#JobInterviews #CareerGrowth #InterviewTips
Hey everyone! 😊
So, I just wrapped up 5 rounds of interviews for a position I really had my eyes on, including a final chat with the CEO. Honestly, I felt like I nailed it! 🎯 But guess what? I got a call from the recruiter that flipped my world upside down.
Here’s the scoop:
- The good news? The rest of the team loved me and put in a good word!
- The bad news? The CEO said “no” because I didn’t answer one specific question correctly.
And that question was: “Where are you at right now?” 🤔
- My answer: I shared what I was currently doing in my job.
- The CEO’s expectation: Apparently, he wanted to know where I stood in my career journey.
Can you believe it? After all those hours and taking time off for a role at such a small company, that’s what it boiled down to! 😩
This whole experience has me reflecting. It’s wild how a seemingly simple question can make or break your chances, right?
What do you think? Have you ever faced something similar in your job search?
- Did a minor misstep lead to a lost opportunity for you?
- What tips do you have for handling tricky questions in interviews?
I’d love to hear your thoughts or any strategies that have helped you! Share your experiences and let’s learn from each other! 👇💬
Sorry this happened to you.
This is quite common, small companies have “quirky” interview styles.
One question I used to get asked when I worked for startups was “what’s your favourite cookie?”.
Was always tempted to say reply back “your mom” or something to that effect.
I understand the sh*t tests, but sometimes interviews in these size companies do silly ones just to do them.
An issue with small businesses and startups is that you get a lot of really dumb, business school or read-it-in-a-book tactics.
A lot of those things they’ve read about don’t apply to technology focused orgs or smaller businesses.
Small businesses also tend to focus on the wrong things.
Some pivot and then grow. Others die.
Do not get hurt that you didn’t get a job at small business ever.
They are bound to make tons of hiring mistakes and your next role will be better than whatever bs they would have subjected you to.
Imagine working for that douche, though.
5 rounds? For a small company? That sucks man. I thought Amazon had me going through the wringer with 3 rounds.
This how things are.
I’ve done 10 rounds of interviews and got told no.
I’ve done an interview where the guy literally said, I need a guy who can do everything you can but for Mac.
Interviews are a complete waste of time…
Give no more than 2 rounds for small companies and don’t be afraid to ask them to fish or cut bait after the 2nd interview
Don’t feel bad man. Nobody’s actually hiring. Did you see that jobs report that went down by 30%? That means company said they were hiring 30% more people and then didn’t actually hire them. And those are the only ones willing to admit it. Most jobs out there goes jobs with the interviews you’re going on being for the investors to tell them, “hey look we’re hiring.“
Sorry to hear this happened. Some of these hiring processes are truly bogus and foolish.
I’m glad you dodged a bullet, but I’m not glad they wasted your time.
I honestly would’ve said I’m sitting in my office.
CEO sounds like he’s full of shit and probably will tank his own company with that type of thinking.
sorry this happened to you man!
It seems like a bogus excuse. Actually, I am surprised they actually gave you a reason for not hiring you. Usually they just say, sorry we went with another candidate and that’s it.
But yeah, for a question that vague, I would recommend you ask for a little bit more information on what exactly is being asked. However, it seems to me no matter what you had said, the CEO probably did not like you (could be one of zillions of reasons) and would have said no. That is my interpretation of this bogus reason.
Don’t worry, just move on. and Good luck!
True answer: he already knew who he wanted and wasted your time. Fuck that guy, but glad you got all of that experience in.
The process might have weighed you down, but thank God you didn’t end up in a company with such a dumb and shortsighted CEO. Knowing that this is his thinking and judgment process doesn’t give off very pleasant signs about what day-to-day life at that company would be like. I know you feel betrayed and defeated right now—I was in a similar position about three months ago. But things do turn around. Give it some time and keep applying. You’ll eventually get there. 🙏
It really sucks that you invested so much time and presumably preparation and emotional energy in this, but you may have dodged a bullet. A company where everyone thinks XYZ is a good idea and is ready to move forward but the CEO vetoes it for arbitrary reasons and/or weird personal quirks may be a pretty bad place to work. A good CEO would say “Well, everyone else seems to think you’re going to be a great fit here, so this interview is really just a meet and greet” and leave it at that.
Holy shit 5 rounds? WTF were you interviewing for? Maybe I’m an anomaly, but the most I’ve ever had was two, and the second one was just to meet board members, I had already had a verbal offer.
I feel so sorry for everyone interviewing right now and being dragged through shit for a job.