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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To turn down this job based on gut feeling in the interview

40 replies

Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 14/08/2018 23:05

Gone for a job and it was the interview today. Really excited as it is a move up and pay rise and more of a challenge.
When I got in the interview I offered my hand to shake and was told to sit down, after a few questions my throat was a bit dry and I noticed there were glasses in the middle of the table with a jug so I asked for a glass to be told it’s for the panel only.
The panel made me very uncomfortable and did not crack a smile. They just said hmmm to all my answers and made notes.
At the end the women who would be my boss said “right you can leave now”.

Came out thinking they must have a candidate in mind and that was that. Anyway HR have rung tonight and offered me the job. I have a huge gut feeling not to take it.

Two of the people on the panel would be my line manager and over boss and the other head of the board of trustees.

I didn’t get a good feeling when I walked in the building as even the receptionist seems abrupt.

Not sure what’s I do as it would be a big step up

OP posts:

HelpfulHermione · 14/08/2018 23:07

Do not take this job!!!

It will make your life hell

Shambu · 14/08/2018 23:07

Can you take it and use it as a springboard somewhere else?

Hellywelly10 · 14/08/2018 23:08

Trust your gut. They sound vile.oh and go for some more interviews

OllyBJolly · 14/08/2018 23:09

That depends.

Interviewing isn't easy and you don't know the dynamics of the panel. You might not have got a real "snapshot".

What I'd suggest is that you ask for a meeting with your prospective line manager. You request to see where you will be working, perhaps meet with some proposed colleagues. Dig down into what the expectations are. Then make a decision.

Well done on the offer!

SunflowerJo08 · 14/08/2018 23:09

How awful to not even offer you a glass of water, then tell you that you couldn't have one! Is the company searchable on that glass ceiling website or whatever its called, the one that has anon reviews of what it is like to work at?

I think really its a case of either go with your gut feeling or think about how much you could stick two fingers up at their attitude and rise above it, and how long for. I've recently jumped ship from a hugely comfortable job and have decided to give myself a year, use the increase in wages to pay off as much debt as possible, then leave if I really do hate it. Could you perhaps create a similar mindset?

That said, it clearly wasn't a bad interview for them, as they've offered you the job.

FASH84 · 14/08/2018 23:09

Some recruiters do things like this as weird tests , if you want the job do it, even if it's for a year is experience at a higher level

whattimeislove · 14/08/2018 23:10

Interviews are a two-way process. You may have impressed them, but sounds like they didn't impress you! Don't take the job if the interview is an indicator of what it'll be like to work there.

MossyOilTank · 14/08/2018 23:11

I had an interview like that for uni (very competitive entry). The panel were all arseholes. I was made an offer of a place but accepted an offer from another uni, since I couldn't see myself be happy there. I think their aim was to select people who wanted to go there so badly they couldn't be put off, even by rudeness and coldness.

Alternatively, having been made an offer you don't have to accept immediately. What about emailing tomorrow to say you've got some questions and asking for a phonecall to discuss them - might give you more of an insight and you'll still have a get out option depending on their answers. In my current job, before I accepted I phoned my senior manager-to-be to discuss some prior commitments I had, salary and some other nitty gritty stuff. Didn't accept it until I'd had my questions answered and slept on it.

FiestaThenSiesta · 14/08/2018 23:11

Interviews are a two way street. Did you have any sort of interaction with them? If not, I’d decline and email HR your feedback (since their poor interviews skills cost them a candidate they wanted to hire.) in a professional way. If you’re unsure, you could ask for a second interview with your line managers citing you want to be sure you’re a right fit for the existing team and there wasn’t a chance to interact with them in the first interview.

MissusGeneHunt · 14/08/2018 23:12

I've exited the interview process before as my gut instinct said 'don't do it' after the second round of interviews! I was bloody right too, as a colleague carried on with the process, got the job and lasted 3 months. Bunch of miserable, mysoginistic fuckwits...

Believe your inner feelings!

Hope you find your dream job soon.

Poodletip · 14/08/2018 23:14

Depends how much you need the job, but gut feelings are there for a reason.

Original poster

Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 14/08/2018 23:14

I may ring tomorrow and say I have a few more questions and could I meet with the line manager, I will see what comes from that but I am thinking this is not for me

OP posts:

Shambu · 14/08/2018 23:15

I agree they may be under the mistaken impression that this is a cool bad cop interview technique. If so it doesn't say much for their judgement but they may not be like this to work with.

I think Olly's advice was very good.

Sparklesocks · 14/08/2018 23:15

They don’t give their candidate water? And give you lip for assuming it’s for you?
Hell.
No.
Any interviewer worth their salt will make their candidate as comfortable as possible. They should see this about selling themselves and the company as well as the candidate doing the same, it’s a two way street.
I think you’ve made the right decision. And I would be open with my feedback.

HidingFromDD · 14/08/2018 23:15

I took a job my gut told me would be tricky, and I was right. But I used it as a springboard and 6 months later got my dream job. Wouldn't have got there if I hadn't taken the interim

Original poster

Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 14/08/2018 23:17

It’s a job with a charity with a three year contract. It’s building up a project so I would want to commit for the long haul

OP posts:

roses2 · 14/08/2018 23:17

I interview regularly and have training from HR not to say or do anything positive that may give a candidate the impression they are doing well when in fact they are not. It could be an extreme version of that?

The water thing is weird though.

What are your other options? Are you working currently?

Original poster

Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 14/08/2018 23:21

I am working in a part time job 2 days a week at the moment. I can only do part time due to disability. This one is part time as well

OP posts:

Inthebluemountains · 14/08/2018 23:21

It's tricky, I had an internal interview with the woman who would go on to be my boss. She was awful! I took the job because I knew her but I told her afterwards that I wouldn't have done if I didn't because she came across so badly. She had no idea (and she was the best boss ever in the end)

I think maybe asking for a second interview is a good idea

Original poster

Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 14/08/2018 23:22

I love my job at the moment but it is starting to get a bit boarding so felt it was maybe time for a new challenge

OP posts:

condepetie · 14/08/2018 23:24

Yeah please research them more and visit the workplace if possible.

First impressions count for a lot on both sides. You're interviewing them as well - make sure you actually want to work for them. If you can visit and meet the team, great - they may be less hostile and more welcoming. They may also be awful. Trust your instinct and be sceptical.

PuppyMonkey · 14/08/2018 23:26

You asked for water and they said “no, it’s for the panel only”?

It’s got to be a piss take. Testing you to see how you’d react.

Twats.

PuppyMonkey · 14/08/2018 23:29

... ha ha “for a charity.” Missed that bit.

Uncreative · 14/08/2018 23:31

Interviews are a two way process. Listen to your feelings. Give them a second chance and ask to meet with your future line manager before you commit. See how you feel then and make a decision at that point. Don’t feel obligated to accept the first offer you receive immediately.

MirriVan · 14/08/2018 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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