Sunsetting an interview process

Question

Has anyone here ever applied for a job, gotten an interview and then decided you wanted to stop pursuing the position once the process had commenced? I did this once where I was on the written portion of an interview and realized that I didn't have the expertise to speak on what I was being asked to write. I emailed the recruiter thanking them for the job opportunity, but let them know that I was no longer interested in the position. Have any of you ever sunset an interview process?

Anonymous · Answer

Interviewing goes both ways and sometimes people forget that. You changing your mind is a strong quality because you know what works for you. I have ended my interviewing process right at the final round because I either did not click with the last person I interviewed with or I had a feeling people weren't tell me the exact truth about the role. Every time I am nervous about an interview or I second guess the role, I just remind myself I am going there to interview them and during that I get to tell them about myself. You should always be picky where you are going to spend a majority of your life!

Barb Hansen · Answer

Yes, more than a few times.

I look at the interview process as much for me as for the company.  If you don't like what they are saying or you are getting a weird vibe, I completely agree with you - send them an email to take yourself out of the running.

I am in the place in my career where I can be a little picky  and I understand that my experience brings this privilege.  I am very honest with the interviewer with what my requirements are (not just financial requirements but the specifics of the job - I am really good at A,B,C, and Z but if you are looking for someone to do X and Y, that's not me)

And if I am in position, where I 'need' to land a contract or a job, I am certainly less-picky :)

Anonymous · Answer

I recently had this experience. I had applied to two similar positions at the same company. The first position is what landed me the initial interview. I sensed that the interviewer had expected to see someone who didn't look like me (based on my name and voice via telephone. I was called back for another interview but this time this interviewer (not the previous one) couldn't even tell me if I had been called back in for round 2 of interviewing for the first position or if it was for round 1 of the second position I had applied for at this company. This was red flag number 2 and I decided to politely decline scheduling another interview.

SV · Answer

I did that one time in particular. I read the job description, I interviewed, and I thought I had a good chance at being offered the position. But I had second thoughts about the position and let the hiring manager know that I wanted to withdraw myself from consideration. I didn’t offer much detail, but I wanted to be sure they were able to take me out of the running - I wanted them to be able to make an offer to other candidates that were seriously committed to the position/company.

Luna T · Answer

Same here.  I interviewed, got the job worked there for a few weeks, decided it was not a fit for me and I quit.  I would have liked to have stayed, the money was good but they were less than up front with me about the job and the company culture.

GirlBossanova982143 · Answer

I have done this recently as well.  I have over 20 years experience in my field so I can be a bit picky since I currently have a job.  The first job I turned down after the interview didn't match up with the 401K benefit I get now and the second one I got a bad vibe from the woman who interviewed me.

ewall012 · Answer

I recently did this as well. I had an interview with the owner of a small business, with whom I would be working closely in the position I’d applied for. He was nice and obviously passionate about the company, but struck me as someone who didn’t understand basic business decorum (I.e. asked questions in the interview that are more suited toward getting to know someone at a party, not in a professional setting). I realized this lack of professionalism probably carries over into other aspects of the company so I politely declined a second interview. Recently got another offer and am glad I made the choice I did to drop out of the first one.

Sunsetting an interview process

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