Halloween is coming up, so I'm curious: What's your interview horror story?

24 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 9:52PM UTC

   I developed an abcess tooth in the afternoon before the interview. It was excruciating and I could barely concentrate on the interview. When I explained to the interviewer they had a skeptical look on their face. Not unexpected, I did not get a call back.

2. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:14PM UTC

   Oh no! What a freak incident. Hopefully you healed well.

3. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 9:27PM UTC

   Yes, absolutely fine. And it wasn't the job for me and I am happy with the career path I've had outside of that experience!!

4. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 10:07PM UTC

   Telling me I'm incapable of doing I job I HAD been doing for years because I don't have a CPA.

   Furlough for Covid and business closing. I had the qualifications, but.... Woman said "I thought you were smart!!" Note: she LOVED my list of projects and credentials UNTIL I said "not a CPA". It was for an analyst/reporting role with a national TV network in Tennessee.

   The NEXT DAY I won an award for my work ethic and professional achievements (professional development) WHILE furloughed

   I emailed the recruiter after I got that award and sent pictures.

   I didn't want the job, I was simply irritated by her being stupid and had my opportunity. (I usually walk away from people like this)

5. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 10:28PM UTC

   CPA not required or even listed.

6. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:13PM UTC

   Ugh I'm sorry. Clearly that's not the place for you then! You deserve for your work to be praised.

7. AnonymousOctober 22,2021 at 12:37AM UTC

   Dropping stuff, falling over picking it up, asking reviewer to help me get up.

8. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:13PM UTC

   Oh no!

9. AnonymousOctober 22,2021 at 1:08PM UTC

   I have too many.
   The one where the interviewer not only refused to shake my hand but didn't introduce herself so I had no idea what her name or position was. When I stopped her to ask, she thought I was giving her attitude, and started going on and on about who the company founder was and who he knew and how I should know these things if I was interviewing with them.

   I got up and said "I don't know you, I don't know the founder, but I know that there's know way I'd ever work for a company that allows someone like you to work for them." And I walked out.

   About 5 minutes after I got out on to the street I got a call from the HR person, saying they wanted me to go back, that I'd really impressed the interviewer. I told her to go to hell and never contact me again.

10. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:12PM UTC

    That just sounds toxic...

11. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 5:37PM UTC

    Very smart move

12. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterOctober 22,2021 at 1:30PM UTC

    As the interviewer:

    Me: "What's your greatest weakness?"
    Him: "My greatest weakness is that I can't come to work when I'm tired. I call in sick."

    As the interviewee (decades ago, don't judge)
    One of my Lee Press-On Nails (dating myself) popped off during an interview and flew...somewhere. As if that in itself wasn't bad enough, I started looking for it. On the floor. On my hands and knees.

    When the prospective supervisor who was interviewing me asked what I was doing, I brilliantly said "nothing."

13. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:12PM UTC

    Oh my goodness, I don't know what I would do in that second situation! Hopefully you can laugh about it now? haha

14. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterOctober 25,2021 at 3:41PM UTC

    Here's the kicker, Cassy: I got the job! Not sure how I pulled that one off, but I did.

15. AnonymousOctober 28,2021 at 4:06PM UTC

    There you go! That makes the story even better, to be honest haha

16. KatOctober 22,2021 at 9:10PM UTC

    So many to choose from. Getting lost on the way to interview at a very large office park and spending about an hour trying to find the right building. Trying not to fall asleep during an interview for a dull job in a too warm room. Getting stuck filling out forms that could've been sent ahead of time and then having an interview with a woman who was so negative and combative that I would never want to work for the company. Wasting time with recruiters that ghost you because you were there to fill a quota, not because there were actually jobs available.

17. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:11PM UTC

    These are horror stories! Especially the ghosting - it happens all too often...

18. Desiree WolfeOctober 23,2021 at 2:37PM UTC

    I was interviewing at a family owned wedding chapel. From the moment I arrived it was a mess. The owner I was scheduled to meet was 15 minutes late. Then, while in her office, I witnessed her and her son, who was also employed there and gave off super creepy vibes, getting into a screaming match. The woman picked up an artificial tree and threw it across the office. Then she sits down and explains how hard the job is. It was so awkward and uncomfortable. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

19. AnonymousOctober 23,2021 at 7:35PM UTC

    I can't imagine working there!!!!

20. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 3:10PM UTC

    Kind of happy you saw that before you took the job though ;)

21. Desiree WolfeOctober 25,2021 at 4:49PM UTC

    It does make for a great story. HAHAH!

22. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 8:46PM UTC

    Just received an InMail from a recruiter who I had set up an appointment with in July , who didn't remember we had a meeting then, and when I reminded her, she said she was in another meeting.

    So my response was to ask if this was a follow-up from the meeting we didn't have in July.

23. AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 1:05AM UTC

    The HR person sent me what he thought was their company website, but apparently it was one letter off and wound up being a porn site. I knew it was a mistake and after the interview was over, let him know...like I didn't care, but someone might. Super awkward.

24. AnonymousNovember 1,2021 at 8:29PM UTC

    A panel interview with three principals from an architect firm.

    The interview started late. One of them fell asleep. And when he did ask questions, he was abrasive and demeaning. Wasn’t surprised that I wasn’t hired, not in the least bit disappointed.