To be suspicious of job where the employer says at interview that they want you to 'hit the ground running'?

[TinselTarts]

It screams to me of 'we won't train you but will expect slave labour from you from day one'

Also, the interviewer at said interview also said as his first words to me at the interview 'Right, impress me!'

Sounds like another way of telling you that you will be walking into a shitstorm!

I would think the same as you. The interviewer sounds like a bit of a knob and would probably be a nightmare to work with

I would walk out.

What a knob!

Oh absolutely corporate wanker speak for zero training and will constantly criticise if you shockingly don't meet ridiculous targets. But we like to think of each other as family.

Run.

Lol, sounds like a Grade A cunt.

Oh he was an utter prick.

He also said at one point that he's not keen on employing anyone with children as 'they're always distracted and have got stuff going on in their personal life'.

And he was butt ugly too!

After I'd accepted a new position, the interviewer who had phoned to offer the post said that they would like me to be able to hit the ground running. It meant doing some familiarisation while I was working my notice (at my level that's 6 months...felt like a lifetime!!!) but did mean that I already knew people and I'd been involved in key decisions when I did start.
If I was not at this level then I would have been dubious that their expectations were too high!

I would interpret it as the post hasn't been filled after someone left, they are desperate to fill it and there is no one to train you.

There you have it.

He told on himself! Believe him when he tells you loud and clear he's an idiot.

Was the interviewer David Brent?

"Hit the ground running" totally expected in my profession once you hit a certain level of seniority. "Right, impress me" identifies the interviewer as an idiot and not someone I would want to work with...

@JamieFraserskneewarmer

For certain jobs, yes, there is a reasonable expectation that a candidate would be able to fulfill certain aspects of the role. For a generic or entry level post then no.

Exactly this. For someone experienced, they’re making it clear that they don’t expect to do any hand holding. If it’s a very junior role, that’s different altogether.

No idea why his looks come into it. Judging someone on their looks is even worse than saying “right, impress me” although both are poor behaviour.

Red flags all over this one!

I’d be more worried about “right, impress me”, but I’m at a level where I’m reasonably expected to hit the ground running.

Sounds like you dodged a bullet.

I would also send an email to HR/the CEO highlighting the discriminatory comments made about women with kids in the interview...

We get asked (a lot) to find candidates who can hit the ground running... it just means they need someone who already knows what they are doing/doing the same job elsewhere/is experienced at doing this particular job and no, they may not have time to train or upskill, hence needing someone to hit the ground running !
It's not a bad thing or cause for concern if you are confident you can do the job (I'm sure they'll give you some training on their specific systems if needs be) Other clients will ask for candidates who are "on the up" and can be nurtured and trained as they want to move people up through the company. Different horses for different courses.
As for the "impress me"....just no 🙄

Nah. It's an entirely reasonable request. If you apply for a job that requires you to be able to crack straight on and you need loads of trainng and handholding, that's on you. Some organisation just don't have the luxury of loads of resource to handhold new employees.

Depends on the job role

They sound like tossers. Do they also work "at pace"?

Completely this - hiring more senior staff I expect to brief them on projects, the politics etc but not train them (they are expected to already have the technical expertise required) so yes I expect you to be adding value swiftly.

'Impress me' is an arse thing to say, though.

I'd me massively tempted to say back, 'No, impress ME!'

People forget interviewing is a two way street.

Well he has to give you the job now so you don’t sue him.

Depends on the role, scope, level and industry experience. At my level (snr. director) in a specific industry and role, I was hired because of my background and ability to get things moving fast in a new role (in the middle of major reorg) vs someone outside the industry with the relevant experience and level (ability to influence, decision making etc.) who would take longer to onboard. As a hiring manager, I've made that decision for candidates and roles several times as well. If I have time to spend onboarding and training someone, great. If I don't, I'm going for a candidate that can hit the ground running 100% with minimal handholding needed.

Pretty sure that's bordering on illegal and discriminatory. I'd report this to the recruiter. Totally inappropriate.