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😢

Honestly you are overthinking it. OK so it is not the done thing, But so what? I bet they will remember you from all the other candidates because of the chocs. If they want you they want you and some sweets isn't going to change that.

Don't be so haed on yourself we all live and learn starting out in our careers, And best of luck !

I forgot to add. You should be really proud of yourself regardless of the outcome.

Graduate positions are significantly over subscribed and extremely competitive. Only the best of the best make it to the final round and there's so little between most of the candidates.

To get this far in the process is a huge achievement - don't underestimate that and it should give you a lot of confidence.

It's a sign that you won't be unemployed for long - whether it's this position or another one.

I agree with this, I think it was an unusual thing to do but how you worded it was perfect and that tips it into a nice thoughtful thing to do. It's more common in certain cultures to give gifts so they may have come across it before.

Please don't worry about it, if they think you're the right person they'll hire you, this won't have put them off. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :)

You sound extremely natural with people and the reaction of the director and the cleaners shows they didn’t find it strange at all.

if he was happy to stand and chat with you thats a good sign too, if he thought you were not a good fit it would be a quicker goodbye I think.

please can you update the thread if you get the job!

Don't beat yourself up, OP. A box of chocolates to show appreciation isn't going to be viewed as an attempted bribe at all. Far worse things have happened in interviews. I once interviewed someone on Zoom who asked us to pause, while she went off and screamed at her husband and child. And then five minutes later she paused and did it again! You showed consideration and thoughtfulness. I don't think it will backfire at all.

Ahh, having read all your updates I'd have said you're a sweetheart and in with a great chance of getting the role! You've shown that you've got everything they asked for to get to interview, made a good impression to get through to the next round, been kind and thoughtful with the chocolates AND able to comfortably banter with all levels of staff. Please let us know how you get on!

It wasn't necessary and maybe a little unusual, but your description of how it went down doesn't sound like it was at all bad. They won't see you trying to buy them over a box of chocolates. I don't think it will hurt your chances. Good luck with the process.

You’re a student and applying for a trainee position so while it does seem a bit unusual, that shouldn’t go against you. We love chocolates/cakes etc in our office so it would give a good impression if anything!

I was reviewing applications for a legal apprenticeship once and on a CV they had written that one of their hobbies was “making a good lasagne with my mum”. That always sticks out for me 🤣

You did you, carry on doing that, it's so refreshing. I think it was a nice thing to do, it seemed to be appreciated and l don't think it will have an influence on whether you get the job - but I hope you do!

I would just think "person who brings good snacks into the office. Extra tick" and move on.

I agree - shows lovely manners.
Good luck OP x

I interview, if someone did thos for a senior/ established role it would seem weird and try hard, but as a grad interviewing for their first job its more sweet/ innocent.

If you were the right person for the job it wouldn't put me off.

I don’t have time to read the whole thread, but be sure to email them and thank them for the opportunity to interview. This is very important. You can find sample emails/letters online.

And stop worrying about the chocolates!

I think it was a very sweet gesture. I hope you get the position, good luck!

I agree with PP’s, unusual but won’t be the difference between getting the grad job or not. If you’ve made the cut, you’ve made the cut, a box of chocs isn’t going to change anything.

I used to be on the interview panel at a big 4 firm and we once had a Spanish or Italian (can’t quite remember) grad stand up and kiss each of us on both cheeks as she was getting up to leave.

We were all very British and awkward but she still got the role as she passed all the criteria in the selection process.

A lovely, if unorthodox gesture - I'd probably give you the job/the benefit of the doubt - NOT because I'll do anything for chocolate (I will 😃 ), but because it shows a degree of lateral thinking, forethought and insight.

You sound like a lovely person op. I hope you get the job! You should be so proud of yourself. 🤞

Well, they'll probably remember you rather than having you fade into the background.

I think that you sound lovely. I hope you get the job.

I think you sound absolutely fantastic, you’ve done so well for yourself. Best of luck - they’d be lucky to have you!

It’s a bit of a ‘try hard’ gesture, but sweet at the same time.
Best of luck and I hope you get the job!

It would have made you stand out in my mind and if you’d got to that stage I’d have been seriously considering you already anyway. I’d say no harm done and possibly quite a nice touch as a team player.

( finance / risk management - city of London - senior management)

It’s unusual but I don’t think it will influence them one way or the other. Good luck!

I actually think that, because it’s not the norm, I would absolutely be impressed at the fact that you’d genuinely thought and appreciated that people had spent time with you, and that you’d seen it as something for your benefit rather than just an interview process which sometimes can be a tick-box exercise. Honestly, I would be glad to see such a genuine gesture and it would give me an insight into who you actually are as a person, rather than the version of themselves that most people show at an interview.

I know that at my workplace we would see this is a positive thing and an opportunity to see who you truly are. However I do think it depends a bit on the type of organisation you were interviewing in.

Whatever happens, don’t beat yourself up about it. If this role doesn’t come off it might be that the organisation isn’t the right fit for you. Somewhere else will be.

FWIW it would be seen in a positive light at my place, which is a household brand you’d recognise so don’t believe that all corporates are hard faced and inhuman, despite what your friends might have you believe. I would also echo that, if they want you, this wouldn’t put a decent workplace off.

Good luck! Come back and let us know the outcome.

I think you sound wonderful, and I really hope you get the job!