Sounds like the interview did exactly what it was supposed to do: weed out substandard applicants who can't follow directions and are difficult to work with. I would've tossed your ass out too. When multiple interviews are turning out that way, it may not be the interviews that are the problem...
Yes, its a blessing in disguise to fail the interview at such a company, but it is kafqaesque, infuriating and leaves a bad taste. But I agree that’s the best way to think about it.
A good interview doesn't just filter out bad candidates - it also persuades good candidates, who will undoubtedly get other job offers, that they want to work for you. It shouldn't be a courtroom-style grilling - it should be difficult but fun. Honey to catch your flies instead of vinegar.
I'm not saying this was a problem with the interview described as there isn't enough detail in the original post to say what happened really.
You seem bitter and frustrated. It’s clear in your text.
Part of that is understandable. They probably didn’t do a great job interviewing you. It’s probably exasperating.
But I can’t imagine someone who gets so easily frustrated writing about an interview would be great to work with. Because you could’ve just as easily criticized the interview process without bringing the exasperated tone along the way. With clarity and a measured response. But you wear your heart on your sleeve and it’s one of clear annoyance.
I've only faced this a time or two, and I ended the session. I did that with respect and candor, being frank about it potentially being a poor fit, wishing them luck and all those basic human things.
No regrets.
In my view, these things are self-correcting. If the interview is so poor that I feel it doesn't make sense, it's extremely likely more will be a rough scenario.
I wouldn't be surprised if annoyed candidates report this issue for the OP. If one candidate complains about shitty interviews to the company, then it can be hand-waved away as them being sour grapes. But once nine or ten say the same thing, someone is going to realize that the problem is internal.
The warm up question was difficult and I was completely embarrassed that I didn't some it right away. As I walked out I knew for certain that was not a warm up question and was pissed that he had consciously shaken my confidence right off the bat.
How do you know it wasn't just a badly written question? Interviewing is hard in the same way that teaching and writing is. It's hard to put yourself into another person's shoes. Never ascribe malice where incompetence is a sufficient explanation.
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