Candidate Receives Harsh Interview Debrief By Mistake, Walks Away With Dream Role Offer

Job interviews are easily some of the most nerve-wracking experiences out there. First, there’s the pressure of trying to make a good impression, and then the agonizing wait to find out how you did. Wouldn’t it be nice to know right away?

Well, this Redditor did, thanks to a bizarre twist of fate. A mix-up meant she was sent the interviewers’ full summary and a video recap of their private discussion about her. Oops. Keep reading to see the unfiltered comments she stumbled upon, and how it all played out.

After wrapping up her job interview, the woman received an unexpected email

Woman looks surprised at laptop screen, reacting to unexpected email and video file during job interview process.

Image credits: Okrasyuk/Envato (not the actual photo)

To her surprise, it contained the interviewers’ unfiltered thoughts—ones she was never supposed to see

Woman receives email with a video file she wasn’t supposed to see after interview feedback was shared accidentally.

Text on screen describing a woman discovering a hidden video file in an email inviting her to a second interview.

Text excerpt about a woman in a Zoom meeting with an executive director discussing a new director and job role context.

Text excerpt showing a woman reflecting on feedback about her communication skills during a second interview process.

Text excerpt from woman’s email about not being proactive in questioning during second interview process.

Woman reads an email inviting her to a second interview while discovering a video file she wasn’t supposed to see.

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Woman reads an email inviting her to a second interview while reacting to a video file she wasn’t supposed to see.

Alt text: Woman receives email about second interview and accidentally opens a video file not meant to be seen.

Woman receiving an email about a second interview while watching a video file on her laptop at a desk near a window.

Image credits:  vadymvdrobot/Envato (not the actual photo)

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Text on a screen about a board member's difficulty with a dogsitter and office dynamics involving a new director and E.D.

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Image credits: Prostock-studio/Envato (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt showing a woman receiving an email with interview feedback and an unexpected video file after her interview.

Text excerpt showing feedback about lacking enthusiasm and a subdued communication style during an interview process.

Screenshot of a woman’s email about getting invited to a second interview after an in-person meeting invite.

Woman reads email about second interview and an unexpected video file revealing feedback after her interview.

Image credits: Attorneyatlau

What will make you stand out at a job interview?

On paper, a job interview seems straightforward: walk (or Zoom) in, have a brief conversation, give it your best shot, and you’re done.

In reality, it’s a juggling act. You need to impress without overselling, be funny but not too funny, show charisma without crossing into overbearing, and stay engaged without coming across as pushy. On top of that, every interviewer has their own idea of what makes a great candidate, so pleasing them all can feel like an impossible task. In short, it’s a lot.

But hard doesn’t mean hopeless. Career experts have plenty of strategies to help you stand out and turn those nerve-wracking moments into opportunities.

Jack Kelly, senior contributor for Forbes covering career development, job market trends, and workplace dynamics, says the first step is simple but essential: do your homework.

It might sound obvious, but there’s an art to it. So what exactly should you focus on?

Kelly suggests starting with the people you’ll be meeting. Look them up on LinkedIn, read up on their professional background, and find tidbits you can use for small talk. “By learning a little bit about the interviewers, you’ll be able to have enough information to engage in relevant small talk to break the ice and establish a bond,” he says.

Something I personally like to do is reach out to people on the team I might be joining. I ask about the culture, the work style, and even what the interview process was like for them. If they like you, they might drop your name to the panel before you even walk in.

Image credits: Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

And of course, research the company itself—its products, services, mission statement, and standing in the industry. That way you’re ready when they ask, “So, what do you know about our company?”

Recruitment firm Robert Walters says one way to stand out as a serious candidate is to envision yourself already in the role. Consider what you’d want to accomplish in your first six months and the kind of support you’d need from the company to make it happen.

“Be creative in your approach—share ideas that could be entirely new to the organization. Speak as if you already have the job,” they say. “It’s refreshing for an employer to engage with someone who has put significant thought into understanding the role.”

Sometimes you can signal interest before the interview even happens.

Former Google exec Jenny Wood points out that your prospective employer will probably check your LinkedIn within 24 hours of your meeting. Posting something about the company—maybe a short comment on their latest product or achievement—can catch their attention.

“That post shows you’re proactive. It shows you’re informed. It shows you’re eager,” Wood told CNBC.

When it comes to the actual interview, Kelly says authenticity wins. Avoid stuffing your answers with buzzwords and jargon. Instead, let your real personality come through. Not only does it make you memorable, but pretending to be someone you’re not can lead to awkward mismatches if you get the job.

As you wrap up, Kelly recommends a final pitch: “It was fantastic to get to know you and (reference others involved with the process). It was a pleasure learning about the opportunity and company.”

Follow it with something from the heart: “When I initially read the job description, the opportunity spoke to me. After all the great conversations, I’m even more convinced that I have all the right skills for the role and would love to come aboard.”

And finally, send that thank-you email. But remember, you’re not just being interviewed, you’re interviewing them too. If you spot red flags, take them seriously. As the story above proves, not every workplace is worth joining, and sometimes, your real dream job is still waiting somewhere else.

The author shared more details in the comments

Woman reads an email inviting her to a second interview and discovers a video file she wasn't meant to see.

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Readers encouraged her to turn the feedback into an advantage

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Comment on interview experience sharing advice about being authentic in job interviews and fitting company culture.

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Woman reads an email about a second interview and discovers a hidden video file she wasn’t supposed to see.

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Comment on job interviews emphasizing calm and collected demeanor as valuable for second interview invitations.

Woman receiving an email about a second interview and discovering a confidential video file accidentally sent.

Screenshot of a discussion about insecure hiring managers and unrealistic candidate expectations in a virtual comment section.

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Comment about interview committees warning woman who gets an email inviting her to second interview and a video file she wasn't supposed to see.

Woman reads an unexpected email inviting her to a second interview while viewing a confidential video file.

Woman reading an email on laptop about a second interview and discovering a hidden video file unexpectedly.

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Woman reads an email on her laptop about a second interview and discovers a video file she wasn’t supposed to see.

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Woman checking email on laptop, surprised by unexpected second interview invite and hidden video file message.

Woman reads an email on her laptop inviting her to a second interview with an unexpected video file.

Comment discussing honesty and being yourself during a job interview process and review results.

Reddit user shares advice on communication style and excitement for a second interview opportunity in an email reply.

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Woman receives an email about a second interview and accidentally views a confidential video file she wasn't meant to see.

Woman reads an email with a second interview invite and accidentally sees a hidden video file not meant for her.

Woman reacts to an unexpected email inviting her to a second interview and a video file she wasn’t supposed to see.

Woman receiving an email on laptop inviting her to a second interview while viewing a surprising video file.

In a follow-up, the woman revealed she’d actually scored her dream role, though not in the way she imagined

Text excerpt showing a woman describing being offered her dream job after months of interviewing for a well-respected org.

Text message showing refusal to attend in-person interview with a sarcastic tone and casual invitation to a team dinner.

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