The 15 minute "interview"

[JenMarie]

I'm not sure if it's just me or if this seems to be a growing trend.

The past two interviews I've been to, the interviewers have done most of the talking. Then after they finish their monologue (which lasts about 10 minutes) they ask, "So are you still interested?" To which I state, "yes."

This would be okay except they will ask me maybe one or two questions, then proceed to talk some more and then ask if I have any questions. Usually I don't because they've sat and talked my ear off. But I'll make up something on the spot. And then the interview is over and they say they will be making selections for second interviews on [insert date here.]

I guess I'm wondering what these interviewers are looking for. Body language? Facial expressions? The position I interviewed for last week didn't ask me anything about my experiences with meeting planning, just asked about my certificate program. And they also asked why I had so many jobs in the last couple of months. But they just kept talking.

I mean when interviewers do all the talking, what do they have to go on? Is this the nicer way to say "oops, we realize we made a mistake by calling you in the first place now that we've met you, so now we're just not going to get to know you at all"? Or are they saving all their hard questions for another interview?

[LPIDelta]

I had that happen to me last year--I interviewed with a well known non-profit and the interview lasted a total of 15 minutes. I thought I had an in because I was acquaintances with one of the interviewers. I was dumbfounded that I was only asked one question and then when I heard nothing back at all from the organization.

I talked with a consultant familiar with the organization and found out that they filled the job with someone internal but had to interview a certain number of applicants according to their hiring policies. Needless to say, I was a little frustrated and wish I had done more homework ahead of time to try to figure out if it was worth my time to interview. If I had made contact a head of time, I may have been able to figure that out.

I've been interviewing for jobs off and on for two years, looking for the right opportunity, and more often than not finding interviewers who just don't know how to interview--they just talk about the job and do little to ask about my experience or qualifications. I've turned down several jobs because I did not feel the organization was the "professional" fit I was looking for based on how the interview was conducted. And don't get me started on all the questions about kids and my husband's job I've been asked. So I gave up and decided to go back to grad school.

Good luck in your search! I hope it goes better than mine!

[JenMarie]

You know, I'm starting to wonder if this was the case like you mentioned. I was used to fill a quota. I sent a "thank you" and a "follow up" (actually it was more of a "my reference wanted me to pass on her cell phone number to you because she will be out of the office" email.)

I haven't heard a peep.

The funny thing is that I was called in for another interview for a different company and different positon. They wanted me to come in the next day and we sat and talked for about an hour.

Needless to say I was offered the position two days later.

My problem is that the job doesn't really follow my chosen career path... it just pays more. I'm worried about taking another job that has nothing to do with meeting planning (though it is marketing) but don't want to stay at my current job because it doesn't pay enough.

Advice?

[gpb1874]

i say if you need the money, go for it.

figure out how you could work marketing into a potential position in event planning. something like.....i learned some really great design layouts for company brochures, i now know such and such software or something like that. it's usually pretty easy to relate job duties to one another once you look at exactly what you will be doing at this job and at your dream job. maybe you have the possibility to supervise other staff, work with budgets, etc and that could help you out later on. you could also say your goal is to become well rounded in many different aspects of business so that you can be a great asset to your future employer.

[JenMarie]

Well I accepted the job as the marketing coordinator. I start in 2 weeks.

Of course NOW one of the jobs I submitted a resume to called me yesterday to ask for an interview. Sad thing is, I actually kind of wanted that other job... but I already knew that they weren't going to pay as much as the job I accepted.

You win some, you lose some I suppose.