Walking out of an interview justified?

[Virge_]

I'm not there for a free lunch. I'm there for an interview, and in a proper professional setting the interview experience alone is worth it's weight in gold as far as life experiences go, so I would happily ignore the low-hanging fruit of a promised lunch. In all likelihood I would have forgotten it a few minutes in, or used it as an ice-breaker for a light-hearted joke to show I was personable.

I think the net losses from leaving over a lunch is obscene, by contrast, making it a rather foolish decision.

 

[Fritzo]

Not sure of the circumstances, but I would be leery of a place that promised something and didn't deliver. If they do it there, they'll do with with raises too.

 

[kranky]

I wouldn't walk out, but I would be assertive and say that I need to get a bite to eat and ask that we take an hour break while I get something. Now they can either offer to fix me up with grub, or we can take a break, but if they won't do either I would have to insist. They might choose to terminate the process, but that's on them - that's not me walking out.

 

[Skel]

I'm really happy I haven't had to interview in a long time. When I did, I used to stay through the interviews even when it was clear to everyone that it wasn't a fit for me. I've had two interviewers stop the interviews, one because we both knew I wasn't even in the same area as the job. It was a App dev and I'm and admin. Great HR there. The second was because I was overqualified for the job and he didn't want to waste either of our time. That one sucked because I was unemployed for months there and would have taken the job. He didn't want to hire me because he was convinced that I'd get a job in within a month or two and he'd have to start over. As much as it sucked I didn't blame him. The only interview I've ever walked out on was because the interviewer ended up knowing my then girlfriend. They had gone to school together or something and he started asking me really personal questions about our sex life. I was so dumbfounded that he was even asking me that, that I just got up and walked out. Looking back on it I should have called the company back and reported the interview but at the time I was trying to let things that bothered me go and live some zen happy kind of life. Of course I didn't want to work at AOL anyways so it wasn't like I was missing out.

 

[Ns1]

^^

WTF @ aol story

 

[JM Aggie08]

KT

I have no idea why, but I laughed entirely too hard at that particular line. I suspect it had to do with the whole casual, childishness of his comment and demeanor.

 

[Childs]

The person who walked out wasnt rude about it, and the article reads much differently than what was in the first post. I think the person reacted fine, but they should have eaten before going to the interview. Go to sleep early, eat breakfast, take a crap, etc, before the interview so you can focus. The only way I'd walk out of an interview is if I knew they were f*cking with me in some way, but I would probably be asked to leave after offering to kick their asses.

 

[Phoenix86]

I have no idea why, but I laughed entirely too hard at that particular line. I suspect it had to do with the whole casual, childishness of his comment and demeanor.

It's his delivery, this show is really under-rated.

 

[sourceninja]

...

 

[IndyColtsFan]

This means I'm often turning down offers or declining 2nd interviews when I don't feel like I've found a good fit. My last job change was 5 different companies. I turned down 2, never heard back from 1, and was about to accept one, then out of nowhere a 5th comes in to throw a wrench in the works. In result I ended up in a great job with the kind of responsibility I've really pushed for in previous jobs.

Yeah, that's where I am at right now. I turned down a job with a large, very well known CRM company a couple of weeks ago (they were completely shocked and couldn't understand) and a few weeks before that, declined further interviews with Microsoft for a particular position (there were shocked too, but the job is still open). Maybe I'm just too picky, but I want to make sure my next job is the right fit and as close to perfect as possible. I didn't feel that I'd fit into the culture at the CRM company and the MS job was just too much travel.

 

[Slew Foot]

If a company cant get its shit together for 5 minutes to give a guy lunch over a noonish interview then the company isnt worth working for.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

If you already decided that you wouldn't work for them, probably. I'd rather get back to my already existing job and not burn 4 hours of vacation that would otherwise be wasted.

 

[nageov3t]

grin and bear it for sure... today's random interview at Company A could be tomorrow's hiring manager at Company B

 

[DaveSimmons]

grin and bear it for sure... today's random interview at Company A could be tomorrow's hiring manager at Company B

But if they're still an incompetent thoughtless jerk then I still won't want to work with them.

I'd probably ask about lunch instead of waiting. "Can you pick up something for me too?" or "Is there a decent sandwich shop close by?"

If they won't bring me lunch, don't want me to go get my own, and it's a 4+ hour interview process where they promised to provide lunch then that tells me too much about their own courtesy and competence.

If I left, I'd do it politely and say something like I don't think I'm a good fit with their culture. But I would be comfortable with burning bridges with a bad company. I'd leave because I'm not that hungry

 

[Anubis]

Yeah, that's where I am at right now. I turned down a job with a large, very well known CRM company a couple of weeks ago (they were completely shocked and couldn't understand) and a few weeks before that, declined further interviews with Microsoft for a particular position (there were shocked too, but the job is still open). Maybe I'm just too picky, but I want to make sure my next job is the right fit and as close to perfect as possible. I didn't feel that I'd fit into the culture at the CRM company and the MS job was just too much travel.

was the travel requirement of the MS job stated upfront? that's one of the things that really needs to ne known upfront as its a huge turnoff to a lot of people

 

[IndyColtsFan]

was the travel requirement of the MS job stated upfront? that's one of the things that really needs to ne known upfront as its a huge turnoff to a lot of people

I was told 20% originally and suddenly it became 40%. The latest posting is back down to 25% but I'm not sure what to believe. I'm in my mid-40s and don't want to travel more than 20% (if even that).

Had another set of job interviews a few months ago where they were hiring 2 positions - one in Indy and one in Richmond, IN. The one in Indy would be required to drive to Richmond "infrequently." Well, by the time I got to the second or third interview, the second position (the one based in Richmond) was eliminated and they were going to require the guy in Indy to drive to Richmond -- sometimes 5 days a week. I ended the interview process right after that interview -- there was no good reason to have to drive 80 miles (one way) that frequently.

 

[Blieb]

They don't have to buy my lunch ... but I would probably have done the same thing unless in a bind for a gig.

That's my gut after reading the article. Before reading the article, I thought the candidate must be crazy.

 

[MongGrel]

I might have to move on myself soon, I think the company I'm at atm is going belly up soon from bad management actually.

 

[Ns1]

Guys, it's not about the company buying the dude lunch - they didn't even offer him a break to buy lunch for himself.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Company fails to deliver a promise during the interview. Fuck em, they are trash.

 

[KeithTalent]

It's his delivery, this show is really under-rated.

Agreed on both counts!

KT

 

[88keys]

I vote no, but I guess it depends over all.
People seem to forget that employment is a two way street and what each party can 'get away with' depends on where they stand. If you're being interviewed for a job in which you're not a highly qualified candidate, then maybe you shouldn't be a whiny pussy. But if you are a highly qualified candidate and they need you more so than you need them, then it's on you to make sure they treat you right and fairly. And I suppose something that petty could very well turn a well qualified candidate away just as getting caught in a lie or being late during an interview could prevent you from getting a job.