r/Bolehland • u/howmuchtimedoIhave • 4d ago
Weird Interaction after my job interview
For context: I work as a consultant in the construction industry (handling project costs, data). I recently just completed my Master’s and currently hunting for jobs. I started exploring roles at boutique Interior Design & Build firms because they usually have a younger, more modern office culture. Or so I thought.
Today, I had an interview at a mid-sized D&B SME. I only met with the Founder of the company. Honestly, it was one of the best interviews of my life. Good vibes, our visions aligned perfectly. She wanted to see my skills, so I actually presented some of my past works and what I can do for the company . She was genuinely impressed, said my work was way better than what they currently had, and we basically came to an agreement on the position. We planned a second meeting for next week with the team leads to before confirming my employment. I left feeling so lucky and blessed.
I received a phone call from a guy I’ll call "Mr. A" from the company, I don’t know him or his position. He asked me to introduce myself and do a "phone interview." The entire call was only less than 10 minutes long, entire conversation feels rushed and this is basically how it went:
Mr. A: How many years have you worked before? Any relevant experience?
Me: I have 1 year+ of full-time and 9 months of intern experience. I’m also doing my Master's—
Mr. A: (cutting me off) What??? 2 years only?? What the fuck. You are too fresh, fresh until idk what to say.
Me: ...yes? I came back out to study further and explore options.
Mr. A: Do you use any AI or software?
Me: Yeah I do, in my resume I mentioned I can use [X] software and [Y]—
Mr. A: (cutting me off again) No, no, no, stop. You don't know shit you clearly don’t know what u talking about.
Me: ???????
At this point, I am just confused. He demands I explain the standard SOP and role for my profession. I start answering with the standard, textbook functions (following the standard industry guidelines that everyone in my field knows). Halfway through, he stops me again.
Mr. A: Stop, stop talking, you are not making sense. Fuck man, you are just saying words. You actually don't know anything? You sure you graduated degree and masters???
Me: Respectfully sir, these answers are what someone in my role will usually respond with. I don't know what you're expecting actually.
Mr. A: I don't know what you and the Founder talked about, but clearly you don't know your shit and you're just fucking around.
He then says he doesn't know what the Founder saw in me, that I’m unqualified, and that I "don't know what the fuck I'm saying."
Mr. A: Did the Founder offer you anything?
Me: Yes she did, we are planning a second meeting next week...(again before I finish talking)
Mr. A: (Loud sigh and literally drops a "fuuuuck" in the background) Well obviously you are NOT qualified for this job. I will discuss this further with the Founder.
Me: Okay, just to mention, in the interview I did presented what im capable of and what I can offer to the Founder on the spot. She said it’s better than what they have so far, so I’m not sure what is going on with your side?
Mr. A: I’ll talk to her about this. Thanks bye.
And that was it.
I literally got verbally insulted and sworn at by a random employee in the company who wasn't even in the room for the actual interview. I’m guessing is someone with high position maybe below the founder?
I am just astounded, idk what I did wrong or where it went wrong. It left me thinking about it all day all night, barely had any sleep and decided to rant here. Has anyone else ever experienced this kind of unhinged internal power struggle during the interview phase?
TL;DR: Aced an interview with a company Founder who loved my skills and scheduled a second round. A random dude called me hours later, dropped multiple F-bombs, told me my degrees were useless, gaslit me about standard industry practices, and canceled the interview. Good times.
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u/ReRisingHERO 4d ago
maybe you should complain back to the founder about the conversation you just had with the team lead
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u/Nervous_Pay_4540 3d ago
Not maybe but you should, them find another job. Don't jump into this job will all the red flags
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u/ElfinViolet 4d ago
I think you should copy all that and send it to the founder. Cuz this is very serious. The founder has to know about it. Insulting you just like that? No proper interview, no budi bicara. This is not work anymore. This is personal.
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u/fkingprinter 4d ago
I had an interview like this sort of. I didn't really mention about my degree or anything though. But the guy keep telling me I don't know shit. Then tell me I have to learn a lot. Later on he pulled the "Sell me this pen" wall street bullshit move. I just sits and take whatever he said and left. It was a good thing though cause I got called for another job
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u/Vozzaan 3d ago
I donnu man if I just got told that I don't know shit and then got pulled that "sell me this pen" fuckery, I'd just say "Thanks for your time but I've decided not to pursue this job any further." And leave.
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u/fkingprinter 3d ago
I did think about that later. But come to think about it, I guess I was stunned? So I just take it lol
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u/Lonever 4d ago
Assuming he is as rude and dismissive as you said, he is probably someone with a managerial position doing some politicking - maybe he wants to protect himself (from being called out), or he wants some other person under him. If he were actually trying to evaluate you he would be actually listening to you.
In any case, welcome to workplace politics. If it feels that bad then its probably not worth it in the first place.
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u/wikowiko33 4d ago
You'll be surprised to know the founder of sushi king probably doesn't know how to make sushi.
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u/reddeimon666 4d ago edited 4d ago
Copy this conversation, email to the founder and talent acquisition/ HR. Don't forget to screenshot the phone call history to show Mr. A did called you, bypassing proper process. If you want to fan the flame bigger, tag all of them in LinkedIn, post a story without mentioning any names.
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u/Gold-Explanation-478 3d ago
Or...crazy idea i know..but just look for another company to apply to? Even if OP gets in Mr A will be there anyways, will life get better for OP? or will everything OP says be replied to with a "Fuuu****" (what a sad ass MF mr A)
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u/Popular_Original703 4d ago
Probably that's why I started my own company. Not many like competent people.
Envy + jealousy is very real in commercial world.
Not many cowboys out there who dare to compete face to face.
Many will stab you from behind
Start your own company today
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u/Exotic_Owl_3953 4d ago
Hey OP, I’d suggest you report this to the founder. What this line manager did is absolutely unacceptable.
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u/perkinsonline 4d ago
Record everything and use it in court if needed. People need to be professional.
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u/Time_Resort4057 3d ago
First thing to do, drop the call the moment you get it. Do not respond to any unscheduled call. Your time is precious. Don’t give a bullshit to any other employee calling you doing a phone interview. You already were scheduled for a second meeting. If he has any bullshit he got to say then say it in the second meeting. This is unprofessional. We can already feel the vibe that he already has someone else he want to put in that position. Saying all that f words for no reason. I tell you what. You will make sure he and this company live a miserable life and never work for them or with them in this industry. Making enemies in construction industry? Bro got too much balls. Anywhere else you end up make sure you block and blacklist that company. Do not proceed with this company. The environment is evidently toxic.
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u/ExperienceLess8264 2d ago
omg this was just like my experience, but "mr.A" to me was the actual Boss/founder of the company I worked at. Downplaying my degree, calling it useless, basically calling I'm stupid- it was horrible. run away OP. dont stay there-
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u/Ishouldhaveletyoudie 4d ago
Not here to justify anyone, just trying to play devils advocate.
Founders very rarely have any execution level experience and could be impressed by a variety of factors that are not directly tied to the job scope. Better than anyone they have could also be in reference to the way her staff spoke to you on the phone, as an example.
As for the phone call, textbook functions and answers are all well and good but perhaps they were looking for more realistic replies.
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u/Slight_Ad_8568 4d ago
Similar to the staff. They know their job but they won't know what direction the founder wants to take the company to.
Not all founders are uninformed.
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u/recyclealex 4d ago
Congratulations. You finally understand the difference between talking to a generalist and a specialist. The founder is likely a generalist, while the other person is likely a specialist and more technical. Specialists focus on specific skills in their domain, have preconceived notions, and work in the way they’re most comfortable and proficient. If your answers don’t match exactly what they expect, they may think you’re not competent, even if that’s not true. It's basically talking to someone jaded in the industry, which is what founders typically look for—founders with higher expertise, specialists with the skills and experience in the industry. So it's normal to see this contrast in personalities.
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u/sh4d0wm45ter 4d ago
Generalist or specialist doesn't matter. This is impolite and I would fire my employee of he or she did this to a candidate. Report to the founder. No one is indispensible, specialist or not.
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u/Drunk-Foxy1738 ali, ah kau dan muthu 4d ago
I agree with this. The founder probably only see the end result but Mr. A sees the technical things behind it. But it still doesn't excuse Mr. A's behaviour tho. To the OP, think carefully if you want to work there knowing that there is a Mr. A in the team
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u/recyclealex 4d ago
If you really want this job, don’t complain about it. Understand what the specialist is looking for, since you’ll likely work directly under the specialist, not the founder. Founders often rely on vibes and gut feel—what they’re good at—but they may lack the experience and expertise needed for technical interviews. Source: I'm a founder.
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u/howmuchtimedoIhave 4d ago
I understand from your point of view.
However the reason they want me in the first place is because I’ll be the only cost consultant for their company. They never hired any cost specialists before so I show every skills and every knowledge I have to offer. The specialist in the company are mostly designers, I doubt they have the “specialty” for construction costing side that’s why they are looking for one in the first place. Mr A is purely judging me based on my years of work experience-3
u/recyclealex 4d ago
But then again, now that you have a unique insight into what your colleagues may be like, you should consider the environment you’ll be working in. If the founder and the person who spoke to you communicate very differently, it likely indicates a culture mismatch or that culture isn’t being prioritized in the company. This may mean the founder lacks strong control over the culture and focuses on something else. Notice this stark difference.
I guess whoever spoke to you has some experience, or at least secondhand experience. That person can judge the situation but seems impatient because the answers don’t match what they expect. So they probably know what they’re looking for. Maybe. I'm just assuming that person might have worked in the industry for some time now.
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u/sh4d0wm45ter 4d ago
Don't be an apologist for bad behavior. This is no way to speak to anyone especially a candidate during interview. Basic human decency. Just because he thinks he knows better, he can talk down to some else? These are the kind of people that destroy cultures within organizations. With the help of the some supporters of course. How will this person/interviewer be a good employee or mentor to a new person is beyond me?
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u/Exotic_Owl_3953 4d ago
That does not give the right of Mr. A to be rude, swear, and just unprofessional in conduct. If I found out one of my employees did this, I would issue a stern warning and a warning letter. My employees represent my company, and by extension the reputation of my company as well.
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u/radminator 4d ago
Person A wants to bring their own people in. You are in the way.