Hostile job interview
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Anonymous
Sincere question - are you neurodivergent? Of course it doesn't make any sense, but this kind of stuff happens in interview processes all the time. Part of growing in your career is knowing what not to say, even when it is true. A better way to handle it would be something like "It sounds like I don't directly meet the criteria corporate is looking for, but there must have been something that interested you to invite me for an interview. What would be the best use of our time in this conversation?" It probably came across as you chastising her, which violates the power dynamic expected in an interview. You weren't wrong, and it does sound like she overreacted, but I think you probably missed some social cues or knowledge here. Or maybe not. For her to go so extreme on saying rude things, maybe she is the one with lacking ability to act appropriately in a situation. There is just something a bit off about your posts and it made me wonder if maybe being aware of social dynamics a bit more will help you in the future. |
Anonymous
I have no idea what it means to be neurodivergent. I don't have any issues like adhd or anything else. She asked me questions about what my handbag company did to attract customers versus her handbag company. Then she rubbed it in my face even more that closing with handbags is soon much easier than closing with clothing. We never hit it off right away either. When we sat down on the outside bench, she said that the stockroom was jam packed too much and decided the interview would be held outside. In fact when she called my home that morning at 9:15 am (the store opens at 9, and I applied the previous night before) I happened to be in the bathroom. I called the store back when I checked my answering machine. When I asked to speak to the store manager, the woman responded that she is the store manager. Then she demanded to know why I didn't pick up immediately when she called. I found this odd and told her I was in the bathroom. She told me that when she calls me for an interview, I have to jump when she says jump. I told her that it would be unprofessional to hear anyone using the bathroom while on the phone (like number 1and 2. I didn't say that but that's what I meant as a nice way of saying bathroom meant 1 and 2). She was already weird prior to this interview. I called her back at 9:20, so it wasn't like we were playing phone tag. Also, I don't understand her logic, especially with people who work full-time jobs. I highly doubt an employee would want to schedule an interview while at their job and let everyone know that they're looking for a job. |
Anonymous
| There are sociopaths everywhere, OP. You should count yourself lucky that this didn’t go any further. I had a similar hostile interview experience— the boss asked me weird, aggressive questions, a lot of them “gotcha” or bizarre management rides, and made demeaning remarks. He also mocked some of my resume and responses. At the end, he told me that I got the job and that he was just trying to see how I acted “under pressure.” I was young and needed money and took it, and it was frankly the worst 6 months of my life. I ended up quitting because he was so insane. |
Anonymous
| Be glad she showed you who she is in this interview and you didn't end up working with or for her. Move on. |