AIBU to worry that bringing chocolates to an interview was inappropriate?

You’re a student and applying for a trainee position so while it does seem a bit unusual, that shouldn’t go against you. We love chocolates/cakes etc in our office so it would give a good impression if anything!

I was reviewing applications for a legal apprenticeship once and on a CV they had written that one of their hobbies was “making a good lasagne with my mum”. That always sticks out for me 🤣

It wasn't necessary and maybe a little unusual, but your description of how it went down doesn't sound like it was at all bad. They won't see you trying to buy them over a box of chocolates. I don't think it will hurt your chances. Good luck with the process.

Ahh, having read all your updates I'd have said you're a sweetheart and in with a great chance of getting the role! You've shown that you've got everything they asked for to get to interview, made a good impression to get through to the next round, been kind and thoughtful with the chocolates AND able to comfortably banter with all levels of staff. Please let us know how you get on!

Don't beat yourself up, OP. A box of chocolates to show appreciation isn't going to be viewed as an attempted bribe at all. Far worse things have happened in interviews. I once interviewed someone on Zoom who asked us to pause, while she went off and screamed at her husband and child. And then five minutes later she paused and did it again! You showed consideration and thoughtfulness. I don't think it will backfire at all.

You sound extremely natural with people and the reaction of the director and the cleaners shows they didn’t find it strange at all.

if he was happy to stand and chat with you thats a good sign too, if he thought you were not a good fit it would be a quicker goodbye I think.

please can you update the thread if you get the job!

I agree with this, I think it was an unusual thing to do but how you worded it was perfect and that tips it into a nice thoughtful thing to do. It's more common in certain cultures to give gifts so they may have come across it before.

Please don't worry about it, if they think you're the right person they'll hire you, this won't have put them off. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :)

I forgot to add. You should be really proud of yourself regardless of the outcome.

Graduate positions are significantly over subscribed and extremely competitive. Only the best of the best make it to the final round and there's so little between most of the candidates.

To get this far in the process is a huge achievement - don't underestimate that and it should give you a lot of confidence.

It's a sign that you won't be unemployed for long - whether it's this position or another one.

Honestly you are overthinking it. OK so it is not the done thing, But so what? I bet they will remember you from all the other candidates because of the chocs. If they want you they want you and some sweets isn't going to change that.

Don't be so haed on yourself we all live and learn starting out in our careers, And best of luck !

@Thebigwideworld I gave chocolates to the interview panel at the last interview I had! I got the job 🙂

You sound kind and appreciative.

I think you’re cool and thoughtful and I would hire you in a heartbeat. Don’t worry about it at all. And good luck 🙂

As others have said, it won't change the outcome, but will be memorable.

My work is keen on social mobility and something like this might flag to me that you've not been coached by professional parents ushering you into their world. But that wouldn't be a bad thing, it would make me think twice to make sure I'm not overlooking someone with a different background and bringing in unconscious bias.

If I did employ you, I'd probably be telling my team how lovely you were to have brought in chocolates and share them with the team. That would be a great impression for the rest of my team to have before you start.

I think you will stand out as being kind and thoughtful and a people person - you made more effort than any other candidate to show your gratitude.

So while it was unusual, I think it would be a plus point in your favour!

While belgian M&S chocs are nice, they aren't high enough value to be considered a bribe, just a token gift.

Try not to worry now, but do let us know if you get the job!

Ahh op. Dont overthink it. A bit naive sure but I really hope they see your genuinely lovely intentions behind it. Good luck! X

I hadn't read this when I replied (I really should RTFT!) and this tells me that they have taken it exactly as most have said - a little naive but well mannered and well intentioned. If you're going to make any mistake, make it this one! That bit of chat makes them all sound like Good Humans. Good luck to you and I hope you get the job, OP.

If it makes you feel any better, I think the fact that it’s a bit ‘green’ would make me more likely to hire you for a grad/trainee position. I recently did the final interviews for our highly competitive internship scheme. I had three to choose from who had all got through multiple stages and were very strong. My interview was about who I wanted to work for me. Two candidates had done internships in the last, were very polished but clearly weren’t that interested in the subject matter of our team. One had less experience but far more enthusiasm for the topic and I happily picked her even though she had much less experience and was a bit less polished because how else is she going to get a chance?

Ha! I see somebody else has said the same as I did! (I posted later than you but hadn't read all the other replies at the time!)

It sounds to me like it went down really well and you did it in a way that made sense in the context.

It would be weird if you got to a formal panel interview, sat down across the table from the panel, pulled out a box of chocs and slid them across the table while staring them all down.

But a nice gesture to acknowledge all the different staff at different levels who’ve spent time with you, why not?

If an undergrad interviewing for their first ever job did this at my workplace, I’d find it adorable and not weird at all.

It won't mess up your chances. A box of chocolates is hardly a bribe. It was kind and thoughtful of you.

It’s not a big deal. Yes it’s weird and not really a thing - they’re not doing you a favour by interviewing or hiring you. Employment goes two ways. But it also won’t make them not hire you if you’re the right candidate.

In future just ask AI or a friend or Mumsnet if it’s a normal thing to do.

You sound lovely and I really hope you get the job.

I think it’s fine, OP! It was after spending a lot of time there, not bringing it to a 20-min panel interview, and getting shown around so I think it’s totally fine and wouldn’t worry!

I used to be an assessor involved in grad recruitment for my department in a large corporate for several years. Our process was similar multi-stage process. In all honesty, not only are human beings always human beings in their wildest diversity, so any process with humans involved throws up curveballs!, graduates clearly are by definition usually 'green' so there's more than average random stuff comes out in the process.

If you're the right person for the role, the chocolates won't put anyone off hiring you - or they shouldn't. If your gesture DOES put them off, it's not the role for you.

But yes, it is basically 'not the done thing' and it is a bit odd, but in and of itself it won't mark you out as an utter weirdo! What I would say is if you do get the job, I'll be fascinated to see how long it is before somebody cracks a joke about it! possibly at your first Christmas party! A few of our grads had minor things we wouldn't let them live down! (some might say this is inappropriate and all I can say is... humans are gonna human...! and we could take it as well as give it. And it was gentle ribbing rather than ritual humiliation!)

i had someone bring a box of chocolates once, as i recall they incorporated it in to the presentation. it was a sweet gesture and it was a good interview, we thoguht it was lovely - it didn't influence our judgement either way.

You will come off as a bit naive but thoughtful. Which, I think is a fair assessment.

You seem lovely and they’d be lucky to have you. If you don’t get the job because of this, it’ll be their loss. Who doesn’t give someone a job because they brought chocolate?

Come on now