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Jobseeker Is Disappointed That Their Interview Is 35 Minutes Late, Realizes The Recruiter Walked Past Him Several Times
Good time management is crucial in both personal and professional lives. However, many struggle with it, leading to missed deadlines, increased stress levels, and even wasted opportunities.
Reddit user u/HachiTofu took to the subreddit r/AskUK to seek opinions on whether they made the right decision in walking out of a job interview at a local bakery. According to the applicant’s post, they arrived ten minutes early, signed in, and were told they’d be seen in five.
However, time went by and nobody provided them an explanation about what was going on or even acknowledgment of their presence.
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This person was very excited to get a call back from a bakery they applied to work at
Image credits: magesourcecurated (not the actual photo)
But their experience was a disaster
We managed to get in touch with u/HachiTofu and they agreed to have a little chat with us about the experience they’ve had.
“[I applied for this particular position because] it was local and about 2 miles from my house, versus 20 for most other similar jobs,” the Redditor told Bored Panda. “It was for a delivery driver job.”
They said the preparation for the interview was pretty casual. “Dress smartly, look presentable, research common questions, and have a few pre-prepared answers.”
People already fear job interviews, and situations like this one only add fuel to the fire
Image credits: JÉSHOOTS (not the actual photo)
It’s perfectly understandable that u/HachiTofu is questioning their decision. For an overwhelming majority of adults, the job interview is a dreaded, stressful ordeal as 9 in 10 employed Americans say they fear something about the experience. When you can’t relax, you can’t calmly react to the situation, either.
A survey conducted by market research and analytics company Harris Interactive on behalf of Everest College revealed that people’s biggest fear is having the jitters, as 17% of respondents view being too nervous as their top concern, followed by being overqualified for the job (15%), being stumped by the potential employer’s questions (15%), being late for the interview (14%), being underqualified (11%), and not being prepared (10%).
“For so many, the job interview can be a high-pressure, make-or-break event when searching for a job, so it’s only natural that anxiety can play a major factor,” survey spokesman John Swartz, regional director of career services at Everest College, said.
“Everyone is different when coping under the pressure, but the best advice to help manage job interview fear is to simply be prepared. Conducting research, anticipating questions, and acting professionally are staples that will stand the test of time, regardless of the latest job interview trends.”
Respecting each other’s time is the least we can do for each other
Image credits: olia danilevich (not the actual photo)
However, as we just saw, recruiters can make mistakes too. (Or be just plain negligent.)
According to the team at Vantage Circle, a company that uses AI-based innovations to support HRs in simplifying and improving the employee experience, leaving a candidate waiting is one of the worst things an interviewer can do when screening them.
“When it is about an interview, the job candidates are cautious about how they approach it. They come to an interview before time to make a good impression,” the experts at Vantage Circle wrote in a blog post.
“What most recruiters do not realize is that interviewing on time is very crucial. If you make a candidate wait past their interview time, then they might feel that your organization doesn’t regard the interview as necessary. This creates a candidate feeling demotivated and might affect their future discussions.” And this story is excellent proof of that.
Luckily, the internet was there to cheer them up a bit. “[Reddit’s reaction to my post was] overwhelmingly positive!” u/HachiTofu said. “[I] genuinely didn’t think it would go viral the way it did and I’m glad people both supported my choices and had similar experiences to reinforce that my decision [was the correct one.]”
As the post went viral, its author provided a bit more information on what happened, and people had a lot to say about the whole ordeal
What do you think ?
Jared Robinson 2 years ago
professionalism is a two way street. While it's not a great way to get a job, after thirty five minutes of waiting, they are the ones being unprofessional and it's a good sign of a bad work environment. So leaving is the correct move.
Patti Halverson 2 years ago
You did the right thing. I once waited 45 minutes, but even that is stretch in comparison. When leaving, I found out they had forgotten about my appointment.
Kristina Cowan 2 years ago
Shows more about them, unless it was a mistake... 😔
Load More Replies...
Mark Fuller 2 years ago
I once went to a job interview and quite aside from being late, they didn't know my name. That would be a fail...
g90814 2 years ago
I had that, and then they asked me to fill out a paper application (this was late 90s) even though I'd applied online filling out the exact same information. I took the form, and walked out. I got a call like 1hr later asking where I was. I just said 'sorry no longer interested'.
Load More Replies...
Dusky87 2 years ago
The potential employer doesn't value their applicants time, then imagine how little they'd value their employee's time. Huge red flag, they were right to walk. I feel the same way for places that have multiple interview, generally more than 2 or 3 would be considered a red flag unless it's a highly specialised position. These places want to see how many hoops you'll jump through to guage how desperate your are for a job, and therefore how much they can overwork you if they offer the position
Seth 2 years ago
A delay is fine if they proactively check in and keep you updated. Asking you to "sit tight" with no explanation or updates is either a deliberate power move to see how desperate you are for the job, or an incompetent display of how they don't value your time. Never work for someone that feels the need to make displays of dominance, or that just doesn't respect/value your time. They showed their hand, and OP folded and left the table. That was the right move.
Potato 2 years ago
If I were an employer, I would not want someone desperate for a job. It means no one else wants them, and probably for good reason.
Load More Replies...
Jane Markaki 2 years ago
I've done interviews (manager) in times when short-staffed or had to push back/delay some appointments due to emergencies. However, I had the secretary call or notify the interviewees about the delay. Glad he walked out...time management can fail at times but being respectful always shows.
Marilyn Russell 2 years ago
I once went to an interview where they sat me in a stairwell to fill out a stupid application form (for an office job), and they already had my resume as I was sent by a recruitment agency, and they left me there for over half an hour. And I had arrived the requisite 10 minutes early, cheerily and politely introducing myself to the receptionist. No one checked on me, nor offered me tea, coffee or even a water. I just sat there like an idiot as they had instructed me that someone would come get me. Then the interviewer was a rude b***h who questioned some of my previous job experience by saying it was a bit of a career comedown to work at X. Gee thanks - didn’t know I have had a career - some of us have to take jobs to keep the bills paid. So don’t get the job even if I wanted to work at such a nasty place and told the agency I wasn’t interested in anymore of their offerings. She begged and begged me to go to this manufacturing company, I relented and was hired by by now husband…
DeMarcus Halliwell 2 years ago
Bottom line is, everyone frowns upon applicants/workers showing up late, so your interview should not start so late either. Literally makes no sense. Basically the same with any place you need an appointment; it's very disrespectful that they can technically refuse service to you if you show up more than 5 minutes late, but they expect you to sit 45 min to an hour past your appointment time.
Ansi 2 years ago
This sounds like some sick powerplay. How desperate are they for the job they applyed to? Then wait and crawl before our feet to be hired we then can can walk all over you and treat you as s**t. But Maybe I'm reading to much into the situation. But everybodys time is important.
Jonette Benavides 2 years ago
A couple months ago I waited 1hr 35min for an interview at a hospital for a hirig coordinator job that only paid $16/hr. I think min wage is $15.50 rn or something. I made friends with a girl covering reception who used to do the job and was excited because she told me I had it in the bag, then 30min on the dot after my arrival (I was 15min early) my competition showed up! Shortly after that, Abt the 45min mark for me, the interviewer said she'd be with us shortly due to a family emergency with a patient, and made it sound like we'd be doing a group interview now. Tf??!! I waited another 45 min or so, told the receptionist I needed to go but she could call me if she wanted to interview me, and I left. I never heard from anyone. Such a waste of time. I drove 30min out of town for that interview & got lost 3 times also. Ugh.
Jared Robinson 2 years ago
professionalism is a two way street. While it's not a great way to get a job, after thirty five minutes of waiting, they are the ones being unprofessional and it's a good sign of a bad work environment. So leaving is the correct move.
Patti Halverson 2 years ago
You did the right thing. I once waited 45 minutes, but even that is stretch in comparison. When leaving, I found out they had forgotten about my appointment.
Kristina Cowan 2 years ago
Shows more about them, unless it was a mistake... 😔
Load More Replies... Mark Fuller 2 years ago
I once went to a job interview and quite aside from being late, they didn't know my name. That would be a fail...
g90814 2 years ago
I had that, and then they asked me to fill out a paper application (this was late 90s) even though I'd applied online filling out the exact same information. I took the form, and walked out. I got a call like 1hr later asking where I was. I just said 'sorry no longer interested'.
Load More Replies... Dusky87 2 years ago
The potential employer doesn't value their applicants time, then imagine how little they'd value their employee's time. Huge red flag, they were right to walk. I feel the same way for places that have multiple interview, generally more than 2 or 3 would be considered a red flag unless it's a highly specialised position. These places want to see how many hoops you'll jump through to guage how desperate your are for a job, and therefore how much they can overwork you if they offer the position
Seth 2 years ago
A delay is fine if they proactively check in and keep you updated. Asking you to "sit tight" with no explanation or updates is either a deliberate power move to see how desperate you are for the job, or an incompetent display of how they don't value your time. Never work for someone that feels the need to make displays of dominance, or that just doesn't respect/value your time. They showed their hand, and OP folded and left the table. That was the right move.
Potato 2 years ago
If I were an employer, I would not want someone desperate for a job. It means no one else wants them, and probably for good reason.
Load More Replies... Jane Markaki 2 years ago
I've done interviews (manager) in times when short-staffed or had to push back/delay some appointments due to emergencies. However, I had the secretary call or notify the interviewees about the delay. Glad he walked out...time management can fail at times but being respectful always shows.
Marilyn Russell 2 years ago
I once went to an interview where they sat me in a stairwell to fill out a stupid application form (for an office job), and they already had my resume as I was sent by a recruitment agency, and they left me there for over half an hour. And I had arrived the requisite 10 minutes early, cheerily and politely introducing myself to the receptionist. No one checked on me, nor offered me tea, coffee or even a water. I just sat there like an idiot as they had instructed me that someone would come get me. Then the interviewer was a rude b***h who questioned some of my previous job experience by saying it was a bit of a career comedown to work at X. Gee thanks - didn’t know I have had a career - some of us have to take jobs to keep the bills paid. So don’t get the job even if I wanted to work at such a nasty place and told the agency I wasn’t interested in anymore of their offerings. She begged and begged me to go to this manufacturing company, I relented and was hired by by now husband…
DeMarcus Halliwell 2 years ago
Bottom line is, everyone frowns upon applicants/workers showing up late, so your interview should not start so late either. Literally makes no sense. Basically the same with any place you need an appointment; it's very disrespectful that they can technically refuse service to you if you show up more than 5 minutes late, but they expect you to sit 45 min to an hour past your appointment time.
Ansi 2 years ago
This sounds like some sick powerplay. How desperate are they for the job they applyed to? Then wait and crawl before our feet to be hired we then can can walk all over you and treat you as s**t. But Maybe I'm reading to much into the situation. But everybodys time is important.
Jonette Benavides 2 years ago
A couple months ago I waited 1hr 35min for an interview at a hospital for a hirig coordinator job that only paid $16/hr. I think min wage is $15.50 rn or something. I made friends with a girl covering reception who used to do the job and was excited because she told me I had it in the bag, then 30min on the dot after my arrival (I was 15min early) my competition showed up! Shortly after that, Abt the 45min mark for me, the interviewer said she'd be with us shortly due to a family emergency with a patient, and made it sound like we'd be doing a group interview now. Tf??!! I waited another 45 min or so, told the receptionist I needed to go but she could call me if she wanted to interview me, and I left. I never heard from anyone. Such a waste of time. I drove 30min out of town for that interview & got lost 3 times also. Ugh.
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