Would you attend an interview for a job you don't want?

[Pickgo]

I'm in a quandry. I could do with the experience as it's quite a long time since I played the interview game. On the other hand I've a feeling they may well offer me the job and I'm pretty certain I don't want it.

I feel bad for wasting their time and don't want to alienate them by rejecting a possible offer because they may know other companies I am applying to.

I'd welcome any thoughts. Is it really bad form to go through the interview process then turn the job down?

I would go along to get the interview experience. Don't think of it as wasting their time, it's your time too, and if you are going to get something positive out of it (interview practice) then it's worthwhile.

It's always possible that you may feel differently about the job as a result of the interview. I've gone for interviews in the past where I have initially not been too keen on the job, but have ended up really interested in it after hearing more about it and meeting the people.

In any case, I wouldn't feel bad about turning the job down if they do offer it to you. I've done that before (and breathed a huge sigh of relief as I knew it wasn't the right job for me).

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

No - life is too short.

Yes, because you might change your mind when you are there and meet the people. You don't know for sure you would not take the job so you won't be wasting anyones time.

Dont interview for a job that you are already sure you dont want. It is bad form, and you wont be able to perform at your best.

Yes, for interview experience. Plus the interview should be 2 way, you checking them out as well as them checking you out. I think it's ok to turn down a role, very politely with good reasons.
Good luck.

Sorry, thought I'd said, it's a second interview so I've met them already. I was initially very keen but having learnt more about the job don't want it. It's not through an agency so no concerns there, but I am a bit worried about them knowing so many other companies in the industry where I might be applying in future.
Also not sure what reason I could give that won't give offence or be obvious that I didn't wanted it before I came.

Ah, well that's a bit different then. I would probably turn down a second interview if I knew I didn't want the job.

Can you not say that having learned more about the job, you don't think it's the right opportunity for you at this stage but thank them for considering you? You can keep your reasons quite vague, but if you are polite and professional about it, I dont think there's anything to worry about.

It's not bad form to go through the interview process then turn the job down as the process is as much about candidates finding out whether the job is for them as it is the other way round.

It is bad form to go through the interview process (first or second) if you already know the job is not for you. You will be wasting people's time, possibly denying another candidate a shot at a second interview and damaging relationships with the company when there is always a possibility you might want to work there at a point in the future.

Given you also know they have contacts with other companies you may be applying to and are concerned in that respect, I'm a bit confused why you are even considering it tbh!

I was actually encouraged TO do this by a careers advisor at university (on principle, not just in a particular case).

However, in the few cases where I have done this, it's always come back to bite me in some way (e.g. in my current job which I stupidly ended up accepting even though it was not at all what I wanted and it has turned out to be a nightmare).

That said, when I went to view my current house, I had absolutely no intention of buying it and I was certain of that.