Flaky alum interviewers

[Anonymous]

DC applied to 4 Ivies and got interview invites. Two interviewers were prompt and professional. One, for ED school, cancelled last minute and didn’t bother to reschedule/reply to kids email. Another one disappeared after sending an initial email, kid followed up with three emails, a week or two apart, haven’t heard back. Is this common?

[Anonymous]

The interview aren’t very important and everyone gets one. It’s fine.

[Anonymous]

Alumni interviews are irrelevant - they are a way to keep alumni involved/active/connected so they will give more money to the school. Means nothing for your child.

[Anonymous]

The 1st two are new to this.

The other 2 know their recommendations will fall on deaf year and are over it.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's that common -- most alum interviewers take it seriously -- but I also don't think it matters.

Maybe they got sick or had a crisis. I wouldn't follow up anymore. Anecdotally I think there may be an advantage to refusing the alumni interview.

[Anonymous]

My kid had one that was on the sidelines of his kid's soccer game half listening and cheering for his kid. My kid hung up, they called back and my kid let it go to voicemail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC applied to 4 Ivies and got interview invites. Two interviewers were prompt and professional. One, for ED school, cancelled last minute and didn’t bother to reschedule/reply to kids email. Another one disappeared after sending an initial email, kid followed up with three emails, a week or two apart, haven’t heard back. Is this common?

Agree with many of the comments below on utility of alumni interview, but to cover your bases, your kid should contact the flaky interviewer schools to let them know you were responsive to the interviewer but they flaked on you (diplomatically...probably).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's that common -- most alum interviewers take it seriously -- but I also don't think it matters.

Maybe they got sick or had a crisis. I wouldn't follow up anymore. Anecdotally I think there may be an advantage to refusing the alumni interview.

This is interesting. Why would you think that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid had one that was on the sidelines of his kid's soccer game half listening and cheering for his kid. My kid hung up, they called back and my kid let it go to voicemail.

And you're proud of your child for doing this? Sorry, but that was entitled, obnoxious behavior on the part of a 17-year-old.

[Anonymous]

With my alma mater, they get new (recent grad) interviewers signing up all the time.

Hate to say it, but I feel like the first two are probably more experienced and it sounds like the second two may have a Gen Z mentality.

I have been doing these interviews for 15 years and the behavior of the latter two sounds more like some interviewees I have encountered.

On the upside, it will not hurt your student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid had one that was on the sidelines of his kid's soccer game half listening and cheering for his kid. My kid hung up, they called back and my kid let it go to voicemail.

And you're proud of your child for doing this? Sorry, but that was entitled, obnoxious behavior on the part of a 17-year-old.

No, it was entitled obnoxious behavior by a representative of a respected University. If you are going to schedule an interview than be prepared to conduct it, my kid did the right thing and the fact you see it the other way is pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid had one that was on the sidelines of his kid's soccer game half listening and cheering for his kid. My kid hung up, they called back and my kid let it go to voicemail.

And you're proud of your child for doing this? Sorry, but that was entitled, obnoxious behavior on the part of a 17-year-old.

+1 Sounds like the interviewer made the crucial mistake of thinking he was dealing with a normal person.
There's a lull at his kids' game and he figures, good time to call. (If interviewers don't call the second they are assigned, they're evil, right?) Then suddenly his kid gets the ball and he gets distracted. And your kid reacts like this? Embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

My kid had one "useful" interview and then another interview where the interviewer asked one question and then proceeded to talk about themselves for an hour. I think you have to tell your kid to look at these interviews as practice for informational interviews. Some are useful, some are not.

If someone flaked completely, I would also let the university know (nicely worded).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid had one that was on the sidelines of his kid's soccer game half listening and cheering for his kid. My kid hung up, they called back and my kid let it go to voicemail.

And you're proud of your child for doing this? Sorry, but that was entitled, obnoxious behavior on the part of a 17-year-old.

+1 Sounds like the interviewer made the crucial mistake of thinking he was dealing with a normal person.
There's a lull at his kids' game and he figures, good time to call. (If interviewers don't call the second they are assigned, they're evil, right?) Then suddenly his kid gets the ball and he gets distracted. And your kid reacts like this? Embarrassing.

I take back what I said. I thought it was them setting up the interview.

Very surprised that they allow phone interviews.

But surprised your kid would take a chance and hurt his application...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid had one that was on the sidelines of his kid's soccer game half listening and cheering for his kid. My kid hung up, they called back and my kid let it go to voicemail.

And you're proud of your child for doing this? Sorry, but that was entitled, obnoxious behavior on the part of a 17-year-old.

+1 Sounds like the interviewer made the crucial mistake of thinking he was dealing with a normal person.
There's a lull at his kids' game and he figures, good time to call. (If interviewers don't call the second they are assigned, they're evil, right?) Then suddenly his kid gets the ball and he gets distracted. And your kid reacts like this? Embarrassing.

Do you conduct job interviews from the sidelines of your kid's soccer game? That is f****d up.