Strange Interview Format

20 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

   It's their process, I would have hoped to read that your first group would have shared possible next steps. From your note it sounds no? If they shared absolutely you would want to go in with the mindset of learning more about them and with questions. I would have referred to some questions that you were already asked that are a big part of what they're looking for in the role and elaborated. If you didn't ask next steps I would incorporate that more and ask questions on that.

2. Michele HoraneySeptember 13,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

   Sounds like you're on the "also ran" list of candidates. The lack of interest by the manager and the brevity of the meeting indicates to me, just reading this, that you are not on the fast-track to employment there. Don't take it personally. For most of us, an invite to go on-screen to meet up with a higher-up is an indicator of a positive. But not always so. If this is the way that this organization handles its hiring and you don't like it - I know that just reading this I don't like it! - then it's good to know early and drop this one from your list. Doesn't mean there's not another job in the same organization in another department at another time. For now, this job is not "the" job and that's OK.

3. Pamela BaptisteSeptember 13,2024 at 4:04PM UTC

   I agree. It is strange. Maybe they are as we say not into you, though I don't know why they called the meeting. Or who knows...

4. Balanced458716September 13,2024 at 4:40PM UTC

   First, some states have laws that require a former employer not be able from having a revenge on a former employee unless for illegal or gross misconduct. However, some middle manager supervisors do a bad job and gaslight as well! It sounds like you have the wrong recruiter.

5. AnonymousSeptember 14,2024 at 1:26AM UTC

   What???? "revenge on a former employee?" Not sure what you're talking about??

6. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 6:46PM UTC

   She may be on her way out and therefore checked out.

7. AnonymousSeptember 13,2024 at 7:48PM UTC

   I wouldn't worry too much about it. Sometimes, it's simply those who interviewed felt you were a great fit, and the manager must have one last brief meeting. As a former recruiter, and one who has interviewed continually for over 25 years, the person on the other side, though they may make the hiring decisions, are horrible interviewers. I think we expect them to be whiz bangs. I see this in my current role as they were not professional interviewers so they are tongue tied, have nothing to say, stare at the candidate expecting them to lead. It's a train wreck. I always step in and lead as I know how but honestly some just do not. Send a thank you note as soon as possible, and if you're interested, express that. If you're not, then a simple thank you will do. Keep us posted and good luck!

8. AnonymousSeptember 14,2024 at 12:20AM UTC

   I worked for a company that used teams to interview and select candidates. It was supposed to be straightforward. However, the HR director also interviewed the person. If the team didn’t pick who HR picked they would hound me(team leader), including going to my supervisor. You may have experienced something similar where someone was checking a box and whatever is really going on will sort itself out.

9. AnonymousSeptember 14,2024 at 3:27PM UTC

   Did you communicate any further after the interview? This scenario sounds strange, and I can see one of two things. Either they have a quota of interviews required and have already decided on another candidate, or they need a "rubber stamp" from the more senior manager before moving forward. For the second scenario, you would have positively impacted your chances if you had substantive questions about the company or its mission. Either way, following up with a thank-you note is still good. Good luck, and if this is the right job for you, I hope you receive an offer.

10. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 12:22PM UTC

    I'm curious on the reporting structure to this role. Is it safe to say this would be your manager's manager? I'm going with that assumption.

    I've conducted many interviews and this experience sounds like a 'check the box' exercise where for some reason their manager was not vested in the outcome. Maybe she is leaving the company or maybe she is changing roles. Either way, it sounds like it was your job to lose going into that last conversation. I'm sure you thought of a few questions to ask. If you could not think of any questions at all, that might be a red flag for them. In that situation, repeating the same questions from the previous interview would be fine.

    When interviewing remotely, it does not hurt to have a printout of questions nearby that you can ask when there is a lull in the conversation. Asking the interviewer to tell you about their career path is always a good one. Leaders love talking about themselves.

    If it turns out that you dont get the job, it may also have nothing to do with you. I've conducted interviews where when I'm ready to hire, HR comes back at the 11th hour with a hiring freeze and this many times happens later in the year. So, if you do not get it dont beat yourself up.

11. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 12:43PM UTC

    I had this very same thing happen to me during an interview in March 2022 with the owners of the company and the hiring manager.

    The hiring manager was unbelievably rude during the interview and the owners kept dismissing her conduct. I needed the job so I accepted the offer and things got far worse after I took the position, particularly with the hiring manager. I left after 15 months

    Lesson learned. If they act inappropriately at the interview it’s only going to get worse from there.

12. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 4:15PM UTC

    I had the same thing happen to me last year. My manager absolutely loved me. We really hit it off during the interview. I had to meet with her boss. This woman started in a huff and the first words out of her mouth were "we only have 30 minutes so". She was curt and had clearly made up her mind about me based on my resume. The only question she had for me was why my most recent roles were only a year and a half. Ummmm.... what world do you live in-especially working in advertising/marketing??? Layoffs are abundant and particularly in tough times. We spoke longer than 30 minutes, but she was a total beeyatch. She was also a lifer in the company. Soooo.....

13. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 5:00PM UTC

    This doesn't seem that strange to me. It sounds like you did just fine ---you just got rattled. I've had situations like this. Sometimes you have to pivot in the moment, but be sure to get the info. you need before you sign. I suggest planning for the future. If they come back with another interview request or an offer, have questions ready and prioritized to make sure you get what you need before signing.

    If you don't hear from them or don't want the job, this was great practice. Definitely search online for the scenario you've described to find key questions (15 minutes interviewing top boss, what to ask- Or- what if I forgot to ask a question in an interview---those types of things). You can even practice with AI/ chatGPT.

    The interview format is less of my concern, it's the working culture. It's possible the boss wanted the team to give their insights since you'll be working more with them. Maybe the boss doesn't have time for this round (but will for next round) and is making a gut call.

    Good luck.

14. Amy CollinsSeptember 17,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

    Be sure to follow up with the manager, and also the two people that you interviewed with. Include in the manager email another good question, and three reasons why you'd be a great fit!

15. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMESeptember 16,2024 at 4:52PM UTC

    The interviewer put you "on the spot." Sounds like a "stress interview." I do not like or respect game players. You deserve better. Your perfect job is waiting for you.

16. AnonymousSeptember 17,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

    I had this happen to me. The interviewer told me to talk about myself and ask questions, and then she turned her head to the other screen and worked. I spoke to her ear for the entire interview. Then she asked me if I had any questions for her, which I had been asking the whole time. I told her no and asked if she had any questions for ME. She looked surprised and said she did not. We hung up, and I called the recruiter and told him I was not interested because behind this person's behavior was another 15 just like her, and it was not what I was looking for.

17. Jessica FerlandSeptember 24,2024 at 12:15PM UTC

    And sounds like this would be the expectation of you if you took the role. Good dodging!

18. AnonymousSeptember 17,2024 at 1:44PM UTC

    It's impossible to know what the behind-the-scenes scenario was here. It's possible the interviewing team really liked you and was able to get the manager's time quickly to get approval to get you hired. Not necessarily a negative setup. My only advice is always have questions prepared. You may think asking questions is you interviewing the interviewer, but it's a very strategic part of the interview on the hiring manager's part. The type of questions you ask and your preparedness are part of them assessing your fit for the role. Even if you have a couple of questions to ask everyone, ask the same question - like "How would I be interacting with you on a daily basis" or "What are the most important qualifies you're looking for in a candidate." As long as the hiring manager was respectful, I don't see the follow-up being inappropriate or negative.

19. AnonymousSeptember 17,2024 at 1:46PM UTC

    It is common these days to have serial interviews. No body knows why these HR units embark on this development.

20. Celena BartonSeptember 19,2024 at 3:14PM UTC

    The manager is probably very busy and trusts her team to vet a good candidate.