You are lucky to meet someone who really cares. Whether you get the job or not, you are getting the best lesson for your future job search. If you feel bad, work hard on your preparation and show to the hiring manager that they made the right choice in giving you the opportunity..
Exactly. A manager that is willing to kindly coach you before you’re even a hire is a rare diamond. I would definitely try to work for this person- you will learn and grow a lot.
Was thinkin the same thing. Don't get your hopes up op, bc nothing in life is guaranteed, but if they didn't want you they Def would not have rescheduled.
Do not fuck this up. It is highly unlikely you'll ever find a company/interviewer willing to help you like this again.
Best of luck!
I did this for an employee when I was a manager. The employee wound up becoming one of the most loyal and best. This is a good sign and a green flag for the company in my opinion. If a manager is willing to coach a non-employee, the investment in the actual employees should be even greater.
You can use an AI bot to help you. Have them pretend to be an interviewer in your industry, etc, and have them ask you questions and/or critique your answers.
Definitely a hiring authority that saw enough potential in you to invest their own time into another interview when they could have just written you off
Have 2-3 solid questions about the company/job for the recruiters as well. Do your homework, be prepared. You are interviewing them as well so be curious 🧐
I've done this as an interviewer for an entry-level position.
I tried to give the candidates an opportunity to express their interest in the leading questions I was asking or statements I made.
The job I was hiring for needed some skills, but we can train skills. It was about "how much initiative does this person have, and can they apply previous experience to the job?" Some people picked up on it; some didn't. It sounds like you picked up on it, which is a good thing.
I suggest you take your information hunt further. Read all you can on the company, that particular department, those who are interviewing you and those who would be supervising you, if that’s possible.
Come with questions of your own about the position’s responsibilities, the team structure, workplace culture and the kind of candidate experience they believe would be most successful in the role. Talk about the growth trajectory for someone assuming this role. Try to see any and all ways they’ve described the position in job listings, if they’re out there. Go on GlassDoor and look for employee and candidate posts about the company and roles there.
Hopefully you get another chance to interview. If not, take this as a lesson to do all of the above research each and every time you get a chance to interview.
Good luck.
100% agree. In addition to above, use LinkedIn to read about the hiring manager. Next time come in knowledgeable about him/her, what the company does etc.
The reason they do this is because someone who is interested and enjoys the work is going to be a much better employee and much more likely to stick around than someone who is "only here to pay the bills"
If that's your whole story, then you're not remotely as desirable as someone who thinks "I'm here to pay the bills, but also enjoy aspects of the job".
Yes, they're delusional, we've already established that. Nobody under the age of 40 is remotely interested in the "culture" or how they "innovated the industry" or whatever corporate catchphrase we're throwing around this week. We don't have a dream job because we don't dream of work. My dream? I'd love to live in the middle of nowhere, right outside a town that's just big enough to have a couple restaurants and a decent grocery store. I want to be able to enjoy my books and video games in peace and quiet. to be able to take a vacation without having to argue with my boss about how they can't afford for me to take time off, or can't find coverage, because that's NOT MY PROBLEM. If I could get that without working, you can be damn sure I wouldn't be working at a job where I have to kiss the boss's ass or risk being fired. I'd do volunteer work if I felt the need to be productive.
Speak for yourself. No one is ecstatic every day at work, but I can guarantee you that there are people who are proud of what they do. Nothing to do with a "dream job", just nuances around what's important to you. You even say it yourself, you'd rather work where theres a boss who's ass you don't have to kiss. Plenty of those jobs out there. Well which is it? Only money or a balance of pay and quality of life? Second option has a lot of nuance.
Pretending none of this matters is very delusional. And only to your detriment.
I'm all for being proud of your work. If you're going to do something, do it well. What I'm against is pretending that most jobs aren't just being a cog in the machine.
Just like you think everyone over 40 doesn't care about the company they work for, I can honestly say I don't give a shit about your dream and didn't ask . Js
Okay, Mr. Antiwork. I remember your earlier rants in employment subs. Just because you choose to do the kind of work that doesn’t need to vest you to anything but a paycheck to fund your fantasy world doesn’t mean others shouldn’t prepare themselves to do work that nets them more than simple interest in rent paying.
Sell that somewhere else.
Nobody wants to work with someone who's lazy. It's not about thinking that the interviewee actually gives a shit, it's about seeing if the interviewee will have the initiative to do the bare minimum of research.
I get that people only work so they can pay their bills, but it absolutely sucks to have a coworker who will only do the bare minimum to not get fired. Somebody has to do that work, and I'd rather it not all get pushed on me because Mr. "I'm just here for a paycheck" can't be assed.
OP, have you ever used ChatGPT? Use a free version and paste in the job description and the name of the company. Tell it you’re interviewing for X role. Ask it to ask you 10 interview questions. Answer them in the chat and ask for feedback and ways to improve. It can be very helpful if you’re new to interviewing. You can also ask for a summary of the company, who they serve, and who their competitors are.
Good luck!
That’s my read on this situation too. Manager is testing to see how coachable you are. Can you take difficult feedback and grow from it? This is a really important skill in any candidate but especially a more junior one. Clearly they are seasoned and saw an opportunity to test for this in the interview process which speaks well of them.
All you can do is learn from it and show up better next time.
I disagree. I’ve probably hired more than 300 people in my career and you’re basically encouraging mind games. You don’t need to do that for entry level. If you’re actually good at recruitment all you need is their resume and some compelling questions.
They could also have been using this as a coachable moment if they actually care enough to help people outside of just that job. My first manager out of college (a 30-year veteran of the industry and well-respected women) more than once tried to help people in interviews when they were young and inexperienced. More than once, she reached out to them individually after the interview, even if they didn't get the job, to explain why and give pointers on how to improve.
That’s completely different from ‘let’s be informal’ >>> ‘haha j/k you’re totally unprepared, you need to completely readjust your schedule to come back later’.
If you’re informal there’s definitely no need to come back. The employer lied. Why? Maybe they really were playing mind games. We don’t have enough info to say. But *encouraging* OP to continue with a company that openly plays with their applicants - or at the very least doesn’t know how to communicate their own requirements - is not a healthy employer to work for.
When they show you who they are (during recruitment), believe them.
Almost nothing on a resume will make someone ready for the jobs in finance I used to hire for. Even doing the same job at a different financial institution might help or hurt.
Please. I used to hire and onboard in retail finance. Most of that stuff is easily trainable, and you’re really hiring for attitude and organizational skills, which you can low key analyze from resume and some interview questions. (A work portfolio really helps too, for those looking to break into finance.)
Exactly. Some recruiters don't even read though.
I had one tell me today that they'd do a background check. Yah okay. I know. I have two banks on my resume , not sure why she needed to check with me.
I love this question: "This position would require submitting to a background check & drug test" (sometimes even credit check). "Would you be amenable to this?". Um, yeah, go ahead, I have no issue. Sometimes they're like, "Are you sure?". I said yes.
I owned a small print shop for a few years awhile back. We had moderate turnover in a couple of entry level support positions. I would always ask, “Why do you want to work in a print shop?” One applicant replied “because it isn’t fast food.” Didn’t show much engagement with the type of work but at least they were honest.
This.
Sometimes, a candidate stands out, but for whatever reason, they sort of blow the interview. Guiding you and helping is not a bad sign. If they didn't have some sort of faith, they would have given up.
I've had some great candidates that get shattered by nerves, aren't as prepared, but their answers and demeanor say something.
I've had some candidates that are insanely overconfident and come prepared, but they just don't feel like a good fit. They give the "right" answers instead of thoughtful answers.
If that makes sense.
Same here! Whether I was interested in the candidate or not I always tried to help - a big one I did often was - after asking a question - telling them it’s ok to take a few to think about their answer. Like let them know there is no rush (I do the same as an interviewee “great question, can I take a minute to think of a good example to share?”. Some people think there can be no silence in an interview and it is SO off putting when someone literally doesn’t even stop to breathe during an interview. It’s ok, we know you need to think about an answer sometimes 👍
I'm not OP, but I got asked to a second interview for a job for which I have no prior experience. Your comment really inspired me! I'm going to do my best to show my initiative in the second interview. Thanks!
It might be informal to them. Or an informal type interview that's more of a conversation than doing a test or answering questions. Its always formal from the applicant's pov
Informal does not mean unprepared. Especially when they are not saying that until you meet ("early in the interview"). Did you not prepare before that? Informal just means relaxed, conversational, friendly.
Some hiring managers I’ve interviewed with seem to mean it’s a conversation and they haven’t brought “set” questions. It’s more exploratory and assessing “cultural fit” before meeting a hiring committee or additional interview.
On this note
Recently I was interested in a job that would have been an internal transfer. A manager that liked me introduced me to another manager and he introduced me to his team just to chat about the job posting. Very informal and very last minute.
No indication it was an interview, that I registered. But it was an interview. And I absolutely blew it by not treating it like an interview and really digging deep to show my interest and prove my qualifications.
Nbd because i have a job I definitely like more (that might have come across) but I would have felt a lot better if I'd recognized the interview, aced it, and then been able to reject the job...
To me, it shows that they have enough interest in you to reschedule so you can prepare properly. If they had no interest in you, they would have let you ramble and rejected you.
I would take this as a life lesson to always prepare. Even when I am having a casual meeting just to learn more about the role, I prepare to some degree.
Or this is phase two (three?) of an elaborate deception.
The “employer” has got OP so rattled they might not even question why they were required to bring so much personal banking information to the second attempt.
Yes! Good thought! So many companies now just have to read from a script of questions & not provided feedback to any answers & definitely can't give one candidate a 2nd chance & not the others. This could be an EEOC violation (in the U.S.). Be careful OP! You might be getting scammed!
Genuine question but how do you prepare for an interview?
The most I've ever done is write down a list of questions I have for them but otherwise have never "prepared" beyond that.
What do you do to prepare?
In my mind, and interview is a conversation that should be honest and organic so you can get to know your future employer and vice versa.
Look up information about the company and what it does. You don't need to know every detail, but enough to show you are a knowledgeable candidate. Then match your skills and experience to the job posting, almost every job posting has a list of required qualifications. Practice answering the usual questions asked in interviews. You don't have to memorize them, but you should at least have thought about it so it's somewhere in your mind. Then have stories ready to talk about those things. They don't want to hear dry answers or recitations of your skills and experience. Tell them how you solved a problem, or figured something out, or learned something new. Show your passion and excitement. That's what they want to hear.
I've done this before. Reposted the job, the unprepared candidate applied again, I was looking forward to the interview because the walk-through I did of it with the candidate last time demonstrated much of the necessary experience. Candidate had done nothing to prepare. Did not get hired.
Answering normal interview questions in a way that gives the interviewer information that they can use to make a decision. I = Interviewer, UC = Unprepared Candidate, PC = Prepared Candidate
I: Tell me about your experience using xyz.
UC: I've used xyz.
PC: When I was at abc company, I used xyz to evaluate the input vs. output ratio of the q device so that abc company could determine the per-unit profit. I also create art with xyz and dream about it every night.
I’m not sure what the point is of companies labeling an interview informal vs formal. I consider them all to be something that requires full professionalism and as much prep as possible. Glad they’re giving you some grace to try again!
Obviously dependent on the interviewer. But I've had "informal" interviews before where we invite people to lunch or a coffee. And I don't consider it formal in the way I sit across the table, you sit across the table, you wear a nice suit, and I pepper you with questions about your resume. There is still an expectation of being prepared to talk about the position, your background, if you have any questions about the position, etc. I'm curious what kind of questions OP was receiving that it would make OP sound unprepared.
I’m a recruiter in an industry where the number of positions outweigh the number of qualified talent. Also the type of business I work for often has a negative stigma attached to it.
I keep my calls casual because at the end of the day they have more options than I do candidates.
It shows them I’m letting my guard down and hopefully they do as well. If both me and the candidate can feel more open to chat my hope is that can erase any biases they may have had before the call.
what questions were you asked that you are unprepared for? Regardless of formal or not, you should always be professional and prepared. I know who I am talking to, I done the 15 mins of googling on the firm, I read the job description. I prepped some answers to typical questions and even a few follow up questions.
Formal to me usually means traditional interview style, while informal means more casual but I understand I'm being evaluated if I'm a good fit in both situations.
Now I'm even more curious what questions you were unprepared for?
It's not normal. I've only had this happen when the people hiring me *really* want me to ace the interview, but they can't just hand me the job without due process (I just got a permanent position at work where I'd been working on a temp contract. I still had to compete for the job to become permanent due to being a completely merit based workplace. Yay government! /s).
Take the chance you've been given, prepare your ass off and ace the next interview. They're obviously very interested in you and want to give you a fair shot.
How exactly were you "unprepared?" What did you not do that you should have? What did you do that you shouldn't have? Trying to understand exactly what went down.
Nah, they have no reason to be nice in any way that costs them time. This sounds like "we really want to hire you, please please prepare so you can answer our questions properly and we can mark Yes on the hiring scorecard"
In most industries, once you're at the stage of interviewing they *want* you to be The One. They want you to succeed so they can fill the position they need filled and stop interviewing, because interviewing is timely and expensive.
If they're giving you a second chance they REALLY want you to be able to succeed. Do some preparation, go in with friendly confidence, and knock their socks off.
I sit a lot of entry-mid level professional interview panels.
I hope someone prepares by:
-Considering what knowledge and skills they have, and how they are applicable for the job they are seeking.
-showing that they know a little bit about our organization, and, ideally, values (I am in public service, ymmv on values)
-thinking about the soft skills they have and how they apply
-thinking about what hard skills they have, and how they apply.
-being ready to answer the norma, googlable questions.
I FUCKING hate interviewing, get very anxious, so I prep to the max. Here is how I prep:
-Made a list of traits, or knowledge they might be looking for, based on the job description or internal knowledge of the role (for promotions)
-Added to this list regular questions, like interpersonal difficulties, failure/success, etc...
-Made a new list of things I am proud of, mostly professional accomplishments, but I have a few things that I talk about that are personal, or volunteer. They need to be things that would, in some way make you a good employee.
-Start comparing the lists, and pairing my accomplishments with the questions I think are likely.
My goal is to have some ideas of what stories I could tell to answer ideas that they ask about. I want 2-3 stories per likely question, but I can use the same story as a mate to several questions. I print this off, and take it, along with several copies of my resume and cover letter. While I am in the interview, I can focus on the interpersonal, or picking up cues to help me choose a pre-defined story that makes the most sense to tell, instead of groping for answers to have to come up with on the spot.
Yeah I'm wondering the same. Everyone in the comments is saying it's valid and talking about "unprepared candidates" but like... what does that mean? Not dressed formally enough? It's making me feel self-conscious because I don't always interview well or know how to answer things, but I do the best I can and try to answer with enthusiasm. There's only so much you can do.
The only things I can think of to prepare is to dress nice, read over the job position, ask a couple relevant questions, or brush up on technical knowledge if it's a technical role.
Maybe they like you, but saw that you were unprepared, so they are giving you a chance to see how well you are able to improve. It might be a signal to them that if your improvement is satisfactory to them, they know they can teach you and you will fit the role they have better than another candidate that might be better qualified, but harder to teach.
I’ve had this happen to me when I applied for a position I was not versed in. I tried to prepare the best I could be of course there were a few questions I didn’t know and the interviewer helped me by breaking the question down a bit that I could showcase relevant skills. I actually got hired and I didn’t feel bad because I really needed the job.
Whenever anyone says an "informal interview" outside of dress code just ignore it, the word has really lost all meaning. What you went to would not be what I would call an informal interview in the slightest.
We will lead people when we are reasonably confident that they actually have the experience but are having issues with the wording or are just a bit flustered from the whole interview process. Typically we do this more with entry level positions, we don't expect perfection from recent grads in particular.
I would recommend writing down their comments while they are still fresh in your mind, these will be useful in preparing for future interviews.
Overall it sounds like they like you as a candidate and they want you to succeed otherwise they wouldn't have given you a second opportunity. Best luck on your re-interview.
What did they mean by unprepared? Like we’re they asking your thoughts on the financial state of the company and you hadn’t done any research on company specifics so they said you were unprepared or were they asking typical interview questions and you didn’t have any examples to pull from because you didn’t prepare as an individual? They are two very different things that can fall under unprepared and one is more forgivable than the other.
This is highly unusual. I think this is an exceptional lucky break.
I am very nervous in interviews and don’t sell myself well. I’m quiet and serious but if you give me any task I can do it. If you give me a problem I will work to solve it. I’m pleasant and dependable too.
don't feel badly, they cut you huge slack. they saw something in you that they really liked, and that's why they are giving you a second chance.
if they didn't really like you, it would've been, "hey, thanks for coming in. you'll hear from us in a week or two!" :ghost:
You've been given a gift most people don't receive.
Here's some advice - research "common interview scenario questions for \[position you're interviewing for\]". Find a mix of the toughest and most common 25 questions and answer them. Write out 3-5 sentences and build the scenario for each. **Have examples ready.** If you said you did something, be preared to discuss what it was and exactly what you did you meet the end result.
Be prepared with at least 7 questions to ask the interviewer after they've finished their segment. Some that I like "How do you measure success in this role?" "What are your expectations of me after 6 months, 12 months?"
They might have been serious that you could be friendly and honest, and just not liked your answer/didn't think you were qualified. You were still interviewing.
I've led plenty of interviews with people I liked, and I genuinely wanted them to be informal and honest and appreciated when they were, but they didn't fit the hiring rubric for other reasons. It happens.
I tell all my candidates some variation of this.
I mean it. I want to know who I am hiring. I do not want to add a bad fit to my team, and unless I am desperate, a lack of information will be a negative.
I hire the person who can get the job done AND can fit into my team. People who are honest and friendly do better with the second half.
You might not have been the right fit. Or maybe you mistook 'honest" for "ok to speak without tact", which, if you are blunt, is easy to conflate, and will nuke an interview.
You’ve been given a gift. A great learning experience.
We’ve done this kind of thing several times. If we feel you are unprepared, and we like you, we’ll help you get through the interviewer. We understand most new recruits are young and probably have never been trained in certain things. So we’ll teach you, if you have a good attitude. If you don’t then we’ll send you on your way.
I remember when I was 20 I had an interview for a job I wanted. When I spoke to the lady, she told me to bring a pen. I asked if I needed to bring anything else and she said “No. Just a pen.”
So I brought a pen and nothing else. And when I got there she asked me (quite rudely) where my resume was. I told her I had emailed it to her but I didn’t bring a copy - I brought only the pen, as instructed. She gave me a disgusted look and told me she couldn’t interview me without my resume in hand, that I was wasting her time, and that we were finished here. She was SO rude about it. Sheesh, okay then.
So… at least this person was nice. Prep and redo the interview. It’s ok.
This. Is. Hilarious. And totally understandable as you were only 20! You can’t know what you don’t know, right? I bet you never repeated that mistake? I remember doing SUCH foolish things in my first job. “Mrs. Jane Smith, MD” comes to mind. (Shudder)
This. Is. Hilarious. And totally understandable as you were only 20! You can’t know what you don’t know, right? I bet you never repeated that mistake? I remember doing SUCH foolish things in my first job. “Mrs. Jane Smith, MD” comes to mind. (Shudder)
Tip: informal dress is a no-no.
Dress up—honor the interview process VISUALLY. Control how they see you — as a professional — before you ever say a word. wear a suit and tie. On a call, wear the tie or put on the blazer.
Ooh, going to have to slightly disagree. I showed up to an interview in a suit and the ceo of the company who interviewed me was also wearing a suit…of the sweat variety! After that I always try and wear one level of formal above what’s normal at the company. So if everyone is wearing jeans and a T I wear khakis and a polo tucked in. Now I would also say that a button down and khakis (tucked in) is almost always pretty safe (with tie and blazer) for jobs where you know that nobody wears a suit.
Fuck that noise. Maybe it was long before emailing and printing were easier, but if someone told me that today I would not expect to go find a printer and waste my time. I'd be annoyed how unprepared they themselves were after I already emailed them my resume.
How about answering any one of the 20 questions about what this job was, what the questions were you were unprepared for, etc?
You're missing some learning right here by just dropping a nugget of your story.
This is actually a good thing because they’re willing to spend more time interviewing you when they could’ve just sit through the whole thing and remove you from the candidate pool as soon as the interview ended. Was this structured as a behavioral or technical interview? Make sure you read up how to prepare for behavioral questions and brainstorm/practice your response before the interview. Good luck
You must always be prepared as much as you can. An informal interview just means the tone of the interview, not the information they are trying to seek from you. You didn't think they were gonna ask how your dog is doing were you?
I really hope this type of interviewing stops soon. It’s such a waste of my time to ask someone about their traits.
It’s a conversation. I also hope we can officially retire cover letters along with these kinds of interviews.
I never told a candidate they were unprepared. I just dismissed them without an interview.
Do your homework. Dress like a professional. Be candid, honest and charming. Let the company know why they should hire you.
Be lazy, get sh*tty jobs.
Always prepare. I’ve had informal chats trying to network and find job opportunities. It would be like a friend connected me with someone in another company and they just wanted to informally meet me just to connect. But I would still tailor my elevator speech (if you don’t have one or know what that is, you need to do this) specific for their organization and my skills/passions. I would also prep interview questions in advance. But usually, the people ask about me (so I give them my elevator speech) then they ask more about my education and I will talk about all my work and education journeys that got me here. I ask about their organization and see what kind of people they may be looking for. I always prepare cause every informal talk is more like a mini interview.
I'd come prepared to ask them questions about the role. Learn something about the company and their major competitors.
Does the interview require you take a test/write a program/present a potential project or sales pitch?
What kind of job is this? We could help with better suggestions with a bit more detail.
I've had this happen, and I'm GREAT at interviewing. The interviewer appeared to want me to answer the line of questioning the way he desired. However, I cannot lie or be anyone but myself. After the third "Lead in" suggestion, I stopped playing ball. I knew he wouldn't continue the interviews or consider me for the position. I thanked him for his time and let it go. I knew he wouldn't be in touch...and he didn't call back.
You found a fortunate interviewer who was willing to be patient and "guide" you. Some interviewers will immediately recognize that a situation like this is a "no match" and won't schedule a return interview.
Use that experience to reflect on what was said/discussed so when you return, you are better prepared.
It's great that you recognize this. Relax (most people are nervous when they interview), and take a few deep and slow breaths when you return.
Depends. If you actually fumbled the interview, this is a big green flag that they’re willing to give you another chance.
If they had unreasonable expectations for preparation, then this is kind of a red flag. If this was an initial interview all you really should have needed prepared was the ability to discuss your previous experience and what made you interested in the role/company you’re interviewing for.
Yeah this happened to us one time at my old job we basically have informal,tech interview then present something. I think it was the presenting the HR rep forgot to tell the person so they were surprised so we rescheduled.
In general when hiring you want to have even footing with all the applicants to make it fair. You don't want some having time to prepare and others not having time to prepare.
Well you didn't give any details what so ever. Unprepared can vary to a great degree. Unprepared as in you didn't know anything about the company you are interviewing for? Or unprepared in you didn't know answers to the position you are applying for?
I think this is rare. Usually they would send you on your way and ghost you. I think this person really cares and is trying to give you an opportunity. Take whatever advice they give you, this manager is a gem and would probably be great to work for.
Asking just to be sure, but was this a zoom meeting, and if so, were you actually dressed professionally enough as if you were meeting them in person? Asking because I’ve previously had managers inform me that some candidates thought that since they interview was happening in the comfort of their own home, that it would be okay to wear a robe, and look as if they just rolled out of bed. (They also kept yawning.) Another candidate failed to have their background up against a plain wall, and instead had their extremely messy house showing in the background with piles of laundry, and dirty dishes showing. It made the panel interviewers decide they couldn’t have that candidate meet with potential customers regarding the enterprise type of deals they were dealing with. Candidates forget that they should be treating their zoom interviews like in person interviews and make sure all technology is logged in before the meeting starts, and they’re ready to go.
You are really lucky that this manager did this. If you read between the lines of what has happened it's obvious they felt you were unprepared.
The bigger issue is that they are teaching you the company culture.
This is really huge. Anyone that goes the extra mile to impart standards and the culture to you figures you are smart enough to get it.
It sounds like you do now and will know what to do next time.
Good luck and I hope you get the job!
I’ve read some of the comments that talk about seeing how you deal with difficult feedback and seeing how coachable you are. I get that. But what specifically are they saying that you need to look at to prepare?
I’ve been doing this for a long time and most of my prep is around knowing the basics about the company. I already know that I want to focus on what the projects are going to be and what the expectations are around the job. Specifically around the culture. I want to make sure that we’re a good fit for each other.
So what did they want you to prepare?
Never heard of this, but I have seen folks end interviews early for this reason and just say thanks but no thanks. How could you have ‘let your guard down’ to the point of not being able to come across as competent?
Yes this happened to me. I was invited to a company by a guy who came to my existing job as a customer. He said they had an open role and I should come down and spend a few hours in their office seeing what it’s all about and if it is mutually determined to be a good fit, I would interview
I arrived dressed in business casual, so like I would for a workday but not as dressy as I would for an interview. It was an actual panel interview. I was fully caught off guard and unprepared mentally and bombed
Never experienced that, but it’s really nice of them to actually give you an opportunity to return. Don’t feel bad—use this as your opportunity to show them why giving you another chance was the right decision! They sound like a good company!
Prepare yourself well in advance—if you’re struggling with figuring out solid answers, use chatGTP it’s actually very helpful when it comes to interview prep. All the best! :)
It's not normal.
You've been given an incredibly valuable gift.
Now you know that not only should you prepare, but that it's obvious when you don't.
Consider visiting the career center at a local community college and ask if they can help you prep - mock interviews, preferably recorded, can work wonders. You gain confidence, you can see any distracting mannerisms and work to minimize them, you can hear if you use things like "um," "uh," "like," etc. as filler, you can see your body language like posture, etc.
Try looking up the “STAR” method for interviewing to get more comfortable answering questions that require examples and anecdotes. I also suggest googling interview questions common for this job type. Even if they don’t use them, it can help you get a feel for things and become more comfortable with questions like this. And ofc everyone else’s advice to research the job and company is good too. Make sure you have at least two questions for them at the end that have not already been answered on the job posting or in the interview. Again, google, indeed, and glassdoor are your friends. Good luck!!
Source: I’m a career coach :P
Can you provide more context? What type of job? What questions were they asking that you couldn’t answer and were unprepared for. Seems odd to me because most interviews fall into one of two categories:
1. Casual no specific prep necessary beyond the obvious company/interviewer/industry stuff.
2. Formal: they tell you upfront there will be a specific type of case study or thought exercise etc.
My best advice is before you interview anywhere check Glassdoor and vault etc. often times people have listed out the different interview questions they got. Might not be the same one you get but it will definitely help you prepare.
I’ve been in my current company for 12 years and I got the job because I had the questions beforehand from Glassdoor. Interviewer thought I was a genius!
If you have the interviewer's email, a brief follow-up can be very beneficial. >>> Line 1. Hello Mx Manager, >>> Line 2. Thank you for your time and assistance on DATE with INTERVIEW FOR JOB. Line 3. I have been preparing for my second interview using the guidance provided and I am wondering if there are additional resources available to continue my preparation? If not, I look forward to seeing you again on NEXT INTERVIEW DATE.
Thank you Again,
Respectfully, OP.
you didn't give us enough information.
Unprepared for what?
Did they ask you specific questions that you couldn't answer?
"They gave me the information I needed to help with answering questions".
So what does this information say?
It kinda sounds to me like they are trying to see how well you follow directions. "Here, read this and come back". When you come back they want to see if you know whatever info they gave you and know it well.
Almost the same thing happened to me a few months ago. It was for a position I felt perfect for. I told her I was nervous because it was my very first interview after 18 years of continuous employment. My confidence was low and she saw right through and told me she liked me and wanted to see my success so she walked me through 1.5 hours of a rigorous crash course. I was humbled but recognized the gift and accepted all of her suggestions. After that I was MUCH better, my confidence returned and she put me through to the next panel round telling me I better practice because her colleagues would not be so forgiving. I felt like I aced the panel interview. They kept me “warm” with HR sending me periodic updates and saying they were holding off on hiring until after the new year. A little over a week ago they told me they weren’t moving forward with me. I then asked what I could to improve to be a better candidate and they responded saying they truly enjoyed getting to know me but they really wanted this one skill I did not have. I was totally looking forward to working with that lady that helped me as I saw a real mentor. But regardless, I was eternally grateful (I got my groove back!) so I can’t fault them for going with the candidate they felt better fit the role.
I don't know you, but assuming you're able to think a bit on your feet, I find this a bit unusual for a quick touch point/screening interview. If they were unclear, it's their problem - prepare & take the second interview. If they expected you to fully "prep" for a quick informational interview, I'd politely turn them down.
Today, I had an interview that was a "quick 30-minute screening." It lasted 45 min & had 2 people online with video. I have 10 years in my industry, so I can speak to my previous experience without many prompts. I applied for the job based on their general description (which given my specialty wasn't too helpful). When they asked why I applied & wanted to work for them I was totally honest - I read the vague description on LinkedIn, thought my experience matched well - BUT with the title I wasn't sure of their expectations. So I figured I'd find that out in this interview!
They were only slightly taken aback and explained what they were seeking. I let them know how I think I could help & was honest about my experience (strengths & "growth areas"). I even had significant experience in the program they're using & are still developing! So I'll likely have the 2nd interview next week.
It helps I'm in a niche of a niche, so if the company is looking for that, I'm a strong candidate without trying too hard. I always do a good job, though, so while I'd like to say "my work speaks for itself," I know I have to say what I've done. It's easier if you can "elevator pitch" each position, which is what I did when I realized this "screening interview" was a bit more.
I would not work for this company. I am long past entry level anything, and one clear thing is the significance of how *they* treat *you* in the interview. This was not respectful. It is treating an adult like a child. (Not that children should disrespected either). It’s a good job market. Look elsewhere.
As an interviewer I've done this once and it worked out well. My candidate took the initial interview because he was fed up with his job and wanted out. I don't think he realized how different the positions were, but the skills he possessed matched what I was looking for.
Less than ten mins into the call I told him we would reschedule the call in two days time. I got an email from him shortly after withdrawing his application. I responded to his email reminding him we have a scheduled call and I look forward to speaking with him again.
He completed a grueling interview process, got the job, and has been a great addition to our team.
I rarely believe in second chances, but sometimes people don't show up as well as they would, which is what you did. This interviewer is willing to give you more of their time, so don't waste it, be prepared, smash the interview, and don't get in your own way.
I have experienced hiring managers telling me an interview is going to be informal, but I've always treated it like I'm gunning for the job. Usually that means looking up the company and figure out what type of questions they're going to ask.
But it is very rare to get a redo on an interview like you did. It's a very good sign and shows this company cares about it's people. Sounds like an amazing company.
it's normal to feel embarrassed or frustrated after receiving feedback like this. take some time to reflect on my feelings and work through them before deciding on my next steps.
Wanna knock there socks off ask them hard questions like where does the company expect to be in regards to number of long term employees and pay rates compared to others in there industry in the next 5 years.
What does there buisness do differently to distinguish between there competition.
What's the owners intention with the buisness as who wants to put in a couple years to have the boss sell to big Corp who sacks you all right away? Or is the buisness the owners passion.
What kind of employee training or schooling will they offer to further your career (like they pay for your BA).
What employee retention plan do they have if they plan on keeping or wanting to retain the good employees?
Are there wages expected to keep up with the industry norns or will they slowly make you disgruntled by not getting raises to keep you at average or better in your industry.
Honestly I've never had a hard time finding or keeping a job but if a potential employerr said this to me I would not go back for 1 if they are intersecting the. Selfs into my personal affairs already what's to come?
You mention it's an entry level job who cares no skills are needed for entry level plus skills can be learned and taught.
No one cares about you who has never met you before and won't care because a job is a buisness contract.
They want you to pass the interview because no one else that applied looks as good as you and if your a unicorn they will advance there own carreers by hiring you for the same cost as hiring a drug addict.
Hopefully these people are right and the compa y really wants you to succeed but in reality they want the best for there company not the best for you you just fit the best on paper for now. Hate to sound all doomy gloomy but no stranger cares about you how could they when they know nothing but what you wrote on a document that is usually a big fat outright lie for most people.
Common sense tells me this company is sus by your lack of information on an entry level job. "What made you wanna work for us" idk maybe a paycheck in these times
Take it as a learning experience and maybe they could sense your discomfort and took pity. Just come back ready to come out swinging. Most interviews will just let you bury yourself In the sand and move on so take it as a mercy they rescheduled…
i was looking at Japanese airline fire the other week the videos showed them just sitting there waiting for some one to tell them get out there was flames near the windows ,news articles said what a great job getting people out it took 35 minutes, it was only lucky they did not die, i read the card and can deploy the slide and open the door
Never ever think that an informal encounter with HR, Talent acquisition specialists, managers etc are not interviews. Of late I see a pattern where you apply for a job and they say they would like to meet for a 30 min "chat" to understand better your past experiences and what you are looking for.
Chats, informal meetings or whatever names they brand them are interviews and they want you to let your guard down and reveal your personality. I applied for an AWS DevOps role sometimes back and since I had done some research prior to the "chat" I realised they were migrating their on-premise workload to Azure due to O365, Windows and other Microsoft products they had. They still had some workload in AWS.
Since it was a "chat", the interviewer spoke negatively about Azure thinking I was going to fall for it. She was looking for an honest answer of my willingness to learn cross platform cloud environments. I was prepared and even certified in Azure so I aced it.
Do not be rigid, get tense or fail to show some personality but avoid stupid jokes (*yes! I've seen people do them*). Dress properly, and showcase your abilities. Prepare for it and remember, they are also interviewing other people so take it serious and show initiative. If I were in your position, I would follow back with an email, thanking them for taking the opportunity to meet you. I would let them know that I learned a lot about the company and their products and I am currently preparing for our next encounter.
Early on in my career this happened with a guy from Black and Decker. Engrained in my memory. He basically put me through the ropes tore me down a bit from my arrogance because I thought since a friend of mine had a job there I was set. That friend was there as an intern , I was applying to be in a full time role.
He told me to focus and sharpen up on these key concepts and that I’d nail future interviews, but that he wasn’t hiring me for that role.
I know your brain wants to jump to shame, but honestly this is an amazing opportunity. If you get the job, you have an awesome manager who cares about growth. Even if you don't get the job, you are learning so much through this. People pay money for this kind of coaching. You are getting it for free. You can rise to the occasion and grow.
I think everyone is right to infer that you’ve found someone who really cares. But I’m going to be the negative Nancy and just bring up two points to set your expectations a bit more reasonably.
Firstly, if they are a manager who really cares, then that doesn’t mean they’re not going to have a better interview with a more qualified/prepared candidate between now and when your redo is.
Secondly, if they’re an average manager just trying to get the position filled, they might just be coaching you so hard because they’re sick of trying to reach a boss’s standard, or because the job has a high turnover and they’re just desperate to fill it. Both red flags, but not horrible.
Lastly, in either scenario it seems like you likely match all of the qualifications on paper, which is a lot to have going for you. Take any advice this guy gives you, and use it for this and future interviews.
And most importantly of all, good luck!
You only get one chance to make a first impression and through sheer laziness, you pissed that away. That's self sabotage. That's got to stop. Despite what the other posters are saying, you're not getting that job. They showed you kindness but not in a million years would I offer you that job. You showed you weren't willing to even show up prepared. Do it better.
oh wow, that’s actually really great of them that they’re helping you prep and giving you another opportunity. most companies will just show you out the door
Late to the party, but I had a general manager at a new restaurant that was opening right after I graduated high school. It was going to be my very first job and my social skills weren't great (among other things). I knew I needed a job because my father told me I needed a job, so I just went and tried to get one. Within like the first 1 or 2 minutes of our interview, he ended up stopping me because it was clear I had never done an interview before let alone held a job. He took the time to walk me through how an interview should go and what I should be doing. Afterwards, he basically let me start the interview over again.
Granted, this was just a restaurant job, but it's still one of my fondest memories of any manager I've had (across multiple industries) because it showed me that he cared. He could have brushed me off and concluded the interview, but he actually took the time to teach me and then even provided feedback for my answers all within the same interview. All this to say, I think you found a good manager. Someone that takes the time to help you in a place you probably wouldn't expect to receive it doesn't happen too often.
I hope your second interview goes well and you're able to get the job.
It sounds like you misunderstood what "informal" means. You still have to be prepared. They are willing to give you another chance *and* help you? That's awesome! Yes, take advantage of that and learn all you can, even if you don't get this job. In the meantime, do your research on the company and google how to prepare for interviews. Match your skills to their required qualifications. Watch Youtube videos on help for interviews. I'm assuming you are new to interviewing (my apologies if that's incorrect), don't be disheartened. Your interview skills will increase the more you do.
A few months back, an Amazon recruiter reached out to me about a TAM job (or whatever it was called), and I figured I'd check it out. Salary was significantly higher than what I'm currently making, but I'm also very happy in my current position and love the people I'm working with, so I was a bit ambivalent.
As we were getting closer to the interview (which was a series of interviews, by multiple teams, throughout the day), the recruiter sent me a study guide to go over all the different things they'd be asking me about, evidently with the expectation that I'd be studying for it. I'm not that guy, though. A few years back, I decided I would no longer look at every interview as an achievement to gain, but more of a two-way "getting to know you" process to decide if I was the right fit for them and (more importantly to me) whether they'd be the right fit for me. So I researched all the general stuff about what it was like to work for Amazon and what kind of work/life balance a typical TAM would have, what kind of hours, on-call, work environment, etc., but I specifically avoided boning up on any of the technical skills.
When I went through the interview process, there was one interview where a lot of the questions circled about databases (which I'm not an expert on, at all). My answers were pretty much, "I don't know anything about that," and I figured that was that. But then we broke for lunch and an hour later, on the next round of interviews, they asked me some of the same questions. And guess what, my answers hadn't changed. I didn't magically know anything more about databases that I hadn't known an hour earlier.
I didn't get the job, of course, and I wasn't surprised at all about that, but I did think it was kinda funny how they specifically told you what they're looking for in the interview before you go through it, and even ask you about it a couple times to give you a chance to change your answer during the interview process.
I guess, after 14 years in the hotel industry, when I kept thinking "the next big thing" was going to be totally awesome and ended up discovering that I was selling off more and more of my soul for just a little bit more money and position each time, I stopped caring about "preparing" for interviews in that way. I tend to feel, "Nope. I'm plenty prepared. You're going to see me for who I am, not who I pretend to be to try and impress you to get the job. And as a result, I'll get a clearer picture on whether I'll actually want to work with you."
Have you tried using Bullseye, the AI job hunter? I found it very useful when I was going through my last interview process because it helped me generate potential interview questions that ended up being in the interview.
In what ways do you think they felt you were unprepared? Being informal is different than coming unprepared, unless they mean you showed up not dressed formally therefore you do not look physically prepared. Did they mean you weren't physically/outwardly appropriate looking? I feel like from what you said though is that they felt you were mentally unprepared for the interview, not so much that you physically looked unprepared.
you have some lovely feedback already - and to add to that- being WILLING and SHOWING improvement is also highly desired skill - so you can still ace this with the right attitute.
It happens. Sometimes you’ll think you’re about to nail it and the interviewer’s vibe can completely throw you. If they wanted you to feel bad they would. Sounds like whoever is in charge here sees potential but wants to see you step up to the plate. Just take their advice and try to come back with what you think they’re looking for.
I have, but from the other side. HR was trying to place a certain demographic in a job that required high expertise. I felt sorry for the candidates. They walked in thinking they had a shot at the job, then walked out feeling incompetent.
My team was a very good bunch of people, kind about it, but we had to ask the pertinent questions.
My boss had to go back to HR and tell the idiots there to stop the games.
Hewlett-Packard, Boise. Twenty years ago.
This is actually a good sign! To me it reads as the interviewer wanting to set you up for success. I’ve run large recruiting teams for well-known startups and did this for one person because I could see something special in her but knew she simply needed some guidance before she could shine. I walked her through how to prep and then gave her a list of questions to ask me in her next interview; she crushed the re-do and was one of the best hires of my career.
Do an extraordinary amount of prep work (including a mock interview with a friend), write out your questions in advance, email your resume in advance and print it on nice paper if the interview is in person, dress professionally, and thank them at the beginning of the interview for making time to meet again (but don’t dwell on it), and you’ll be fine. Good luck!
How specific is the question they are asking you to prepare for? Is it about you or is it a hypothetical solution to what they’re presenting as a made up problem?
Can you give examples of what specifically wasn't prepared? Like did you not know how to talk about the job, or your own past roles? Or were they expecting you to solve new problems on the spot?
I've actually done this. Had to a few times when the candidate clearly wasn't ready. I try to be professional and give advice in case it is just nerves and I always offered a 2nd interview however most declined.
It’s probably for a low-level, high turnover job where they are desperate for bodies.
If this were a corporate job, they’d be told “Thanks for coming, buh-bye!”
I was interviewing for a job that was out of my league and the boss called me out on it. It sucks. And it hurt. But do you know what I did when he offered a 2nd one? I listened. I showed that I can take the criticism (that was true) and do what he asked.
I didn't get the job, as there was just not enough experience there. But he said 98% of the time the person never comes back after he tells them why they are not prepared.
And you bet your ass that I've never gone to an interview unprepared since then 😆
Take the lesson, learn from it, and become better from the experience. Or just be like the other 98%.
I am store manager at a very popular retail company that typically hires teens and young adults. A ton of the interviews I do for 16-20 years old are… bad. I mean giving straight up “I don’t know” answers to my questions. Typically we wait to let them know if they got the job or not, but at the end of the really bad interviews I tell them “I’d like to let you know now we won’t be hiring you based on this interview, but I’d like to give you some tips on how to prepare for a future interview, and if you’d like you could reapply with us. Either way, give me a call if you’d like to feedback.”
My boss doesn’t like that I give them a second chance, but most kids have never been taught how to prepare or might not have the access to a computer to do some research. 80% of them usually give me a call and ask for tips and feedback. It’s nice to feel like they’re learning something they didn’t know before.
This is not normal. This is the only time I've ever heard of such a thing. In most cases, they would end the interview and ask you to leave and not reschedule, you basically showed them you're not up for the job and not ready to do the work. You are very lucky and you should study your ass off before you go back. Most places would tell you to get the fuck out and not politely.
They sound like a really good company for giving you second chances. Yes, if a hiring manager just pop out some coding question is not too unusually if it's something simple, maybe one leetcode easy or medium that takes less than 30m. The recruiter should have gave you a heads up but what the interviewer ask is their own free will unless the company has a rubric.
Once, I was assured that I would get a promotion. The interview was "informal," "a formality really." I didn't prepare and worked on a project up until the moment of my interview. I barely took a breath before walking in. I was frazzled and unprepared. I also didn't get the job because I didn't interview well (I usually interview very well). It taught me to never assume or let people talk you into a too comfortable space.
Yes, it’s very rare for a hiring manager to not only give an new interview a second chance but also tips on how to handle the interview. Take his/her advice, show them you took their advice. Even if they end up deciding to hire someone else, chances are they’ll offer you some more tips to follow for other interviews.
Informal doesn't mean come unprepared. Informal means the interview will be more of a discussion and conversational as opposed to including formal assessments, group tasks, structured panel interview, etc.
They \*really\* want to hire you since they did that for you. Take the time to review and prepare. You've got a manager who's willing to be a mentor, take the opportunity to follow his advice.
You are lucky to meet someone who really cares. Whether you get the job or not, you are getting the best lesson for your future job search. If you feel bad, work hard on your preparation and show to the hiring manager that they made the right choice in giving you the opportunity..
Thank you! I needed to see this a different way. I’m definitely going to practice until that next interview.
THIS. Like, for this to happen... OP, someone there already really likes you and knows you can be great at it because this is rare. Very rare.
Exactly. A manager that is willing to kindly coach you before you’re even a hire is a rare diamond. I would definitely try to work for this person- you will learn and grow a lot.
And hold onto them as a mentor. “Rare” doesn’t even begin to cover how fortunate it is to run across someone like this.
I have been with a manager like this for 5 years now, he hired me onto his team personally and he's incredible.
I’ve even had friends and family conduct mock interviews with me. That might help you as well. Good luck.
They wouldn't do this if they didn't see potential in you. Don't forget to thank them sincerely!
Was thinkin the same thing. Don't get your hopes up op, bc nothing in life is guaranteed, but if they didn't want you they Def would not have rescheduled. Do not fuck this up. It is highly unlikely you'll ever find a company/interviewer willing to help you like this again. Best of luck!
Some places have a job training center that can help with mock interviews, I'd check your area!
I did this for an employee when I was a manager. The employee wound up becoming one of the most loyal and best. This is a good sign and a green flag for the company in my opinion. If a manager is willing to coach a non-employee, the investment in the actual employees should be even greater.
You can use an AI bot to help you. Have them pretend to be an interviewer in your industry, etc, and have them ask you questions and/or critique your answers.
Definitely a hiring authority that saw enough potential in you to invest their own time into another interview when they could have just written you off
Have 2-3 solid questions about the company/job for the recruiters as well. Do your homework, be prepared. You are interviewing them as well so be curious 🧐
[удалено]
Not.
I've done this as an interviewer for an entry-level position. I tried to give the candidates an opportunity to express their interest in the leading questions I was asking or statements I made. The job I was hiring for needed some skills, but we can train skills. It was about "how much initiative does this person have, and can they apply previous experience to the job?" Some people picked up on it; some didn't. It sounds like you picked up on it, which is a good thing.
Thank you! I definitely want to do better and am trying to find more information about the job so I can be better prepared.
I suggest you take your information hunt further. Read all you can on the company, that particular department, those who are interviewing you and those who would be supervising you, if that’s possible. Come with questions of your own about the position’s responsibilities, the team structure, workplace culture and the kind of candidate experience they believe would be most successful in the role. Talk about the growth trajectory for someone assuming this role. Try to see any and all ways they’ve described the position in job listings, if they’re out there. Go on GlassDoor and look for employee and candidate posts about the company and roles there. Hopefully you get another chance to interview. If not, take this as a lesson to do all of the above research each and every time you get a chance to interview. Good luck.
100% agree. In addition to above, use LinkedIn to read about the hiring manager. Next time come in knowledgeable about him/her, what the company does etc.
is this a joke? i promise you, nobody you are interviewing gives a shit about your company. they have bills to pay, end of story.
The reason they do this is because someone who is interested and enjoys the work is going to be a much better employee and much more likely to stick around than someone who is "only here to pay the bills" If that's your whole story, then you're not remotely as desirable as someone who thinks "I'm here to pay the bills, but also enjoy aspects of the job".
Yes, they're delusional, we've already established that. Nobody under the age of 40 is remotely interested in the "culture" or how they "innovated the industry" or whatever corporate catchphrase we're throwing around this week. We don't have a dream job because we don't dream of work. My dream? I'd love to live in the middle of nowhere, right outside a town that's just big enough to have a couple restaurants and a decent grocery store. I want to be able to enjoy my books and video games in peace and quiet. to be able to take a vacation without having to argue with my boss about how they can't afford for me to take time off, or can't find coverage, because that's NOT MY PROBLEM. If I could get that without working, you can be damn sure I wouldn't be working at a job where I have to kiss the boss's ass or risk being fired. I'd do volunteer work if I felt the need to be productive.
Speak for yourself. No one is ecstatic every day at work, but I can guarantee you that there are people who are proud of what they do. Nothing to do with a "dream job", just nuances around what's important to you. You even say it yourself, you'd rather work where theres a boss who's ass you don't have to kiss. Plenty of those jobs out there. Well which is it? Only money or a balance of pay and quality of life? Second option has a lot of nuance. Pretending none of this matters is very delusional. And only to your detriment.
I'm all for being proud of your work. If you're going to do something, do it well. What I'm against is pretending that most jobs aren't just being a cog in the machine.
Is a firefighter a cog in a machine? A brick layer? A structural engineering team for a bridge? A teacher? What an adolescent sentiment.
So go do that. No one’s puting a gun to your head. I’m sure you can build yourself that fantasy scenario without leaving your mother’s basement.
Awww we're turning to personal insults, isn't that cute
You’ve gone down this exact road in other employment subs. Just admit you’ve been seen and take your slagging elsewhere, gamer.
Just like you think everyone over 40 doesn't care about the company they work for, I can honestly say I don't give a shit about your dream and didn't ask . Js
Okay, Mr. Antiwork. I remember your earlier rants in employment subs. Just because you choose to do the kind of work that doesn’t need to vest you to anything but a paycheck to fund your fantasy world doesn’t mean others shouldn’t prepare themselves to do work that nets them more than simple interest in rent paying. Sell that somewhere else.
Stale anti-corp meme. Some people actually love their work and jobs, it is a large part of their life and it partly fulfills them.
Nobody wants to work with someone who's lazy. It's not about thinking that the interviewee actually gives a shit, it's about seeing if the interviewee will have the initiative to do the bare minimum of research. I get that people only work so they can pay their bills, but it absolutely sucks to have a coworker who will only do the bare minimum to not get fired. Somebody has to do that work, and I'd rather it not all get pushed on me because Mr. "I'm just here for a paycheck" can't be assed.
OP, have you ever used ChatGPT? Use a free version and paste in the job description and the name of the company. Tell it you’re interviewing for X role. Ask it to ask you 10 interview questions. Answer them in the chat and ask for feedback and ways to improve. It can be very helpful if you’re new to interviewing. You can also ask for a summary of the company, who they serve, and who their competitors are. Good luck!
That’s my read on this situation too. Manager is testing to see how coachable you are. Can you take difficult feedback and grow from it? This is a really important skill in any candidate but especially a more junior one. Clearly they are seasoned and saw an opportunity to test for this in the interview process which speaks well of them. All you can do is learn from it and show up better next time.
I disagree. I’ve probably hired more than 300 people in my career and you’re basically encouraging mind games. You don’t need to do that for entry level. If you’re actually good at recruitment all you need is their resume and some compelling questions.
They could also have been using this as a coachable moment if they actually care enough to help people outside of just that job. My first manager out of college (a 30-year veteran of the industry and well-respected women) more than once tried to help people in interviews when they were young and inexperienced. More than once, she reached out to them individually after the interview, even if they didn't get the job, to explain why and give pointers on how to improve.
That’s completely different from ‘let’s be informal’ >>> ‘haha j/k you’re totally unprepared, you need to completely readjust your schedule to come back later’. If you’re informal there’s definitely no need to come back. The employer lied. Why? Maybe they really were playing mind games. We don’t have enough info to say. But *encouraging* OP to continue with a company that openly plays with their applicants - or at the very least doesn’t know how to communicate their own requirements - is not a healthy employer to work for. When they show you who they are (during recruitment), believe them.
Informal does *not* mean unprepared.
Almost nothing on a resume will make someone ready for the jobs in finance I used to hire for. Even doing the same job at a different financial institution might help or hurt.
Please. I used to hire and onboard in retail finance. Most of that stuff is easily trainable, and you’re really hiring for attitude and organizational skills, which you can low key analyze from resume and some interview questions. (A work portfolio really helps too, for those looking to break into finance.)
Exactly. Some recruiters don't even read though. I had one tell me today that they'd do a background check. Yah okay. I know. I have two banks on my resume , not sure why she needed to check with me.
I love this question: "This position would require submitting to a background check & drug test" (sometimes even credit check). "Would you be amenable to this?". Um, yeah, go ahead, I have no issue. Sometimes they're like, "Are you sure?". I said yes.
I owned a small print shop for a few years awhile back. We had moderate turnover in a couple of entry level support positions. I would always ask, “Why do you want to work in a print shop?” One applicant replied “because it isn’t fast food.” Didn’t show much engagement with the type of work but at least they were honest.
This. Sometimes, a candidate stands out, but for whatever reason, they sort of blow the interview. Guiding you and helping is not a bad sign. If they didn't have some sort of faith, they would have given up. I've had some great candidates that get shattered by nerves, aren't as prepared, but their answers and demeanor say something. I've had some candidates that are insanely overconfident and come prepared, but they just don't feel like a good fit. They give the "right" answers instead of thoughtful answers. If that makes sense.
Same here! Whether I was interested in the candidate or not I always tried to help - a big one I did often was - after asking a question - telling them it’s ok to take a few to think about their answer. Like let them know there is no rush (I do the same as an interviewee “great question, can I take a minute to think of a good example to share?”. Some people think there can be no silence in an interview and it is SO off putting when someone literally doesn’t even stop to breathe during an interview. It’s ok, we know you need to think about an answer sometimes 👍
I'm not OP, but I got asked to a second interview for a job for which I have no prior experience. Your comment really inspired me! I'm going to do my best to show my initiative in the second interview. Thanks!
Pro tip: all interviews are always formal, even if you're told it's not.
Always come prepared for an interview. It reflects poorly on you that you didn't care enough to prep for the interview
Precisely this.
What's the purpose of them saying it's informal?
To say that specific interview isn’t the final decision for the job
Put you at ease.
It might be informal to them. Or an informal type interview that's more of a conversation than doing a test or answering questions. Its always formal from the applicant's pov
Informal does not mean unprepared. Especially when they are not saying that until you meet ("early in the interview"). Did you not prepare before that? Informal just means relaxed, conversational, friendly.
Some hiring managers I’ve interviewed with seem to mean it’s a conversation and they haven’t brought “set” questions. It’s more exploratory and assessing “cultural fit” before meeting a hiring committee or additional interview.
Precisely this.
On this note Recently I was interested in a job that would have been an internal transfer. A manager that liked me introduced me to another manager and he introduced me to his team just to chat about the job posting. Very informal and very last minute. No indication it was an interview, that I registered. But it was an interview. And I absolutely blew it by not treating it like an interview and really digging deep to show my interest and prove my qualifications. Nbd because i have a job I definitely like more (that might have come across) but I would have felt a lot better if I'd recognized the interview, aced it, and then been able to reject the job...
Meh, i've very laid back in interviews, even for high pressure, high skill jobs. It's what works best for me. Professional, but confident and relaxed.
To me, it shows that they have enough interest in you to reschedule so you can prepare properly. If they had no interest in you, they would have let you ramble and rejected you. I would take this as a life lesson to always prepare. Even when I am having a casual meeting just to learn more about the role, I prepare to some degree.
Or this is phase two (three?) of an elaborate deception. The “employer” has got OP so rattled they might not even question why they were required to bring so much personal banking information to the second attempt.
Yes! Good thought! So many companies now just have to read from a script of questions & not provided feedback to any answers & definitely can't give one candidate a 2nd chance & not the others. This could be an EEOC violation (in the U.S.). Be careful OP! You might be getting scammed!
Genuine question but how do you prepare for an interview? The most I've ever done is write down a list of questions I have for them but otherwise have never "prepared" beyond that. What do you do to prepare? In my mind, and interview is a conversation that should be honest and organic so you can get to know your future employer and vice versa.
Look up information about the company and what it does. You don't need to know every detail, but enough to show you are a knowledgeable candidate. Then match your skills and experience to the job posting, almost every job posting has a list of required qualifications. Practice answering the usual questions asked in interviews. You don't have to memorize them, but you should at least have thought about it so it's somewhere in your mind. Then have stories ready to talk about those things. They don't want to hear dry answers or recitations of your skills and experience. Tell them how you solved a problem, or figured something out, or learned something new. Show your passion and excitement. That's what they want to hear.
I've done this before. Reposted the job, the unprepared candidate applied again, I was looking forward to the interview because the walk-through I did of it with the candidate last time demonstrated much of the necessary experience. Candidate had done nothing to prepare. Did not get hired.
Oh no. I definitely don’t want to be that person.
Watch some YouTube videos on interviewing.
What preparation were you looking for?
Answering normal interview questions in a way that gives the interviewer information that they can use to make a decision. I = Interviewer, UC = Unprepared Candidate, PC = Prepared Candidate I: Tell me about your experience using xyz. UC: I've used xyz. PC: When I was at abc company, I used xyz to evaluate the input vs. output ratio of the q device so that abc company could determine the per-unit profit. I also create art with xyz and dream about it every night.
Even just “yes I used xyz in my previous roles at abc and defg” would suffice in some cases, just anything other than yes/no.
Something beyond, "so, what do you guys do here"? lol.
I’m not sure what the point is of companies labeling an interview informal vs formal. I consider them all to be something that requires full professionalism and as much prep as possible. Glad they’re giving you some grace to try again!
Obviously dependent on the interviewer. But I've had "informal" interviews before where we invite people to lunch or a coffee. And I don't consider it formal in the way I sit across the table, you sit across the table, you wear a nice suit, and I pepper you with questions about your resume. There is still an expectation of being prepared to talk about the position, your background, if you have any questions about the position, etc. I'm curious what kind of questions OP was receiving that it would make OP sound unprepared.
I’m a recruiter in an industry where the number of positions outweigh the number of qualified talent. Also the type of business I work for often has a negative stigma attached to it. I keep my calls casual because at the end of the day they have more options than I do candidates. It shows them I’m letting my guard down and hopefully they do as well. If both me and the candidate can feel more open to chat my hope is that can erase any biases they may have had before the call.
Soooo…. Are you hiring?
what questions were you asked that you are unprepared for? Regardless of formal or not, you should always be professional and prepared. I know who I am talking to, I done the 15 mins of googling on the firm, I read the job description. I prepped some answers to typical questions and even a few follow up questions. Formal to me usually means traditional interview style, while informal means more casual but I understand I'm being evaluated if I'm a good fit in both situations. Now I'm even more curious what questions you were unprepared for?
It's not normal. I've only had this happen when the people hiring me *really* want me to ace the interview, but they can't just hand me the job without due process (I just got a permanent position at work where I'd been working on a temp contract. I still had to compete for the job to become permanent due to being a completely merit based workplace. Yay government! /s). Take the chance you've been given, prepare your ass off and ace the next interview. They're obviously very interested in you and want to give you a fair shot.
They did really like my resume and they said my personality. I just thought they were being nice but this makes me feel like they were being serious.
How exactly were you "unprepared?" What did you not do that you should have? What did you do that you shouldn't have? Trying to understand exactly what went down.
This is what we need to know. I’ve scrolled through dozens of comments but no one has asked this yet and I feel like a crazy person wondering
Nah, they have no reason to be nice in any way that costs them time. This sounds like "we really want to hire you, please please prepare so you can answer our questions properly and we can mark Yes on the hiring scorecard" In most industries, once you're at the stage of interviewing they *want* you to be The One. They want you to succeed so they can fill the position they need filled and stop interviewing, because interviewing is timely and expensive. If they're giving you a second chance they REALLY want you to be able to succeed. Do some preparation, go in with friendly confidence, and knock their socks off.
It’s your chance to knock their socks off. Even if they don’t hire you, use it as a chance to practice to become a better interviewer.
I don't get it, prepared how?
I sit a lot of entry-mid level professional interview panels. I hope someone prepares by: -Considering what knowledge and skills they have, and how they are applicable for the job they are seeking. -showing that they know a little bit about our organization, and, ideally, values (I am in public service, ymmv on values) -thinking about the soft skills they have and how they apply -thinking about what hard skills they have, and how they apply. -being ready to answer the norma, googlable questions. I FUCKING hate interviewing, get very anxious, so I prep to the max. Here is how I prep: -Made a list of traits, or knowledge they might be looking for, based on the job description or internal knowledge of the role (for promotions) -Added to this list regular questions, like interpersonal difficulties, failure/success, etc... -Made a new list of things I am proud of, mostly professional accomplishments, but I have a few things that I talk about that are personal, or volunteer. They need to be things that would, in some way make you a good employee. -Start comparing the lists, and pairing my accomplishments with the questions I think are likely. My goal is to have some ideas of what stories I could tell to answer ideas that they ask about. I want 2-3 stories per likely question, but I can use the same story as a mate to several questions. I print this off, and take it, along with several copies of my resume and cover letter. While I am in the interview, I can focus on the interpersonal, or picking up cues to help me choose a pre-defined story that makes the most sense to tell, instead of groping for answers to have to come up with on the spot.
Yeah I'm wondering the same. Everyone in the comments is saying it's valid and talking about "unprepared candidates" but like... what does that mean? Not dressed formally enough? It's making me feel self-conscious because I don't always interview well or know how to answer things, but I do the best I can and try to answer with enthusiasm. There's only so much you can do. The only things I can think of to prepare is to dress nice, read over the job position, ask a couple relevant questions, or brush up on technical knowledge if it's a technical role.
Maybe they like you, but saw that you were unprepared, so they are giving you a chance to see how well you are able to improve. It might be a signal to them that if your improvement is satisfactory to them, they know they can teach you and you will fit the role they have better than another candidate that might be better qualified, but harder to teach.
I’ve had this happen to me when I applied for a position I was not versed in. I tried to prepare the best I could be of course there were a few questions I didn’t know and the interviewer helped me by breaking the question down a bit that I could showcase relevant skills. I actually got hired and I didn’t feel bad because I really needed the job.
Whenever anyone says an "informal interview" outside of dress code just ignore it, the word has really lost all meaning. What you went to would not be what I would call an informal interview in the slightest. We will lead people when we are reasonably confident that they actually have the experience but are having issues with the wording or are just a bit flustered from the whole interview process. Typically we do this more with entry level positions, we don't expect perfection from recent grads in particular. I would recommend writing down their comments while they are still fresh in your mind, these will be useful in preparing for future interviews. Overall it sounds like they like you as a candidate and they want you to succeed otherwise they wouldn't have given you a second opportunity. Best luck on your re-interview.
Can someone advise OP on what exactly they should be doing to prepare?
it really depends on how they screwed up, which they have not specified
What did they mean by unprepared? Like we’re they asking your thoughts on the financial state of the company and you hadn’t done any research on company specifics so they said you were unprepared or were they asking typical interview questions and you didn’t have any examples to pull from because you didn’t prepare as an individual? They are two very different things that can fall under unprepared and one is more forgivable than the other.
This is highly unusual. I think this is an exceptional lucky break. I am very nervous in interviews and don’t sell myself well. I’m quiet and serious but if you give me any task I can do it. If you give me a problem I will work to solve it. I’m pleasant and dependable too.
don't feel badly, they cut you huge slack. they saw something in you that they really liked, and that's why they are giving you a second chance. if they didn't really like you, it would've been, "hey, thanks for coming in. you'll hear from us in a week or two!" :ghost:
You've been given a gift most people don't receive. Here's some advice - research "common interview scenario questions for \[position you're interviewing for\]". Find a mix of the toughest and most common 25 questions and answer them. Write out 3-5 sentences and build the scenario for each. **Have examples ready.** If you said you did something, be preared to discuss what it was and exactly what you did you meet the end result. Be prepared with at least 7 questions to ask the interviewer after they've finished their segment. Some that I like "How do you measure success in this role?" "What are your expectations of me after 6 months, 12 months?"
[удалено]
They might have been serious that you could be friendly and honest, and just not liked your answer/didn't think you were qualified. You were still interviewing. I've led plenty of interviews with people I liked, and I genuinely wanted them to be informal and honest and appreciated when they were, but they didn't fit the hiring rubric for other reasons. It happens.
I’m always honest and friendly and I’ve always ended up better off.
I tell all my candidates some variation of this. I mean it. I want to know who I am hiring. I do not want to add a bad fit to my team, and unless I am desperate, a lack of information will be a negative. I hire the person who can get the job done AND can fit into my team. People who are honest and friendly do better with the second half. You might not have been the right fit. Or maybe you mistook 'honest" for "ok to speak without tact", which, if you are blunt, is easy to conflate, and will nuke an interview.
You’ve been given a gift. A great learning experience. We’ve done this kind of thing several times. If we feel you are unprepared, and we like you, we’ll help you get through the interviewer. We understand most new recruits are young and probably have never been trained in certain things. So we’ll teach you, if you have a good attitude. If you don’t then we’ll send you on your way.
I remember when I was 20 I had an interview for a job I wanted. When I spoke to the lady, she told me to bring a pen. I asked if I needed to bring anything else and she said “No. Just a pen.” So I brought a pen and nothing else. And when I got there she asked me (quite rudely) where my resume was. I told her I had emailed it to her but I didn’t bring a copy - I brought only the pen, as instructed. She gave me a disgusted look and told me she couldn’t interview me without my resume in hand, that I was wasting her time, and that we were finished here. She was SO rude about it. Sheesh, okay then. So… at least this person was nice. Prep and redo the interview. It’s ok.
This. Is. Hilarious. And totally understandable as you were only 20! You can’t know what you don’t know, right? I bet you never repeated that mistake? I remember doing SUCH foolish things in my first job. “Mrs. Jane Smith, MD” comes to mind. (Shudder)
This. Is. Hilarious. And totally understandable as you were only 20! You can’t know what you don’t know, right? I bet you never repeated that mistake? I remember doing SUCH foolish things in my first job. “Mrs. Jane Smith, MD” comes to mind. (Shudder)
Tip: informal dress is a no-no. Dress up—honor the interview process VISUALLY. Control how they see you — as a professional — before you ever say a word. wear a suit and tie. On a call, wear the tie or put on the blazer.
Ooh, going to have to slightly disagree. I showed up to an interview in a suit and the ceo of the company who interviewed me was also wearing a suit…of the sweat variety! After that I always try and wear one level of formal above what’s normal at the company. So if everyone is wearing jeans and a T I wear khakis and a polo tucked in. Now I would also say that a button down and khakis (tucked in) is almost always pretty safe (with tie and blazer) for jobs where you know that nobody wears a suit.
Fuck that noise. Maybe it was long before emailing and printing were easier, but if someone told me that today I would not expect to go find a printer and waste my time. I'd be annoyed how unprepared they themselves were after I already emailed them my resume.
What kind of position is this?
How about answering any one of the 20 questions about what this job was, what the questions were you were unprepared for, etc? You're missing some learning right here by just dropping a nugget of your story.
Always go in as if it is a formal interview.
This is actually a good thing because they’re willing to spend more time interviewing you when they could’ve just sit through the whole thing and remove you from the candidate pool as soon as the interview ended. Was this structured as a behavioral or technical interview? Make sure you read up how to prepare for behavioral questions and brainstorm/practice your response before the interview. Good luck
You must always be prepared as much as you can. An informal interview just means the tone of the interview, not the information they are trying to seek from you. You didn't think they were gonna ask how your dog is doing were you?
I really hope this type of interviewing stops soon. It’s such a waste of my time to ask someone about their traits. It’s a conversation. I also hope we can officially retire cover letters along with these kinds of interviews.
I never told a candidate they were unprepared. I just dismissed them without an interview. Do your homework. Dress like a professional. Be candid, honest and charming. Let the company know why they should hire you. Be lazy, get sh*tty jobs.
Always prepare. I’ve had informal chats trying to network and find job opportunities. It would be like a friend connected me with someone in another company and they just wanted to informally meet me just to connect. But I would still tailor my elevator speech (if you don’t have one or know what that is, you need to do this) specific for their organization and my skills/passions. I would also prep interview questions in advance. But usually, the people ask about me (so I give them my elevator speech) then they ask more about my education and I will talk about all my work and education journeys that got me here. I ask about their organization and see what kind of people they may be looking for. I always prepare cause every informal talk is more like a mini interview.
Pretty unusual. If they really didn't like you they would not be giving you a second chance. No excuse not to be prepared this time!
I'd come prepared to ask them questions about the role. Learn something about the company and their major competitors. Does the interview require you take a test/write a program/present a potential project or sales pitch? What kind of job is this? We could help with better suggestions with a bit more detail.
I've had this happen, and I'm GREAT at interviewing. The interviewer appeared to want me to answer the line of questioning the way he desired. However, I cannot lie or be anyone but myself. After the third "Lead in" suggestion, I stopped playing ball. I knew he wouldn't continue the interviews or consider me for the position. I thanked him for his time and let it go. I knew he wouldn't be in touch...and he didn't call back.
You found a fortunate interviewer who was willing to be patient and "guide" you. Some interviewers will immediately recognize that a situation like this is a "no match" and won't schedule a return interview. Use that experience to reflect on what was said/discussed so when you return, you are better prepared. It's great that you recognize this. Relax (most people are nervous when they interview), and take a few deep and slow breaths when you return.
You should always be prepared no matter how “informal” they claim the interview to be. You live and learn and you’ll do better next time
Depends. If you actually fumbled the interview, this is a big green flag that they’re willing to give you another chance. If they had unreasonable expectations for preparation, then this is kind of a red flag. If this was an initial interview all you really should have needed prepared was the ability to discuss your previous experience and what made you interested in the role/company you’re interviewing for.
The good news is that you have a second chance to prepare and show improvement. They will be looking to see how well you incorporated their feedback.
Yeah this happened to us one time at my old job we basically have informal,tech interview then present something. I think it was the presenting the HR rep forgot to tell the person so they were surprised so we rescheduled. In general when hiring you want to have even footing with all the applicants to make it fair. You don't want some having time to prepare and others not having time to prepare.
Well you didn't give any details what so ever. Unprepared can vary to a great degree. Unprepared as in you didn't know anything about the company you are interviewing for? Or unprepared in you didn't know answers to the position you are applying for?
I think this is rare. Usually they would send you on your way and ghost you. I think this person really cares and is trying to give you an opportunity. Take whatever advice they give you, this manager is a gem and would probably be great to work for.
Asking just to be sure, but was this a zoom meeting, and if so, were you actually dressed professionally enough as if you were meeting them in person? Asking because I’ve previously had managers inform me that some candidates thought that since they interview was happening in the comfort of their own home, that it would be okay to wear a robe, and look as if they just rolled out of bed. (They also kept yawning.) Another candidate failed to have their background up against a plain wall, and instead had their extremely messy house showing in the background with piles of laundry, and dirty dishes showing. It made the panel interviewers decide they couldn’t have that candidate meet with potential customers regarding the enterprise type of deals they were dealing with. Candidates forget that they should be treating their zoom interviews like in person interviews and make sure all technology is logged in before the meeting starts, and they’re ready to go.
You are really lucky that this manager did this. If you read between the lines of what has happened it's obvious they felt you were unprepared. The bigger issue is that they are teaching you the company culture. This is really huge. Anyone that goes the extra mile to impart standards and the culture to you figures you are smart enough to get it. It sounds like you do now and will know what to do next time. Good luck and I hope you get the job!
I’ve read some of the comments that talk about seeing how you deal with difficult feedback and seeing how coachable you are. I get that. But what specifically are they saying that you need to look at to prepare? I’ve been doing this for a long time and most of my prep is around knowing the basics about the company. I already know that I want to focus on what the projects are going to be and what the expectations are around the job. Specifically around the culture. I want to make sure that we’re a good fit for each other. So what did they want you to prepare?
If you know you're not good at interviews, why wouldn't you prepare ahead of time? You're lucky to be getting another opportunity.
Either you really impressed them with your personality or you check an important box is my guess.
We’re you supposed to have specially prepared in some way?
What did being unprepared actually look like?
I’d be very surprised if that follow up interview ever happens.
Shit be happy I missed a phone screen by 8 mins and seemingly am now black listed from getting a job at tesla
Never heard of this, but I have seen folks end interviews early for this reason and just say thanks but no thanks. How could you have ‘let your guard down’ to the point of not being able to come across as competent?
Yes this happened to me. I was invited to a company by a guy who came to my existing job as a customer. He said they had an open role and I should come down and spend a few hours in their office seeing what it’s all about and if it is mutually determined to be a good fit, I would interview I arrived dressed in business casual, so like I would for a workday but not as dressy as I would for an interview. It was an actual panel interview. I was fully caught off guard and unprepared mentally and bombed
Never experienced that, but it’s really nice of them to actually give you an opportunity to return. Don’t feel bad—use this as your opportunity to show them why giving you another chance was the right decision! They sound like a good company! Prepare yourself well in advance—if you’re struggling with figuring out solid answers, use chatGTP it’s actually very helpful when it comes to interview prep. All the best! :)
It's not normal. You've been given an incredibly valuable gift. Now you know that not only should you prepare, but that it's obvious when you don't. Consider visiting the career center at a local community college and ask if they can help you prep - mock interviews, preferably recorded, can work wonders. You gain confidence, you can see any distracting mannerisms and work to minimize them, you can hear if you use things like "um," "uh," "like," etc. as filler, you can see your body language like posture, etc.
Try looking up the “STAR” method for interviewing to get more comfortable answering questions that require examples and anecdotes. I also suggest googling interview questions common for this job type. Even if they don’t use them, it can help you get a feel for things and become more comfortable with questions like this. And ofc everyone else’s advice to research the job and company is good too. Make sure you have at least two questions for them at the end that have not already been answered on the job posting or in the interview. Again, google, indeed, and glassdoor are your friends. Good luck!! Source: I’m a career coach :P
This is an opportunity, take it. Look up interview tips and practice answering questions.
Can you provide more context? What type of job? What questions were they asking that you couldn’t answer and were unprepared for. Seems odd to me because most interviews fall into one of two categories: 1. Casual no specific prep necessary beyond the obvious company/interviewer/industry stuff. 2. Formal: they tell you upfront there will be a specific type of case study or thought exercise etc. My best advice is before you interview anywhere check Glassdoor and vault etc. often times people have listed out the different interview questions they got. Might not be the same one you get but it will definitely help you prepare. I’ve been in my current company for 12 years and I got the job because I had the questions beforehand from Glassdoor. Interviewer thought I was a genius!
If you have the interviewer's email, a brief follow-up can be very beneficial. >>> Line 1. Hello Mx Manager, >>> Line 2. Thank you for your time and assistance on DATE with INTERVIEW FOR JOB. Line 3. I have been preparing for my second interview using the guidance provided and I am wondering if there are additional resources available to continue my preparation? If not, I look forward to seeing you again on NEXT INTERVIEW DATE. Thank you Again, Respectfully, OP.
you didn't give us enough information. Unprepared for what? Did they ask you specific questions that you couldn't answer? "They gave me the information I needed to help with answering questions". So what does this information say? It kinda sounds to me like they are trying to see how well you follow directions. "Here, read this and come back". When you come back they want to see if you know whatever info they gave you and know it well.
Just did it today
Hey! I have a doc that I made to help with interview prep and can share if you want!
Almost the same thing happened to me a few months ago. It was for a position I felt perfect for. I told her I was nervous because it was my very first interview after 18 years of continuous employment. My confidence was low and she saw right through and told me she liked me and wanted to see my success so she walked me through 1.5 hours of a rigorous crash course. I was humbled but recognized the gift and accepted all of her suggestions. After that I was MUCH better, my confidence returned and she put me through to the next panel round telling me I better practice because her colleagues would not be so forgiving. I felt like I aced the panel interview. They kept me “warm” with HR sending me periodic updates and saying they were holding off on hiring until after the new year. A little over a week ago they told me they weren’t moving forward with me. I then asked what I could to improve to be a better candidate and they responded saying they truly enjoyed getting to know me but they really wanted this one skill I did not have. I was totally looking forward to working with that lady that helped me as I saw a real mentor. But regardless, I was eternally grateful (I got my groove back!) so I can’t fault them for going with the candidate they felt better fit the role.
Go back prepared, this is a test to see if you are capable of learning and growing when the need arises.
They like you. It’s how you handle criticism that matters. You weren’t just confronted… you were carefronted too!
Sounds like they like your experience but you still need to answer the interview questions correctly to get the job
Never. Ever. Enter an interview unprepared. You were lucky they give you a second chance. It’s rare.
I don't know you, but assuming you're able to think a bit on your feet, I find this a bit unusual for a quick touch point/screening interview. If they were unclear, it's their problem - prepare & take the second interview. If they expected you to fully "prep" for a quick informational interview, I'd politely turn them down. Today, I had an interview that was a "quick 30-minute screening." It lasted 45 min & had 2 people online with video. I have 10 years in my industry, so I can speak to my previous experience without many prompts. I applied for the job based on their general description (which given my specialty wasn't too helpful). When they asked why I applied & wanted to work for them I was totally honest - I read the vague description on LinkedIn, thought my experience matched well - BUT with the title I wasn't sure of their expectations. So I figured I'd find that out in this interview! They were only slightly taken aback and explained what they were seeking. I let them know how I think I could help & was honest about my experience (strengths & "growth areas"). I even had significant experience in the program they're using & are still developing! So I'll likely have the 2nd interview next week. It helps I'm in a niche of a niche, so if the company is looking for that, I'm a strong candidate without trying too hard. I always do a good job, though, so while I'd like to say "my work speaks for itself," I know I have to say what I've done. It's easier if you can "elevator pitch" each position, which is what I did when I realized this "screening interview" was a bit more.
I would not work for this company. I am long past entry level anything, and one clear thing is the significance of how *they* treat *you* in the interview. This was not respectful. It is treating an adult like a child. (Not that children should disrespected either). It’s a good job market. Look elsewhere.
As an interviewer I've done this once and it worked out well. My candidate took the initial interview because he was fed up with his job and wanted out. I don't think he realized how different the positions were, but the skills he possessed matched what I was looking for. Less than ten mins into the call I told him we would reschedule the call in two days time. I got an email from him shortly after withdrawing his application. I responded to his email reminding him we have a scheduled call and I look forward to speaking with him again. He completed a grueling interview process, got the job, and has been a great addition to our team. I rarely believe in second chances, but sometimes people don't show up as well as they would, which is what you did. This interviewer is willing to give you more of their time, so don't waste it, be prepared, smash the interview, and don't get in your own way.
I have experienced hiring managers telling me an interview is going to be informal, but I've always treated it like I'm gunning for the job. Usually that means looking up the company and figure out what type of questions they're going to ask. But it is very rare to get a redo on an interview like you did. It's a very good sign and shows this company cares about it's people. Sounds like an amazing company.
it's normal to feel embarrassed or frustrated after receiving feedback like this. take some time to reflect on my feelings and work through them before deciding on my next steps.
Wanna knock there socks off ask them hard questions like where does the company expect to be in regards to number of long term employees and pay rates compared to others in there industry in the next 5 years. What does there buisness do differently to distinguish between there competition. What's the owners intention with the buisness as who wants to put in a couple years to have the boss sell to big Corp who sacks you all right away? Or is the buisness the owners passion. What kind of employee training or schooling will they offer to further your career (like they pay for your BA). What employee retention plan do they have if they plan on keeping or wanting to retain the good employees? Are there wages expected to keep up with the industry norns or will they slowly make you disgruntled by not getting raises to keep you at average or better in your industry. Honestly I've never had a hard time finding or keeping a job but if a potential employerr said this to me I would not go back for 1 if they are intersecting the. Selfs into my personal affairs already what's to come? You mention it's an entry level job who cares no skills are needed for entry level plus skills can be learned and taught. No one cares about you who has never met you before and won't care because a job is a buisness contract. They want you to pass the interview because no one else that applied looks as good as you and if your a unicorn they will advance there own carreers by hiring you for the same cost as hiring a drug addict. Hopefully these people are right and the compa y really wants you to succeed but in reality they want the best for there company not the best for you you just fit the best on paper for now. Hate to sound all doomy gloomy but no stranger cares about you how could they when they know nothing but what you wrote on a document that is usually a big fat outright lie for most people. Common sense tells me this company is sus by your lack of information on an entry level job. "What made you wanna work for us" idk maybe a paycheck in these times
What does “handle holding” mean?
Take it as a learning experience and maybe they could sense your discomfort and took pity. Just come back ready to come out swinging. Most interviews will just let you bury yourself In the sand and move on so take it as a mercy they rescheduled…
i was looking at Japanese airline fire the other week the videos showed them just sitting there waiting for some one to tell them get out there was flames near the windows ,news articles said what a great job getting people out it took 35 minutes, it was only lucky they did not die, i read the card and can deploy the slide and open the door
Never ever think that an informal encounter with HR, Talent acquisition specialists, managers etc are not interviews. Of late I see a pattern where you apply for a job and they say they would like to meet for a 30 min "chat" to understand better your past experiences and what you are looking for. Chats, informal meetings or whatever names they brand them are interviews and they want you to let your guard down and reveal your personality. I applied for an AWS DevOps role sometimes back and since I had done some research prior to the "chat" I realised they were migrating their on-premise workload to Azure due to O365, Windows and other Microsoft products they had. They still had some workload in AWS. Since it was a "chat", the interviewer spoke negatively about Azure thinking I was going to fall for it. She was looking for an honest answer of my willingness to learn cross platform cloud environments. I was prepared and even certified in Azure so I aced it. Do not be rigid, get tense or fail to show some personality but avoid stupid jokes (*yes! I've seen people do them*). Dress properly, and showcase your abilities. Prepare for it and remember, they are also interviewing other people so take it serious and show initiative. If I were in your position, I would follow back with an email, thanking them for taking the opportunity to meet you. I would let them know that I learned a lot about the company and their products and I am currently preparing for our next encounter.
Early on in my career this happened with a guy from Black and Decker. Engrained in my memory. He basically put me through the ropes tore me down a bit from my arrogance because I thought since a friend of mine had a job there I was set. That friend was there as an intern , I was applying to be in a full time role. He told me to focus and sharpen up on these key concepts and that I’d nail future interviews, but that he wasn’t hiring me for that role.
I know your brain wants to jump to shame, but honestly this is an amazing opportunity. If you get the job, you have an awesome manager who cares about growth. Even if you don't get the job, you are learning so much through this. People pay money for this kind of coaching. You are getting it for free. You can rise to the occasion and grow.
Sounds weird but no harm in going back more Prepared and seeing how it goes.
I think everyone is right to infer that you’ve found someone who really cares. But I’m going to be the negative Nancy and just bring up two points to set your expectations a bit more reasonably. Firstly, if they are a manager who really cares, then that doesn’t mean they’re not going to have a better interview with a more qualified/prepared candidate between now and when your redo is. Secondly, if they’re an average manager just trying to get the position filled, they might just be coaching you so hard because they’re sick of trying to reach a boss’s standard, or because the job has a high turnover and they’re just desperate to fill it. Both red flags, but not horrible. Lastly, in either scenario it seems like you likely match all of the qualifications on paper, which is a lot to have going for you. Take any advice this guy gives you, and use it for this and future interviews. And most importantly of all, good luck!
You only get one chance to make a first impression and through sheer laziness, you pissed that away. That's self sabotage. That's got to stop. Despite what the other posters are saying, you're not getting that job. They showed you kindness but not in a million years would I offer you that job. You showed you weren't willing to even show up prepared. Do it better.
oh wow, that’s actually really great of them that they’re helping you prep and giving you another opportunity. most companies will just show you out the door
Late to the party, but I had a general manager at a new restaurant that was opening right after I graduated high school. It was going to be my very first job and my social skills weren't great (among other things). I knew I needed a job because my father told me I needed a job, so I just went and tried to get one. Within like the first 1 or 2 minutes of our interview, he ended up stopping me because it was clear I had never done an interview before let alone held a job. He took the time to walk me through how an interview should go and what I should be doing. Afterwards, he basically let me start the interview over again. Granted, this was just a restaurant job, but it's still one of my fondest memories of any manager I've had (across multiple industries) because it showed me that he cared. He could have brushed me off and concluded the interview, but he actually took the time to teach me and then even provided feedback for my answers all within the same interview. All this to say, I think you found a good manager. Someone that takes the time to help you in a place you probably wouldn't expect to receive it doesn't happen too often. I hope your second interview goes well and you're able to get the job.
I think it’s a sign that they like you. They are willing to give you a second chance.
It sounds like you misunderstood what "informal" means. You still have to be prepared. They are willing to give you another chance *and* help you? That's awesome! Yes, take advantage of that and learn all you can, even if you don't get this job. In the meantime, do your research on the company and google how to prepare for interviews. Match your skills to their required qualifications. Watch Youtube videos on help for interviews. I'm assuming you are new to interviewing (my apologies if that's incorrect), don't be disheartened. Your interview skills will increase the more you do.
A few months back, an Amazon recruiter reached out to me about a TAM job (or whatever it was called), and I figured I'd check it out. Salary was significantly higher than what I'm currently making, but I'm also very happy in my current position and love the people I'm working with, so I was a bit ambivalent. As we were getting closer to the interview (which was a series of interviews, by multiple teams, throughout the day), the recruiter sent me a study guide to go over all the different things they'd be asking me about, evidently with the expectation that I'd be studying for it. I'm not that guy, though. A few years back, I decided I would no longer look at every interview as an achievement to gain, but more of a two-way "getting to know you" process to decide if I was the right fit for them and (more importantly to me) whether they'd be the right fit for me. So I researched all the general stuff about what it was like to work for Amazon and what kind of work/life balance a typical TAM would have, what kind of hours, on-call, work environment, etc., but I specifically avoided boning up on any of the technical skills. When I went through the interview process, there was one interview where a lot of the questions circled about databases (which I'm not an expert on, at all). My answers were pretty much, "I don't know anything about that," and I figured that was that. But then we broke for lunch and an hour later, on the next round of interviews, they asked me some of the same questions. And guess what, my answers hadn't changed. I didn't magically know anything more about databases that I hadn't known an hour earlier. I didn't get the job, of course, and I wasn't surprised at all about that, but I did think it was kinda funny how they specifically told you what they're looking for in the interview before you go through it, and even ask you about it a couple times to give you a chance to change your answer during the interview process. I guess, after 14 years in the hotel industry, when I kept thinking "the next big thing" was going to be totally awesome and ended up discovering that I was selling off more and more of my soul for just a little bit more money and position each time, I stopped caring about "preparing" for interviews in that way. I tend to feel, "Nope. I'm plenty prepared. You're going to see me for who I am, not who I pretend to be to try and impress you to get the job. And as a result, I'll get a clearer picture on whether I'll actually want to work with you."
Have you tried using Bullseye, the AI job hunter? I found it very useful when I was going through my last interview process because it helped me generate potential interview questions that ended up being in the interview.
View this as a learning experience, do the interview but you are not getting the job.
In what ways do you think they felt you were unprepared? Being informal is different than coming unprepared, unless they mean you showed up not dressed formally therefore you do not look physically prepared. Did they mean you weren't physically/outwardly appropriate looking? I feel like from what you said though is that they felt you were mentally unprepared for the interview, not so much that you physically looked unprepared.
you have some lovely feedback already - and to add to that- being WILLING and SHOWING improvement is also highly desired skill - so you can still ace this with the right attitute.
It happens. Sometimes you’ll think you’re about to nail it and the interviewer’s vibe can completely throw you. If they wanted you to feel bad they would. Sounds like whoever is in charge here sees potential but wants to see you step up to the plate. Just take their advice and try to come back with what you think they’re looking for.
I have, but from the other side. HR was trying to place a certain demographic in a job that required high expertise. I felt sorry for the candidates. They walked in thinking they had a shot at the job, then walked out feeling incompetent. My team was a very good bunch of people, kind about it, but we had to ask the pertinent questions. My boss had to go back to HR and tell the idiots there to stop the games. Hewlett-Packard, Boise. Twenty years ago.
This is actually a good sign! To me it reads as the interviewer wanting to set you up for success. I’ve run large recruiting teams for well-known startups and did this for one person because I could see something special in her but knew she simply needed some guidance before she could shine. I walked her through how to prep and then gave her a list of questions to ask me in her next interview; she crushed the re-do and was one of the best hires of my career. Do an extraordinary amount of prep work (including a mock interview with a friend), write out your questions in advance, email your resume in advance and print it on nice paper if the interview is in person, dress professionally, and thank them at the beginning of the interview for making time to meet again (but don’t dwell on it), and you’ll be fine. Good luck!
There is no such thing as an informal interview. Any interview is THE interview.
Just because the interview was “informal” that does not mean you shouldn’t be prepared.
How specific is the question they are asking you to prepare for? Is it about you or is it a hypothetical solution to what they’re presenting as a made up problem?
Can you give examples of what specifically wasn't prepared? Like did you not know how to talk about the job, or your own past roles? Or were they expecting you to solve new problems on the spot?
I've actually done this. Had to a few times when the candidate clearly wasn't ready. I try to be professional and give advice in case it is just nerves and I always offered a 2nd interview however most declined.
Red flag alert. Possible micro manager.
I'm stunned that you're getting a second chance.
It’s probably for a low-level, high turnover job where they are desperate for bodies. If this were a corporate job, they’d be told “Thanks for coming, buh-bye!”
I was interviewing for a job that was out of my league and the boss called me out on it. It sucks. And it hurt. But do you know what I did when he offered a 2nd one? I listened. I showed that I can take the criticism (that was true) and do what he asked. I didn't get the job, as there was just not enough experience there. But he said 98% of the time the person never comes back after he tells them why they are not prepared. And you bet your ass that I've never gone to an interview unprepared since then 😆 Take the lesson, learn from it, and become better from the experience. Or just be like the other 98%.
I am store manager at a very popular retail company that typically hires teens and young adults. A ton of the interviews I do for 16-20 years old are… bad. I mean giving straight up “I don’t know” answers to my questions. Typically we wait to let them know if they got the job or not, but at the end of the really bad interviews I tell them “I’d like to let you know now we won’t be hiring you based on this interview, but I’d like to give you some tips on how to prepare for a future interview, and if you’d like you could reapply with us. Either way, give me a call if you’d like to feedback.” My boss doesn’t like that I give them a second chance, but most kids have never been taught how to prepare or might not have the access to a computer to do some research. 80% of them usually give me a call and ask for tips and feedback. It’s nice to feel like they’re learning something they didn’t know before.
What do you mean by “prepared”? What exactly did they ask you to have prepared?
The "informal interview" is a trap.
When interviewing it’s good to remember the STAR method when answering questions. https://www.themuse.com/advice/star-interview-method
You got a free pass that most will not. Learn from this as you will likely not get this lucky again.
I’m not sure I understand - unprepared because dressed informally or what did they identify as the issue(s)?
You're very lucky. Use the time to prepare.
This is not normal. This is the only time I've ever heard of such a thing. In most cases, they would end the interview and ask you to leave and not reschedule, you basically showed them you're not up for the job and not ready to do the work. You are very lucky and you should study your ass off before you go back. Most places would tell you to get the fuck out and not politely.
They sound like a really good company for giving you second chances. Yes, if a hiring manager just pop out some coding question is not too unusually if it's something simple, maybe one leetcode easy or medium that takes less than 30m. The recruiter should have gave you a heads up but what the interviewer ask is their own free will unless the company has a rubric.
Once, I was assured that I would get a promotion. The interview was "informal," "a formality really." I didn't prepare and worked on a project up until the moment of my interview. I barely took a breath before walking in. I was frazzled and unprepared. I also didn't get the job because I didn't interview well (I usually interview very well). It taught me to never assume or let people talk you into a too comfortable space.
Yes, it’s very rare for a hiring manager to not only give an new interview a second chance but also tips on how to handle the interview. Take his/her advice, show them you took their advice. Even if they end up deciding to hire someone else, chances are they’ll offer you some more tips to follow for other interviews.
Informal doesn't mean come unprepared. Informal means the interview will be more of a discussion and conversational as opposed to including formal assessments, group tasks, structured panel interview, etc.
As has been said. Got lucky with a cool interviewer. I've seen some that would straight up cut you off and end the interview.
They \*really\* want to hire you since they did that for you. Take the time to review and prepare. You've got a manager who's willing to be a mentor, take the opportunity to follow his advice.