Did I blow my job interview?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the PP who mentioned not to talk about children in the interview, what do you do when the interviewer brings it up? I had an interview with the hiring manager who asked me how old my child was and then proceeded to talk about her daughter, all grown up now? DO you just answer with the truth?
I didn't get the job either...

It's illegal for them to ask you if you have children. If they bring up their children just smile and nod but don't mention that you have children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So the answer is yes. . . .I blew the interview because I was not offered the job. I received a message on my phone saying that they hired someone else and wished me best of luck. Even though I was not really surprised I had a glimmer of hope that I would still be offered the job - I am so disappointed in myself for messing up this opportunity. I did this to myself because I truly believe that I would have gotten the offer if I had not said what I did.

Anyway, here is where it gets a bit weird: After I received the message that I did not get the job I thought it would be best to be professional and thank them for the opportunity for the interview. I also wanted to receive honest feedback from the interview and planned to ask why I was not offered the job (I wanted to hear it personally from them). I called the woman who left me the message and she answered the phone. When I told her who I was she hung up the phone! I thought we might have been disconnected so I called again and the call went to her voicemail. I left a message saying I was sorry that I did not get the job and had a question and asked her to return the call. I did not receive a return call today. I am so confused as to why she hung up the phone on me! It was extremely unprofessional and I am even more upset about that incident than not getting the job!

It's not weird or confusing. You called her back and she didn't recognize the number right off, picked up, recognized your voice, thought "oh crap! I don't want to talk to this woman .... she probably wants to ask lots of questions I don't wanna answer" and she hung up.

She isn't going to return your call and frankly I think it's weird that you think she was going too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So the answer is yes. . . .I blew the interview because I was not offered the job. I received a message on my phone saying that they hired someone else and wished me best of luck. Even though I was not really surprised I had a glimmer of hope that I would still be offered the job - I am so disappointed in myself for messing up this opportunity. I did this to myself because I truly believe that I would have gotten the offer if I had not said what I did.

Anyway, here is where it gets a bit weird: After I received the message that I did not get the job I thought it would be best to be professional and thank them for the opportunity for the interview. I also wanted to receive honest feedback from the interview and planned to ask why I was not offered the job (I wanted to hear it personally from them). I called the woman who left me the message and she answered the phone. When I told her who I was she hung up the phone! I thought we might have been disconnected so I called again and the call went to her voicemail. I left a message saying I was sorry that I did not get the job and had a question and asked her to return the call. I did not receive a return call today. I am so confused as to why she hung up the phone on me! It was extremely unprofessional and I am even more upset about that incident than not getting the job!

It's not weird or confusing. You called her back and she didn't recognize the number right off, picked up, recognized your voice, thought "oh crap! I don't want to talk to this woman .... she probably wants to ask lots of questions I don't wanna answer" and she hung up.

She isn't going to return your call and frankly I think it's weird that you think she was going too.

What??? That is incredibly immature and unprofessional and rude. I hope that YOU do not act this way with people you have decided not to hire!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So the answer is yes. . . .I blew the interview because I was not offered the job. I received a message on my phone saying that they hired someone else and wished me best of luck. Even though I was not really surprised I had a glimmer of hope that I would still be offered the job - I am so disappointed in myself for messing up this opportunity. I did this to myself because I truly believe that I would have gotten the offer if I had not said what I did.

Anyway, here is where it gets a bit weird: After I received the message that I did not get the job I thought it would be best to be professional and thank them for the opportunity for the interview. I also wanted to receive honest feedback from the interview and planned to ask why I was not offered the job (I wanted to hear it personally from them). I called the woman who left me the message and she answered the phone. When I told her who I was she hung up the phone! I thought we might have been disconnected so I called again and the call went to her voicemail. I left a message saying I was sorry that I did not get the job and had a question and asked her to return the call. I did not receive a return call today. I am so confused as to why she hung up the phone on me! It was extremely unprofessional and I am even more upset about that incident than not getting the job!

It's not weird or confusing. You called her back and she didn't recognize the number right off, picked up, recognized your voice, thought "oh crap! I don't want to talk to this woman .... she probably wants to ask lots of questions I don't wanna answer" and she hung up.

She isn't going to return your call and frankly I think it's weird that you think she was going too.

OP here. I actually don't think she is going to return my call. At this stage I would be very surprised to hear from her. She is the Director of the department that I was applying for, not an HR employee. I realize that I messed up my interview (big time) but do not think I deserve to be treated without any respect.

[Anonymous]

It was extremely unprofessional of her to hang up when you called. However, I am not sure what you hoped to gain by calling them - you know why you did not get the job, because you admitted that the hours were not a good fit for you.

[Anonymous]

It's not weird or confusing. You called her back and she didn't recognize the number right off, picked up, recognized your voice, thought "oh crap! I don't want to talk to this woman .... she probably wants to ask lots of questions I don't wanna answer" and she hung up.

Yes, it is not confusing but it is rude and unprofessional to just hang up. If the OP asks why, they don't owe her feedback, just say "we had many qualified candidates and only one position available," thank her for her interest, and decline to answer any further questions.

[Anonymous]

this sounds like an all's well that ends well scenario. If that's the level of professionalism of the organization (hanging up on you, not calling you back) then I'm guessing you tanked the interview because you sensed the organization wasn't a good fit for you. I hope you find a better fit elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

OP - you dodged a bullet. Yes, it's frustrating that you might have answered that question regarding hours differently, but honestly, do you want to be in a job that is clearly inflexible?

Not to mention that this director has demonstrated a complete lack of professionalism by hanging up on you?!? I suspect you'll find another job soon and look back on this experience with tremendous relief that you didn't get it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't have not hired you because you have 2 young children, I would have not hired you because of how you answered the question. You offered a problem without a solution and that makes me think you're going to be a pain in the ass employee who wants me to figure things out for you. I do think honesty is best. If I found out later you had a real schedule conflict and were hiding it / struggling, I would feel duped. I think it is best to acknowledge the conflict and offer a solution.

Here are 2 ways you could answer if it comes up again - you can word them better than I have, but you get the idea.


1. Frankly the hours are later than I'm used to, but I am committed to making the adjustment because I feel I am the right person for this position and this is the right opportunity for me in my career right now.

2. I'm glad you asked that. It's something I considered carefully while pursuing this position. The hours are different from my current job, but I have talked this over with my husband/partner and we have a plan to make the adjustment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are never going to admit that you didn't get the job offer b/c of your (honest) answer so they are probably going to try and avoid you.

Why would they need to avoid someone who they rejected ? All they need to say is " We found a candidate who was a better fit for the position." They really do not need to get into specifics ( nor should they) as to why they offered the position to someone else.

[Anonymous]

My kids school aftercare ends at six. No way I could take that job. You found out the hard way that the job wasn't right for you. If they told you day 1 you may not have proceeded with the interview. Mourn and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anybody else think that 20 person interview is a red flag? I assume this was for a management levels position since the director was doing the hiring? That's a lot of people's time to use. Dodged a bullet OP. Consider it a learning experience for a job you really want.

[Anonymous]

Wow, so the person who would have been hiring you is the same person who you would have been reporting to, who happens to be the same person who hung up on you? Sounds like you dodged a big bullet there, OP.

And I agree with a PP, I'm guessing this position was for a fairly high-level management position? The only similar experience I had was interviewing for an SES position, it was a six-hour interview broken up into four segments, one which included being interviewed by all of the employees (40+). I didn't get the job, which I was hugely bummed about, but they never did ask me if I had children!!

[Anonymous]

Hanging up? That is so 6th grade. I hope you "out" this company so we all know who to avoid on any level in the future.

[Anonymous]

You blew it, but it doesn't sound like the job was a good fit.