What do you do if you are treated badly in an interview?

Question

Once I went to an interview for CG artist position....I showed them my reel that consists mostly of my student works. The interviewer doesn't like my work said that my works is very weak, he doesn't like my work, and:

"well, actually I think it's not your fault. It's the school's fault. They only graduates you because you paid them big amount of money, so every year there's more and more incompetent designers coming out. And you actually spend so much money to go to college too."
Simply put, thats' the worst experience in all the interviews I've had.
But can you really snap back at the interviewer and tell him off right there and then?
I was really angry at the time, but managed to restrained myself from kicking his butt, and answer their question through a stiff lips.
Never the less, after all the insult, the person still have the guts to ask me whether I have any CG artist(s) friend I could recommend to work for them. I told them : NONE
What's to do actually?

Answer 1

First of all, be thankful that you found out now that you would not want a job there...what a jerk!

Let the company's HR department know about what happened. You might want to talk to your school about it as well, just to give them a heads-up.

Answer 2

WOW! That's got to be one of the rudest things I've EVER heard! I can't believe they'd say something like that to you!!

I guess, after you're done being grateful they didn't hire you (because, really, who wants to work for someone like that?!) if you can recover from the initial shock of such a remark, you could have asked what, specifically he found weak, and what you could improve upon either on your own, by taking additional classes. etc. Impress upon the fact that you are a quick study, dedicated to your craft and possess the desire to improve and be the very best you can be, and that you CAN take criticism. (It may sound off the wall, and it's not the best way to handle, but he may have been trying to see if you can take criticism or how well you handle frustration).

Aside from that, try to remember that you ARE in an interview, and should therefore remain pleasant and professional at all times. You're not only selling your abilities and employability, you're selling yourself. While this company may not be the best suited for your expertise, you don't know who the hiring manager knows. The world is smaller than you think, and if you react badly in an interview, you don't want that to precede you into a future interview!! (And trust me, it can and does happen. A LOT.)

As far as asking about colleagues you can recommend, a better (more neutral answer) would have been. "Honestly, off the top of my head, I really can't think of anyone who's looking. But certainly if I hear of something that might be a good fit, I'll pass your contact information along." Whether or not you choose to do that is up to you, but at least you've managed to show that you've handled the critique gracefully.

When it's all said and done, look your interviewer in the eye, smile, and thank them for their time. Send them a thank you note for the interview. It will, in the end, put you head and shoulders above everyone else.

Best of luck to you with your job search!

Answer 3

Well to me it sounds like he just doesn't like your work. He should still have treated you with the respect you deserve. I think that you did well not to burn any bridges, but if it was me...I would have said..." I really appreciate you taking the time out to show me what an azz looks and sounds like...I'll be sure not to follow in your footsteps." Now I do agree what everyone is saying, if you really like that firm and would still like an opportunity to work there I say contact the human resources department and advise them what happened and that you would like another interview. Another idea is to contact the labor board and see if you have any addition rights.

Answer 4

It can happen to any of us. I would let it roll off my back like a duck in a light shower.
Besides, I would not want to work for a place with people like that round. Better to find some more welcoming place.
--That Cheeky Lad

Answer 5

Write a letter to the company and send it to the head of human relations department.Call and request an interview with someone besides him. But most of all DON'T let someone else cut you down or quench your enthusiasm. when you get your big break send him a copy of your first check.

Answer 6

There's nothing you can really do about things like that. If he said that about your school, you could contact the career center at your school. They may want to terminate any sort of referral relationship they have with that particular person or combination.

Answer 7

Ditto to what Callaudre wrote. Human Resources needs to know this. It was unnecesary and unkind, rude! Hard to believe!
They'll probably be the ones to tell their boss, but to make sure, I'd find out who their direct report is and write to them. Write personal on the envelope or his/her assistant may not pass it on. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Not much you can do. The person was expressing an opinion, and he's entitled to the opinion. I think you did the right thing by remaining professional and moving on.

Answer 9

I believe that by being treated with such disrespect that you owed it to yourself to properly defend your work! your style! and your integrity as an artist! If you were being treated so poorly during the interview can you imagine how bad they treat their employees. Thank God you found out before you had to work for them. Shake it off and take your talent to someone who will appreciate your work!

Answer 10

I understand how you feel. He could have been more diplomatic. But thank your lucky stars, would you really have want to work with such a rude jerk.