s essential to keep a positive attitude and continue to pursue opportunities that align with your skills and values. If you find that external recruiters are not providing you with positive experiences, you may want to consider other avenues for job searching. Networking and reaching out to companies directly can sometimes lead to more fruitful and respectful interactions.
Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect and professionalism during the job search process. Don’t let negative experiences with a few interviewers discourage you from pursuing your career goals. Stay confident, focus on your strengths, and keep moving forward. Good luck in your job search journey. 🙂