[Track55]

My friends and family interview all the time just to stay sharp. I’m 40 and the only times I’ve interviewed is if I needed a job. They tell me I should start.

Does anyone interview just to goof around? I drive by Deloitte every day.

I would not interview through my school’s career center though, even if I pay the annual fee. Those recruiters have limited slots (max of 8) and I would not want to take interviews away from students who really need them. Out on the street – that’s another story.

Thanks.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[Jdn9201]

I'm not sure what you mean by interviewing to goof around, but yes I've interviewed before without actively looking or needing a new job. The way I look at it is if I do my homework (research the company, look at the job description, tap my network, etc.) and think there may be a possibility that an opening would be a better fit for me, or help me to meet the goals I want to achieve in my career, then I owe it to myself to check it out. Not only does it keep your skills sharp, but it gives you the chance to broaden your network and not miss an opportunity that could be good for you. Interviewing also requires you to have an updated resume, which is always a good thing. I've only had 2 jobs since I graduated from college almost 10 years ago, but I spent far too much time being passive when it comes to owning my career. Also, you'd be surprised how much the tables turn when you are interviewing for a job when you already have one that's decent. You get treated very differently, because the other side knows that they have to impress you to get you to leave something that's already good. On the flip side, people who need the job can appear to be desperate. If you like your current job, I could see your hesitation to do this, but something may happen that's out of your control that could cause you to suddenly be on the market. Also too – its nice that you feel empathy for people coming out of school and not wanting to compete, but unless you are changing industries, it's unlikely you'd be competing with entry level people for slots.

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Anonymous]

If you mean “interviewing for a job you'd never take”, then no, and that seems disrespectful to the interviewer's time. As a hiring manager, I don't call someone in for an interview unless I'd seriously consider them for the job, and I assume they didn't apply unless they'd seriously consider taking the job. Of course they don't know for sure if they're interested in the job till they interview, hear what it pays, etc., but if I offered the job to someone and they said “No thanks, I'm just practicing interviewing, no desire to leave my current job” I'd think that was pretty disrespectful.

However, though I've never done it, I think it would be advantageous to put out feelers sometimes for jobs that you might think you don't qualify for, but you'd love to have if you could get, and do it while you're still content at your current job. Cause who knows – you just might get it, and if you did, then you go from a job you like to a job you thought you'd never get, and you're even happier. Usually, though, I've started looking for a job when I have a reason I'm ready to leave my current job, and by that point, I'm more likely to take what I can get instead of being able to hold on for what I can get. So, I think it would be better to watch for what you want while you're content, and go ahead and apply to a few, so that you don't have to take something sub-par just because you're getting antsy.

[Skynet]

I interviewed with the Avengers, but was turned down because they were disappointed when they found out my only powers were accounting numbers and general ledgers. Plus they didn't like the fact I made a pass at Black Widow.

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

lol your family and friends sound hilarious. I'm just picturing your family sitting around boring one day.
“So what do you guys wanna do today?”
“I don't know. Want to go see a movie?”
“Nah”
“… want to go to some interviews?”
“uhh YES please!”
“Alright lets go!”
and then its like a interview from the movie Stepbrothers.

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[How many letters do you need]

I do think it's important to keep your interview skills fresh if you can, but I never seem to have the time. What usually happens to me is I begin looking for a job and end up interviewing a little weak the first few I go on. With that, Ill usually open up a job search with a few positions I don't really want, usually roles that are equal to what my current job is at the time and probably would never take an offer from unless there is something unexpected. An interesting outcome that has happened due to this process…Ive had them interview me and say “well you are great, but probably a little senior for THIS position…we have this other one though I think you would be great for”..or ….”I think you are going to be out of our price range but I have a friend down the street you should talk to…”. Never turn down an opportunity to get in front of a hiring manager….because you never know…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[confusedcandidate]

If you have no intention of leaving your current job or taking the job you are interviewing for, I think it is kind of disrespectful to the people you will be interviewing with. Total waste of their time. Also, accounting is a small world, and everyone knows each other. We talk. If word gets around that you are interviewing, it could be awkward for you.

Weekends are meaningless to a CPA candidate

[Anonymous]

Why not take a class on interviewing where youll do mock interviews as opposed to being a jackoff who wastes peoples time.

Youre 40 and have the maturity of a 15 year old.

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

People need to take a chill pill. He's only asking a question, and he specifically said that he does not do this.

AUD 93 Jan 16
BEC 83 Feb 16
FAR 83 Apr 16
REG 84 May 16

99% Ninja MCQ only

[How many letters do you need]

confused – do you know how many interviews I've been on where they were clearly wasting my time? They wanted my perspective or were just curious about me but had no intention of moving forward from the start. If you have even average interview skills, for every job where you didn't make it into the top two candidates, you can be pretty sure that they saw you as a long shot or a backup backup plan at best. To be clear I'm not talking about HR or screening interviews I mean hiring manager interviews…interviews with people that would be your boss. It works both ways and at least with them they don't have to deal with taking time off work or what have you to make the interview happen. I don't see it as even remotely disrespectful…both people should generally walk away from an interview feeling the time was well spent and if not you really need to bring your interview skills up a notch.

As an aside, if you do find yourself in a horrible interview, one where the person is either focusing entirely on the negative or just is clearly wasting your time, consider thanking them for their time and walking out when you are finished; your time is valuable as well. I did it once and it was amazing.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

Some people make their assessment in the first 30 seconds of the interview, but of course it would be rude to dismiss someone after 30 seconds, so the fact that they're clearly disinterested for the remainder of the interview may have more to do with the fact that they made a decision quickly than that a decision was made prior to them even meeting you. However, I'm sure there are hiring managers who have already selected a candidate and still bring in x many people to interview just to fulfill HR requirements. That, in my opinion, is also disrespectful (I was one who said going on interviews with no intention of taking the job was disrespectful). It goes both ways for sure. But in my own experience, from being a hiring manager and talking to fellow hiring managers as well as from being a candidate, it seems like the majority of hiring managers are just interviewing people who they consider potential fits for the job. They might interview 5 or they might interview 20 depending on the position, the depth of their candidate pool, etc., but they're serious about all of them usually. I have, though, known a few that do make their assessment in the first 30 seconds, so if they're not good at hiding their disinterest after the first 30 seconds, then it could make it look like they had a different plan from before the interview even started.

[Missy]

Yes I have but I've been up front when asked to interview that I'm not actively looking but intrigued by the offer. If they still want to talk to me knowing that (and often they do) it's on them not on me. Besides who's to say the interviewer isn't trying to brush up on their skills as well?

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[alboreland]

I'd like to know if anyone doing this was caught going to interviews and applying to jobs by their current employer. I'd like to be there when they say I'm just doing it to brush up on my skills and see how that goes over.

[How many letters do you need]

haha yeah caught by your employer. It's unlikely but could happen. For me, I usually wait until I'm ready anyway but just schedule light in the beginning for positions I probably wouldn't take. If I'm perfectly happy somewhere I don't have the motivation or time to interview. Generally speaking, people don't need to brush up unless it's been a few years anyway. I think most employers who have an employee in the same position for 3+ years and the person has expressed no interest or there is no opportunity to move elsewhere in the company, they expect them to start looking. Of course you get those people who have their little spot and are content there, but I think if you give an employer 3+ years in a role they can hardly blame you for wanting career growth. They may not like it but they can't blame you. I knew one guy in that spot who just told his boss he would be looking and it worked out great for him. That is VERY boss specific though, would not recommend that as a general course of action. Just saying, not all bosses are evil, some are actually decent people…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[MaLoTu]

As a CPA there are many opportunities to network with other professionals. I think this is a tactical way to build up your professional language and appearance without having the stress of a formal interview. Additionally, you can actually gain an understanding of what people are looking for in prospective coworker/employees if you ask the right questions.

During my job search I went on many interviews. Some of them I definitely, in hindsight, feel were a waste of my time. I don't think that the interviewers were just interviewing to hon their skills, but I cannot say that I truly had a chance of getting the role either.

I agree with those that say that it is a waste of your time and their time to interview for a job you would never consider taking… I mean really, what do you gain in that case?

[How many letters do you need]

MaLoTu…I actually like your networking suggestion. It's something that I never think to focus on, it usually just happens naturally but with focus it can be quite effective. As for the interviews, I don't think it's a waste of time at all. I don't want to be up for the job of my dreams and have my interview skills rusty. Sharpening your interview skills or trying out a new approach is actually quite valuable, at least to me. I try to make sure the interviewer gets a little something out of it as well. I might give a couple of suggestions they can take a way. You would be surprised how many hiring managers interview just to gain insight.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Author]

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