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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

At a coffee shop for an interview?

34 replies

unknownn · 31/10/2019 16:48

Basically, my work uses other companies to re sell things through, so i am in touch with dozens of other companies that i communicate with daily. One of them are looking to employ someone at the moment, and i am unhappy with where i work and am looking to move jobs soon anyway. So i applied for the job. I got a response back within the hour from the main manager there, saying he has received my CV etc. Now i have spoken to this manager for a few years just over the phone to make deals and things and we make a little small talk here and there. He did find me on Linkedin years ago when i first called him to resell something. He would message me on there now and again, just asking how i am etc.. but i never gave him anything back really so its never been a regular thing. To me i found it a little unprofessional to try to communicate with me on something outside of emailing, seeing as he can see my profile picture etc, but its not really a big deal to me i guess.
Anyway, now i have applied for a job at his business, he is the guy that is taking the interview, hes saying that he will drive my way and meet me in a coffee shop to have a chat. Im assuming this is my 'interview'. I find it a little odd aibu?? To think that our work is office based. And he will be travelling 40 minutes out of his way from his office to my area just for an interview with me? Usually i would have to travel to his office for an interview.. right? lol.
I do not want to sound big headed at all but AIBU here to think maybe he just wants a drink with me? Blush just feels odd.

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 31/10/2019 16:52

I had an interview in a Starbucks. Wasn’t a biggie to me.

FinnBalorsAbs · 31/10/2019 16:54

I’ve had interviews in coffee shops too. In some businesses where meeting rooms are scarce it’s the norm.

QuestionableMouse · 31/10/2019 16:54

I think you're reading far too much into this. We have business people in work conducting interviews quite often.

Pippa12 · 31/10/2019 16:54

My DH met a lady in cafe Nero for an interview, he said it was really informal. He got the job, loved their work ethos and had received his 10 year award today. I hope the coffee shop is an omen and you have the same positive experience! Good luck

Pinkbonbon · 31/10/2019 16:55

I was asked to a coffee shop interview for a job by a manager once. I didn't reply back after that. It felt really inappropriate to me.

But even worse that this guy has messaged you in the past. Did you not know he worked there?

I don't think I would be meeting him tbh, even if it us standard practice (which I doubt) if you get the job after he interviews you, you might feel that he thinks you owe him something.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 31/10/2019 16:57

I have had an interview in a high street coffee shop but the person conducting the interview wasn't messaging me on linkedin trying to make small talk.

SleepingStandingUp · 31/10/2019 16:58

Lots of companies do interviews in coffee shops. I very much doubt he, nor Pinkbonbon's interviewer think its a date or that you'll be sexually beholden to him thereafter

Original poster
unknownn · 31/10/2019 16:59

mmm ok suppose maybe its okay then?

@pinkbonbon yeah i think its the fact he has gone out of his way to find my account and messaged me trying to start non work related conversation in the past that it makes me feel uncomfortable. If i had no idea who he is was then id maybe feel differently..

OP posts:
Neptunesgiraffe · 31/10/2019 17:09

My current employer offered to come to my house for an interview. I declined as I'd just moved in and my house looked like hell. I just said I was in the city (that my employer is based in) on that day so why dont I go there.
If you're feeling uncomfortable, you could offer to go to the offices, instead.

Leeds2 · 31/10/2019 17:12

I sometimes have lunch in a local coffee shop and there is often a guy in there interviewing people. From what I overhear, I think he is looking for carers. I have always thought it a bit odd.

Aposterhasnoname · 31/10/2019 17:14

Sounds perfectly normal for a first informal interview to me.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 31/10/2019 17:18

Do you mean that he messaged you on LinkedIn or on some other platform?

The coffee shop thing I wouldn't be bothered about

Moongirl10 · 31/10/2019 17:23

I always see interviews going on in Starbucks as it’s at the base of a big office building.
My husband works for a bank now but his first meeting with them was an informal chat in a coffee shop.

Scotinoz · 31/10/2019 17:30

Coffee shops are fine for interviews!

I work for a global firm, but the office I work in is tiny so no meeting space. We always go out to meetings etc.

Coffee shop is a good venue 😀

DeviousBrie · 31/10/2019 17:34

Done interviews in hotel lounge/coffee shop and restaurants.

Maybe LinkedIn chat was to keep you "interested" if they've wanted you to join them for a while? Although some guys do inappropriate chat on LinkedIn 🙄

Bellringer · 31/10/2019 17:35

See how it goes. If he's sleazy walk out and report him. Not sure I'd want this job

MangoSalsa · 31/10/2019 17:37

Interviewed someone in a coffee shop due to difficulty aligning schedules. He got the job!

Purpleartichoke · 31/10/2019 17:43

My DH has had several of these types of interviews. Often it is a screener interview because their formal interview process is onerous and they don’t want to waste their own or your time Bringing you in officially if it isn’t going anywhere

ALongHardWinter · 31/10/2019 17:44

As a regular coffee shop visitor,I've witnessed this quite a lot,and I've always thought it a bit odd. I don't think a coffee shop is really the best place to hold a job interview,what with music playing,people talking loudly and often babies and children crying. I know I would find it most off putting.

Lulualla · 31/10/2019 17:48

I happily drive too and meet people in coffee shops more local to them for interviews, or informal chats to just make new business connections. It's normal.

Once you're there, you will be able to tell if it's a chat in the hopes of employing you or a sneaky way to get you to go out with him.

managedmis · 31/10/2019 17:50

Why did you apply for the job if you wouldn't be comfortable working with him, though? Confused

^
yeah i think its the fact he has gone out of his way to find my account and messaged me trying to start non work related conversation in the past that it makes me feel uncomfortable.

yearinyearout · 31/10/2019 17:51

I think it's quite common to have initial interviews in coffee shops. Wouldn't worry too much about it!

RogueApostrophe · 31/10/2019 17:55

It sounds like he might be trying to sign you up for a pyramid scheme!

Mjlp · 31/10/2019 18:24

I had an interview in Burger King to be a supply teacher!
I also don't understand why you'd apply for a job working with him if you're not comfortable with him.

forgivemeimnew · 31/10/2019 18:30

My husband quite often holds interviews in a coffee shop, it’s more of an informal chat which might lead to a more formal interview. There are a couple of offices but I think it’s a bit less intimidating doing it somewhere neutral, and their offices are miles apart so handy for someone not to have to travel. Good luck if you decide to go for it