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Author Topic: Canceling an interview?  (Read 6637 times)

manny31

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Canceling an interview?
« on: June 11, 2015, 10:54:15 PM »
Maybe I am being to sensitive but I am pretty insulted, here is what happened today. I had a 3pm interview scheduled and I rolled in at 2:53, wasn't greeted by anybody but after a couple of minutes was shown to a conference room where I waited until just after 3. At this point an executive assistant comes in and tells me that the person I was to meet with is in a meeting and can't get out and has to cancel. I was dumbfounded. Anybody ever had an experience like this? All I could think was that this was I credibly unprofessional. As of 8 hours later no email of apology. 

NavinRJohnson

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2015, 10:58:15 PM »
Unacceptable? Nah, it happens. Would I walk away content to go work somewhere else? Absolutely.

MUfan12

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2015, 11:05:08 PM »
It's unprofessional, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell the person that if they reach out.

And it's also a good sign that you should look elsewhere.

manny31

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2015, 11:14:43 PM »
Yep, that is what I think. Indicative of how the place is run. Still insulting.

WellsstreetWanderer

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2015, 11:26:10 PM »
Totally unprofessional and probably B.S.     Not a company or person you would want to work for. Good Luck

Dr. Blackheart

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2015, 12:12:40 AM »
Unacceptable? Nah, it happens. Would I walk away content to go work somewhere else? Absolutely.

You did the hard work:  Qualifying to get the interview.  If they don't realize they are also their to recruit you and make you feel valued...walk. You deserve more.  Two way street.

MU Fan in Connecticut

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2015, 07:09:30 AM »
It's unprofessional, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell the person that if they reach out.

And it's also a good sign that you should look elsewhere.

This exactly.

About 6-7 years ago I had a similar experience.  They say you don't want to interview with HR first.  They scheduled me with HR first and I got like 80/85% of questions totally unrelated to the position and the next thing I know the engineering person I was supposed to interview with next was unavailable. 
I found out later another engineer I know had the exact same experience interviewing with the same company.

Then I heard from some people who had worked there at some point (in other departments) say that you don't want to work there.  The interviewing process totally reflected the company. 

WarriorInNYC

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2015, 07:22:38 AM »
I'm not sure canceling the interview is that crazy unprofessional.  Things do come up during the day and sometimes you just can't get out of it if its critical (hoping that this is the case here).  You also do want to interview with the correct person, so sometimes getting someone else to fill in wouldn't cut it.

What I do find unprofessional here is the lack of follow up and apology.  That absolutely needs to happen in this case.

hairy worthen

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2015, 07:29:40 AM »
I'm not sure canceling the interview is that crazy unprofessional.  Things do come up during the day and sometimes you just can't get out of it if its critical (hoping that this is the case here).  You also do want to interview with the correct person, so sometimes getting someone else to fill in wouldn't cut it.

What I do find unprofessional here is the lack of follow up and apology.  That absolutely needs to happen in this case.

This, 

Unexpected things come up, but he/she should have been on the phone as soon as they were free apologizing and bending over backwards to reschedule. If that didn't happen then it is rude and a huge red flag to look elsewhere.


MU B2002

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2015, 07:35:18 AM »
I'm not sure canceling the interview is that crazy unprofessional.  Things do come up during the day and sometimes you just can't get out of it if its critical (hoping that this is the case here).  You also do want to interview with the correct person, so sometimes getting someone else to fill in wouldn't cut it.

What I do find unprofessional here is the lack of follow up and apology.  That absolutely needs to happen in this case.

+1
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GGGG

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2015, 08:05:54 AM »
This, 

Unexpected things come up, but he/she should have been on the phone as soon as they were free apologizing and bending over backwards to reschedule. If that didn't happen then it is rude and a huge red flag to look elsewhere.


I agree with all of this.

I would also stay away from the "insulting" language.  Believe me, crappier things are going to happen during your career and staying above it all is usually a good attitude to have.

warriorchick

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2015, 08:19:40 AM »
Having recently been through the job search process, I can tell you that it can be one of the most soul-crushing experiences a person can go through.  Since the perception is that it's a buyer's market, all of the civility has gone out of the process on the employers' side.  I remember my dad going through a job search in the early '70's, and even when he sent an unsolicited resume to a company, he would receive, at the minimum, a letter acknowledging that they received it and would keep it on file (and those were the days where each one of those had to be individually written on a typewriter). Even after an interview, I got used to not hearing from an employer at all unless they were interested in continuing the process.

Among the indignities I endured in my last job search (keep in mind that I am a degreed accountant with a CPA and 25+ years of experience):

  • Having to take a clerical skills test where I had to put names in alphabetical order, do simple math problems, and identify misspelled words.  The HR person came back beaming. "You got a perfect score!"
  • Being asked to provide copies of my last two years' worth of W-2s to prove I wasn't lying about my salary history
  • Giving a prospective employer a general idea of my most recent compensation, and in return, receiving a formal, written job offer for half of that amount
  • Receiving an assignment to write an analysis of a very complicated accounting issue involving revenue recognition in the software industry.  The HR person said, "Um, [the hiring executive] would like to have it before he leaves on vacation tomorrow afternoon, so can we get it back first thing tomorrow?"  I pulled an all-nighter to get it done, and if I say so myself, it was effing brilliant.  After the guy returned from his vacation and we had the interview, I asked, "What did you think of my analysis?"  His response:  "Oh, I haven't looked at it yet."

Fortunately, I landed a great job with a great organization, but I hope that soon enough, the economy will improve and the tables will be turned on those A-holes who thought treating job candidates like crap was a good business decision.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2015, 12:29:20 PM by warriorchick »
Have some patience, FFS.

muwarrior69

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2015, 08:45:22 AM »
I am glad I am retired. I always went into an an interview as being a 2-way street. Sure they are finding out if I'm competent and will be a good fit, but while they are interviewing me I am interviewing them. There were times it just did not feel right and politely told them so and left. No one knows your self worth better than you, so consider yourself lucky and just move on.

mreezybreezy

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2015, 08:55:20 AM »
If nothing else, use it as a bargaining chip now. Feel free to tack on an extra 20-30% to your originally envisioned salary. If they balk at it, hey, they suck anyway right?

jsglow

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2015, 08:56:22 AM »
After 7-8 years of recession (please refrain from political comments, I will too), the business world has grown increasingly coarse in all areas.  Many have actually decided to leave it.  And this is going to come back to bite employers in the long run.  If you work for a company that genuinely has a soul, consider yourself fortunate.

Chick's right.  We faced a crisis situation this week.  We're okay now but upon returning to work the COO personally came to her office to offer support and see if there was anything that could be done.  Took 5 minutes but it was the thought that counted.

Chicago_inferiority_complexes

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2015, 09:01:33 AM »
I finished grad school in the summer of 2008, right before the economy crashed. Took me a year to get a good job, and I ended up getting a job in the middle of nowhere. Want to move back to Milwaukee now. I preface with that to say that I've been through a lot of interviews since college...

My guess is the most likely scenario is that HR f'ed up. The person who referenced HR is dead on. I don't want to paint a universal picture here, but most HR people are terrible, have zero technical skills, and do not understand the job or the department you are interviewing for.

I've had mishap upon mishap happen with HR. In your situation, most likely a) The job was already filled, b) They asked you to come in as a mistake and you weren't on the short list, c) They didn't check the hiring manager's schedule beforehand or put something on Outlook. And then they made up some bullcrap excuse when you were sitting there in the conference room.

I work at a very large Fortune 500 company. 100% of the scheduling and initial interview people are outsourced. They don't have an incentive to get this stuff right. Even if they screw up 20% of their contacts, there is an endless stream of candidates available for interviews and hiring.

I've had in-person interviews at several MKE-CHI area Fortune 500 companies where I didn't even get an automated rejection letter from their system. It's such a "buyer's market" that basic decorum is simply gone.

StillAWarrior

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2015, 09:07:12 AM »
This, 

Unexpected things come up, but he/she should have been on the phone as soon as they were free apologizing and bending over backwards to reschedule. If that didn't happen then it is rude and a huge red flag to look elsewhere.

I think this is right.  Emergencies happen.  If this happened to me, I'd be perfectly willing to listen to what caused the cancellation before I decided whether I was interested in continuing with the process.  But that information better come extremely quickly along with a sincere apology.  Seeing how people respond in difficult situations can be really important in the decision making process.  But you've heard nothing.  Consider yourself lucky -- you got a chance to see how they respond in a difficult situation.  Not well.  Dodged a bullet as far as I'm concerned.
Never wrestle with a pig.  You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.

Coleman

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2015, 09:14:38 AM »
I'm not sure canceling the interview is that crazy unprofessional.  Things do come up during the day and sometimes you just can't get out of it if its critical (hoping that this is the case here).  You also do want to interview with the correct person, so sometimes getting someone else to fill in wouldn't cut it.

What I do find unprofessional here is the lack of follow up and apology.  That absolutely needs to happen in this case.

+1

Stuff happens. Maybe there was an emergency: family, business or otherwise. I would be understanding of the need to cancel.

But I would be expecting a phone call from the interviewer as soon as humanly possible apologizing and explaining what happened. If you don't get that, walk away.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2015, 09:17:36 AM by Bleuteaux »

JWags85

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2015, 09:31:53 AM »

  • Giving a prospective employer a general idea of my most recent compensation, and in return, receiving a formal, written job offer for half of that amount

I recently had final interviews with a large Fortune 100 company in Chicago.  I'd been recruiting by the company's internal recruiters and was very clear in our discussions.  Talked about my experience and desired new roles and responsibilities, compensation expectations, as well as a general baseline for where I was currently with comp.  After final round interviews, which went well enough that I was debating what offer they would give that I would be satisfied with, they touched base to say that they loved me, my experience, and would fit with the team.  BUT, the team and the position is complex, they would like me to come in at a level lower than I was recruited and interviewed for, BUT, I was high potential and would be up for review and promotion...in 18-24 months.  AND, to make matters worse, when I pushed back for more details, was informed that the compensation was over 10% lower than my current comp, with no wiggle room.  It was one of the most insulting and tone deaf conversations I had ever had.  Talking to a headhunter shortly after, I found it was a common theme that she'd been hearing about said company.

warriorchick

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2015, 09:38:53 AM »
I recently had final interviews with a large Fortune 100 company in Chicago.  I'd been recruiting by the company's internal recruiters and was very clear in our discussions.  Talked about my experience and desired new roles and responsibilities, compensation expectations, as well as a general baseline for where I was currently with comp.  After final round interviews, which went well enough that I was debating what offer they would give that I would be satisfied with, they touched base to say that they loved me, my experience, and would fit with the team.  BUT, the team and the position is complex, they would like me to come in at a level lower than I was recruited and interviewed for, BUT, I was high potential and would be up for review and promotion...in 18-24 months.  AND, to make matters worse, when I pushed back for more details, was informed that the compensation was over 10% lower than my current comp, with no wiggle room.  It was one of the most insulting and tone deaf conversations I had ever had.  Talking to a headhunter shortly after, I found it was a common theme that she'd been hearing about said company.

Only 10%?  There are a lot of people who would jump at that offer, especially if they are not currently employed.  That's exactly why those companies do it.  However,  they are ignoring the fact that having an employee start work already having a huge chip on his/her shoulder is not the best for the company in the long run.
Have some patience, FFS.

Chicago_inferiority_complexes

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #20 on: June 12, 2015, 10:07:56 AM »
And this is going to come back to bite employers in the long run.  If you work for a company that genuinely has a soul, consider yourself fortunate.

How I wish this was the case. Most large companies love recessions because they eliminate business competition and, in the case of the labor market, allow them to get their pick of the litter, and rarely have to worry about people leaving.

With fewer and fewer companies out there, what exactly are the consequences of this type of behavior? I think there aren't any.

Benny B

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #21 on: June 12, 2015, 10:25:12 AM »
Regarding the OP, look at it this way... that "fluke" phone call, emergency, whatever, might be the best thing that ever happened to you.  If not for that, you would have aced the interview and only to find out several months in that you're working for the most unprofessional company you could ever imagine and wishing you never took the job.
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny.  Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.

JWags85

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #22 on: June 12, 2015, 10:25:43 AM »
Only 10%?  There are a lot of people who would jump at that offer, especially if they are not currently employed.  That's exactly why those companies do it.  However,  they are ignoring the fact that having an employee start work already having a huge chip on his/her shoulder is not the best for the company in the long run.


But I'm not.  Ive been employed at a major CPG for the last 2+ years, and I was recruited for a promotion/step up position by them.  That was the issue, it wasn't me applying on a company website and this happened.  They sought me out, tried to bait and switch, and didn't even present a compelling case.

Benny B

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #23 on: June 12, 2015, 10:33:46 AM »
How I wish this was the case. Most large companies love recessions because they eliminate business competition and, in the case of the labor market, allow them to get their pick of the litter, and rarely have to worry about people leaving.

That's a bit shortsighted.  I can't think of any business that hopes for a recession other than perhaps the dollar stores, Hollywood and the 30-minute oil change companies.  Maybe the HR people at large companies "love" recessions, but the executives and accountants certainly don't.

The downside of getting a hire "cheap" is that you need to ratchet up their salary to market within a couple years, otherwise, if they're good: they'll be going to work for someone else as soon as the economy turns around; and if they suck: they're going to suck even more when they find out the new hire is making X% more than he/she is.


Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny.  Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.

jsglow

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #24 on: June 12, 2015, 10:48:52 AM »
But I'm not.  Ive been employed at a major CPG for the last 2+ years, and I was recruited for a promotion/step up position by them.  That was the issue, it wasn't me applying on a company website and this happened.  They sought me out, tried to bait and switch, and didn't even present a compelling case.

Yep. That's the kind of crap I'm talking about.

Look, I've run large departments.  If an emergency forced me to reschedule an interview with a young candidate I'd be darn sure to call him/her, apologize for the inconvenience, and reschedule.

Honestly, it doesn't take much.  I used to have this unofficial 'policy' that prior to major holidays I'd ask people to wrap up by 3:30 if they possibly could.  Certainly sometimes folks remained to complete something necessary.  And I made that announcement via a group email that both wished them well and provided a reminder as to why Monday was an off day, for example to remember our troops on Memorial Day.  I actually 'worked' on the body of that email each time to make it meaningful.  And you know what?  Folks appreciated it and would step up to the plate if we had something important going on. 

MU Fan in Connecticut

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #25 on: June 12, 2015, 12:24:30 PM »
Having recently been through the job search process, I can tell you that it can be one of the most soul-crushing experiences a person can go through.  Since the perception is that it's a buyer's market, all of the civility has gone out of the process on the employers' side.  I remember my dad going through a job search in the early '70's, and even when he sent an unsolicited resume to a company, he would receive, at the minimum, a letter acknowledging that they received it and would keep it on file (and those were the days where each one of those had to be individually written on a typewriter). Even after an interview, I got used to not hearing from an employer at all unless they were interested in continuing the process.


Heck, this was still going on in early 90's.  I recall job searching in 1991 (in the middle of that recession) straight out of Marquette and I was mailing my resume everywhere.  I recall an HVAC company (I sent them a resume & cover letter because I thought they were a manufacturing company based on company description) called me not so much for an interview but more because he kind of understood my situation and just wanted to talk.

keefe

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #26 on: June 12, 2015, 12:26:58 PM »
Maybe I am being to sensitive but I am pretty insulted, here is what happened today. I had a 3pm interview scheduled and I rolled in at 2:53, wasn't greeted by anybody but after a couple of minutes was shown to a conference room where I waited until just after 3. At this point an executive assistant comes in and tells me that the person I was to meet with is in a meeting and can't get out and has to cancel. I was dumbfounded. Anybody ever had an experience like this? All I could think was that this was I credibly unprofessional. As of 8 hours later no email of apology. 

I flew from Hong Kong to Dallas for an interview. Through the fog of jet lag I showed up at the appointed time in Plano and waited in the business owner's outer office. She had worried people coming and going then the company CFO went into her office. After another 15 minutes the CFO left and she asked if we could reschedule. No hello or salutation.

I asked if she meant that day or the next and she said the following week. It was actually so odd that I laughed and said it would be alright. I ended up tying in a future planned trip to NY so it wasn't wasted effort. When I went back to Plano she explained that Frito was battling Eagle Brand salty snacks and there had been the usual PepsiCo crisis that costs people their jobs.

I ended up getting the job and participated in a Frito Lay global buying binge that was some of the most interesting work I ever did. I learned a lot, got to work with some great people, and participated in some exciting projects.  

What was funny about it was that months later the business owner told me she knew she wanted me for the role (I was an internal) but I still had to do the loop at Plano or it could have legal implications.

My advice is never burn bridges and don't read anything into what transpired that day. I flew 18 hours for an interview and was sitting in her outer office when she cancelled on me. It turned into one of my better experiences. Stuff happens so don't judge a book by its cover. And remember: It is NEVER personal.


Death on call

warriorchick

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #27 on: June 12, 2015, 12:31:59 PM »
And remember: It is NEVER personal.

That's the problem.  At some level, it should be.
Have some patience, FFS.

4everwarriors

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #28 on: June 12, 2015, 12:56:28 PM »
Y'all should walk a mile in my shoes. I interview roughly 2000+ times a year. Sometimes my boss loves me, sometimes it's just the opposite. Sometimes the boss doesn't show up or even have the decency to call; just fookin' forgot. It don't matter to them if it costs me $ for the no show or another boss coulda taken their place.
As long as ya keep interviewin', it's all good, ai na?
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Jay Bee

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #29 on: June 12, 2015, 12:59:27 PM »
That's the problem.  At some level, it should be.


chick-ish thing to say

I think every situation is different. Do we even know what type of job the OP was going to interview for?
Thanks for ruining summer, Canada.

keefe

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #30 on: June 12, 2015, 12:59:51 PM »
That's the problem.  At some level, it should be.


Well, the traditional social contract around employment went out the window in the '80's. One can find personal fulfillment in work but one should never ascribe feelings or sentiment to the company itself because the company doesn't know you and therefore doesn't give a sh1t.

A very senior executive's day blows up and she needs to reschedule a meeting with me? I understand. I don't have to like it but then I never took it as a personal affront. As I got to know her through working together I found her to be brilliant, witty, discerning, and compassionate. My first encounter with her was sub-optimal as it occurred at the merge of several significant factors well beyond her control.

I believe one should never burn bridges. Getting pissed off about a cancelled interview is akin to burning the bridge before you cross.


Death on call

keefe

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #31 on: June 12, 2015, 01:03:52 PM »
After 7-8 years of recession

It's all the fault of that one sonuvabitch!!


Death on call

4everwarriors

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #32 on: June 12, 2015, 01:04:36 PM »
Maybe I am being to sensitive but I am pretty insulted, here is what happened today. I had a 3pm interview scheduled and I rolled in at 2:53, wasn't greeted by anybody but after a couple of minutes was shown to a conference room where I waited until just after 3. At this point an executive assistant comes in and tells me that the person I was to meet with is in a meeting and can't get out and has to cancel. I was dumbfounded. Anybody ever had an experience like this? All I could think was that this was I credibly unprofessional. As of 8 hours later no email of apology. 


Maybe the executive assistant didn't dig your heine and subsequently made an executive decision, hey!
"Give 'Em Hell, Al"

keefe

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #33 on: June 12, 2015, 01:18:23 PM »
I finished grad school in the summer of 2008, right before the economy crashed. Took me a year to get a good job, and I ended up getting a job in the middle of nowhere. Want to move back to Milwaukee now. I preface with that to say that I've been through a lot of interviews since college...

My guess is the most likely scenario is that HR f'ed up. The person who referenced HR is dead on. I don't want to paint a universal picture here, but most HR people are terrible, have zero technical skills, and do not understand the job or the department you are interviewing for.

I've had mishap upon mishap happen with HR. In your situation, most likely a) The job was already filled, b) They asked you to come in as a mistake and you weren't on the short list, c) They didn't check the hiring manager's schedule beforehand or put something on Outlook. And then they made up some bullcrap excuse when you were sitting there in the conference room.

I work at a very large Fortune 500 company. 100% of the scheduling and initial interview people are outsourced. They don't have an incentive to get this stuff right. Even if they screw up 20% of their contacts, there is an endless stream of candidates available for interviews and hiring.

I've had in-person interviews at several MKE-CHI area Fortune 500 companies where I didn't even get an automated rejection letter from their system. It's such a "buyer's market" that basic decorum is simply gone.

I know that people love to take the piss out of HR people but in large, professional organizations the HR people must have deep, acute technical skills that are crucial for a performing and rewarding enterprise. My wife ended up doing Organizational Design and Development for a large, industry-leading enterprise. This role required a keen grasp of the enterprise's strategic vision, the range of skills needed to execute that vision, the company's core values, and a financially viable structure that achieved objectives while improving return.

HR may have been a generalist role in the past but truly successful organizations understand the inherent value of HR and make the necessary investment.


Death on call

warriorchick

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #34 on: June 12, 2015, 01:34:57 PM »
Well, the traditional social contract around employment went out the window in the '80's. One can find personal fulfillment in work but one should never ascribe feelings or sentiment to the company itself because the company doesn't know you and therefore doesn't give a sh1t.

A very senior executive's day blows up and she needs to reschedule a meeting with me? I understand. I don't have to like it but then I never took it as a personal affront. As I got to know her through working together I found her to be brilliant, witty, discerning, and compassionate. My first encounter with her was sub-optimal as it occurred at the merge of several significant factors well beyond her control.

I believe one should never burn bridges. Getting pissed off about a cancelled interview is akin to burning the bridge before you cross.

But no one should handle the selection of a new employee the same way you decide whether you are going to buy your office supplies from Office Max or Staples.  For some strange reason most people feel the need to be treated with respect. A ream of paper doesn't care.
Have some patience, FFS.

MerrittsMustache

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #35 on: June 12, 2015, 01:59:05 PM »
When looking for a job, networking is the most important factor. If you have a connection at the company 1) you'll be more likely to be brought on-site for an interview and 2) you'll have a resource to discuss the culture and, best-case, the actual department.

I got my first job out of college because the hiring manager was a fellow Marquette alum. After 5 years there, I was able to move to a bigger role with a significantly larger company because a former co-worker brought me over to join his dept. My wife basically got her current job by small-talking with a woman during a flight home from NYC. Prior to that, a company sought her out because a former boss, whom she wasn't very fond of, recommended her for a position (not working for the former boss), which goes along with keefe's point of never burning bridges).

The canceling of the interview and lack of follow-up may be completely out of character or it could be that the hiring manager is a scatterbrained loon. If you have a connection, you'd be much more likely to know.

StillAWarrior

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #36 on: June 12, 2015, 02:00:59 PM »
A very senior executive's day blows up and she needs to reschedule a meeting with me? I understand. I don't have to like it but then I never took it as a personal affront. As I got to know her through working together I found her to be brilliant, witty, discerning, and compassionate. My first encounter with her was sub-optimal as it occurred at the merge of several significant factors well beyond her control.

I believe one should never burn bridges. Getting pissed off about a cancelled interview is akin to burning the bridge before you cross.


I agree with this.  Cancelling the interview almost certainly was not a personal affront.  Failure to follow-up in a professional manner also might not be a personal affront.  But, it certainly does give you some insight into the type of person you're dealing with.  In your experience, the person was courteous enough to ask you to reschedule.  The inconvenience was unfortunate, but she did have the presence of mind to let you know that she still wanted to meet with you.  I suspect that if she'd sent someone out to simply say, "we have to cancel" and had never followed up, you might have formed a different opinion of her.

That said, I'd never burn a bridge over something like this.
Never wrestle with a pig.  You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.

Ellenson Guerrero

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #37 on: June 12, 2015, 02:13:41 PM »
I know that people love to take the piss out of HR people but in large, professional organizations the HR people must have deep, acute technical skills that are crucial for a performing and rewarding enterprise. My wife ended up doing Organizational Design and Development for a large, industry-leading enterprise. This role required a keen grasp of the enterprise's strategic vision, the range of skills needed to execute that vision, the company's core values, and a financially viable structure that achieved objectives while improving return.

HR may have been a generalist role in the past but truly successful organizations understand the inherent value of HR and make the necessary investment.

No offense to your wife, but from my experience in a large professional services company, the people best equipped to structure how the company does work are those who actually do the work.  At some level, someone who solely does HR is just going to miss key elements of the equation.
"What we take for-granted, others pray for..." - Brent Williams 3/30/14

MerrittsMustache

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #38 on: June 12, 2015, 02:24:17 PM »
No offense to your wife, but from my experience in a large professional services company, the people best equipped to structure how the company does work are those who actually do the work.  At some level, someone who solely does HR is just going to miss key elements of the equation.

Not if they're good at their job.

StillAWarrior

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #39 on: June 12, 2015, 02:30:55 PM »
I know that people love to take the piss out of HR people but in large, professional organizations the HR people must have deep, acute technical skills that are crucial for a performing and rewarding enterprise. My wife ended up doing Organizational Design and Development for a large, industry-leading enterprise. This role required a keen grasp of the enterprise's strategic vision, the range of skills needed to execute that vision, the company's core values, and a financially viable structure that achieved objectives while improving return.

HR may have been a generalist role in the past but truly successful organizations understand the inherent value of HR and make the necessary investment.

In my job, I work very closely with HR professionals at many companies.  Some are incredible and are invaluable to their companies.  Some are terrible and cost their companies a fortune.  I work closely with the good ones, and often clean up messes made by the bad ones.
Never wrestle with a pig.  You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.

keefe

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #40 on: June 12, 2015, 02:53:42 PM »
No offense to your wife, but from my experience in a large professional services company, the people best equipped to structure how the company does work are those who actually do the work.  At some level, someone who solely does HR is just going to miss key elements of the equation.

What is interesting is that my wife did not come up through the HR ranks but Corporate Development. She was given a stretch assignment to look at the Organizational Design and Development needs of the enterprise to execute the company's vision. This was never an area she ever envisioned but she actually enjoyed it. When her mentor was tapped to run the Gates Foundation he took her along with him as part of his team to fix that mess.

As part of her training in ODD she ended up getting the SPHR cert which she felt was a demanding curriculum. I think the days of HR being a dumping ground for incompetent nephews and underrepresented categories are over. Good HR people are worth their weight in gold; bad ones can cost you a fortune.


Death on call

Benny B

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #41 on: June 12, 2015, 03:03:56 PM »
Not if they're good at their job.

HR generalists can earn well over six-figures because there are so few good HR generalists out there.
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny.  Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.

manny31

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #42 on: June 12, 2015, 03:24:09 PM »
So still no phone call or email. Not insulted anymore, more thankful than anything. The position was to manage a portfolio for a prop trading firm. In this business a couple of indispensable personal characteristicsa are reliability and a sense of accountability. I know where this company stands on both those issues as I was to interview with the managing partner. It took a mere 8 minutes, not too bad. I have been interviewed a handful of times and done a lot of interviewing of potential candidates and I could not imagine pulling what they pulled. I mean really what are valid excuses? Family emergency, I say yes. If your business is literally blowing up, that's ok too but everything else in my opinion is crap. I have had some bad days and still conducted interviews. Anyway, feeling less incredulous about this experience and thank you all for your input.

keefe

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #43 on: June 12, 2015, 06:33:14 PM »
So still no phone call or email.

If you give the men of Scoop this guy's email address and cell number I am sure we can get some payback for you...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/_h4DZeBleLs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/_h4DZeBleLs</a>


Death on call

JustinLewisFanClubPres

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Re: Canceling an interview?
« Reply #44 on: June 12, 2015, 07:50:33 PM »
In my job, I work very closely with HR professionals at many companies.  Some are incredible and are invaluable to their companies.  Some are terrible and cost their companies a fortune.  I work closely with the good ones, and often clean up messes made by the bad ones.

lawyer or retirement plan administrator?