Have you ever taken a job where you didn’t like potential colleagues at interview

[Badvibe]

I’d be mad right? That’s my gut feeling.

I was invited to interview recently. A week on and they’ve offered me the job.

It’s a senior role and suits my specialism, 30% pay rise.

I didn’t warm to almost half of the people (3 out of 8) on the panels, as in I thought they were somewhat unfriendly and felt they challenged my answers because they held different views on how something would be tackled in real terms - fine, were all entitled to our opinion but it isn’t how I would deal with recruitment.

I’m very experienced in my field, not saying that different approaches aren’t valid but I don’t think interview is an appropriate place for their responses. Slightly concerned about the culture having interviewed (although staff consultation results are ok/fairly good).

They’ve also switched position on something I explicitly asked about in a pre application phone call - I wouldn’t have applied and definitely wouldn’t take the job unless that was changed back.

So I could have a convo about the change but is it really worth it given my gut feeling - I’ve got five hours to respond.

Years ago I interviewed for 2 jobs in one interview. Panel was 2 new people and an old friend. JobA: work mostly with new guy I had only had a nice phone convo with; JobB work with old friend & other new person, who seemed very lovely during interview.

When asked to choose, I said I preferred the most interesting job (A)

Omg, dodged a bullet. Took a few months but I now have terrific rapport with boss I got. Have come to be very disappointed with old friend as a colleague and the lovely-person has shown time & again she's a very frustrating colleague.

Personally I have learnt I can't always tell at interview who is best boss/colleague to have.

There's a lot to be said about the people you work with - I worked in a place with good pay and really great job, but the people and culture were awful. Really cliquey, leaving people out of things, micro-bullying. It wasn't worth my mental health and I left.

Now working in another job with much nicer people, and although the epay is less, my mental health has significantly improved! Glad you went with your gut OP :)

Thanks fart.

I'm largely happy with my job, paid well, respected, have a lovely team and enjoy my work. I was just looking for something more challenging. I initially I though ££££ but in reality the cash alone isn't enough to leave and put up with anything that isn't what I want/need.

I am really pleased for you @Badvibe It's clear from your posts that you feel relieved. There will be something better out there I am sure.

Thanks Snow - glad it’s behind me tbh. You are right, I do feel relief! I’ve spent years building a team at work and it’s a really good team - you don’t realise how much that’s worth until you’re starting something else in the face!!

staring not starting!

Reading your update, it’d be a nice from me. Not worth the stress and not being happy.

*no

Always trust your gut instinct. There's two things you've flagged. Don't let the pay rise blind you.

I took a job once and the warning signs were there, I had to ring twice and chase the job offer. Once in the job I was looking for a new job after two weeks, had to stay 6-8 months. Shambles

My last job interview I remember thinking my manager to be looked completely disinterested and kept looking out of the window during the interview. HIs line manager was much kinder./ friendlier. In reality my manager turned out ok but top boss not a nice woman at all, so I think some interviews can be deceiving. In the past few weeks I have been for about ten interviews and have felt relieved when I haven't got some as the panel seemed unfriendly. The one I have accepted, both of the panel seemed lovely, the interview turned into more of a conversation than an interview and it just felt right.

Good move OP. I’ve ended up in a muddle and I’m having work problems. I was interviewed a few weeks ago for a role 2 people interviewed me the one who I was led to believe would be by manger has left and gone already. I’m now reporting to the other person and if i’d known that i wouldn’t have taken the job...no people skills at interview very cold and awkward ...only bonus is it’s not perm and I’m hoping to find something else...interview was on teams and was weird no small talk just 10 mins of silence while he waited for the other interviewer to join...

Adding my voice to the trust your gut gang here!! Not saying you need to be totally charmed and enchanted with everyone you meet in a hiring process. But you know when someone behaves in a way that seems off. Trust that 100%. I made that mistake early on with an interviewer who insisted that I must be lying to him about my cv because I’d made different career choices to what he would’ve done. Totally inappropriate - but I was so keen to impress I overlooked it. Never made that mistake again. Especially when you see some people on a panel allowing for someone else’s bad behaviour - then you really know it’s a bigger problem than just one person’s way of showing up.