disappointing job interview

[redbird]

The basic disappointment is that, contrary to what I was expecting, I only got to talk to the HR person, not to the person who I would actually be working for. Depending on what Jennifer, the HR person, thinks of me/tells the person who's doing the hiring, I may be asked to come back for a second interview.

I'm much less optimistic than I was this morning, in part beause the HR person didn't really seem to know what to ask. Among other things, she spent time on "how did you hear about this position?" (which we'd already covered on the phone) and on asking me about other job interviews I'd been on. I was prepared to talk about my skills and experience, and what I have to offer, not about companies that didn't appreciate my brilliance enough to hire me. (I have no idea why she asked about that.) She also focused more on the recent freelance stuff--which I had to keep sorting out for her, as she confused projects with each other---than on my work at ACM, I'd guess because it's most recent. For about half the interview, there was another person sitting in, listening, in order to "help Jennifer improve her interviewing skills." So now I can't help but wonder if they called lots of people for interviews, as practice.

On the positive side, getting there was easy (A to West 4th, 2 blocks on foot, and PATH from Ninth Street to Hoboken), and it isn't too horribly hot out. Carrying the blazer but wearing wool pants, I didn't overheat, though I wouldn't have wanted to spend all day outdoors like that. And my wonderful cattitude came and met me on a bench near the subway on the way home, bearing sandals to replace the tight interview shoes, then listened to me bitch most of the way home.

Comments

[treadpath.livejournal.com]

How disappointing!!! I am sorry they didn't seem to have their shit together. *hug offered for acceptance*

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

Ouch! That's a drag, I'm sorry to hear it.

The ears of a long-term partner are wonderful to have in a situation like yours. Sweet!

[papersky.livejournal.com]

How irritating. But how helpful of Cattitude. I once wore interview shoes to an interview that cut my feet -- I got the job, too. On the way home, they were hurting my feet so much I took them off and walked in stockinged feet, which was a relief until I turned around and realized that I was leaving literally bloody footprints all over Euston station.

[jenett]

Blergh. Ick. Not nice to be a practice case.

It does strike me, however, as a excellent place (assuming you want the job still) for a semi-detailed followup letter with a few specific comments about why you want this job and background stuff.

(The other interviews: blergh. I mean, how are you *supposed* to answer that, other than the vague "Well, they were looking for a slightly different skill set" sorts of things?)

[redbird]

What would go into this, beyond a general thank-you? And who should I send it to?

The problem is that the interview today was general enough that I don't know that they'll get much beyond a like/don't like based on appearance/way of speaking/who knows.

I put my best pitch based on what I knew then into the cover letter, and because I didn't speak to the actual editor, I didn't learn much about the journals in question.

[ala-too.livejournal.com]

If it were me, I'd send her a "thank you" in which I reiterated my interest and excitement in the job, how I enjoyed talking to her (perhaps even how I was suitably impressed with the caliber of employees of the company having met her), and how I look forward to talking to her shortly to set up the next interview.

While it is possible she used you, it's just as possible she is new. By standing out with a "thank you" she might remember to pass you on to the next level. In this job market, it doesn't hurt to do a bit of buttering up.

Did you close with what were the next steps you were to expect?

[red-queen.livejournal.com]

Phoo. I hope they call you back anyway. I try to end interviews with the question "So, what's the next step? Where are you in your hiring process?" so that I have some clue as to what to expect. It sounds like a frustrating experience. Sorry for that.

FWIW, carrying an oversized purse has certain advantages; with a bit of forethought, I can tuck another pair of shoes in there :-}.

[truepenny.livejournal.com]

Oh, bleah. I'm sorry. Stupid HR people.

Good luck anyway, fwiw.

[volund.livejournal.com]

For about half the interview, there was another person sitting in, listening, in order to "help Jennifer improve her interviewing skills." So now I can't help but wonder if they called lots of people for interviews, as practice.

If indeed that was the case, I'd be ticked off if I were in your shoes. Your time, your money (subway fare), just to give a new HR person some interviewing practice.

Yuck.

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

Indeed, what a pain on multiple levels. At the very least, though, it's clear that the interview ineptitude was on her part, not yours.

Me, I dislike interviewing with HR folk only. They're intended to act as screeners, and often well intentioned, but usually they're not terribly effective when dealing with anything technical. When going after tech writing jobs, I do much better with potential coworkers.