Unusual Interview Experiences: Am I the Problem?
I recently had an interview that left me feeling quite frustrated and disheartened. The company is a well-known, international organization that reached out to me on LinkedIn, which was surprising since I hadn’t even applied for the position. Unfortunately, I experienced some miscommunication with the recruiter—most notably, they didn’t clarify that the interview process involved two separate calls. Because of this, I initially missed the second interview and had to reschedule. When that happened, the recruiter placed the blame on me, although they still expressed interest in moving forward.
During the first of the two final interviews, I was taken aback when the interviewer immediately informed me that they would need to cancel the second interview scheduled for the following day. There was no prior explanation or discussion—it felt like a decision had already been made before I even had a chance to speak. Despite this, the interviewer continued with questions for an hour.
Just two hours later, I received an email stating that, despite positive feedback from the interviewer, they had decided to move forward with another candidate. They mentioned wanting to keep me in mind for future opportunities, which left me feeling confused and disappointed. Without any specific feedback—just a vague reference to “positive feedback”—I couldn’t help but wonder if this was merely a polite formalism.
The whole experience felt disrespectful; it seemed the decision had been made before I could even contribute to the conversation. I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I could have changed their minds or redeemed myself during the call, but it seemed they had already made up their minds. The lack of an opportunity to conclude the conversation made me feel like my time had been wasted and left me unable to fully express myself.
Adding to my frustration, I learned that the salary offered was 30-40k less than we had originally discussed, which felt misleading. Throughout the process, the recruiter also misspelled my name twice and sent several communications riddled with typos, which struck me as unprofessional. They requested a last-minute call to discuss the salary reduction and called me 24 hours earlier than my indicated availability.
All of this has led me to question the company’s interview process and their treatment of candidates. I felt disrespected and as if my time was undervalued. Although I know the decision likely wasn’t reflective of my abilities, I can’t help but feel like a failure. If I’d had a fair opportunity, perhaps I could have made a better impression.
Having just three years of experience in my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive offers after every interview so far, which may have left me unaware of the more challenging realities of the job search process.
Is this type of experience common in interviews? Am I the one at fault, or is it the company’s approach that’s the problem?
RCadmin
It sounds like you had a really frustrating experience, and it’s completely understandable to feel disheartened after going through that. Unfortunately, your experience is not unique; many candidates face similar challenges during the interview process, often due to poor communication or unprofessional conduct from recruiters and hiring managers.
From what you’ve described, several factors point to issues on the company’s end rather than your capabilities as a candidate. It’s not uncommon for organizations, especially larger ones, to have disorganized processes or miscommunications internally. The fact that they reached out to you without you applying suggests an eagerness to fill the role, but that does not excuse the lack of clear communication.
Here are some key takeaways from your experience that might help you reframe your thoughts:
Recruiter Communication: The way the recruiter handled your interview process—misspelling your name, placing blame on you for missed communications, and not clarifying the interview stages—shows a lack of professionalism. Good recruiters should facilitate a smooth process, and it seems like you weren’t given that.
Interview Format: The abrupt decision regarding the second interview, coupled with the lack of explanation, can indeed make it feel like the outcome was pre-determined. This is frustrating for candidates who want a fair shot to express their qualifications and fit for the role.
Feedback: Receiving vague feedback is common, but it doesn’t make it any less disappointing. If they genuinely saw potential in you, providing constructive criticism or pointers for growth would be more helpful.
Salary Discussion: The significant disparity between the salary discussed and what was offered can feel misleading. Transparency is essential, and it’s okay to expect that from potential employers.
Don’t Internalize the Experience: It’s natural to feel self-doubt after such an experience, especially if you’re use to success in your job search. However, this situation likely reflects more on their internal processes than on your skills or qualifications.
You are not alone in feeling confused and disappointed by the interview process. It can be unpredictable, and unfortunately, some companies fail to treat candidates with the respect they deserve. Moving forward, don’t let this experience overshadow your accomplishments or deter you from future opportunities. Keep pursuing roles that align with your goals and values, and remember that the right fit goes both ways!