Would you go to an interview if you knew you didn't want the job?

[stargirl27]

I'm not actively looking for a new role at the mo, but I'm potentially open to it for the right position. I was contacted via LinkedIn last week regarding a vacancy. It was the company's HR manager who reached out, not a recruiter. I sent over my CV and we had a quick chat on the phone. They then arranged an interview for tomorrow.

I'm not sure why but I've had a really strange/off feeling about the firm all weekend. Looking at their website, I just know I do not want to work there. It all looks fake/like it was made with AI. I know it's legit as it's a law firm and it's regulated by the SRA but I'm just so unsure.

Part of me thinks I should go for interview experience (I haven't had much at all) and part thinks I just shouldn't waste my time and the interviewers' time. What would you do?

Yes, nothing like not wanting the job to make you relax in the interview. Definitely worth it for the interview experience .

I agree that it’s worth it for interview experience. I once went for an interview and it became apparent that the ethos was one I didn’t share. When they asked if I would accept the job if offered, I said I wouldn’t. It was a useful experience in crystallising what I didn’t want.

I hate people wasting my time like this. So annoying!

I wouldnt bother op.

I’d go, I’ve changed my mind before after meeting with the company. Obviously if you didn’t want the job because you had no plans of relocating or something like that is different, but just feeling like their website is AI isn’t a reason to me.

I just got a bit of a weird vibe, not sure how to explain it.

I thought this but then people said I should go for interview experience. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the interview also?

I think you should go unless you feel particularly unsuitable. At the very worst, it is a couple of hours out of your life, and it will give you experience that you can build on for the one you really want, they will have already scheduled it (and are being paid to do it, out of their normal day), and although no-one likes wasting anyone else's time, it is normal, and expected. It will at least help you in the future around "weeding stuff out". On the positive side, you could find it really suits you, it wasn't what you thought on paper etc. But if you don't go, you will never know. Hope you get it (or maybe don't get it 😁) x

I’m the one who would be interviewing you - please cancel and don’t waste my precious time.

I would if you think the interview experience will be handy.👍

When my OH finished FT work (early retirement) he applied for several PT jobs and even a couple of FT ones that looked interesting.
Having been in one company for almost his entire working life he thought he would be out of touch with modern interview techniques so considered it good experience. He was offered every position he was interviewed for which perked him up no end as it proved he wasn't out of touch with the modern job market.😄

Employers waste potential employees time.

Yes, I went for one nearly 30 years ago. It was about an hour's drive from where I was living and was at the headquarters of a very well-known IT company.
The place was very spooky, nobody in the corridors. I ad 2 interviews. The first team I just did not like, the second was fine.
According to the questions I asked them, there appeared to be the expectation that you would move to the immediate area and become "assimilated into the collective".
I was very happy to turn this role down, although this was probably the wrong decision - but hindsight is a wonderful,thing!