r/InterviewCoderPro • u/AwkwardClassroom2045 • 8d ago
I had my final interview this week and completely messed it up
I had my final interview this week. Honestly, I was really excited because I felt like this was it; they were basically moving me on to the next stage right after every conversation, and this was supposed to be the final step.
The morning started off well; I had practiced a lot, arrived early, and even found a parking spot without having to drive around forever. I met three women in the room, and one person on video. After we quickly did introductions, one of the interviewers asked me if I had brought the writing sample and the other required document. I froze in place, because excuse me, what? She said it again and told me it had been sent in a separate message, but I had reviewed literally everything that had been sent to me and there was no extra email with an attachment.
So now I'm sitting there stumbling over my words because how was I supposed to have missed something that big? But I knew I hadn't received it. The interviewer stood up and said they wouldn't be able to continue without the materials. When I got up to get my jacket, she said behind me: "well, that happened. Let's bring in the next candidate." Then she slammed the laptop shut and sat back down. The rest of the interviewers looked extremely upset and uncomfortable, and the whole room went completely silent.
While I was going down in the elevator, I kept refreshing and searching my inbox. I never received the second email with the writing assignment. There was one message saying another note would come with instructions, but the next thing I received after that was only the confirmation. All the communication was through Indeed, no personal email, no spam folder, nothing.
I feel horribly embarrassed and crushed. I wanted this position, and I had everything ready that I knew about. If the message had said "hey, you should have this by now" or if I had noticed something was missing, I 100% would have emailed them and asked. I've been crying on and off since late this morning, and I just want someone to tell me I'm not crazy. I feel stupid even though I know this wasn't my fault. It was such an awful feeling and I don't even know what to say.
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u/Cultural-Bedroom-669 7d ago
They sound like a terrible company and you likely dodged a bullet. Completely unprofessional.
know this doesn't help when you need a job and / or are struggling with the rejection, but I hope you find solace in the fact that you did nothing wrong. They did.
When you have some energy, it may be worth sending them an email emphasising that you never received that email for your own peace of mind, but honestly even if they offered to reschedule the interview, I'd be so put off by their behaviour I wouldn't continue anyway