You know the drill. You have a big interview coming up and you do your best to prepare for it. You anticipate the questions they’ll ask and the answers you’ll give. You even have your own questions ready to make sure that the job will be a good fit for you. Then after several rounds of interviews, something doesn’t quite feel right.
If you’re feeling uneasy at this point, answering these questions might give you insights into your discomfort.
Did the interviewer(s) respect you?
Did they show up on time for the interview? Were they distracted (e.g., texting) while talking to you? If you went through a series of interviews, did you get to take a reasonable break? Even superhumans need food, water, and bathroom breaks.
Did they keep their commitments to you?
Did everyone keep to their allotted time, or did they go over and expect you to scramble to meet their timetable? Did they get back to you promptly regarding the next steps or a final decision? And if the final decision was a “no,” did you get a form email? Picking up the phone to deliver bad news is much more humane than sending an email. But it takes courage.
Did the interviewers reflect their own company values?
Did they treat you like a valued customer or an interloper intruding on their turf? Did they admit to making mistakes, even if it was something as simple as mispronouncing your name? Did they welcome a diversity of opinions or were they wedded to their own party line? In essence, they talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk.
If you’re groaning at this point, ask yourself: If this is the way I got treated during an interview, is anything going to be different when I’m an actual employee? I’m guessing the answer is a resounding no.
Then take the advice from a famous Monty Python movie: “Run away, run away!”