Interview Went Off Track

51 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 4:03AM UTC

   Sounds like an inexperienced interviewer to be honest. Either that or it is so essential to the job that she has to ensure any new hire is expert level (without having that expertise herself). She may be getting the same reactions from other people too. When it comes to job searching and interviewing, you can get sucked into a vortex of second guessing and trying to read people’s minds. I have found that if something happens that prevents me from getting a job, there was a good reason for it. What is yours will come to you… and no one can stop it. Blessings to you!

2. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 4:53PM UTC

   I've been pulled in, caught off guard to interview people at the last minute. I at least gave the people a fair shot but sounds like she just wasn't prepared & didn't know what else to ask you.

3. Ruth RobbinsMarch 16,2024 at 11:10PM UTC

   This is a very nice and wise response from Anonymous and you should move on. You dodged a bullet.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 13,2024 at 5:49AM UTC

   Some people are just bad at their job.

5. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachMarch 14,2024 at 2:35AM UTC

   I think you handled it well, considering the experience was 5 years ago! Try not to beat yourself up about it. Clearly they were really intrigued by that experience you had. Maybe next time you could answer, and tie it into a more recent skill/experience you've had and then connect it to how it will benefit in the new role - so you arent staying stuck in something that was 5 years ago.

6. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 1:59PM UTC

   Sounds like you handled it well.
   I just went through a similar situation. I prepped for hours and was ready and excited. The interviewer immediately focused on things that had nothing to do with my experience. I smiled and answered to the best of my ability. I still felt like I bombed. The wind had been taken out of my proverbial sails. It took a few days, but I decided he is just not a good interviewer and I'll just keep moving forward. Don't make yourself crazy trying to figure it out. There is clearly a better opportunity for you out there. Big hugs!

7. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 4:19PM UTC

   Without being a fly on the wall who knows? But, I do know this if it is on your resume and you say you did it anything from the top of the page to the bottom of it is subject to further conversation. Perhaps they are moving to this tech? Perhaps they are moving away from it? Some companies do pressure interviews ( I am NOT a fan of this technique) to see how you respond and if you squirm. IMHO let it go, and wait and see or write a rebuttal to the conversation in a thank you note and reinforce the experience you think she was looking for in the note. If you get rejected and feel that the interview was truly unfair or out of whack, you can post on glassdoor about your experience. Generally I recommend folks look to that before interviewing and also look to find someone who came and went, perhaps from a similar role- on linkedin. Then reach out for a biased opinion of their experience as a litmus test for what you may encounter. Good luck in your search!

8. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 12:50PM UTC

   I was also thinking this may have been a stress or pressure interview. That type of interview is a turn-off. For me anyway, when an interviewer resorts to that method, it doesn’t make me want to work harder to prove myself. It makes me not want the job because they are being so off-putting. Who would want to work with someone like that? I once had perfectly nice interviews with a few different people at a company. But then one of the very senior executives pulled a stress/pressure interview on me. It was so obvious. I was polite but couldn’t stand this guy. I politely agreed to the next round of interviews but ultimately declined the job because of the stress/pressure interview person. Plenty of reasonable employers have reasonable interview methods. Focus on the good interviews and just see and use the stress/pressure interviews as practice.

9. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 4:48PM UTC

   They probably did not want you for whatever their reason where.

   I had 3 separate jod interviews where I made it to the last round. But when the director interviewed me they stated that they were concerned about the learning curve. Problem with that is I had previous experience working with what they claim they had concerns about. And I have an MBA so I think learning is not an issue. Everything changed once they saw I was African American. They acted as if they were not interested and all 3 interviews were suppose to last an hour but only lasted 20 minutes. No questions, it was horrible. I'm not one to add race into things but that was obvious. This has been a theme during my job hunting and it is sad in 2024.

   I say all that to say, if they don't want you...you will know by the ghosting or the uninvolved interviews.
   Good luck in your search. It is hard out here and we have to support and lift everyone up. What is for you is out there. Try not to get emotionally involved and don't give up.

10. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 11:09PM UTC

    I have experienced similar. Joined virtual interviews only to see the interviewers face change when they see me. It hurts but as there's nothing I can do about their reaction I've learnt to try to brush it off and hope for the best. IYKYK. Good luck with you search.

11. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 12:50PM UTC

    Same here. I have years of experience in medical case management but recently during virtual zoom interviews, that excitement and positivity during the initial phone screen disappear when they see I'm Black. I have a B.A. I've taken additional college courses and I've trained several new employees yet I'm constantly passed over once I'm seen. I have never cried racism but it seems many employers believe since the abolishment of college level affirmative action there is no need for diversity in the workplace. Not all but a good many, at least in my opinion. 2024 yet here we are.

12. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 1:08PM UTC

    I have experienced similar situations of discrimination because I am older and more experienced. DEI protection applies to everyone but older workers.

13. Balanced372207March 17,2024 at 1:56PM UTC

    Your experience is real. I have been through this scenario numerous times as a 70 year old black woman who has a 50 year work history.

14. Linda QuarshieMarch 15,2024 at 12:23PM UTC

    Just my 2 cents but as long as you were not rude or disrespectful to her, then take a deep breathe, “what will be will be”, you/we cannot make people hire us, we can only convince them we are the best candidates and let the universe do its thing.
    Sometimes, it is for the best.

15. Cathy UdvMarch 16,2024 at 12:53PM UTC

    The interview is a chance for the company to get to know you and a chance for you to get a sample of their management style. I seems like THEY didn’t impress YOU!

    while it’s stressful looking for a job, this company may not be worth the worry.

    Interviewing for jobs is like dating, everyone is on their best behavior and their are a lot of frogs in the pool.

16. Maggie StoneMarch 15,2024 at 12:49PM UTC

    That’s a bummer. I think you handled this well because you were honest. Sounds like the interviewer was fixated on this one area because they need an expert in that area. If that’s not you, then you dodged a bullet because it would not have been a good fit. Best of luck and I hope you find the perfect job for you soon.

17. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 1:09PM UTC

    Are you positive that the company you were interviewing for doesn't actually use that software? If someone asks me something about a technology I used to be familiar with but haven't used recently, then my first answer is, "I haven't touched xyz software since 2018. Is this something that you've currently deployed and are using? "

18. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 1:12PM UTC

    This is what I was thinking. This happened yesterday as I was interviewing someone. I asked what their experience was with an application that was on their resume. I specifically asked if they were a user of the application or if they had done configuration and customization. It wasn't a deal breaker, but it's something we're in the middle of configuring and it would be an added skill for our team to gain. The answer I received was so far off- they talked about using it for something that is not made to do. I'm not sure they ever really used it.

19. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 2:27PM UTC

    Ditto that. And if she kept referring to it, I would continue asking “how does this have any bearing on this job?” Sometimes you have to manage up even in interviews.

20. Patricia MacDonaldMarch 16,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

    Hi, sorry that happened.

    My guess is that they had already decided they didn't want you for some reason. But, the interview had already been scheduled, so they had to go through with it. So, they "bombed the interview" on purpose! You didn't "bomb", they did!

    This is the equivalent of 2 people setting up a first date, and one of them changes their mind. They decide they really don't want to go out with this person after all. So they "bomb" the date, and make sure the evening is miserable, or at least not fun. Not nice!

    So, don't worry about "bombing". They set you up to fail. They made sure the interview didn't go well. Forget about them!

21. MandyMarch 16,2024 at 2:03PM UTC

    Yup! I was going to say that the only time something like this happened to me, one of the interviewers ended up taking the job. You can’t “interview skill” your way out of something like that.

22. Tamara GMarch 16,2024 at 1:18PM UTC

    You could save it in a thank you email afterwards. Reflect on the interview, then in an email thank them for their time and address areas of weakness and how you’d overcome them, and identify why you fit for the role. Lastly, invite them to ask any additional clarifying questions while simultaneously expressing your continued interest in the role.

23. Nicolle Joy WilfengerMarch 16,2024 at 1:22PM UTC

    I'm sorry you went through that.
    From your post you did the best you could to answer and respond honestly. You just need to let this one go and move on It wasn't meant to be. I know it is really hard but when I really needed a job the employers seemed to sense desperation . The jobs I was able to get offered right away were the ones I didn't really care if I got (because I was under severence pay or didn't need at the time) and I went into the interview accordingly. In fact one employer wanted one more lunch to see if I would indeed be a good fit because I was more outspoken than the staff they had. I said "no....that's fine.. If they don't think I'll fit in I'm good" They called back an offered me the position within minutes. I was also offered another job while in this position I interviewed. i didn't take the other job but was told I was such a good interviewer they were disappointed. It is amazing how that works. Anyway, you did your best. Move forward with confidence in your skillset and experience.

24. Taylor PetersMarch 16,2024 at 1:23PM UTC

    Honestly, not much more you could do but answer to the best of your ability. The market is bad right now and HR has always been evil. Don't let them bother you.

25. CautiousMarch 16,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

    It truly doesn’t sound like you bombed the interview at all. If it was just one question/area it sounds like you handled it well; you admitted to the interviewer that you’d need to brush up on it. You were honest. Yes, let and go and don’t think about it anymore (way easier said than done, I know) but she may not have eliminated you from the running.

26. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

    If this interviewer is a reflection of the company itself, You don't want to work there. I one time had an interview just like this... I am a healthcare provider with extensive experience in the interviewer.Kept throwing questions at me. The questions were absolutely ridiculous and some of them were venturing into personal details, Having nothing to do with my professional expertise... It was an exhausting interview but as the interview went on and on, I Began to feel violated and disrespected. At the end, I asked the interviewer if I was being interviewed for a quiz show??... I said that!!... The following week I was advised that They wanted me to come back for a second interview with the same individual. After about one minute of contemplation, I told the recruiter that I was going to pass. Don't let yourself be disrespected and insulted by idiotic.People who represent your potential employer... You don't want to work there

27. Chrissy Regan SmytheMarch 16,2024 at 2:24PM UTC

    That’s a poor interviewer and, quite possibly, a sign of the culture at that company you may not want to be a part of. Or, she already has a candidate in mind and going through the motions of an “exhaustive search” to find the right candidate. I usually answer those questions with, yes i have used the software in the past and I’m sure a quick refresher will get me back up to speed. Then i move on. I also would have let her know her questions regarding the software didn’t make sense or were illogical. They are not only interviewing the right candidate. YOU are interviewing companies to see if they are a right fit for you to invest your career. A good interviewer knows that.

28. April LineMarch 16,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    You dodged a bullet. Even if they offer the job, don't take it. <3

29. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 4:18PM UTC

    If it was an HR interview vs a manager interview then they were just regurgitating what they were told to do and pass along the information. If this happens again, the best thing is to keep your cool. It sounds like you handled yourself well.

30. AnonymousMarch 16,2024 at 7:31PM UTC

    I had something similar happen to me for a company I was really interested in working for. The interviewer hyper focused on a project management methodology I had used many years ago even the job description didn’t mention it. She kept asking these questions that required text book answers that I simply couldn’t recall off the top of my head. I tried to steer the conversation back to Agile methodology which I had recently been certified in & was the focus of the role. She was having none of it. It was as if she was being purposely combative. I kept my cool but it was clear she was not happy with my responses. She then asked if I had any questions. So I asked what project management methodology was primarily used at the company. She quickly responded, in an irritated tone that she couldn’t discuss proprietary “processes” within the organization. ??? It was in the job description but after being grilled for 15 minutes on an outdated methodology, I wanted to know how it was relevant. I knew the interview was over at that point but just to annoy her I reiterated my qualifications, told her to have a nice day and hung up. Terrible interviewer! Maybe she was having a bad day. Idk.

31. surfnwriteMarch 17,2024 at 12:05AM UTC

    You really do have to be ready to answer questions about everything that's on your resume, no matter how long ago it was. I learned that the hard way, unfortunately.

32. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 1:23AM UTC

    I'm an experienced IT call center manager, with posts in both the USA and Europe. One of my proudest and most successful positions on my resume/CV was when I managed a call center in London that was comprised of 120 agents who spoke 12 different languages. I and the rest of the management team prepared them for the Y2K disaster that never was, but we were ready! I'm proud of that accomplishment almost 25 years later.

    I returned to the States to work in the Washington, DC metro area and applied for jobs for which my resume/CV was a perfect fit. That was obviously my opinion only as -- despite my years of managing successful call centers -- the feedback I received from one interviewer was that I didn't seem to understand the crucial elements of how to manage a call center. (Huh?!) I was highly offended and wrote back to this 30-something a reply akin to "Thank you for the interview and your feedback. I see by your decision that you don't know how to manage a call center." Childish? Possibly, but it was cathartic to me. And I didn't tell him what I really thought, so 30-something hiring manager was spared that.

    As you've probably guessed at this point, I'm now in my early 60s and semi-retired. (I've found that being a consultant for companies with call centers is rather lucrative and most positions are remote.) I look back on my words here with a laugh, and that's good enough for me. It seems that you simply faced an interviewing manager who was out of her depths on the knowledge of what the job demanded and tried to bluff her way through your interview. Why would an embarrassed manager hire you if you knew more than she did? You rarely find hiring managers humble enough to do so. Just continue to be proud of your accomplishments and keep plugging away. You'll get there!

33. Balanced372207March 17,2024 at 1:46PM UTC

    Beautiful answer. I was once interviewed by a 20 something who told me flat out that my 25 years of doing constituent service for two state representatives and one state senator, was not "relatable" experience to working in a call center. I was in my sixties, too, at the time of the interview.

34. Veronica BentonMarch 17,2024 at 5:21PM UTC

    I was once told by a recruiter that I was under qualified for a position where they required 3 years of experience (I had 15 - it was an Executive Assistant position). I laughed and told her that I had worked for one of the largest investment banks in the United States as the assistant to the CEO and that I was pretty sure I was more qualified than her. A bit childish, I know.

    I ended up moving up in my career and I’m grateful I did not get that job after all.

35. Crystal ElizabethMarch 17,2024 at 12:37PM UTC

    It was probably better than you think

36. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 1:20PM UTC

    I have experienced that too, where interviewers fixate on areas of my resume that appear to be weaknesses.
    Unfortunately, some people who conduct job interviews have risen through the ranks without developing interviewing skills. This is an example.

37. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 2:13PM UTC

    I went for a very high level IT management role and was given quiz like questions about code. I straighgt up told them It had been almost 15 years since I actually wrote code and if that's what they needed from this position I was not their girl. I wasn't sure if they were either really bad at writing interview questions or if they really thought a high level manager was going to also be a developer and system admin or what. Either way, not for me.

38. KathyMarch 18,2024 at 5:34AM UTC

    They were hoping to save money by hiring one person to do it all! ?

39. AnonymousMarch 17,2024 at 3:39PM UTC

    From what you just said, I don’t think you bombed at all! You answered the questions based on your actual experience and knowledge. And further, you realized that she did not know as much as you. Maybe she was fishing for information that she doesn’t know. You might get a surprise call back and I hope you do! don’t dwell on this too much. Good luck.

40. Jackie RukaMarch 17,2024 at 4:32PM UTC

    Sometimes they want to see how you respond to stress or being put under pressure. I have learned not to react and always ask clarification questions or even oh that’s interesting you chose that to discuss what is it that made you want to know more about this technology so I can best understand your situation in relation to the job ?

    You did great and I doubt you bombed, in fact they may have another position not yet posted that could utilize your skills. Be optimistic!

41. Camille DuckettMarch 17,2024 at 6:01PM UTC

    STOP RIGHT THERE! BIG RED FLAG! ?

    This happened to me before and let me share my insight. That recruiter or hiring manager is exploiting you to get some answers, advice, or insight on a topic. They are not taking your candidacy into consideration if any of the questions don’t relate to the job. They are exploiting you for your knowledge on a specific topic and wasting your time.

    A hiring manager literally grilled me for 2 hours on a topic she didn’t know, UX. Needless to say, she worked for a digital marketing agency — she was completely out of touch with an industry she worked in if she didn’t know UX. I applied for a job irrelevant to UX because job opportunities required 5 years of experience. I just completed my certificate program in UX. The hiring manager asked me every question about UX. I knew every question and answered them with confidence. At the end of the 2 hours, she had the audacity to thank for allowing her to “think differently” and inform her, but she wasn’t going to consider me for the job I applied to. I felt humiliated and used afterwards. Now, if recruiters or hiring managers cannot wrap up an interview after sometime, they will have to pay me for a consultation! I cost $200 for 1 hour!

    Your interview should be an interview, not a Free Consultation Service!

42. Damie WilsonMarch 17,2024 at 7:18PM UTC

    Remove from your resume the tech from 5 years ago. Idk.

    Ask questions. It's okay to answer a question with a question?

    You: "Name of tech." Is this tech used that here (name of company)?

    Interviewer: "no."

    Me: "I'm so sorry for leaving that on my resume."

    Interviewer: "something sparky. "Did you even read this resume before you sent it?"

    Me: "I was there for 15 years or

    It fills an employment gap question or they're good references or

    that tech listed was part of the job description that's asked when completing an application."

    If that's not good enough going forward, then maybe that person isn't for whom you should work.

    People who are in the interview seat are not under any pressure. They do know that perhaps you are and they may have lots of applicants and have already found whom they want. That person may just want to get things over with. I wasn't there, hard to write these advice columns.

    I do hope that helped. Have a good day.

43. AnonymousMarch 18,2024 at 12:23PM UTC

    It's hard to give a great answer w/o more info - however! Sometimes you can permit yourself not to answer the question but to give them more useful info. Not all questions need to be answered directly. That might look like the value you provided to that co 5 years ago in using that tech - what did it do/provide for the co? What were your STAR stories for that co?

    Not mentioned who was interviewing you - was it the person you would report to? She might not be a 'techie' as questions were "vague and a bit off" - typical! Hiring managers are generally not HR, and therefore not skilled interviewers.

    How would it feel to report to this person?

    When the interviewer overfocuses on one topic, boring in for unnecessary detail, or asks questions in detail about why we left each and every co, or any other questions that deeply go into a 'negative' it's a sign they are not feeling we are a match for the role.

    The one sentence you can use to protect yourself in these situations: "I can't think of anything that could prevent me from doing a good job for my company."

    That could gracefully end the interview, leaving you to go out on a high note.

    You dodged a bullet there - you learned something about the manager and, therefore the culture - that wouldn't work for you!

44. Heather McMarch 18,2024 at 12:24PM UTC

    I've noticed that some interviewers fixate on areas that they may have shared experiences. If this person wasn't the hiring manager, I wouldn't worry too much. Also, if you haven't already, you could write a follow up question in your thank you email to that interviewer. Something like, "I know we had a focused conversation on XYZ tech I worked with at ABC, Inc. After we spoke, I started thinking more about our chat, and wondered what your experiences were with that system? Was there anything you'd change or do to make it more... [user friendly, applicable to your job, etc]?" Usually when you ask for someone's opinion or insight, they view the conversation differently and more positively.

45. Milissa JacobsMarch 18,2024 at 12:26PM UTC

    If she didn't know anything about the tech either, I believe she was interviewing to eliminate, a term that walmart euphemistically calls "coaching for removal". Had you gone in there with every answer, the response would have been that it's an outdated tech that we don't need. Shake it off, you will find a better company.

46. SonaliMarch 18,2024 at 3:34PM UTC

    That’s happened to me a few times. They weren’t going to hire you even if you knew the answer. Best to move on. There was nothing you could have done.

47. AnonymousMarch 18,2024 at 3:39PM UTC

    Remember - corporate recruiters are not well-versed in the jobs themselves, especially those that involve platforms and technologies they know little about, so they may be more worried about themselves asking the questions correctly than if you know your stuff.

    They are writing down notes, and she may have been able to tell that you know your stuff. At times, they are testing a candidate's patience, respectability, and other behavioral " culture fit," items. I met a guy years ago who said he often "bulldogs" candidates by cutting them off mid sentence and asking questions before they finished answering. He said he did it to see how they respond. Are they going to stop and let him speak, as he is a mock customer to the interviewee, or are they going to bulldog over him? The former is the desired response.

    They may have also been hit in the past with hires that were not as skilled as was believed, and that's a bad place to be.

    It's so challenging, believe me, I know, but don't forget, you are interviewing them too. Is this the behavior you want to work with? Does this person represent the company culture? Things like that.

    Don't be discouraged. These things happen for a reason. If this doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be or it would have gotten in the way of what's coming - your ideal job.

48. AnonymousMarch 18,2024 at 5:46PM UTC

    BS- Corporate recruiters are well versed in the jobs themselves especially ones who work directly for the company as employees. They often sit in weekly or daily standups to know what is done and many recruiters come from the technical side themselves. Stop bashing recruiters! It's the hiring managers that make the decisions, set the tone for most interviews and its the hiring managers who often times are unsure of what they want, need and what the market has to offer. They might want to push a pressure test out to flush out the fakers and non-starters. Do I agree with this tactic he// no! She was faced with a pressure interview and one that truly went south. If its' not the place she would feel safe or cared for she can go elsewhere.

49. Janet ParkhurstMarch 19,2024 at 5:02AM UTC

    Don't worry if you "bombed." I've been plenty qualified for jobs a recruiter called/emailed me about out of the blue, only to have them "beat me up" over something small and irrelevant. For example, I have worked on my own (save for part-time jobs I took to supplement my freelance income) for the last 20 years, yet, one recruiter kept asking how I could "prove" I'd worked at a "real" corporation and establish credibility for "stability." (I guess working for oneself, pleasing a variety of clients with excellence for over 20 years isn't "stability.") Turns out, his client wanted someone who'd worked as an employee for years--but the job was only for a 3-month contract! (HELLO!) Typically, someone who prefers contract work either works for herself or goes from company to company. But many recruiters succeed at what they do because they "poach" good people from good companies -- people who are maybe itching to move on to another, similar company. Even a competitor. Recruiting is a high-pressure, relentlessly competitive job. Almost like real estate. You only make money when you sell. Not for the time you spend "trying." They try to find the exact profile their clients are seeking. If it's not you, it's on to the next.

    On another note another poster mentioned... if a recruiter bullies me in any way, yet expects me to acquiesce, I'm done. A recruiter represents the personality of the client he/she represents, as far as I'm concerned, so if said recruiter irritates me or ticks me off, that's it for me. I don't want to work for that company. Interesting note: I have found that when I push back (and I do 'cause I don't care), they suddenly switch gears and try hard to convince me to "stay with them." It's a test alright. Just be yourself. And remind yourself that if you don't like the recruiter, you won't like the company. There are many fish in the pond. Find the one that's right for YOU.

50. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 1:49AM UTC

    I've had interviewers get totally off track and start talking about themselves rather than doing an actual interview. There's nothing you can do to redirect them once they get off track. Just end the interview asap. People are crazy

51. Liz MilneMarch 28,2024 at 9:47PM UTC

    You might have asked something like: 'Could I ask why you're so interested in X - it was a long time ago, and this position doesn't seem to require up-to-date knowledge of the [work/ software/ whatever]?' - then the interviewer might have explained something like, 'Oh, we need more people to have X skills' or 'I'm sorry, you're right! X is a passion of mine!' etc? It is hard though, when you're in the moment and hindsight is always 20-20...