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30 Times Folks Realized They Didn’t Want To Get The Job While They Were Being Interviewed For The Position, As Shared Online
Employment – love it or loathe it, you're never getting away from it. Though the process has been around for thousands of years, our society still fails to make the conditions comfortable. Many organizations are the victims of toxic cultures; microaggressive managers, overly competitive, and, at times, backstabbing colleagues – basically all the things that make your working hours practically unbearable.
Moreover, the job search itself can also be pretty unpleasant. For instance, when you're attending an interview for a position, it's not uncommon to feel like you're being interrogated. Most of us tend to forget that the whole point of employment lies within a service exchange, meaning that both parties are equally important.
"What happened during an interview that immediately made you realize you wouldn’t take the job no matter how much they offered you?" – this online user took it to one of the most popular subreddits to find out about other people's experiences with job seeking. The question has managed to receive over 6.4K upvotes and 2.8K worth of stories.
More info: Reddit
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#1
Stupid interview games. The d**kheads put me at a low table with a low chair, placed water in a carafe with an empty glass - all just out of reach so that I'd have to stand and reach for it, and then interviewed me as a panel of six employees sitting at a tall table with tall chairs. The questions were all more about my character then my skills. The whole thing was so obviously staged to make me feel uncomfortable.
An interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Treat it like an interrogation, and I'm f*****g out. It's a clear sign of a toxic workplace - I've yet to see an exception to this rule.
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#2
When she started explaining that my 'role' in handling payments would involve depositing 'client payments' into my own personal account before transferring it to 'the company'.
I may be dumb, but I didn't fall off the turnip-truck yesterday.
#It'sthatonepersonscrolling 2 years ago
Man, people aren't even trying to hide that stuff anymore. That's crazy.
#3
"and what is the starting wage for this job?"
"Does it matter?"
BYE
Elizabeth Molloy 2 years ago
WTF is wrong with American employers? The only reason ANYONE works is for the money!
#4
I interviewed at a "no excuses" charter school. They gave a scenario where a student comes in to class and doesn't have his homework done. He says it's because he spent the previous night in the ER because his brother was shot. School policy is that unfinished homework is a mandatory detention.
I could not, in good conscience, answer that question the way they wanted.
#5
I had a 3 hour interview where everyone on the interviewing team was friendly, enthusiastic and making constant comments about "you'd fit in well here", "you're a gamer? we are too - we could organize some LAN games", "you know XX? We really need someone with that experience".
Then the C-Levels came in. They feigned disinterest, had side conversations and comments to me were all in the line of "maybe we'll go with you, maybe we'll just outsource - why don't you convince us", "maybe we should just take you on a contract basis to start until you prove yourself", "maybe we'll just hire two juniors for that salary you're asking for" - while the team cringed.
I cut them off saying "it seems like you've got a great team here, but I'm not interested in working for hostile management". Then they completely changed their tune and were trying to backtrack. It was obviously their idea of "salary negotiation". They called several times afterward asking me to come back in, but I wasn't having it.
Surprise, the company was sold not long afterward and I hear they cleaned house.
#6
The interview was uneventful, except for at the very end, when he asked: "Is there anything I need to know about you now, before you start, that would be a problem if it came out later?"
Me, entirely confused: "...Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know, if you have a criminal record for example, or if you're gay"
- 2 years ago (edited)
The only time I've heard of someone's private life being a justifiable interview question was for a top-secret clearance job. Even then, a candidate (who did get the clearance) told me, "They don't care if you're gay, as long as you're not hiding it." That level of intrusiveness was to prevent secrets being extorted out of someone keeping secrets of their own. To be fair, the secret service also checked candidates' finances - to ensure they weren't tempted to sell secrets to pay off debts.
#7
Asked me if I would be willing to take a three month deferment while under a "Probationary" period. If after 3 months, they didn't like me, they'd let me go and give me a check for $0.10 on the dollar for every dollar/hr worked. If they kept me, I'd get a check for all my hours, plust a bonus of $500 for office supplies, but I could only buy out of their selected catalogue. I almost laughed in her face.
Mary Rose Kent 2 years ago
If this was done in the U.S., I’m pretty sure they’re breaking labor laws and should be reported to the Department of Labor!
#8
The first 30 minutes of the interview was the woman who would have been my boss listing off her accomplishments. She was the director of a tiny museum in a small town where we had just moved to for my wife's job. It was uncomfortable, and the two board members present looked even more uncomfortable than I was.
I don't know if she was intimidated by me (I was more qualified to work there than she was), or if she just liked singing her own praise, but I immediately thought, "you couldn't pay me enough to work for you."
After her 30 minutes of self-congratulations, there was approximately half a minute of silence. Then I looked at the two board members and said, "Right. Were there any questions for me."
I was called that night and offered the position. I turned it down. One of the board members who was present called and asked if there was anything they could do to get me to come on, pay was negotiable within reason for a tiny museum in a tiny town. I was candid and said I would never be able to work for that director. Board member said, "believe me, I completely understand."
#9
This was a grad school interview, so slightly different, but still fully convinced me to divert my focus to other programs and interviews completely. I was asked to prepare a five minute presentation that I would give via zoom at the start of the interview. About a minute into the presentation, the interviewer got up and walked away from her laptop before returning about a minute later. She missed 20% of my presentation.
I kept giving my presentation because there was also a student representative on the call, but the faculty interviewer neither apologized nor acknowledged leaving during my presentation. If I am not worth five minutes of your attention as a prospective student, then your program is not worth my tens of thousands of dollars. Lucky for me, I was accepted into my first choice program that same day.
#10
They called me back for a… 5th interview… after that I had enough and told them it was getting a bit much and I’ll take a pass.
Octavia Hansen 2 years ago
I had the interview -- then interviewer said I had to come back another day to take a polygraph, which would take 3 - 5 hours. I told them my freelance rate was $125 an hour. Lady was shocked. I said she was booking my time, that prevented me from working freelance or taking another job. My time was valuable, too. She said they never paid anyone to take the test. I didn't want the job at this point but I liked to see her uneasy. I was easily qualified but the peripherals were just stupid . . . acceptable business attire (I was not going to meet the public), a list of do’s and don’t’s. Evidently I was the only one who met a lot of these standards, but it didn’t mean I wanted to work there. She finally declined. Felt great to walk away before it became corporate oppression.
#11
Three of four people who interviewed me spent the entire time talking about how bad the company was and why I really don't want the job. The fourth was the CEO. His story was different.
I didn't take the job.
#13
I was told the person I would be supporting as an Executive Assistant was on his third wife, he has 6 kids and that I should include the wife in certain decisions so that she doesn't feel insecure (being the 3rd wife and all). Ain't nobody got time for 3rd wife insecurity drama
Scott Crowell 2 years ago
Well I guess we all know who isn't getting invited to the 4th wedding.
#14
I tried getting a job as a telemarketer once. The interviewer had me go into another room and call her, and she would pretend to be a person I'm trying to get money from. I started into the scrip, and she said, "Oh, but I'm just a poor college student with no money!"
Even though I knew she was just pretending, I still felt terrible. I knew that I could never do that work in real life. I told her that my coming there was a bad idea and I had to leave.
Scott Crowell 2 years ago (edited)
I can't sell water to a thirsty person in the Sahara. I would be like "how much do I have to pay you to take this water?"
#15
This was during a phone screen rather than an interview. Time frame was 1997, during the height of the .com boom. I'm a programmer. The screener told me that they were a 'fast-paced company' and I asked for some clarification on what exactly that meant. After some evasive answers, I asked more directly what kind of hours people worked and found out that many people were working 60+ hours a week. I politely declined. The company did have an IPO in early 1999 that could have been lucrative for me, but I had an 18 month old daughter and another on the way - I was changing jobs to be able to spend more time with them, not less. I feel very good about that decision.
#16
They took issue with me saying I wanted to watch my daughter grow up when they asked how much overtime I was willing to work.
Yes, it was sarcastic and I said it in a way I knew would torpedo the interview. I was insulted by the question. I'm not a slave.
Adrienne Mcginley 2 years ago
Family first, family always. No amount of money will ever compensate you for missing your child take her 1st steps, or hear her 1st words.
#17
My brother once had an interview for a cooking position at a local restaurant. He walked in and immediately ran into a female employee who was crying and yelling "F**k you John!"
John was the guy who interviewed him.
GirlFriday 2 years ago
I was once in the lobby of a company waiting to be interviewed and I heard a man yelling (I assumed it was into a phone as I couldn't hear the other person), and he was calling someone stupid and ignorant and a bad choice and "maybe you just need to quit and sit at home and collect welfare." It was painful to listen to. After that call ended, a woman called my name and told me that the interviewer was ready for me and pointed me towards the office where the yelling had been. I said, "that's OK" and walked right out of there.
#18
I interviewed for a job that was ostensibly a tech role: updating and maintaining the company’s website. Midway through this hourlong interview, they asked me if I’m comfortable with sales, because they said half the role would be cold-calling customers and there’d be minimum monthly sales targets to meet.
I am one of the most introverted people to ever introvert, so no, I would not be comfortable with that. I wouldn’t have even applied for the job if they’d been at all explicit in the listing about it having a significant sales/customer contact component.
They didn’t call me back, and I was relieved.
Mary Rose Kent 2 years ago
Why didn’t you just excuse yourself from the interview when you found out they hadn’t been forthcoming in their job posting?
#19
One of the interview questions was would I be willing to immediately fire a single mother who depended on the company Heath insurance for her register being off 50 cents.
#20
The doctor interviewing me asked what I feel I can improve upon. I said that I hoped to have better boundaries with my patients and my job. She immediately said, "Oh, I have NO boundaries. You can't have that when you own your own practice."
That was my red flag moment 🚩
I won't ever work for someone that cannot recognize the worth of having appropriate boundaries. It is a recipe for burnout.
Lisa Hewes 2 years ago
Also sounds like the type of place where you need to be available 24/7, OR ELSE.
#21
I went to interview for an entry level marketing position in the film industry. Two hours in the boss slipped in that I wouldn't be paid for the first few months while they trained me. It was a full time job. He also wanted me to start immediately that day using my personal laptop. I made up an excuse and left shortly after.
Mary Rose Kent 2 years ago
Don’t make excuses, tell them that what they’re doing is unacceptable and then gather your things and go!
#22
After 2 panel interviews, was invited for a lunch with the team - I pretty much knew I had the job, the offer was just a formality by that point. Went to a random buffet restaurant at a forgettable hotel miles from the job site (which was really odd). Carpooled with the team and it was a very weird vibe during the ride and getting to the table - everyone was walking on eggshells around the manager, laughing too loudly at her jokes etc.
As soon as we sat down, the manager went up to get her food, and the rest of the team stayed at the table - when her phone started ringing (she'd left it on the table), they were panicking to be the first one to get it before the 2nd ring. They were so deferential (almost comically so), and so worried about what might happen if the manager got upset, I just couldn't see myself working there. I turned down the offer when it did come in the next day. Saw the job advertised again a few months later, wasn't surprised. Always trust your gut.
#23
Wasn't the interview per se, but I caught a glimpse of a whiteboard in HR that had a bullet point list that seemed to be things to talk about to convince people to join the company, and one of the items was, "Not a cult."
#24
1) He was looking for a “personal assistant” and I don’t even think he asked me my name, much less anything about qualifications. But he did sit next to me on the couch in his office ( the only seating other than his desk chair) and told me I looked perfect and to come back tomorrow morning to start right away. I felt lucky to get out of there without be assaulted, obviously never went back.
2) I was interviewing at a Dr’s office. The office manager was running late and another tech was showing me around. She was casually telling me “who sat here and who sat there” and how long they had worked there. I quickly realized, in a staff of about 16-20, EVERYONE, including the office manager I was about to meet, had been there less than 6 months. Nope! There’s something causing a lot of turnover and I don’t need to know what. I asked the tech to apologize for me and said I couldn’t wait, I had to pick my stepson up from soccer
Novel Idesa 2 years ago
I always ask about turnover rate in an interview. I'd the interview is put off by that question or avoids it, then I know I don't want to work there.
#25
Asked if I had a family first interview. They don't want someone who has to leave on time to take care of kids or is interested in their own life
#26
I talked to a company who offered 125k a year. On the next phone call I was told he had no right to offer that and dropped it a significant amount. So I hung up in the middle of my talking to them in a very calm voice.
It’s an old trick, they never believe you’ll hang up while you’re talking calmly.
SelkieBlackfysh 2 years ago
Doubt it has any more or less impact than hanging up while emotional.
#27
They interviewed me for the job they thought I should have, not the job I applied for.
Rick Seiden 2 years ago
This happened to me at my last two jobs (the second one starts Monday). In both cases they were interviewing me for a better position than I applied for because they thought that I had the experience and skills to do the, "next job up." It was a good thing for me both times, but I can imagine if they looked at your resume and interviewed you for the, "next job down" instead. That would not be good.
#28
The amount of lies discovered during the interview itself. They tell you one thing online and in emails, only to see something different when you show up and go through the interview.
If there was already that much lying and falsehoods seen during the interview, no telling how much worse it actually can be. Could understand why the person left.
Mermaid Elle-Jaye 2 years ago
I hate this, this is a good sign of a bad job with illegal s**t happening.
#29
Back when I was unemployed long term, I was applying for roles anywhere I could find really.
Got an interview for a retail position, not great but better than nothing.
First interview is a group one, I get through that fine.
Second interview is with the manager of the store.
He spends like 10 minutes telling me how s**t my resume is.
LagoonaBlueColleen 2 years ago
Retail interviews are weird. I've gone on a few for various types of stores and most of the time the managers seemed to be playing games, asking trick questions, or asking what you would do in a situation you've never experienced, implying they don't want to train. I have no clue what they want.
#30
I'm a senior level programmer and the company was only offering two weeks vacation, non-negotiable. Lol....hell no.
What do you think ?
Grabthar's screwdriver 2 years ago (edited)
Interviewed for a database Dev role once, had 30 mins with the manager, went well, chatted to 2 Devs, going great guns, then some guy walks in and it goes quiet and everyone looks uncomfortable. He tells me his name but not his role, he's asking me very surreal and inappropriate questions, at one point he says "are you enjoying this interview?", I don't want to say no so I squeak an "um yes?", His response "well tell ya fooking face then!", we're all squirming and uncomfortable and he thinks he's hysterically funny. I literally ran out of there, complained to the recruiter, couldn't remember his name though. The recruiter phoned me back furious, he just complained to the CEO about the CEO and the CEO was not happy that I'd called him obnoxious, inappropriate and a bully.
Brian Wood 2 years ago
I have always insisted on being interviewed by the person I would be reporting to directly. I don't want to interview with some floozie from "HR" who feels entitled to tell you about a job he/she has no clue about. I want to get a feel for the person I am working for. Would NEVER apply for a job through an agency, where the $6/hour receptionist decides if you are good enough to even fill out an application form! You would be surprised I got some of the best jobs I ever had. Always moved on and up, with best wishes from my ex boss, with lasting friendships.
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Chich 2 years ago
Was interviewed for a full time entry level position. They had a few part times also being interviewed who had been there for several months. The questions were not entry level and some very site specific, you had to have worked there for a while to know the answers. I finally just asked them to check my name against the one of the person they had already picked and it would save us all a bunch of time.
Lyone Fein 2 years ago
Almost every interview for a teaching job in higher education is a multi day exercise. You are basically auditioning for the role of professor, and they have you for a full 48 hours. It is completely exhausting, and you can never relax. Even during meals, there is constantly someone with you talking about the field, or trying to see if you will fit in with the rest of the department, etc. This is all after you have made it through two previous rounds of elimination out of about 200 or more other candidates. And the job only pays 60k. And you work about 60 hours a week.
Grabthar's screwdriver 2 years ago (edited)
Interviewed for a database Dev role once, had 30 mins with the manager, went well, chatted to 2 Devs, going great guns, then some guy walks in and it goes quiet and everyone looks uncomfortable. He tells me his name but not his role, he's asking me very surreal and inappropriate questions, at one point he says "are you enjoying this interview?", I don't want to say no so I squeak an "um yes?", His response "well tell ya fooking face then!", we're all squirming and uncomfortable and he thinks he's hysterically funny. I literally ran out of there, complained to the recruiter, couldn't remember his name though. The recruiter phoned me back furious, he just complained to the CEO about the CEO and the CEO was not happy that I'd called him obnoxious, inappropriate and a bully.
Brian Wood 2 years ago
I have always insisted on being interviewed by the person I would be reporting to directly. I don't want to interview with some floozie from "HR" who feels entitled to tell you about a job he/she has no clue about. I want to get a feel for the person I am working for. Would NEVER apply for a job through an agency, where the $6/hour receptionist decides if you are good enough to even fill out an application form! You would be surprised I got some of the best jobs I ever had. Always moved on and up, with best wishes from my ex boss, with lasting friendships.
Load More Replies... Chich 2 years ago
Was interviewed for a full time entry level position. They had a few part times also being interviewed who had been there for several months. The questions were not entry level and some very site specific, you had to have worked there for a while to know the answers. I finally just asked them to check my name against the one of the person they had already picked and it would save us all a bunch of time.
Lyone Fein 2 years ago
Almost every interview for a teaching job in higher education is a multi day exercise. You are basically auditioning for the role of professor, and they have you for a full 48 hours. It is completely exhausting, and you can never relax. Even during meals, there is constantly someone with you talking about the field, or trying to see if you will fit in with the rest of the department, etc. This is all after you have made it through two previous rounds of elimination out of about 200 or more other candidates. And the job only pays 60k. And you work about 60 hours a week.
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