Strange Interview Practices or Am I the Problem?
I recently had an interview for a role that left me feeling frustrated and disheartened. A well-known international organization reached out to me unexpectedly on LinkedIn, even though I hadn’t applied for the position. Unfortunately, there were some miscommunications with the recruiter. For instance, they failed to clarify that there were two separate calls for the interview, which caused me to miss the second one initially and required me to reschedule. When I brought this up, the recruiter placed the blame on me but assured me they were still interested in moving forward.
During the first of the two final round interviews, I was taken aback when the interviewer immediately announced that they would need to cancel the second interview scheduled for the following day, without any explanation. This made me feel as if a decision had already been made before I had the opportunity to present myself. Nevertheless, she continued to ask me questions for the next hour.
Two hours later, I received an email stating that, although the interviewer had given positive feedback, they had chosen to move forward with another candidate. They also expressed interest in keeping me in mind for future opportunities. I was left feeling confused and disappointed, especially since I received no specific feedback—just a vague mention of “positive feedback.” I couldn’t help but wonder if this was merely a polite formality.
It felt disrespectful, as it seemed the decision had already been made before I even had a chance to participate fully in the interview. I kept second-guessing myself, thinking that I might have been able to change their minds during the call. However, it appeared that their decision was set. Not having the chance to complete or close the conversation left me feeling that my time was wasted and that I hadn’t been able to express myself fully.
Additionally, I was informed that the salary would be $30,000-$40,000 less than initially discussed, which heightened my sense of being misled. Throughout this process, the recruiter misspelled my name twice and sent multiple communications with typos, which felt careless and contributed to a lack of professionalism. They also requested a last-minute call to discuss the budget reduction and its impact on salary, calling me 24 hours earlier than my stated availability.
All of this has led me to question the company’s process and their overall handling of the situation. I feel disrespected and like my time was undervalued. The entire experience has left me feeling like a failure, even though I realize the decision likely wasn’t a reflection of my abilities. I can’t shake the feeling that had I been given a fair chance, I could have done better.
I’ve been in my career for three years and have been fortunate to receive offers after each interview, which might leave me somewhat naïve to these realities.
Is this a common occurrence in the interview process? Is this more of an issue with me, or with the company itself?
RCadmin
I’m really sorry to hear about your frustrating experience; it sounds like you went through a lot during the interview process. Unfortunately, what you described is not uncommon in the job market. Many candidates encounter similar situations where communication issues, sudden cancellations, or decisions appear to be made well in advance of an interview.
First, it’s important to remember that the way you feel is valid. Interviews are a two-way street, and every candidate deserves to feel respected and valued throughout the process. It seems like there were multiple miscommunications on the company’s part, which isn’t a reflection of your abilities or worth.
The recruiter placing blame on you for missing the initial call was not professional. Clear communication is key in these situations, and it’s the recruiter’s responsibility to ensure that candidates understand the process. The abrupt cancellation of your second interview without any discussion certainly adds to the confusion and frustration. It’s understandable to feel like your time wasn’t valued, especially given the circumstances.
As for the “positive feedback” you received, it can often feel like a polite way to soften the blow of a rejection. It would be helpful to receive constructive feedback to grow from the experience, but many organizations fail to provide specific insights due to various reasons—time constraints, company policies, or simply a lack of training for recruiters.
Regarding the salary decrease, that is another significant red flag. Transparency during the hiring process is essential, and if the budget changed, the company should have communicated this clearly and respectfully.
In terms of whether this was an issue with you or the company, it certainly seems that the company’s handling of the process was less than ideal. You shouldn’t blame yourself for things that were out of your control. Hiring processes can often be chaotic, especially at larger organizations, where there might be competing interests or a lack of coordination among team members.
It’s great to hear that you’ve had success in your job search thus far; that shows your potential. Use this experience as a learning opportunity to sharpen your focus on finding a company whose values align with yours and where you’ll feel appreciated throughout the hiring process. Don’t let a single frustrating experience define your feelings about your capabilities; you’ve achieved a lot in your career already! Keep pushing forward and stay confident in your skills.