How many people have run into a bait-and-switch situation while interviewing?

Anonymous

July 26,2022 at 10:37PM UTC

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How many people have run into a bait-and-switch situation while interviewing? I previously applied to a job posting for the specific listed position. I had two interviews, then during the third and last one they told me that the position I applied to had been filled internally but they wanted to interview me for a lower level one (presumably the one from which their person was promoted). Since we were already in the interview I continued. For multiple reasons I did not end up working there and did ultimately end up in a better situation.

I'm just curious how many people have encountered something similar? I know a lot of places are required to publicly post positions even if they already know who their person is, but isn't this a waste of time for everyone, including them? Just wondering about other people's experiences.

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Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 26,2022 at 11:19PM UTC
Sorry this happened to you.
Three interviews in is kind of far into the interview process to be telling you they've filled the position but they may have been negotiating with another candidate. A position isn't filled until it's filled and they have to keep interviewing til it's filled.
Personally, I've been in the interview process and had the hiring manager say they'd like to interview me for a higher level position. It goes both ways.
Audrey KirschJuly 26,2022 at 11:20PM UTC
State and government agencies are required to post openings even if they are going to promote within. I don't see why they would put you through 3 interviews though unless they were unsure of the person being promoted and wanted to make sure they were the best fit before committing. Usually you just get a form letter saying that there was a large number of candidates better qualified for the position. It's a shame they wasted your time like that and congrats on finding something even better.
Becca A.July 26,2022 at 11:53PM UTC
I have encountered this more than once at reputable companies that I dare not name for fear of having my post removed.
When it happened to me, I was confused then I grew irritated and hurt that they would waste jobseekers time like this. To the point, that I made sure to reach out to their HR to voice a complaint, then moved forward with posting my review of my interview experience right on their Glassdoor page. This led to other job seekers moving forward to leave their own afterward. How do I know? Well, I would check up on the company page after a week to see if Glassdoor deleted or shadowbanned my review and fortunately they did not do so. Thankfully, sites like Glassdoor still have integrity when it comes to keeping reviews authentic and transparent in that realm.
AnonymousJuly 27,2022 at 2:34AM UTC
Welp, I did. I lasted a month. I got desperate and took it and knew it was not for me, especially the ol' bait and switch was a red flag. You live and learn. They were very upset when I left lol.
AnonymousJuly 27,2022 at 10:37AM UTC
Happened to me last November. I left the company in February. I realized the job description was a sham within a week of being on the job. There were no red flags during the interview. Some back office discussions were had after I accepted the position, and my managerial position became administrative. The person who was supposed to be my colleague became my manager. Whenever I asked her about my duties, she would reply with "baby steps" and tell me nothing else. I decided to run for the door.
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 12:49PM UTC
I was. Left after 3 months.
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 1:47PM UTC
I had that happen, and it turned out to be a better fit. I think it depends on the why and how of the change. I've been at the company for 10 years now.
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 11:31PM UTC
Yes! I just had this happen. I was hired for a position with a "financial company" to show presentations to people who are interested in buying life insurance through their union hall. Had to pay for training for my insurance license, pay for the state exam (I passed!), pay for the license and pay for fingerprinting. They send me their training material after all of this and it turns out, it's barely lukewarm leads of people who have "filled out a card" that I still need to press with constant rebuttals if they don't want to purchase (I'm not pushy enough for that). Then the 4th or 5th email was a contract that they wanted me to sign to work for an entirely different company with an insurance agency. So now I'm down $200 bucks and sprinted away from that "job". I'm so irritated that they baited me in like that and I have no one to blame but myself for not asking more questions ahead of time....
AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 4:55PM UTC
I get emails from offshore staffing firms. They don't have contracts with the actual employers and are hoping to bring strong candidates and win a contract. I hate them! They waste my time, like Nigerian prince emails.
MarlainaAugust 6,2022 at 4:25PM UTC
Sadly yes I have had this many times in the process of looking. I had a company’s HR reach out to me to chat about a position they thought I was a fit for. First they initially said it was an SVP level then when we talked it was VP which kind of irked me like why the change? And then they end up canceling the next interview because it was filled internally. Like I get that it happens but what a waste of both our time. I agree with others , try to just view these as good practice for your interview skills. It is super frustrating though so I get it!