We’ve all heard the advice about how to nail a job interview: dress appropriately, research the company, and make sure your CV is printed on something other than the back of a cereal box. But what happens when the person on the other side of the desk is, shall we say, woefully underprepared for their own role? Welcome to the world of interviewers who have no idea what they’re doing.
These are the people you’ll remember fondly, not because you got the job, but because the interview felt like a mix between a poorly directed improv show and a therapy session.
The ‘Forgot the Candidate’s Name’ Fiasco
There's nothing quite like being greeted with, "Ah, you must be... the candidate?"to make you feel like a million bucks. One interviewee recalled sitting through an entire 30-minute interview where the interviewer consistently referred to them only as "pal" or "buddy" because they couldn’t remember their name.
And when they finally did attempt a name, it was: “Thanks for coming in, Steve," despite the fact that the candidate’s name was Emily. A simple glance at the CV could have saved this facepalm moment.
The ‘What Does This Company Do Again?’ Blunder
Picture this: you walk into an interview, nerves buzzing, only to be asked, "So, what exactly do we do here?" If there was ever a moment to question your life choices, this is it.
One candidate found themselves explaining the company's entire business model to the interviewer, who sheepishly nodded along, making notes like they were preparing for a pop quiz. You know it’s bad when you’re the one holding the meeting.
The ‘Random Question Generator’ Technique
Interviews aren’t supposed to be a game of 20 Questions, yet some interviewers missed that memo. One candidate was asked, "If you could be any animal, what would you be, and how does that relate to your ability to use Excel?"
Another recalled being asked, “What’s your favourite type of bread?” before being thrown back into the more traditional “Tell me about yourself” question. Maybe the interviewer was just really hungry and mentally compiling a shopping list?
The ‘Technical Problems’ Debacle
In today’s digital world, interviews often take place over video calls. But when an interviewer clearly has all the tech-savvy of a potato, things can go awry. One candidate spent 10 minutes watching their interviewer struggle to unmute themselves, only to shout, “Can you hear me now?” repeatedly into the camera like some sort of bizarre performance art.
Eventually, the interview took place over the phone, which was probably for the best, considering the interviewer also managed to crash their own computer twice during the call.
The ‘Late Arrival, Early Departure’ Strategy
Imagine preparing for your big moment, only to be left waiting outside the interview room for 45 minutes because the interviewer forgot you were coming.
One candidate finally got called in, only for the interviewer to realise they had a dentist appointment and needed to wrap things up in the next five minutes.
Let’s just say the candidate’s dental history was covered more thoroughly than their professional experience.
The ‘Let’s Make It Personal’ Misstep
Some interviewers decide that probing your work experience isn’t enough; they want to dive deep into your soul.
One unfortunate individual was asked, “What’s your relationship with your parents like?” as if the job required a complex Freudian analysis of their childhood. When they replied, “Fine, thanks,” the interviewer nodded sagely and wrote something down - you can only wonder what.
Looking for Interviewers Who Know What They’re Doing?
If you’ve ever found yourself on the receiving end of one of these disasters, you know the importance of a competent interviewer. At Coburg Banks, we ensure that your candidates face interviewers who are prepared, professional, and know exactly what they’re doing.
So if you’re looking to hire without the chaos, get in touch with us. We promise our interviewers will remember your name, your skills, and won’t ask about your favourite bread.
Well… unless it’s relevant.
