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Original poster

To think it’s unprofessional that the interviewers didn’t apologise for being 15 mins late?

36 replies

TalkNerdyToMe · 24/09/2024 13:09

I had an interview scheduled for 11am today via MS Teams. I joined the meeting at 10.55am and was placed in the waiting room, but no-one admitted me until 11.15am. I sent a message to the Executive Assistant to check if they could see if I was waiting, and I also called, but didn’t receive any communication from them.

I understand things can run behind schedule, but I felt it was quite unprofessional not to acknowledge the delay, especially as I was left waiting for a while. Am I overreacting, or is it reasonable to except at least an apology in situations like this?

OP posts:
MrSeptember · 24/09/2024 13:46

I turned up at the first day of a new job once and no one was expecting me. When my boss was finally tracked down, she was mildly apologetic, blamed HR etc. Fine. Irritating, but fine. Then she said she had a few things to do and we'd have lunch after. She finally came back at 14:00 ... I was half dead from hunger by then ... and still not a word of apology or attempt to improve the situation.

It was the first sign of how awful that job would be. When I left 2 years later because I'd been told repeatedly that advancement wasn't an option, my boss was furious and said, "but ify ou'd just be more patient". She never spoke to me again, including during my one month's notice.

Hatty65 · 24/09/2024 13:42

It's rude. I can see how a previous TEAMS interview may have overrun slightly - or they may have wanted to chat about the previous candidate, perhaps - but it is common good manners to simply say, 'I'm sorry we kept you waiting,'

Takes 30 seconds and is absolutely minimal effort. If they can't make that minimal effort I'd be unimpressed.

Original poster
TalkNerdyToMe · 24/09/2024 13:42

InTheRainOnATrain · 24/09/2024 13:39

Yes it is rude and unprofessional and unless this was an HR screen with a recruiter you’ll never see again then it would put me right off. I wouldn’t want a boss who thinks I’m not worth a quick ‘sorry to keep you waiting’.

I completely agree. A simple acknowledgement of the delay would have gone a long way. It definitely makes me question their values and how they treat employees.

OP posts:
SweetSakura · 24/09/2024 13:41

Very unprofessional. Plus I would have expected them to get a message to you to say they were running late unless it was a dire emergency

Original poster
TalkNerdyToMe · 24/09/2024 13:41

FinanceLPlates · 24/09/2024 13:35

Did they not even apologise when they finally joined the call?

Nope, not a word. They just started the interview as if nothing had happened.

OP posts:
InTheRainOnATrain · 24/09/2024 13:39

Yes it is rude and unprofessional and unless this was an HR screen with a recruiter you’ll never see again then it would put me right off. I wouldn’t want a boss who thinks I’m not worth a quick ‘sorry to keep you waiting’.

FinanceLPlates · 24/09/2024 13:35

Did they not even apologise when they finally joined the call?

Original poster
TalkNerdyToMe · 24/09/2024 13:32

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 24/09/2024 13:28

YANBU, but I probably wouldn't say anything to them. 😬

Yeah, I didn’t mention it, just stayed polite and focused on the interview.

OP posts:
LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 24/09/2024 13:28

YANBU, but I probably wouldn't say anything to them. 😬

Paisleydad · 24/09/2024 13:27

HRTQueen · 24/09/2024 13:18

Yes it is unprofessional
And I would personally apologise for keeping you waiting

And disrespectful.

HRTQueen · 24/09/2024 13:18

Yes it is unprofessional
And I would personally apologise for keeping you waiting

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