Offered Interview then Cancelled?
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Anonymous
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I was offered an interview at a small law firm two Thursdays ago, December 12, a few blocks from the one I currently work for (I'm a paralegal). We scheduled it for this past Tuesday (December 17) at noon so I could make it during my lunch break. On Monday night (December 16) around 6:30pm, I got a phone call from the same associate who called me to schedule the interview, and told me that they had extended an offer to a candidate on Friday (December 13) (keep in mind they scheduled my interview the day before that) and therefore no longer needed me for the interview the next day. I basically told the guy that I was glad they found someone but I was sorry for their loss (for not even considering me).
Is it normal practice for employers to extend offers before they are even finished with the entire interview process? If I was in a hiring position, I would at least want to hear from all the candidates I had scheduled interviews with before I made any hiring decisions. He said in the phone conversation after extending the initial interview offer that they were not in a hurry and I had submitted my resume about a week prior to hearing from them. What gives? I'm still salty about the rescinded interview. It's basically like I didn't even get a chance. |
Anonymous
| Yes it's totally normal. They were waiting to hear back from someone, they weren't confident that person would say yes, so they kept interviewing, then the person said yes, so they're done. |
Anonymous
Not smart to burn a bridge that way. Don't expect to get another interview there if something opens up in the future. |
Anonymous
| Yes, sorry. Nobody has time to interview extra candidates just because it's not fair. For what it's worth, candidates do this all the time as well (interview for jobs they are not really interested in, cancel interviews right beforehand, etc). Good luck with your job search. |
Anonymous
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OP here. It's a "boutique" 3 lawyer PI firm so I'm not worried about ever trying to get a job there again. Plenty of other firms who need paralegals in the metro area. I'm trying to move out of DC anyway (I live in Alexandria, so looking ideally for a firm in Old Town).
In response to "They were waiting to hear back from someone", the guy told me they extended the offer on Friday after they interviewed that person that same day and then had just heard back on Monday so he called me. |
Anonymous
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Interviewing is a pain in the ass. Firms/people/company don't like to do it. Especially a small firm like that? If they interviewed someone that they think is a perfect fit, then yes they will offer the job right there and then to save themselves the time/energy/hassle.
This one didn't work out, it sucks but hey, onward and upward right? |
Anonymous
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OP again. @ 11:13 - It just sucks, because they'll never know whether I was an even more "perfect fit" than that person. I have already moved on, but it just stuck with me because I've never been offered an interview and then had it cancelled the night before (or ever, rather). Trying to send out 4-5 resumes a week, minimum.
My firm is a sinking ship going into 2014 and I realize that I need to get out before it gets too bad and I don't get the luxury of quitting. |
Anonymous
patton boggs? |
Anonymous
I guess they are willing to take their chance on this. Also, I agree with PP - I would not have burned that bridge with that comment you made about it being their loss. Because now, they will not be calling you back, even if for some reason their perfect candidate doesn't work out. I know rejection sucks, but you have to be more judicious about what you say to prospective employers. |
Anonymous
| No, not Patton Boggs. Just a few blocks further west, medium-sized firm. Don't want to sell them out. I really enjoy working here, but no 2014 COLA and no holiday bonus this year = going downhill. |
Anonymous
| @11:30 - welp, too late now. I guess I was just so surprised at being called up last minute to cancel that it just spilled out. I don't regret it. It truly is their loss. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
You never know whether you will cross paths with that person again. He might move to another firm or know others at other firms. I am puzzled why you find this so outrageous. |
Anonymous
| Be glad no one is forwarding your posts to your current employer. |
Anonymous
I guess after this conversation they got confirmation that they hired the right person. I understand you are pissed off, but you are a professional, you should behave like one. I work for a firm, and as others have said, you were wrong in burning that bridge. you never know where you can meet the people again (I person I know was kicked out of a firm after having a baby - she could have accepted it if it was done respectfully, but they did it very badly, telling her that she was dead wood that needed to be cut and something similar - fast forward two years, she got hired by multinational corporation, same corporation that is firm's main client. guess the work is going to shift elsewhere). no need to be a doormat, just behave like a serious professional. if you made a good impression (they wanted to interview, so they might have considered you a good candidate based on your CV), maybe the guy could have contacted you again if there was an opening, or give your name to a client with an opening, or a friend at another firm. if your response was arrogant or impolite, your name will have a red cross on it, and the guy will remember. you did not get a chance, but this is normal, it happens because employers are looking for an employee, when they find him/her, they are done, no reason to waste resources. you show the guy that you are not mature enough to understand this, not smart enough to control your emotions in a professional setting. you should learn from this experience so you do not make the same mistake again. good luck in your job search |