Ask the expert: Ambush at interview

By MARIE WILSON

Q. Halfway through an interview for a job I was told the position had been filled "and would I like to be interviewed for a different one while I was there".

I had studied the description for the job I had applied for and felt comfortable at the interview. But then I found I was being asked questions I had difficulty answering. I didn't perform well and, to be honest, I wish I had just excused myself and walked away. What do you think?

A. I think this is appalling practice and a waste of everyone's time.

At a minimum, the interviewers should have called you in advance of the interview and told you that the post had been filled, but they would like to consider you for another, similar opportunity. They could have given you details of that position and asked whether you wanted to be interviewed. Then an interview could proceed, without subjecting you to a major upset in an already stressful situation.

From your side, without walking out of the interview, you could have asked to stop the interview for a short period to see a job description and consider whether you would be interested before continuing. Depending on the differences and time requirements, it could have been a matter of an hour or several days before you reconvened.

From their perspective, if the position had been filled only a short time before and they had been unable to contact you, and if the positions were truly similar, they could have conducted the interview without letting you know that the post had been filled, and asked questions that would be relevant to both positions.

On the basis of that interview, they could then contact you and tell you that the first position had been filled, but that you appeared to be a good match for another post, and send you the details of that position, and ask you to consider the alternative and let them know if you were interested.

Then you would only have to meet again to discuss the differences in the two posts, and goodwill and your interest would have been preserved.

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READER'S LETTER

I am a regular reader of your column and find your advice and suggestions useful and helpful.

I often read about employees complaining about harassment, discrimination and bullying but I thought employees were exaggerating. Only now after facing a negative and harassing boss can I understand others' predicament.

In spite of all the avenues given to employees by law to fight injustice, it is easier said than done. I do feel a lot needs to be done to simplify the process of mediation, intervention and justice for employees facing harassment at work.

Name withheld, by email

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Email a question for Dr Marie Wilson

Dr Marie Wilson is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland Business School, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.