Interview advice?
 

I went on an interview last Thursday. It went okay I think and I'm still waiting to hear back but there was one thing that bugged me. The person that interviewed me kept asking me questions and there were a lot of hypothetical questions and questions that warranted my opinion. What bugged me was she would interrupt me before I could even finish my sentence/opinions and I am now wondering if maybe due to that she thinks that I am not a suitable candidate for the position since there were some things that she interrupted me about and never let me clarify and correct her assumptions. And perhaps that's why I haven't heard back and she's not even going to be polite to notify me that I didn't get the job since the training/orientation is supposed to start next week. Anyways-What should I do when a prospective employer repeatedly interrupts me? I had that issue with my last boss as well and it led to a lot of problems and miscommunication due to her assuming things from my unfinished sentences. It is also my pet peeve when someone interrupts me then goes on to assume incorrect things from my unfinished sentences as well. I find it so rude and I really have to try hard to keep a straight face and not show how it upsets me either.

Any advice would be appreciated from those that have more experience in the real life world of working!

thanks,
BBB

That's an annoying situation! I hate sentence-finishers too; imo an interviewer should realize that the person applying for a job is probably a bit nervous and needs the opportunity to present themselves without undue interruptions and assumptions.

I would maybe wait a few more days and then maybe either e-mail or call the woman and ask her what's up. I hope you get the job, but if you don't it might be for the best if this lady represents the company's culture; you'll find something better.

With a boss like that, my approach has always been to let them talk over you (hey, they are your BOSS, and calling them on it unless you have a fairly close personal relationship probably won't go very well for you professionally), then follow up on any things you think they might have missed or misconstrued via email. I write a lot of "Hey <boss's name> - Wanted to follow up with you from our meeting this afternoon. I think that <whatever you were trying to say when they started talking over you>." emails...it works well and usually, having the time to think the matter over, then document and review my thoughts, really helps my ideas come across more clearly anyway.

In an interview, this would be done with the thank you email (or if you don't have an email, note). "It was so nice to meet you, and I think that my <whatever you were trying to express that got buried> is a really good fit for what you're looking for. I look forward to hearing from you soon".

And if you're not sending follow up thank you notes from interviews, start doing it! It makes you stand out and is just common courtesy when someone has given you time out of their day.

KLK- I am starting to think too I might be better off not having this job since there are some cons to taking this job. There are a lot of pros but there are two or three cons that are pretty big and this job would require a big life style change. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Mandalinn82- I've already been doing that pretty much since I have the same feelings that they are the one that is the boss and etc. I did also already send a thank you email for their time interviewing me and etc. And she did respond to my thank you email in within 5 minutes and was very positive about my interview which is why I was so hopeful. But I never thought to email the boss and clarify through email so I'll do that with my next job if possible. Thanks!

Maybe practice saying what you need to say faster? Get it out before the boss has time to jump in.

Ufi-lol I did think of that too!! I guess great minds think alike. :-) Problem is that these two women I was using as my examples in my original post also speak fast too! LOL..

Update: I did get the job and I accepted it due to it being a great experience plus financial reasons and I will not be working with the interviewer on a daily basis as well so I won't be so nervous on a daily basis and I will be working with a great group of people I think from what I can tell and I have personally known some of them from the time I've been a child as well. I'm very excited and I'm just waiting to be contacted by HR and set up an appointment where we start all the paperwork and I get the info on where to go for orientation and etc.

Congratulations!

I just had a thought: Maybe she was testing you, seeing if you'd get mad or something?

I'm not sure and I certainly hope that wasn't the case! :-) I think she was just in a big hurry since she did mention she had other appointments to get to since she did have to fit me in due to my summer college schedule being so wacky and that's just her personality I think to always be in a big rush with lots of things to do.

Thanks for the congratulations!

Were they talking over you, as in finishing your answer, or as in moving on to the next question? If it was the first, that may just be their style.