How to Know When to Leave an Interview

A job interview is not only your prospective employer's chance to get to know you but also your chance to try the company on for size. If you don't like what you see in the interview, this may not be the job for you. There are signs that will tell you whether it's time to leave an interview.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Career Counseling
• Computers

1. Begin your assessment with the building and grounds, the lobby, the conference room or the office where your interview is conducted. The way a company keeps its grounds and facilities may say a lot about the way employees are treated.

2. Keep an eye on the clock while you wait to be taken in for your interview. A wait of more than 10 minutes, except in extreme circumstances, is inappropriate and can even be considered rude.

3. Consider leaving an interview if your prospective employer persists with questions you feel are too personal or otherwise inappropriate. This could be indicative of the way you would be treated as an employee.

4. Be on the lookout for any physical behavior you find aggressive or in any way threatening. Even if it is only how close your interviewer is sitting to you, if it makes you uncomfortable, say so, or just leave.

5. Try to see through your prospective employer's "interview face." Ask yourself, "Is this hard-nosed approach designed to establish authority, or is it always this way? Is the 'guy next door' demeanor just an act so that I'll let my guard down?" These questions may help you determine whether you can work for this person or not.

6. Look at the benefits package and make sure you're not selling yourself short. Let your prospective employer know there is no match if it becomes clear you cannot get what you're worth at this company.

Tips & Warnings

• Decide what kind of employment situation and management style you are comfortable with before going to an interview.
• Do some research on your prospective employer before going to an interview to help you determine whether this is the kind of company you want to work for. Try surfing the Web, calling the Better Business Bureau or checking your local newspaper archives for information.
• Don't settle for a situation you are less than comfortable with. It probably won't get any better than the interview, and if you accept a job under these circumstances, you may be sorry later.

[alexiapetrakos]

on 6/29/2007 Leaving an interview, unless you're asked to do something illegal or are physically/sexually harassed isn't exactly a great way to conduct a job search. Go through with the interview even if you can't stand the place. It's good practice, you get to meet a variety of people, and who knows, you may meet someone there who will be a good contact later on.

If someone asks you an 'illegal' question such as one of marital status or children you can dodge the question gracefully by saying "I don't see how this has anything to do with my ability to do this job."

on 11/22/2005 Don't leave the interview until the job is yours! They need you there. They need YOU to survive. Believe in yourself! Peace.

on 11/22/2005 Face it, some people don't know how to conduct a good interview. If you get stuck with a person who asks you questions which you have already explained are out of your experience (such as at a technical interview), or a person who doesn't listen properly to your answers (or seems irritated at the fact that they have to conduct the interview), it may not be worth staying.

on 11/22/2005 Most interviewers start the interview with a set of fixed questions. Memorize the answers to them, so that you can stay cool and rattle them off (rather than leaving it to chance). It will give you an edge when the really tough questions start.

on 11/22/2005 Recruiters or headhunters, especially in the IT industry, can often be aggressive and can sometimes mislead candidates. This is because they are on a commission basis.