Be honest… do you think this will ruin my chances now with this job?

[Yissw]

Im looking to move roles. I’m in a competitive profession.

Two weeks ago I was contacted by a recruiter who presented this job which was ideal, just what I was looking for with a big pay rise. My cv had been put forward without my name in the first instance and yesterday I was told the company was extremely interested and all but offering me the job just based on experience. They therefore wanted to set up the interview asap.

I have had an email with the interviewer’s name. It’s someone I was in contact with 5 years ago directly (ie not via a recruiter) and we had a pleasant conversation in which I had explained I wasn’t sure if I wanted to move from current job etc but I was still interested in meeting. There was various back and forth and he offered a date to meet ‘how about 3rd November at 5pm?’. I never responded to this email and I don’t remember why…I guess I got caught up in things at work. I’m not sure.

how bad is this? He is a nice man but very ‘on it’ and the recruiter said he will likely remember as he’s the sort of person to do do. It was rude of me not to respond. Am I overthinking or right that he may write me off now?

Say you did respond but never heard back.

Don't lie, just apologise, say you thought you had replied/ must have slipped your mind etc

If you lie, then you'll just sound more unreliable. Especially as it's easy to find out you haven't.

Tbh they should not have your details on file for 5 years!!!!

They shouldn’t be keeping such an email for that long either

They've probably left now anyway.

The interview should be impartial. If it does impact anything, it's a poor reflection on them as an employer.

It was 5 years ago. Hopefully they have a crap memory and don't remember?? If they do then apologise and find an excuse to make up.

If the topic of 5 years ago comes up just say you weren't quite sure you were ready for the move back then but you've seen the opportunity now, progressed so much since and think it would be a great fit for both partys.

Best of luck, you'll be fine.

As an aside, I used to be involved with interviewing candidates. My co-interviewer was a bit surprised when an applicant said he had been interviewed by the same person 3 years before.

He couldn't even remember them.

I had a good laugh afterwards winding them up though "how could you not remember?" The answer was simple, he'd done so many interviews he couldn't possibly remember all of them.

but isn’t the fact that I didn’t actually respond one way or another pretty much nail in the coffin…

I definitely think he will remember this. And it’s not that they have my details on file as such, but that I spoke directly to this same man

he won't remember, i interview alot of people and couldn't tell you names of people i saw 5 years ago let alone exchanged emails with.

I interview, and I really, really don't think you should worry.

He might vaguely remember your name, but I guarantee he won't remember the details of why you weren't interviewed. Even if he checks his emails (he won't!) it could well be that you called to cancel and there's no record of that.

If it was terribly important then, they would have followed up. It's likely (sorry!) you were just another CV, and you can start afresh.

Good liluck!

Emails get dropped. If it comes up just apologize. It happens. It should not be a nail in any coffin. Go for the job if you want it!

A pound to a penny they will not remember - you're overthinking.

If they do, just say 'yes, I didn't follow up at the time but was intrigued - then of course we moved into Christmas, then Covid - not a time to be making a move'.

I’d tackle it briefly and lightly at some point in the interview. It’s socially and professionally awkward but in my experience people are quite good at mutually moving past awkwardness if given a suitable out.

honestly who can remember exactly how an email exchange went 5 years ago? I’d go in with the assumption that he’ll remember you but not recall exactly why you didn’t meet up or any of the exact details. You were under no obligation to meet up with him then. You didn’t intentionally ghost him. I’d guess work and life just got in the way and this wasn’t a priority for you.

i’d Say something probably early in the interview when you are doing introductions like “I think we were in contact about 5 years ago about a similar role. It’s a shame we never got a chance to meet at the time. Things got really busy for me at work blah blah. I’m really excited as this is a perfect role for me and I’m ready to make a move now”

You can’t prevent him holding a grudge if he’s going to. But you CAN show you can handle slightly awkward situations professionally.

They're not going to remember someone they didn't meet 5 years ago. People are busy.

You are overthinking

don’t say anything / bring it up

he may assume you either didn’t get his email suggesting a time and date, or you replied and he dropped the ball.

either way, you have nothing to loose, so go for it and best of luck.

I’d agree, I would recall. And I also find it incredibly rude to ghost Like this.

however I would still go for it, don’t lie,but if it comes up, you need a story as to why you did that.

Why would he assume that, he was setting up an actual interview date. You know when someone ghosts you. And you remember.

Recollections may vary! If asked you could always say you don't recall recieving that email inviting you to meet.

Don't bring it up yourself, obviously. I don't think it's that big a deal, or that he will necessarily remember. If he brings it up just say, oh so sorry did I not reply, I'm mortified etc. And have reasons ready as to why it wasn't the right move then but it is the right move now so you can move on the compensation immediately. Sadly, if you don't get this job, you'll never know if it was this or something else, but ultimately all you can do is go for it. Good luck!

I doubt he remembers for absolute sure.

When you say "the recruiter said he will likely remember" do you mean you mentioned it to the recruiter unprompted? Don't do that sort of thing again!

I doubt he thinks he has been “ghosted”.

He was scheduling a work meeting.