How Valuable Is Your Time: A Hiring Manager’s Interview Gone Wrong

Imagine preparing for an interview, researching the company, rehearsing answers, and showing up on time—only to wait for 45 minutes past the scheduled time. When the hiring manager finally arrives, they rush through a 3-minute conversation before dismissing you with a vague "We’ll be in touch."

This exact scenario happened to a candidate recently. The hiring manager, responsible for making a good first impression on behalf of the company, did just the opposite. But what exactly went wrong, and how could this have been handled better?

What Went Wrong?

• Lack of Professionalism: Showing up nearly an hour late without an apology or explanation signals a lack of respect for the candidate’s time. If a company expects punctuality and preparation from applicants, the hiring team should model the same behavior.
• Poor Candidate Experience: The interview process isn’t just about evaluating a potential employee; it’s also an opportunity for the candidate to assess the company. A rushed five-minute interview after a long wait suggests disorganization and indifference. This kind of experience can deter top talent from wanting to work for the company.
• Missed Opportunity for a Thorough Evaluation: A five-minute conversation isn’t enough to properly assess a candidate’s skills, experience, and cultural fit. This raises questions: Was the hiring manager uninterested? Was the role already filled? Or was this simply poor planning?

What Should Have Happened?

Respect My Time: If an unavoidable delay occurred, the hiring manager should have communicated with the candidate and rescheduled if necessary.

A Well-Structured Interview: A standard interview should allow time for introductions, a discussion about the role and candidate’s qualifications, and a Q&A session. Five minutes is barely enough time for pleasantries.

Consideration of Employer Brand: The hiring process reflects the company’s values. Poorly conducted interviews can lead to negative Glassdoor reviews, harming the company’s reputation and ability to attract talent.

Would You Hire This Hiring Manager?

If this hiring manager were a candidate for a leadership role, their performance in this situation would be a red flag. Lack of preparation, poor communication, and disregard for others' time are not qualities of a strong leader. If they treat job seekers this way, how do they treat their team?

In hiring, time is valuable for both parties. A disorganized process not only damages the candidate experience but also reflects poorly on the company itself. After all, if the hiring manager can’t conduct a professional interview, what does that say about the workplace culture?

Would you want to work for this company? Would you hire this hiring manager?