To think some interviewers couldn’t care less?

[LemonWasp]

I’ve had a few interviews lately, and it feels like some interviewers are just going through the motions without any real interest in the candidates. I understand they have a job to do, but it can be really disheartening when it seems like they don’t care about the role or the people they’re interviewing. AIBU to feel this way?

I think there are some interviews that are conducted so that a process can be shown to have happened, where there is someone who will get the job unless they really mess up the interview. To avoid allegations of unfair rectruitment.

This, 100%! I think a lot of employers know who they are going to employ but have to go through the legal motions.

Like the local government 'consultation periods' where everyone knows that the decision has already been made and they are just waiting to rubber-stamp it after going through the legal motions...

A friend of mine works in a place where there is a fairly high turnover of staff. She is constantly doing some part of the recruitment process and it's very demoralizing as she never feels like it results in positive change just more recruitment. Obvs there are other things happening there which contribute to the high turnover of staff. The roles involve chemical research so presentations on complex stuff etc. Not just standard questions. I personally find interviewing people exhausting so I can totally see why she is tired of it and perhaps why she isn't super focussed for every interviewee. Granted it might not be ideal but she is human too 🤷‍♀️

Honestly, there are some interviews when you know in the first couple of minutes that the person isn't right for the role. In which case, it is very much a matter of going through the motions. Sometimes, but very very rarely, they might surprise you but otherwise, it's an interview for the sake of it.

DS had a Teams interview where the interviewer was 15 minutes late, then didn't put her video on so he couldn't see her, only she could see him. Then she had a really strong accent that he really struggled with as he couldn't see her lips to help lip read - and he had to keep asking her to repeat the question. She didn't seem interested in anything he said and couldn't answer the questions he asked at the end. He was told he'd hear if he got the position by the end of the week. Three weeks later he was told the position had been put on hold. All this was for an apprenticeship!

Yes.Someone who’s already working there internally, covering this role, who will go for the interview, however it’s been earmarked for them, they’ve already got the job.The interview has just been a box ticking exercise.