In a recent interview around culture fit, I got a feeling that the interviewer had some agenda against me.
I was frequently cut mid sentences, without me being able to build the complete context, and was asked to drill into a negative aspect of the answer.
My answers were frequently negated, wit...
I was frequently cut mid sentences, without me being able to build the complete context, and was asked to drill into a negative aspect of the answer.
My answers were frequently negated, with interviewer simply stating- “i think here you are wrong and this could be changed”. Upon asking what or how, the reply was - some random philosophy and with the onto the next question.
I lost my temper, and to no surprise wasn’t able to move forward in the interview.
I might have read the signs wrong, but, I got a feeling that interviewer really got something against me.
How to navigate such a situation? Have you ever faces such a situation and were you able to navigate that discussion in your own favor?
Comments
98¼% chance that if one of the interviewers doesn't like you for any reason, you are not getting an offer.
So, as soon as something like this becomes clear, and first time you're disrespected... Stand up, dust yourself off, and say "I think we're done here." Then walk out and don't look back.
It's not so easy if it is the first time it's ever happened, but if you think and plan ahead of time, it is doable. Remember it is a two-way interview, and you have three more interviews lined up this week.
By Wowfunhappy 2022-06-2320:241 reply Unless we're discussing some all-day affair, surely it makes more sense to just finish out the interview? You've already cancelled your other plans, gotten dressed up, and made the commute. None of which offsets the sunk cost fallacy, but:
• What if you're reading the room wrong?
• What if one of the other interviewers likes you, and will be hiring somewhere else in the future?
• What if a different team at the company has a position in the future?
• What if you used the time to practice interviewing? (Even if the conditions are less than ideal.)
I think all of that combined is worth an extra hour?
O.P. was clear I think. And the other percent or two allows for some of your exceptions. But I'd push back at practicing "doormat" skills. Life is too short.
By lostdog 2022-06-2417:41 OP could easily have been wrong. It's possible to have an interviewer that is just rude, but will still judge you fairly.
Sounds maybe like a 'stress interview'[0], basically they intentionally piss you off to see how you respond to stress. In any event, you dodged a bullet with them, who'd want to work in a place like that?
[0]https://www.topinterview.co.uk/interview-advice/what-is-a-st...
By agiacalone 2022-06-2319:43 I took a criminology class in the late 90’s where the professor talked about how unethical stress interviews were (for police department hiring, of all things) and encouraged applicants to walk out of any PD that attempted to give one.
I think it’s sound advice then and now.
Edit: I should add that the professor was a former Chief of Police for an SF Bay Area city.
By inter_netuser 2022-06-2318:171 reply People actually do that?
I thought white boarding is the stress part.
By muzani 2022-06-243:23 Yeah, I have some old books from my dad that taught people how to be ready for a stress interview. Often it's something like having your seat in a place where light shines in your eyes, loud background noises, or a panel of interviewers staring at you.
It's probably more suited for say, sales job, but doesn't represent engineering well. Unless it does, which you probably want to get out of there as fast as possible.
By trinovantes 2022-06-2317:481 reply Sounds like they did you a favor. Even if you passed the interview, do you really want a coworker like that?
Many times you are being interviewed by a random person that you might not even work with.
By codingdave 2022-06-240:25 Even so, the organization accepts that behavior enough to have that person interviewing. Take it as the red flag it is and move on out.
