Unprofessional?

[Greenpasture]

I attended a job interview on Thursday morning, and as I left, the interviewer said she would: "definitely be deciding this afternoon, so I will be phoning you by the end of the day."

I didn't hear anything that day, or today.

I'm really put off this company now, AIBU to think it's quite unprofessional to not follow up on what you say you're going to do?

Yes, very small company, no HR, interviewed directly by the owner/manager.

Since you were interviewed by the sole decision maker, manager and person who promised to get back to you and did not, I understand how you might think she is flakey or not a good employer to work for.

Thank you, I do think in this context it's a red flag.

Ironically as part of the interview we discussed how vital it is to communicate and get back to clients when you say you will - something I'm very organised with; we agreed this was very important (!).

I think it was a daft thing for the interviewer to commit to. But you do seem to be blowing it out of all proportion.

Agreed, she is not to be trusted, I'd bin this one.

I had an internal interview last year (applying for a vacancy in my department but under different line management) and they didn't get back to me in over a week 😂. I didn't want to be pushy so waited for about a week and then asked my line manager if they knew what was happening. It turned out that one of the interview panel had gone off sick after the interviews were held but they failed to let any of the applicants know. I had to wait another couple of weeks at which point they graciously came back and said it was a draw between me and another applicant and I'd have to attend a second interview, which would have been no problem in general, but after no communication from them for ages and finding out some things about a few of the people in the team, I withdrew my application. I learned that one person on the interview panel had a disciplinary procedure against them as they had relentlessly bullied various junior staff. I know I dodged a bullet and the lack off communication was one of the indicators of all not being well, it was such a toxic work culture. I'm now working for another department for the same employer and my colleagues couldn't be nicer. Remember, at this stage you have the choice to walk away, not so easy once you work for someone unprofessional <shudders>.

It would be a no from me unless it was a medical emergency and they were in hospital or had a valid serious reason.

It sounds like a Mickey Mouse outfit anyway.

100% agree OP. All they needed to say was we expect to make a decision in the next few days so will be in touch by next week.

This used to drive me mad. I managed a professional membership society which offered scholarships. The volunteer officers would tell candidates there would be a decision that night despite me pleading for them to say ‘in a few days’. Of course something cropped up and then we had to contact the candidates and apologise for delay. Eventually I did get the officers to say ‘within a week’ - under promise and over deliver is always my preference.

Exactly, it was unprofessional to say they'd be in touch that day and then not follow up on that.

As I said upthread, I know my value as an employee and I'd rather find an employer whose words meet their actions.

Luckily I have another offer and more interviews lined up so I'll be withdrawing myself from this one!

She may have interviewed a better client after you.. who is now in negotiations, so they are holding you in reserve.
It happens, I’m afraid.

under promise and over deliver is always my preference

Completely agree; with clients I am very realistic with time frames but give myself extra time as sometimes it's needed, and surely it's common courtesy to acknowledge and communicate that it'll be a few more days.

It takes one minute to phone or email to update someone. I'd be mortified to say I was going to phone someone with a significant decision by X time/day and then not get in touch whatsoever.

You misunderstood my point.

If that was the case, the professional action would have been to have phoned or emailed me to say they were going to take another few days/week/month to decide; completely understandable.

The unprofessionalism relates to the lack of communication when she said she would be in touch, not her hiring decision itself.

That was a lucky escape!

It's always good to get that context, that the issue is very much themselves...

And you're so right, always better to see their standards now rather than after potentially taking the role!