HR Files allows potential candidates to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month we discuss How to handle uncomfortable comments during the interview.
QUESTION: Is it normal for hiring managers to make comments about a candidates clothing? I went to my second interview with a company this week. The first one went really well, however, one the second interview there were two other managers. One of the new managers kept interrupting me to make comments to the other two managers about what I was wearing.
She would never talk to me directly, only make comments about me RIGHT in front of me. I tried to comment back and she quickly changed the subject by asking another question. She would say things like that shirt really doesn’t fit our company culture. This made things very uncomfortable and I’m not sure how I should have responded, but it was clear she did not like me. Should I follow up with this company or assume they aren’t going to hire me? What is the best way to respond in a situation like this?
ANSWER: If you leave an interview feeling uncomfortable, you may want to first check in with yourself. Knowing how the interview went, is this a place you would want to work if you were offered the position? If the answer is yes, then take her words as constructive criticism on how to adapt to company culture. Maybe ask the other hiring managers on tips they have in order to dress more appropriately for their workplace. If you are not feeling confident in what you are wearing, another good option is to ask a respected friend on professional attire tips.
However, if you don’t feel as though this is a good fit for you, I would move onto the next opportunity. Remember, an interview is not just for the hiring company, it is also for you to decide if this will be a good place for you. Just because a job is offered, you are not obligated to take it. The last thing you want to to do is take a job you know is not a good fit. Even if you are good at the job, if you are not happy in the position you will not last long.
Please contact us if you have a question you want answered. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.
HR Files allows potential candidates to ask questions that will be answered directly by our CEO, Darcy Swift. This month we discuss How to handle uncomfortable comments during the interview.
QUESTION: Is it normal for hiring managers to make comments about a candidates clothing? I went to my second interview with a company this week. The first one went really well, however, one the second interview there were two other managers. One of the new managers kept interrupting me to make comments to the other two managers about what I was wearing.
She would never talk to me directly, only make comments about me RIGHT in front of me. I tried to comment back and she quickly changed the subject by asking another question. She would say things like that shirt really doesn’t fit our company culture. This made things very uncomfortable and I’m not sure how I should have responded, but it was clear she did not like me. Should I follow up with this company or assume they aren’t going to hire me? What is the best way to respond in a situation like this?
ANSWER: If you leave an interview feeling uncomfortable, you may want to first check in with yourself. Knowing how the interview went, is this a place you would want to work if you were offered the position? If the answer is yes, then take her words as constructive criticism on how to adapt to company culture. Maybe ask the other hiring managers on tips they have in order to dress more appropriately for their workplace. If you are not feeling confident in what you are wearing, another good option is to ask a respected friend on professional attire tips.
However, if you don’t feel as though this is a good fit for you, I would move onto the next opportunity. Remember, an interview is not just for the hiring company, it is also for you to decide if this will be a good place for you. Just because a job is offered, you are not obligated to take it. The last thing you want to to do is take a job you know is not a good fit. Even if you are good at the job, if you are not happy in the position you will not last long.
Please contact us if you have a question you want answered. We will feature one frequently asked question a month.