To think what goes around comes around

[Jay36]

So about 10 years or so ago, I went for a job interview as a junior hire and spent hours and hours preparing for the interview.

I walked into the interview room and the person who interviewed me was just horrendous. The first thing she said to me was ‘I’m not interviewing someone who’s chewing gum, go spit it out and come back in’. For your info mumsnetters, I wasn’t chewing gum but didn’t want to be rude and just said ‘of course, I’m sorry about that’ and left the room then came back in. Throughout the interview she was awful to me and commented also on my ‘cheap suit’. I was a new graduate and didn’t have a lot of money but was as smartly dressed, ironed etc as I could be and had even polished my shoes 😂

I’d been really keen and prepared a 100 day plan to share with them after the interview to show how I would approach the role. Yes, that was too much! But at the time I was just trying to look as willing as possible. She just said ‘may as well take that with you, we won’t read it’. Not even kidding.

Fast forward to today, I’ve just received an interview notification from internal recruitment with her CV to interview for a ‘Head of role’. I’m a Director now.

It made me laugh, I’ll probably remove myself from panel as I can’t be truly impartial but laughing at what goes around comes around 😂

If I had any say in it she wouldn't be getting an interview. What a disgusting way to treat someone. I'd be damned if she was going to bring that power bitch and toxic attitude to my workplace.

I think you should say something.
Just be factual.
The last thing your company needs is someone like that in a head of anything role!

Why you interviewing this person. Image how she bully your staff. I'd definitely be on panel but say nothing.

If you do nothing with your knowledge, then what goes around does come around, does it?

Genuinely surprised you recognise her name? Also she probably wont even remember you!!
(...you didnt get the job right?)

I’d bring it up in the interview. Ask her if she remembers, and how she has developed her communication and leadership skills in the last ten years.

She remembered her name because she was so vile to the op it left an impression on her. I would definitely be on the panel to see if she has improved otherwise if she gets the job and is still awful you'll regret it.

That's so funny. I'd probably offer to help mentor her if she wishes to help her do better next time. She'll get the massage 😈

I'd remove myself from the panel if it was a friend or relative - but not someone I'd had a fleeting business encounter with.

It was ten years ago - if she was interviewing a lot, probable that she won't remember you; and she may well have grown up and learnt some manners - but I'd certainly want to ask her about it. If she hasn't changed, you don't want that representing your organisation.

In your shoes I would attend the interview. I wouldn't want someone like that to be head of any department I look after. A rude and bad manager or leader is bad news for staff turn over or nothing else. I'd want to see for myself if she's grown up and out of her domineering and rude behaviour. I'd also ask her how she'd deal with hiring people and what would happen if a person arrived wearing clean but cheap clothes and came over prepared.

I think it's a fantastic story and awful experience for you.

I will say people change. I've met a few people who were horrible but failure, aging, reflection, feedback had humbled them.

She definitely behaved badly all that time ago, and I doubt it was a one off...but she may not be the same person now.

Make sure you compliment her on what she’s wearing 😂

For your info mumsnetters, I wasn’t chewing gum but didn’t want to be rude and just said ‘of course, I’m sorry about that’ and left the room then came back in.

@Boood

I’d bring it up in the interview. Ask her if she remembers, and how she has developed her communication and leadership skills in the last ten years.

Brilliant! Seriously, don't remove yourself from the panel. Imagine having to work with her (unless she's changed)!

I wasn’t chewing gum but didn’t want to be rude and just said ‘of course, I’m sorry about that’

I'm struggling to understand why that seemed better or more polite than simply saying, 'I'm not chewing gum'.

@Isthatthebestyoucando

Why remove yourself? You've had insight into what this person is like with an amount of authority. Wouldn't you have to disclose why you are not there? tipping the rest of the panel off that she is a wanker anyway? I'm not a business person, maybe I don't understand.

I agree with this wholeheartedly but guess you are right. However if you do remove yourself Please tell collegues why. Given a little power is not always a good thing. Especially when you have some idea of how she teeats people.

You must feedback your experience to the panel. As PPs have said you can’t inflict someone toxic on your colleagues.

I definitely believe in karma and what goes around comes around.
I had an equally awful first boss for my first job post uni - called me names, shouted at me for really stupid things. She was high up and good at her job as in got the results the company wanted so despite several several complaints from many people it always got swept under the carpet. But HR was as useful as a chocolate teapot anyway!
I did get my chance for 'revenge'/take the higher ground three times in different ways. It felt good! The main one was I had left the company, progressed higher and she was coming to my new company with me as the head of the department in new place to try and get us to provide a business service for her/old company. We did and it made good business strategy but I sure as hell give her a hard time through awkward questions, providing documents I didn't really need!! Childish maybe but if you've been treated like shit when you almost need support and guidance at that age you don't forget. At my age now if what she did then happened I'd stand up for myself.

Please let us know how it goes and what happens. Makes sense to remove yourself from panel but you HAVE to somehow let her know you work there and/or have influence over the decision etc. Even if you just purposely try to bump into her in the corridor. I would 100% tell the interview panel your background with her, she won't have changed. Ten years isn't much in a senior position as it was for you/me when climbing more runs of the ladder.

10 years ago she was in a position of power and showed herself to be poor. I would assume she is applying for a more senior position of power now. Ignoring your personal feelings about what happened then, you have a duty to your company to select the best candidate, and you have relevant knowledge as to her suitability.

I would suggest you remain on the interview panel, remain professional, but try to question her suitability for the role. "In the past, have you interviewed candidates for employment and if so, do you believe you treated them fairly and impartially, or were you overly influenced by their appearance and your own biases?"