Ask HN: How to navigate an interview where the interviews has it against you

8 points by joddystreet 3 years ago | 20 comments

In a recent interview around culture fit, I got a feeling that the interviewer had some agenda against me.

I was frequently cut mid sentences, without me being able to build the complete context, and was asked to drill into a negative aspect of the answer.

My answers were frequently negated, with interviewer simply stating- “i think here you are wrong and this could be changed”. Upon asking what or how, the reply was - some random philosophy and with the onto the next question.

I lost my temper, and to no surprise wasn’t able to move forward in the interview.

I might have read the signs wrong, but, I got a feeling that interviewer really got something against me.

How to navigate such a situation? Have you ever faces such a situation and were you able to navigate that discussion in your own favor?

digisign 3 years ago |

98¼% chance that if one of the interviewers doesn't like you for any reason, you are not getting an offer.

So, as soon as something like this becomes clear, and first time you're disrespected... Stand up, dust yourself off, and say "I think we're done here." Then walk out and don't look back.

It's not so easy if it is the first time it's ever happened, but if you think and plan ahead of time, it is doable. Remember it is a two-way interview, and you have three more interviews lined up this week.

Wowfunhappy 3 years ago | |

Unless we're discussing some all-day affair, surely it makes more sense to just finish out the interview? You've already cancelled your other plans, gotten dressed up, and made the commute. None of which offsets the sunk cost fallacy, but:

• What if you're reading the room wrong?

• What if one of the other interviewers likes you, and will be hiring somewhere else in the future?

• What if a different team at the company has a position in the future?

• What if you used the time to practice interviewing? (Even if the conditions are less than ideal.)

I think all of that combined is worth an extra hour?

digisign 3 years ago | | |

O.P. was clear I think. And the other percent or two allows for some of your exceptions. But I'd push back at practicing "doormat" skills. Life is too short.

groffee 3 years ago |

Sounds maybe like a 'stress interview'[0], basically they intentionally piss you off to see how you respond to stress. In any event, you dodged a bullet with them, who'd want to work in a place like that?

[0]https://www.topinterview.co.uk/interview-advice/what-is-a-st...

agiacalone 3 years ago | |

I took a criminology class in the late 90’s where the professor talked about how unethical stress interviews were (for police department hiring, of all things) and encouraged applicants to walk out of any PD that attempted to give one.

I think it’s sound advice then and now.

Edit: I should add that the professor was a former Chief of Police for an SF Bay Area city.

inter_netuser 3 years ago | |

People actually do that?

I thought white boarding is the stress part.

muzani 3 years ago | | |

Yeah, I have some old books from my dad that taught people how to be ready for a stress interview. Often it's something like having your seat in a place where light shines in your eyes, loud background noises, or a panel of interviewers staring at you.

It's probably more suited for say, sales job, but doesn't represent engineering well. Unless it does, which you probably want to get out of there as fast as possible.

trinovantes 3 years ago |

Sounds like they did you a favor. Even if you passed the interview, do you really want a coworker like that?

dntrkv 3 years ago | |

Many times you are being interviewed by a random person that you might not even work with.

codingdave 3 years ago | | |

Even so, the organization accepts that behavior enough to have that person interviewing. Take it as the red flag it is and move on out.

avgDev 3 years ago |

I had a weird interview once.

I used a common C# shortcut and the dev asked what it was....I explained....he said it would never compile. The whole interaction was really awkward and he was being kind of an ass about it.

I believe I asked "Would you like me to write it out so you can understand?". Frankly, at that point I was pretty annoyed. This was in front of 3 devs. He just sat there quietly, so I did rewrite it anyway in the complete syntax.

I ended up getting an offer but declined. As I was walking out the devs were on a computer trying to see if it works lmao.

I would always suggest not to get to upset, but I don't see why you can't fire back at them.

asfarley 3 years ago | |

What was the shortcut?

inter_netuser 3 years ago |

Excuse yourself to the washroom. Call the front desk letting them know you are feeling unwell, must’ve been the food you just ate prior.

Ask to reschedule with a different interviewer if possible, idk because you are embarrassed or something.

water554 3 years ago | |

Is this a joke? If somebody did that I would not respect them.

runnerup 3 years ago | |

I like this.

water554 3 years ago |

Just deal with it and be positive. Maybe try to turn it into friendly banter. In the past I have interrupted people and drilled into bits of their sentence. When all you have is 30 minutes sometimes you have to be quick. Sometimes people don’t stop talking. Maybe the interviewer didn’t get enough sleep.

Whatever you do don’t make it or take it personal, and don’t let it wobble you. Ascend above it and prosper. You want to be emanating good vibrations.

kevdragon6 3 years ago |

Just have to remain professional and positive. Interviewing is partly luck and not within your control (interviewer had a bad day, market downturn, headcount reduction)

aristofun 3 years ago |

It might be a cultural difference. If not — it might be some sort of a stress test that you didn’t pass.

If not — there are as many assholes and just bad interviewers as interviewees.

No surprise here.

VoodooJuJu 3 years ago |

If someone is disrespecting you, call them out and walk away.