The interview process was standard, with a presentation to start an competency based questions to follow.
Full context ,I had moved my interview forward as they had cancellations. However, I arrived early but was left waiting and started the interview late. This may have been a precursor to having doubts about the process.
The interview started with a standard introduction as to who was in attendance and a lot of information being provided around the creation of the role and a restructure that recently happened.
15 minutes to go through the presentation with questions that followed was fairly standard. However, I did pick up on the body language of the hiring manager which left me feeling this was going to be an uphill battle as it appeared there was very little interest or warmth being on show, with little no follow-ups on each question, this normally leads to you believing that you answered it correctly.
In addition to the above I also noticed at the end of the interview, and again a possible precursor to the outcome, was there were no housekeeping questions around upcoming pre-booked holidays with me virtually leaving before they asked what my notice period was.
I also asked before I left when they were looking to make a decision to which they made me aware that it would be at the end of the week. However, come Friday. I had received no confirmation either way. I then emailed the hiring manager and HR department to enquire into whether decision would be made as I had not heard anything. The hiring manager's email stated that they were out of office until the following Wednesday. It was at this point that I realised it's likely that I didn't get the position. But expected some feedback.
By the Wednesday it was pretty clear that I wouldn't have got the position and accepted it wasn't to be. Yet out of the blue, without an email from HR, I received an email at 20:38 (office hours are until 17:00) from the hiring manager.
A standard introduction and apology for the late reply and no contact from HR, but what came next was a little bit of a surprise. Although it confirmed that I had not got the position, there was no feedback just
"I am sorry that you were not successful on this occasion, we have appointed someone that blew us away on the day."
It's a good job that I am hardened following many interviews over the years, but found that that was a poor showing and really cemented my thoughts from the get-go that I was not going to be considered regardless of the presentation or answers to the questions.
As a hiring manager myself, had I conducted myself in that way I had experienced, it would be expected that a review like this or email to HR to make them aware of the less than satisfactory experience would be received.
