Real Talk: I Just Interviewed for My Dream Job and I Was Disappointed. What Now?

Have you ever had a horrible interview experience that you still cringe when thinking about? The answer is most likely yes; it happens to the best of us. One FGB'er wrote to the Community to ask for advice on her latest interview experience.

“I just got home from a job interview, and I am pretty disappointed,” she said. 

“I was interviewing for what I thought was my dream job; I'm really excited about the company and the job description. But the person who interviewed me — who would be my boss — was really abrasive. I know it may be a mistake to judge after meeting someone just once, but I really have a hard time envisioning work with/reporting to this person. Anyone else ever experienced something like this? Advice?!”

Almost 20 other FGB'ers responded to the poster to offer advice and share similar experiences. 

“I have definitely been that person,” Amanda S. said. “I wouldn't pre-judge the situation or overthink it until you are taken to the next level fo the interview process.”

“I have had the same feeling in two different interviews. The first time, I ignored it, took the job and regretted it. I left within a year because she was just as miserable as the day I met her. The second time, I interviewed for what I thought would be a great position, but when I spoke with the man who would be my boss, my Spidey senses just kept saying ‘Is this person really who you can go to with questions?’ The answer was a resounding no, so I withdrew my application the next day. No regrets,” said another poster. 

While each person and interview is different, we advise trusting your instincts. 

If you truly think you cannot see yourself working for the person who interviewed you, you should allow this to help you make your decision. You know yourself best, and you know what kind of work environment and leadership style you need in order to be happy.

“Trust your intuition. It won’t steer you wrong,” one FGB woman advised. “ I like to work with people who are open and straightforward. Even if the interviewer were adopting a tough persona to see how you would react with difficult personalities, do you really want to work with someone who plays games?”

However, we also recommend sticking around for a second interview to see if things change throughout the process. 

Everyone has a bad day; you never know if the interviewer is truly abrasive or simply had a rough morning. 

“Use LinkedIn to help inform you, too,” another FGB'er said. “Ask people who worked with the person in the past what they’re like to work with. You can ask it in a non leading way — something like, ‘I am considering a position reporting to X, and it looks like you’ve been on the same team in the past…’ I recently declined an offer after my instincts were confirmed.”

For other career related questions, reach out to the Fairygodboss Community to receive advice from professional women everywhere.