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😢

I rather like it. It will certainly make you memorable!

There you go, it was taken in the spirit you gave it.
I think it’s a really nice and thoughtful gesture; yes, some people were interviewing you, but others were basically having their working day disrupted so they could meet/spend time with you, and a small gift is a good way of acknowledging that and saying you appreciate it.

You sound great. Don’t worry about it. Echoing others - I don’t think it’ll have any effect on your chances. I hope you get it!

I think it was an unusual thing to do but it wasn't as if you handed them to a panel after a formal interview.

It’s a bit unusual but I don’t think they will let it be part of their decision making to be honest. I wouldn’t do that again though.

Sounds absolutely fine. Good luck!

If you want to get a bit more analytical about it:

a) you took a mild risk, which is exactly the right strategy if you are up against a lot of other very similar candidates.
b) and seems it actually paid off. You got a good human chat out of it with the director. S/he will remember you and in a good way.

Well played!

I hope you get the job. If you don’t, don’t beat yourself up about the chocs. It will be that someone else was more suitable xx

I’ve just remembered I went for an interview once and went to the loo. Didn’t know it had a dodgy lock and the boss walked in…luckily I’d finished and was washing my hands. Got the job.

I don’t think it’s the done thing but a very sweet gesture nonetheless, if you are the right candidate it won’t have a negative impact and it’s highly unlikely you wouldn’t get the job just because of this. I’m sure they will think it was a thoughtful thing to do. Good luck!

I think its a really nice thing to do. It reminds me of Ross and the mini muffins and ugly naked guys apartment.

I hope you got the job.

I think it's lovely OP. Good luck!

The journalist Caitlin Moran baked and brought a cake in a similar situation (it's mentioned in one of her books). She also didn't know it was an unusual thing to do. Doesn't seem to have held her back!

Good luck with the job.

I think it shows you as a lovely thoughtful person who would be a good team player. It sounds like they allowed you to relax and chat about non interview things with people so it may well have done you a favour. I doubt anybody will see it as anything other than you intended. You are inexperienced as you are just out of university so people won't worry about you being a bit green as that is surely what they expect at your stage in life. Good luck and don't dwell on it.

It's a little odd but if you interviewed well and everything else about you ticked the right boxes it wouldn't affect the outcome. Don't let it dwell in your mind too much.

Its a bit odd/not the done thing but it’s only a box of chocolates. I don’t think anyone will seriously think you were trying to bribe them.
Try not to worry. It might be the thing you laugh about once you’ve been their 4 or 5 years!

If I was on the panel I'd think it was a cheap gimmick and inappropriate.

unusual yes, seen as bribery no.
when you attend an interview along with a lot of other people it’s quite a good thing to have something that helps you stand out so that in discussion afterwards amongst the staff it’s easy to remember individuals Ie “the girl who bought the chocolates” so I think you’ve done yourself a favor and I wish you well, I really hope you get the job.

I was also raised by wolves so get this completely 🙂.

OP its awesome. Its an extra move that tbh won't make a difference as such, but its a good culture fit exercise. Me personally, I'd value it as you recognising the time given up by people and thats the kind of person Id want to work with. A less people oriented culture might not value it, but that means you wouldnt be as happy there probably.

It's like the ad where the interviewer says, "I'm so glad you felt comfortable enough to come to an interview in trainers, the jobs yours" said no interviewer ever!!

Another that hopes you get the job op. Best of luck!

As an employer, I would think this was a thoughtful gesture. It certainly wouldn’t put you in a negative light and frankly I would need far more than a box of M&S chocs to contemplate any kind of bribery!
I hope you get it op, do let us know?

It won't get you the job but the worst they'll think is that you were being kind/polite. That won't be the thing they dwell on when assessing your performance.

It's true it's not really the done thing, but I fail to see how it would kick you out of the pool of potential candidates.

Just came on this thread to see if there was a wild opinion that this could be bribery and as if there was ffs 😂😂😂

As pp's have said its unusual but I wouldnt think you were weird or anything and would take it in the spirit its intended.

Best of luck OP, I'm rooting for you.

I also grew up not being taught social norms so know how hard it is. I really dont think it was bad and sounds more like it was a good ice breaker.

Me too !
i am an ex recruiter too and I would only think well of what was clearly a kind and thoughtful gesture. .