Weird feeling from interviewer - should I run ?

[sallysaysno]

NC for this.

I had a interview today and I'm finding it a bit hard to process. Remote interview for a fairly high level job.

Call with head of x and my would be manager. The head of - was lovely really kind ect and my would be manager was literally sneery. Kept looking at me with what looked like disgusted- so much so I was worried I had something in my teeth. I checked all normal and I don't have any disfigurements (not that it should matter actually). Making fairly snidely comments and I haven't ever met this women before. She just vibrated with contempt

For background I'm youngish, blonde and work in tech. This women was 40+ and openly said that she didn't have many women on her team because she gets on with men better .. which I found odd. Fine is social circumstances but at work ? To say it outloud.

She asked me where my current work place was which is nearby town as this job and acted like she had never heard of it. I live about 30mins away and have worked at my current role a long time.

The role turned out to be more junior than I expected and the job I'm doing now is what would be boss is doing now. The job description was vastly different from what they detailed. More a supporting role to the manager which would be fine if she didn't seem to bloody hostile

They said next stages they like to see if there is chemistry in person before deciding.

I don't know I just got a complete weird vibe that I haven't ever gotten before. Has anyone just had the feeling someone hates you the moment they clap eyes on you ? That's what I got from this women.

Am I going mad ? Am I reading to much into this ? Should I give it the benefit of the doubt ? I genuinely kept thinking I had done something really wrong but the other lady seemed to be really impressed with my experience while my to be manager just sneered.

Happy to be told I'm being a sensitive sally

Gut instinct is everything. Decline the job.

Because the job description said one thing and the actual job duties described on the call was another. Titles in my arena are somewhat superfluous, two jobs could have the same title but one manages a team of 10 and another has 0 line management ect.

Im also aware because most hr actually have no idea what jobs in my area actually do - there tends to be a bit of fluff because they are the ones stuck writing the jd. You can say certain technical requirements but have no idea how or what that translates to in practice. I feel for HR people in this regard must feel like shooting in the dark.

Re turnover I knew there had been a restructure about a year ago and I understand that restructures can be incredibly painful especially for close nit teams.

So I wanted to see for myself and keep a eye out for red flags. Granted I didn't expect to be sneered at and I wouldn't expect that on a interview. But it's a small thing that feels off.

Nothing 100% just a feeling tbh and also the jd issue.

Gah glad I posted actually - I was trying to pin down the feeling/ or dismiss the actions of wbb but I'm gonna listen.

As mad as it makes me feel.

I had an interview a while back with a company that looks great on paper. I was delighted to make it to interview (literally hundreds of applicants and five selected for interview).

However, I got a really bad vibe from the CEO. I checked her Twitter after my interview and her tweets confirmed my suspicions.

I got invited to a final (second) interview which I politely declined. I got a couple of rather forward emails from her wanting to know details of why I withdrew - made me glad I had!

Sorry meant to add- always trust your instincts!

The role turned out to be more junior than I expected and the job I'm doing now is what would be boss is doing now. The job description was vastly different from what they detailed. More a supporting role to the manager which would be fine if she didn't seem to bloody hostile

Why are you even considering a role which is 'smaller' than your existing role?

⬆️ This

Are you anticipating being let go from your current position? This job certainly doesn't sound like an advance to your career! I'd tell them that the interview was not for the job that was advertised, you didn't want to take the process any further.

Maybe she’s already decided who she wants to employ, but has to be seen to be interviewing other people?

No, trust yourself. The vibe may also be drawing on some previous experiences rather than this one alone.

I've 'learned' from certain job interviews where I was not tuned in to the red flags in one place, and then gone against what my impressions were. They turned out to be very accurate. In one place, was told a) 'that (your team) don't seem to do anything unless they're all together' - down to getting their hair cut by the same person - and b) 'If you last a year then you'll stay forever. I did not last a year.

On that basis, the telling line for me is this: " they like to see if there is chemistry in person before deciding." They are literally making it so that there isn't going to be. Door open to a bit of sexism and bias being ok too.

100% listen to your gut instinct. If you have even the smallest bad feeling now, don't go through with it.
I had a bad feeling all through the application process with my current job and I kept brushing it off and I have hated every minute I've been there.

Trust your instincts x

I'd also add, the job description for my job was completely misleading too. A huge part of the role wasn't mentioned at all, in fact the advert suggested something completely opposite, it was only because I happened to ask a random question during the interview that I found out about this issue. Had I not asked, I wouldn't have known until I was dumped at my desk on my first day.
I still, to this day, don't know what was going through my head when I accepted that job.

Enough red flags to decorate a carnival. Run!

And leave an interview review on glassdoor

The vibe and attitude and potential personality clash are all irrelevant, though they would be red flags if you were otherwise a good fit for the job

The job is too junior for you. Don't proceed with the interview process any further.

Drop their HR/the lovely interviewer an email saying that you really appreciated the opportunity to meet them and hear more about the role but it became obvious over the course of the time together that they are seeking a more junior person than is appropriate for your skills and experience, so you are withdrawing for the current process but please keep my details on file in case any further opportunities arise in future which might be a better fit.

Interviews are a two way street, you are also interviewing them. Any job i've had where the interviewer has made me question the fit, has intevitably been the reason for leaving years later. 🚩

You could look at this 2 ways, 2 many rag flags or.....look at this as your calling. Your mission in life is to get this job then document every shitty thing she says and does for 3 months then trot off to HR. She'll hate you (am i bovva'd) but when she get the sack/resigns/goes off long term sick they're gonna be looking for someone to fill that role. Now who has both the experience skills and company knowledge to fill that role? Someone who has demonstrated strength of character and resilience...and who Mr Hod likes. Screw the bitch.😜

Z

She told you she gets along better with men. This is her way of saying she won’t treat you with the same professional courtesy she extends to men.

@JudgeRudy don't be ridiculous.

It'll be this, I'll warrant.