Interview with boss

[Anonymous]

I need some perspective here, I interviewed for a job and the boss went into this really intense question after question style of interviewing. There were no silences or pauses and I don’t think I broke eye contact with him the whole time. It wasn’t really a comfortable and friendly interview. Im wondering if others have experienced an interview similar to this? He was a male maybe in his 30’s and Im a female in my 40’s. If that matters?

[Anonymous]

I never expected interviews to be comfortable and friendly. I always prepared to be grilled about my background and skills. If an interview was friendly that was a bonus. When I interviewed people I was always polite but I had a job to do. You’re being interviewed for a job not a date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never expected interviews to be comfortable and friendly. I always prepared to be grilled about my background and skills. If an interview was friendly that was a bonus. When I interviewed people I was always polite but I had a job to do. You’re being interviewed for a job not a date.

Thank you, I haven’t interviewed in awhile so I haven’t had this type of grilling in awhile. But you are right, it’s not a date, it’s for a job.

[Anonymous]

Socratic method?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never expected interviews to be comfortable and friendly. I always prepared to be grilled about my background and skills. If an interview was friendly that was a bonus. When I interviewed people I was always polite but I had a job to do. You’re being interviewed for a job not a date.

Although I'm sure you're not grumpy, I ensure that my interviews are relaxed and a good experience for the candidate. I find that candidates are more forthcoming and have better information when they're comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never expected interviews to be comfortable and friendly. I always prepared to be grilled about my background and skills. If an interview was friendly that was a bonus. When I interviewed people I was always polite but I had a job to do. You’re being interviewed for a job not a date.

Although I'm sure you're not grumpy, I ensure that my interviews are relaxed and a good experience for the candidate. I find that candidates are more forthcoming and have better information when they're comfortable.

I’ve only been on relaxed and normal conversational style interviews. This was different! Eye contact the entire time, sitting at opposite sides of a long table, rapid fire questions with no pauses, and no jokes or comments interspersed throughout. It was intense! I kept thinking that he must be stressed or anxious. After the questioning, he relaxed a little and more quietly and casually leaned over to another person who was sitting at the side of the table and asked if she wanted to say anything. None of the other two people sitting there said a word.

[Anonymous]

Red flag, do you want to work for that guy?

[Anonymous]

He was asserting dominance. Even as a boss he felt he needed to. RED FLAG. If you have options move this way down the list.

[Anonymous]

Red red flag. Abort.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never experienced anything like that. Trust your gut. If it was an uncomfortable experience then forget about the job and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never experienced anything like that. Trust your gut. If it was an uncomfortable experience then forget about the job and move on.

Agree. I’ve had some uncomfortable interview experiences, but this sounds like too much. Would you really want to work with this person? Move on unless you need this job desperately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He was asserting dominance. Even as a boss he felt he needed to. RED FLAG. If you have options move this way down the list.

I’m confused as to why he was asserting dominance? Was he threatened by me or does he do this with everyone? I’m now annoyed that I was blessed with this experience.

[Anonymous]

Just move on, OP. It's about assessing fit on both sides.

Good luck in your search.

[Anonymous]

Trust your gut.

[Anonymous]

Red flag for me. I’m in favor of tough (but short) performance tasks but I don’t think a hostile interview would be a good screener for 99% of jobs.