Got an interview. Think I know the person interviewing

spendaholiceejit

If you know someone on an interview panel should you tell in advance?

Proc

No rule here.

You just need to be professional. They're obviously a lot more successful than you so I doubt there's any jeallousy or bitterness there on their part, and they probably won't even remember you.

Just be professional. It's probably wanter under the bridge for them.

Person_one

If it were me, I might be tempting to give the organisation a call and let them know that you have a previous relationship with one of the panel. Not to ask for a different interviewer or offer any suggestions but just to make them aware of the situation. If another candidate found out they probably wouldn't be best pleased and may take some sort of action against the employer so I'm sure they'd want to know.

This isn't advice! Because I actually have no idea if that would be the best thing to do, just how I'd react.

omen666

If you have butted heads in the past I would be concerned as to how working life may bethere for you if they are nasty andgive you the job just so they can push you around inthe job making you feel uncomfortable etc.

spendaholiceejit

Wow, hold on Proc, I wouldn't say they are a lot more successful than me. Their job would be on a par to the one that I am applying for, a team leader on a different branch of the project, if I got the job we would have to work closely together. My degree and post-grad qualifications are higher than his, this was part of the issue we had when we were younger.

I dont know. Maybe I should ring ahead. I have met him in the street since college ended 5 years ago, and we are very civil to each other now. But the flip side is, despite our own personal grievances, I suppose he also will know what I am capable of in terms of quality and dedication, as he has seen me work for 4 years at college. My mind has been going down that path this morning.

Ideally I'd have preferred not to know anyone involved. Fresh slate and all that, but I suppose it could be worse.

Person_one

Proc wrote: »

No rule here.

You just need to be professional. They're obviously a lot more successful than you so I doubt there's any jeallousy or bitterness there on their part, and they probably won't even remember you.

Just be professional. It's probably wanter under the bridge for them.

Ouch!

I know you probably didn't mean it, but that comes across as a bit harsh to the OP, we don't know their circumstances at all and success is a bit tricky to define!

spendaholiceejit

I think what I mean to say is that, when we squabbled we were competing against each other. This time we'd actually be working with each other. From what I know of him he has skills in one area that I could only dream of, but his artistic ability leaves a lot to be desired.

It'll be a strange interview if he is there.

MrsManda

The other way to look at this is that there is a chance that he was the one who short-listed you for an interview and therefore your previous relationship has worked as an advantage.
I wouldn't worry about it and just go to the interview as you normally would. You are both professional and if you can't be professional in an interview together than your working relationship is likely to be a bit of mess.

Zazen999

The more you get engrossed into the world of work; the more chances there are that someone knows you or knows of you.

If they didn't think you were worth an hour of their time, they would have given you a bad unofficial reference by now; unless they were particularly evil of course.

Andy_L

spendaholiceejit wrote: »

Is there any rule about being interviewed by someone who knows you personally?

In the public sector sort of, as a result of the "appointment on merit by open competition" requirment above the most junior grades they have to be seen to be fair so its generally easier to replace the interviewer with someone else

In the private sector no, unless the company has one in its own internal rule book

spendaholiceejit

It's public sector.

I went for an interview a few months back, and the lady being interviewed after me obviously knew the staff at the firm. when she arrived in I could hear the receptionist greeting her by name and they were having a great laugh together. I had done a cracking interview. But didn't get the job (they did offer me an alternative one but I declined)

Anyway, I always think that the woman after me had a better chance which was unfair. That's what I worry about here.