[Anonymous]

Has anyone had interview experiences where you feel something is not right? Personally, I interviewed with a company and they told me that I will hear back in about 5 weeks. But then a week after my interview, I heard back from them and they said, “we have determined that the position that we are looking to fill is not the right fit for you.” So I asked them if they have any feedback on how I can improve upon future interviews, and they said that I interviewed fine, it’s just that they think the position wasn’t the right fit for me. Okay seriously, “we think the position is not the right fit for you”?????? Something is not right here.

(by the way, for anyone wondering, I’m employed now, it’s just that my time job seeking is still very fresh in my mind)

[mla1169]

I don't find anything unusual about that. A big part of the hiring decision is playing “matchmaker” for potential peers, supervisors and subordinates. Sounds like they just didn't think you'd mesh well in that particular situation. Doesn't mean their matchmaking skills are any good, but read all the posts here from people who are miserable in jobs they are qualified for. The interviewer is trying to avoid a less than ideal situation.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[FlipACoin]

haha. Ok I've got a good one of these. I once had a SOLID interview, I mean I nailed everything, had a great response for everything even gave the manager some suggestions for how he could improve some analysis of a problem he gave me as an in-interview case. Personality wise we fit perfectly. At the end of the interview, when I asked if he thought I would be a good fit, he didn't exactly say no but he started giving me interview tips. Silly little stuff. “Next time you should approach it this way” kind of stuff. So, pretty sure that I didn't get the job, but baffled as to why not, I called the recruiter. Apparently she forgot to mention to him that I would be interviewing in business casual attire (I NEVER do this, but due to the job I had at the time and the availability of the VP, there was no other option but to set up a lunch interview with recruiter). He was just as baffled as me as to how somebody would DARE show up in business casual to an interview, but too embarrassed to point it out. Luckily the recruiter had a great relationship with him and I got a second chance. I showed up, he looked at me, talked to me for five minutes shook my hand and left. The next day I had a job offer. Without a doubt one of the most bizarre interview experiences I've ever had.

Point is…sometimes weird shit happens in interviews, intentionally or accidentally, but you shouldn't let it get to you. They sometimes do stuff to try to throw you off guard, to see how you respond. I even had a president of a company once ask me “Are you slick?? You look slick!”. I smiled and said….it must be the suit….

[Anonymous]

@FlipACoin Without divulging into too much detail, whether I got that particular job I mentioned affected me very, very personally. Because I didn't get it, that robbed me of the chance of something else (which is all but impossible at this point). I felt as if the universe slapped me in the face. If/when I pass all 4 sections of the CPA exam, if you so choose, remind me to explain it to you in detail why I took it so personally (and subsequently why I'm studying for the CPA exam).

[jelly]

It could be a couple of reasons:

1) The person(s) you are working with might have underlying discrimination issues against your school, your sex, your ethnicity.

2) Firm lost out on client work so they can't add to their staff.

You probably dodged a bullet. Celebrate!

Couldn't pass again!

[Anonymous]

@jelly You might have a point. For the first thing you listed. not sure if this is the reason, but I noticed that everyone at that particular office of the company were Caucasian, and I am a minority, so that theory might be valid.

And for the second thing you listed, all right, here's a quick rundown of the recent restructuring of the company. Its accounting department used to be located at its headquarters at a major city, but they decided to move a lot of their accounting functions overseas (the basic stuff that can be done with much cheaper labor), and then moved their accounting department, or what's left of it, to a small town (which is where I interviewed at). Also, for the position they were looking to fill, they were looking for either a recent graduate or someone who is in their last semester of school. If it's the former, then it'll be a full-time job for him/her, and if it's the latter, then it'll be a part-time job until he/she graduates, to which it becomes a full-time job.

Regardless, you are probably right. I may just have dodged a bullet. Honestly, career-wise, my current job at my current company is much better than the other position at the other company, it's just that there is something very personal that is very hard to do now that I didn't get the other job (I will explain if/when I pass all 4 sections of the CPA exam). But anyways, thanks for the words of encouragement man. Now off to study AUD.

[FlipACoin]

CPA..Sorry about my lighter post I just thought this was an “odd interview” type of thread, I didn't read carefully enough to realize that you were discussing a serious issue with hiring practices. I guess I am on the “you probably dodged a bullet” boat. I'm not saying discrimination is acceptable at any level or in any way, but if it were me, I would much rather just not get the job.

There have been more than a few opportunities I've accepted (both as a consultant and in industry) that I get a month in and think “why the hell did you hire me for this” or “why the hell weren't they more honest in the interview”. Sometimes I wish employers would be more blunt with me, and I don't even care what the reason is. If they don't want to hire me because I have big feet, great thank you for your time, NEXT. Unfortunately they hire me regardless of my foot size and then try to get me to squeeze into a shoe two sizes too small or one size too big. The point is, you were probably not a good fit for whatever reason. If their reason was discrimination based that's awful, but it really makes no difference. If you are good at what you do there is always another opportunity just around the corner….

[Anonymous]

@FlipACoin Thanks bro (although if it's discrimination, then they could've just not interviewed me, but it's whatever at this point).

[Anonymous]

I had an interview to work in audit for the government and when I left I knew personally that it would not be a good fit. It was 3 middle aged men that had been there forever and I would have stuck out like a sore thumb. I had an interview with a healthcare company and they called me back for a second interview with a Manager that had been out while I was there. I thought I had it the bag and after that interview they never called me back. Not even a letter or email to say I was not getting the job. The recruiter never answered my emails or phone calls. I still have no idea what it is I could have done wrong during my interviewing that they just went quiet on me.

[Anonymous]

@beverlymun I feel for you man, I've had a couple of similar experiences myself. It took me 3 months (not counting the time job searching while I was still in school), 12 interviews, and countless applications before I got an offer. Maybe sometime later I'll share another one of my suspicious interview experiences lol.

[Anonymous]

@CPA_Romantic What ethnicity are you? If you dont mind me asking.

[FlipACoin]

Beverly…that is so incredibly unprofessional of them, I hate that. I think I've only had that happen once after interviewing but something odd like that happened when I was trying to set up the interview. I guess the recruiter either got canned or got tired of me because after trading emails/voicemails for a couple days I just never heard back. Very strange although internal recruiters get that salary so I would guess that some of them don't care as much as an external recruiter does. Funny thing, it was for a big 4 (I think E&Y if I remember right) on their corporate finance side….ah well….NEXT 🙂

CPA…..I'm glad you ended up somewhere better. Much like the CPA exam, relentless determination is necessary nowadays….

[Anonymous]

@chakdey Haha, okay. I'm Asian by the way. But I don't know if it's discrimination, cause then why they called me in for an interview in the first place (since my real name on my resume kinda gives away my background lol).

[Anonymous]

@CPA_Romantic, I ask because I'm one of those people that when I go out anywhere I stick out and I get the best looks when I get on a plane 🙂 But again I think names and listing on your resume that you speak other languages should give a idea to the company that this person isn't white or black. I have not applied for any jobs yet, but can't wait to see how it will go when I do start.

[mla1169]

cpa romantic, I have to ask. Why exactly are you so convinced something isn't right? Do you have any reason to believe that your qualifications, personality, salary requirement, experience were superior to all other candidates and that you should have gotten the job? I know for a fact that its a bummer not to get a job your heart was set on, but every other candidate who walked in the door had their heart set on that position as well. I am just stumped when people are convinced something was “suspicious” rather than understanding another candidate was simply a better match.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Keely]

I agree with mla. I read the original post and thought it seemed like one of the most standard, normal interview occurrences we all go through. Some people just aren't interested in giving feedback to candidates they didn't hire. At least they gave you the courtesy of letting you know instead of stringing you along!

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Author]

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