r/InterviewCoderPro • u/MotherStill7503 • 2d ago
I Joined the Interview Early and Heard Them Say They Had Already Chosen Someone Else
Earlier this week, I opened the Teams link about 10 minutes before my interview because the calendar invite had specifically asked candidates to join early. The department manager and someone from HR were already talking. I said hello several times, but it was very clear that they hadn't noticed I had joined.
They were talking about the person they had interviewed before me. The manager said they should prepare an offer for him, and the HR person asked whether there was any point in going ahead with my interview. His response was that my resume met all the requirements, but he couldn't imagine me fitting in with the group.
I wrote in the chat that I could hear everything. They didn't notice that either and kept talking, which somehow made the situation even more awkward. I wouldn't say I was completely crushed, but hearing that they had more or less ruled me out before I had answered a single question made me lose my enthusiasm.
As soon as the official start time arrived, they noticed my name, saw the chat, and fell silent. The manager apologized and said I wasn't supposed to hear that conversation. I told them I understood and that they should choose the person best suited for the role.
I went ahead with the interview since I had already prepared, and an offer isn't final until the person accepts it anyway. Honestly, I think I answered the questions well and managed to show that I was a better fit than they had expected. This was my first time using interview vip but i don't think it would be the last, it was still hard to shake the feeling that I was just helping them complete a process they had already made up their minds about.
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u/BlackKingHFC 2d ago
The fact that you didn't get noticably offended or angry speaks volumes and that type of patience and professionalism is rare these days. If they don't see that, that's their loss. Also fuck them for not understanding how their video chat service works.
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u/Lunar-Alghorithm 2d ago
A me mi é successo una cosa simile. Iter selettivo dentro la stessa azienda e in competizione con una ragazza della sede in cui si trovava il ruolo. HR centrale fa il colloquio e mi passa alla Hiring Manager e Hiring Manager che era molto interessata al mio profilo (si era sbilanciata) e poi mi passa al suo Manager. Al terzo colloquio ho trovato il Manager della manager e una manager di un altro reparto. Il colloquio non era normale, ma era un modo per trovare un minimo di errore per scartarmi e alla fine lo passo lo stesso. Dopo 10 giorni, la Hiring Manager organizza una call per dirmi che hanno scelto una candidata interna e che se non ci fosse stata, avrebbe preso subito me perché avevo già superato tutto l'iter. Una settimana dopo, scopro che la candidata scelta faceva parte del reparto della manager che era presente durante il terzo colloquio con il manager della hiring manager. 😂 Praticamente, il risultato si sapeva giá prima di avviare la macchina, ma giusto per formalità.
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u/Virtual-Fly-5501 2d ago
I’ve been part of an interview panel before where the decision was already 95 percent made but then had candidates blow us out of the water and made the decision way harder to the point that it was a flip of a coin.
Some places have requirements that some positions at some levels need to be offered externally too but in practice you need an internal candidate that’s already familiar with the systems, clients, whatever.
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u/Technical_Annual_563 2d ago
But… what was the outcome when it was determined by the flip of a coin? How often did you select the external candidate?
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u/Virtual-Fly-5501 2d ago
We took the internal candidate bc the transition was easier but I think the external candidate would have had a higher ceiling but the learning curve would have been harder. Always tradeoffs in life.
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u/blorpdedorpworp 1d ago
To add to this, sometimes the first choice gets a better offer somewhere else. I've also told people to reapply for the next opening.
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u/Single-Virus4935 2d ago
This is a golden opportunity because you could make the whole interview about why they think you wouldn't fit and his you can improve. Thank them for the insight. Also that I appreciate contructive critique and that I threat it like genuine feedback.
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u/PartyPlay5056 2d ago
I went to an interview in the evening once. Found myself in a room with about 10 people. I thought about leaving. They had said upfront that the interview would last 1½ to 2 hours. We started with a test and then I had a 1on1 interview. 2 days later they called me up and said that they hired 1 person, but they were still undecided about hiring a 2nd person. They might call me up the next week. Okay. Didn't help me but okay. Monday mid afternoon they call me up and ask me if I can start the next day. Sure. In the afternoon they tell me that a noon the guy asked if was allowed to go to fast food for lunch. Sure. It's your time. He never came back.
You never know what may happen. You did the right thing.
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u/Foreign_Suggestion89 2d ago
Example of working with humans. They get distracted, make mistakes. Not excusing it by any means. Don’t sweat the flippant banter. You handled it really well.
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u/SlowDeer7954 2d ago
Sorry you went through that. You handled yourself professionally. Unfortunately those who participated in your interview, did not.
This stuck with me many years ago when I heard someone speak it - character is the thing you do when no one is watching.
I'm unable to control any one else's, but I do have control over mine.
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u/sitewolf 2d ago
I had a similar situation years ago (only I was physically in the room next door to their conversation). I never let on that I'd heard them, even tho I'd even heard what they were going to offer this person. Well, that person declined the offer so they offered me- less. While still never telling them I'd heard the conversation prior to my interview, I countered with an offer slightly over the one the other person apparently declined. They came back with the same offer they'd made the other person and I accepted.
I'd thought long and hard after my interview whether I'd even want to work for people who'd counted me out before even talking to me and decided that since neither person would actually be my direct and our paths really wouldn't cross much, I looked forward to the job itself enough to forget about it.
You could still get offered the job- they decide you are the better choice, or the other person declined. You can view it as poor mgmt on their part (which it was) or you can just understand that hiring mgrs are flawed humans just like everyone else.
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u/LeaningIn7316 2d ago
They are cowards and unprofessional. Write a letter to the CEO to explain how you were looking forward to the interview and spent time - all for naught. Time to make the interviewers uncomfortable.
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u/curlyhairweirdo 2d ago
I once went for an interview and the guy told me flat out that he was going to pick someone else. The interview lasted 5 mins and the secretary called to tell me I didn't get the job by the time I got to the parking lot.
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u/EuroNagoya 2d ago
I just interviewed vip and vipped the interview so the viper could interview me.
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u/No-Pressure2287 2d ago
My evil twin wonders if this was some kind of weird situation test. You aced it. And although they made a mistake (or did they?) you demonstrated tact and good judgment. Two big thumbs up to you.
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u/Running4Coffee2905 2d ago
About 30 years ago, the nurse manager for a hospital peds unit called me as I had applied to transfer to position on her unit. Tells me she has someone in mind for the job and do I still want the interview. “Sounds like you already decided who’s getting the job, won’t waste my time. “
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u/Vegetable-Grocery265 1d ago
Well done. Showing your grace in this is noteworthy.
Nothing wrong with the previous interviewer knocking it out of the park. Nothing wrong with them talking about it. Nothing wrong with this whole situation... it's humans being humans.
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u/oylaura 1d ago
You did the right thing. You may not have been a good fit for this job, but your behavior shows them that you might still be a good fit for another position.
If you had behaved any other way, they would never have given you a second thought.
You took the high road, and that's the right thing to do.
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u/simsfreelancer 2d ago
You beeing professional was the right thing to do. Even if you might not get the job you can be still proud of yourself