Not sure what is reasonable thing to do in this situation....

[lill72]

Help!
I have unknowingly got myself into a situation and am unsure what to do.

I went for a job interview today for a job that I was quite keen on - the interview went well and all signs were good. They then said they wanted to get me back in for another interview with their boss and mentioned his name. My eyes nearly popped out - he was my boss at another company where i was freelancing. He did not like me or my work - think there was some misunderstanding and he did not really give me a chance. I also find him a bit 'old boys club'. He let me go in the end.

I did not want to say anything when they mentioned his name so played along and pretended all was fine. Now they are going to set up a meeting with me. I am terrifed. I am not sure what will happen, He may even see my CV and ask for it not to go ahead - who knows. But say it does, what should I do? I would not really be working with him - he actually works at the sister company. But still. Ah what are the chances....

Go for it.

Smile say Oh, it is you, thought it must be as your name isn't common/wasnt sure if you were still in this field or not (or something similar) how are you?

Then let him take the lead.

Focus on now not then.

I wouldn't worry too much right now. Plenty of people have the same name so this man may not be who you think its going to be. Unless its a very unusual name of course,then odds are it is the same guy,but even then I would still go to the next interview and just do my best to impress :)

Oh god how awful. I think I'd just sit tight and say nothing. If you do get called back for another interview, just answer any questions honestly and in a professional manner.

When you say he 'let you go' was there a reason for this?

Two choices:

you think you could make it work? despite the previous .... go with the Max strategy.

it would never work? ....email them now to say you are grateful for their time but have actually been offered another post, so will not be pursuing further.

It is the same guy - I checked it out.

I just have to play dumb to the recruiter and all at the company and see what happens... don't want to draw any attention to the fact that I had problems somewhere.

Thanks MaxPepsi - great advice... and Biscuit dunker too. You are both right

I would just smile sweetly, hold your head up and be totally professional about it and go for it. Don't make any reference tot the previous situation unless he does.

You don't know what happened at the previous company. People end up getting shafted by employers for all sorts of reasons some of which are outside the control of the direct line manager and may have to do with office politics and stuff you don't understand. You say he didn't like you or your work but do you know this for a fact? He may have found himself in a position where he had to let you go for reasons you didn't understand. He may be prepared to give you another shot.

Its also possible that he genuinely doesn't like you and will say no to the recruiter. But you don't lose anything but giving it your best shot.

It is a bit complicated to explain - but I was working freelance and he thought I wasn't doing a good enough job. But the problem was he only over saw things every now and then and did not realise the problems I had day to day with stuff - hence I think a misundertanding. If he had listened to my explantion, things may have been different.

I also think as a woman he didnt give me a great chance. He didn't employ/interview me last time, he just was my boss.

So... I wouldn't really want to work with him again, but as he is in a different building, at a sister company so hoping the contact is minimal.

ahhhhh - felt sick after the interview. shame it was such a good interview!!!

Ques - you are so right - I am guessing all of this. I really have no idea what is in his head and the situation from last time. Thank you.

He will have a look at my CV and see the last company that we worked on before and guess make a decision from there.

In the meantime, I will keep professional.