HACKER Q&A
📣 joddystreet

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


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 Accepted Answer ✓
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.

👤 groffee
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...

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

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