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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people say all the right things in interviews?

53 replies

YourDearHazelHare · 09/10/2024 11:14

I’ve noticed that during interviews, people seem to say exactly what they think the employer wants to hear. Everyone presents themselves as perfect for the job, but then in reality, it doesn’t always match up. AIBU to think that most people are just rehearsing the right things to get the role, rather than being honest about their true abilities or work ethic? Have you experienced this, either as an interviewer or interviewee?

OP posts:
PennyCrayon1 · 09/10/2024 11:15

well of course they do. How else would they get the job?

”actually I’m a bit flakey and will call in sick at the drop of a hat but at least I’ve been honest…” - hired!

Magnastorm · 09/10/2024 11:15

Well, obviously.

If people were always honest in interviews they aren't getting jobs.

It goes both ways. If companies were honest about their shit jobs, then they don't get applicants.

Chowtime · 09/10/2024 11:18

I blame shitty recruitment practices. Years ago , recruitment used to be a specialist issue dealt with by a particular department with trained staff. Now any old body can conduct an interview.

It really and truly is down to the interviewer to establish a robust method of interviewing people to be able to cut to the chase.

And yes,, as a PP said, the company needs to be honest too.

hopeishere · 09/10/2024 11:20

I hired someone once. Great interview. Awful employee. She couldn't manage her time but could have told you how - in theory - she managed her time!!! It was a real learning experience for me as a manager.

TheKeatingFive · 09/10/2024 11:20

This is my super power.

HoppingPavlova · 09/10/2024 11:25

Well yes, as this is what an interview is based on.

Not many people wax lyrical about their weaknesses, and not many employers are forthcoming with deficiencies of the role/company. Essentially, it’s a meeting of two liars.

Chattenoire · 09/10/2024 11:27

Anybody can learn to answer anything with the STAR system

Lincoln24 · 09/10/2024 11:32

You're right of course but as someone who interviews a lot, it only gets you so far when the questions are experienced-based.

If you're asked a question about your experience of monitoring a contract and how that led to service improvements, for example, and you have never done anything of the sort, you have to be a pretty impressive liar to invent that from scratch.

Often ime when someone is asked for an example of experience they don't have, they don't even really understand what they are being asked for. If they do understand enough to make something up then I guess they are already halfway to being able to do it.

Of course if you're asked about timekeeping or prioritisation of tasks almost anyone can bs their way through that. Interviews don't tell you much about those types of core skills.

Redcrayons · 09/10/2024 11:33

Currently interviewing for jobs, and yes, I do research the company and present myself as best fit for the role.
Im not making stuff up, but I’m absolutely going to talk myself up.

the stupidest question I’m always asked? Why did you apply to this role? No one wants to hear, well I’m unemployed, my redundancy is running out, I’m getting desperate, and you have free healthcare and a good pension scheme. I talk about values, culture and what a great fit I am.

interviewers who don’t know how to interview are the problem.

Milkandacookie · 09/10/2024 11:37

Hmm I obviously don't as I'm not getting jobs from the ones I go to. I know I have skills but when they ask you how to do soemthing from their sector they expect you to do and you've not done it before it's really hard. I'd like to get the job and be trained rather than expected to already be able to do it!

BarnacleBeasley · 09/10/2024 11:40

When I interview candidates for a job, I want to know that they fully understand what the role involves and what we're looking for. So being able to bullshit the right responses shows they do know all that (and you'd be surprised how many candidates don't, though you can usually weed them out based on their covering letters.) Why did you apply for this job isn't really a stupid question in that context as it's an opportunity for them to give specific examples about why they're a good fit and where it fits in their career plan. Even though the real answer is that there are hardly any permanent vacancies in our industry, that goes without saying.

Waterboatlass · 09/10/2024 11:41

Well yes. I understand that some people have great experience but come across a bit scrappy, some come across very polished but without as much substance. You learn to try and look through the skill of interviewing and spot the gems. That's fine.

Some, it's actually pretty dishonest. In my last career I recruited a junior manager who told me all about her traditional clerical skills: arranging and minuting meetings, note taking interviews during investigations etc. It was something we needed doing well. Her notes were absolutely shocking. It was strange that she'd focussed so hard on that as a skill when applying when it was so lacking.

HowardTJMoon · 09/10/2024 11:42

Sure. In the same way that no company is going to be honest and say "You'll be reporting to someone who's been promoted past their ability and tries to cover up their imposter syndrome by micro-managing and sudden bursts of rage. Most employees last less than 12 months of this bullshit but even if you want to stay we'll sack you before you reach the two-year mark because it's easier for us."

Chowtime · 09/10/2024 11:42

interviewers who don’t know how to interview are the problem.

Aint that the truth!

I've been interviewed by

a manager who interviewed me for a carer role when I applied for admin
a manager who told me about his holiday in florida, for 45 minutes
a manager who didn't know the difference between income and salary
a manager who asked me if I had a bad back
a manager who asked me if I was planning on getting pregnant soon

All managers, they should have been left to manage, not recruiting staff.

Redcrayons · 09/10/2024 12:10

BarnacleBeasley · 09/10/2024 11:40

When I interview candidates for a job, I want to know that they fully understand what the role involves and what we're looking for. So being able to bullshit the right responses shows they do know all that (and you'd be surprised how many candidates don't, though you can usually weed them out based on their covering letters.) Why did you apply for this job isn't really a stupid question in that context as it's an opportunity for them to give specific examples about why they're a good fit and where it fits in their career plan. Even though the real answer is that there are hardly any permanent vacancies in our industry, that goes without saying.

So if I said to you, ‘I’m 53, unemployed, desperate for a job, and I want free healthcare and a good pension’, you would employ me? if I told you that in 10 years time I want to working part time, winding down to retirement, you’d employ me?

in my industry and field, I would even get past the screening call.

bifurCAT · 09/10/2024 12:11

lol, it's like first dates

"I work hard, I stay in shape, I love travelling, I'll treat you like a princess..."

vs

"I'm on my Playstation all day, I expect you to do all the housework, and sex must be at least every day"

goodluckbinbin · 09/10/2024 12:13

It's what the interview is based on! Those ' tell about a time' ones are the worst.
Properly prepared you can have something ready, plus it's BS... you could just make a situation up.
I once used one that had happened to someone else because I didn't have a good 'tell me when you failed' answer that would suit AND not make me seem like a twit.

I honestly wish we could just go in and say - Look, I'm smart, I get on with people, I can learn anything you need me to learn, I don't complain, just give me a shot!

JustAVeryWeirdWoman · 09/10/2024 12:13

Interviews are a pointless thing for most jobs. It's just an exercise in lying and fakery. Hiring should be based on practical trials.

NineToFiveish · 09/10/2024 12:14

Water's wet, too, OP!

Completelyjo · 09/10/2024 12:15

AIBU to think that most people are just rehearsing the right things to get the role

Well, obviously.

Why do you think it’s preferable to say “I’m not really into this role, it’s not how I would choose to spend me time and I’m ultimately only motivated by the pay cheque” which is the reality for the vast majority of people.

Mrsttcno1 · 09/10/2024 12:15

I have been involved in hiring at both of my last jobs and as a result of exactly this kind of thing we now have a “practical” section of the interview, and a presentation type thing. It at least stops the “ah yes I’ve absolutely used X system and Y system, loads of times” because you can’t blag your way through the practical

goodluckbinbin · 09/10/2024 12:18

I got screened for my current job by a five year old who kept telling me she didn't thing I could work in this country ( I hold dual UK/other citizenship and was born here), and wasn't sure I had the right experience. Not only did I have 25 years experience in the industry but I had previously worked AT THAT company in the same role I was applying for!
I ended the video call saying I was withdrawing my application because it was such a sh&tshow and I thought, why am I trying to go back there if this is who they have doing HR now... I knew the hiring manager though, so he apologised and gave me the job...

MurdoMunro · 09/10/2024 12:21

HowardTJMoon · 09/10/2024 11:42

Sure. In the same way that no company is going to be honest and say "You'll be reporting to someone who's been promoted past their ability and tries to cover up their imposter syndrome by micro-managing and sudden bursts of rage. Most employees last less than 12 months of this bullshit but even if you want to stay we'll sack you before you reach the two-year mark because it's easier for us."

That made me laugh. We’re recruiting at the mo and I was asked if I would be on the ‘call for an informal chat if you want more info’ line. I said please don’t as I couldn’t be trusted not to say almost exactly that 😆

nevergonnaguess · 09/10/2024 12:24

I don't mind interviews tbh. Yes, you put your best foot forward, why wouldn't you? Also, let's not forget, you are also seeing if they match up to your expectations. I've had interviews where I was completely underwhelmed by them, one where the interviewer was inappropriate (ugh!) and one where an member of the panel came in late and sat behind me. One where I was asked how I would deal with aggressive colleagues. I was offered the job in every case. I turned them all down except for the one where the panel member sat behind me because despite that, they gave off a great vibe. Loved working there.