AIBU to worry that bringing chocolates to an interview was inappropriate?

[Thebigwideworld]

I think I’ve messed up the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had and cannot stop overthinking it and worrying about it😢

im in the process of getting a trainee/graduate position sorted for after graduation. Some firms are really popular and sought after and notoriously difficult to get a position in. I’ve got to the final interview stage at my absolute number 1 choice. I already interviewed online and passed the initial stages (including a group session which wasn’t hosted at the firm itself) and the last stage was an in person interview at the firm and also for them to show you round and meet different people for the day.

I don’t know why I thought it was the done-thing to do, but I brought chocolates for them to say thank you for having me for the afternoon. It was a large box of Belgian chocolates from m&s. I just sort of thought there was a lot of people giving up their time to show me round, chat to me and interview and I just thought it was the sort of thing you did in this situation to say thank you! Sort of like last day of work experience when you bring gifts to thank people for giving up their time

I briefly mentioned it to my friends who were a bit like wtf, why would you do that, and a bit flabbergasted that I thought I should do it. They said I’m going to look like I’m trying to win them over and that it makes me look immature and really unaware for doing it for not realising it’s all just an interview and they’re not showing me round out the good of their heart

I think it just sort of left me that it was all a big giant interview process and I just thought hey, they’re giving up their time to meet me and show me stuff, I’ll get them a little thing to say thank you because that’s what you’re supposed to do?! But I sort of lost sight that them showing me round and all the people meeting me were all just part of the interview process, and now I’ve made myself look like a complete idiot

just so as to not drop feed, I didn’t grow up with parents and had to teach myself a lot of stuff like this, especially social situations and formal work stuff. It’s all completely new to me and I don’t have anyone to go back to and ask for advice unfortunately.

i really wanted this position, and now im worried sick I’ve blown it and made myself look stupid, or that I didn’t appreciate that it was all part of the interview process (which in turn makes me look stupid too). Does anyone work at a firm and could advise me if I’ve made myself look like a complete idiot?

thanks😢

It’s a kind gesture that’s not commonly done but kinda sweet.

Err it could be interpreted as bribery but with luck they will realise that wasn't your intention.

What a sweet thing to do-but v unusual.
I cannot imagine it will affect your chances either way- except they’ll remember you!
please don’t worry.if you’re as prepared as you imply, it’s down to the interview itself.

If they want you, a box of chocolates won't put them off

Don't do it again ❤️

What type of business is it? They obviously like you for you to get to this stage. Well done. Did you give the chocolates at the end of the process? And what was the response?

I used to interview people a lot and no one had ever done that but it will make you memorable and would certainly not have impact on the outcome of the interview

Yes you didn't need to bring chocolates and I would say it was a bit out of place but at the same time I don't think it's the end of the world.

I don't think it would be a deciding factor in whether you get the job or not and I really hope you do.

I would find it charming. Nobody thinks a box of chocolates is a bribe!

It won’t affect your chances either way. Good luck 🤞 but also sounds like you’ve done amazing to get this far.

Ah look, it's not the done thing but if it's a big firm with a full on recruitment and selection process they'll be judging on merit against set criteria. You've done well to get to this stage and this won't form part of the decision making process.
Chalk it up to experience.

It’s not the usual thing to do - no. If I was interviewing you it would make me think “thats odd`’ but wouldnt on its own mean I wouldnt give you the job.

Its an unusual thing to do but I very much doubt that it would count for much compared to the way you behaved during the rest of the process. Good luck.

Don’t worry. Too late now! Good luck! Let us know when they call to offer you it!

It is quite unusual but I work in hr and someone did once bring me a small box of ferrero roche to an interview didn’t make a big thing of it just gave them to me and I thought it was really nice, made her very memorable! Never happened again in 20 years but you definitely aren’t the only one to do it!

No, it's not what you usually do. But after an interview for a graduate role with someone without an extensive work history, I would think it was just a sweet rookie mistake. I wouldn't see it as bribery.

To thank people for their time, you send a follow up interview.

There is a blog called Ask a Manager that is a workplace advice column that's good on office/interview norms. It's US authored so not always spot on for UK culture but it's a good starting point.

Honestly Its unusual i grant you but honestly in the right context and if i liked you as a candidate I'd be pretty impressed / see it as a positive sign that you really want the job.

I always want to hire "hungry people" who have drive...
If i grad did this i would not view it as a "bribe"

It's not a commonplace thing to do - but i doubt it would put them off you if they thought you were the right person for the job.

Don't worry about it though! It's actually quite a sweet thing to do. Not sure I'd do it again if I were you - but no harm done.

I interview people and never been brought chocolates. BUT it would not factor in our decision making. If we thought you were the most suitable candidate, then you would be offered the position.

I would have felt charmed and slightly amused as an interviewer, but there is nothing to gain whatsoever from ruminating over this.

It’s not something that I’ve ever come across before (and I’ve done a lot of grad recruitment) but I think it’s a lovely gesture and wouldn’t count against you at all. Based on my office, everyone will have been delighted to have some free chocolate!

I so so hope they pick you!!

It would surprise me but wouldn't put me off. Just a reminder that the panel was being paid for their time and just doing their job.

Anyone else singing Deacon Blues “Chocolate Girl”?

Work places run well on small acts of kindness. A box of chocolates or doughnuts can cheer everyone up.
Don’t overthink it. You were very kind.

That’s what I was so worried about- in case it looked like I was trying to buy them over with gifts or something!

honestly, I don’t know why I did it- I think I just sort of went into autopilot and just assumed it was the done thing and didn’t even think about it.

it’s actually quite hard because no one teaches you this sort of etiquette and I’ve had to fill in all the blanks myself over the years and i think I’ve just filled this one in completely wrongly!🙃

they actually seemed to like it and were happy- I just said this is for the staffroom/kitchen to say thanks to all the staff that spent time with me today (receptionist, current trainee, partner etc) but actually they were all spending time with me to gauge what I was like as part of the interview process, and I’ve made myself look completely immature and daft by giving chocolates as if it was a school trip day out or work experience

I’ve got my fingers crossed this doesn’t mess up my chances because if it does I’ll be soo frustrated with myself x

I interview a lot and I'd just think it was an unusual but nice gesture, it wouldn't affect my decision either way. People do all kinds of weird stuff in interviews, this is far from the do-not-employ end of the spectrum.

It certainly wouldn't cross my mind to think of bribery, we are hardly likely to make everyone's life harder by employing a lesser candidate for the sake of a box of chocolate!