Bad Cop Good Cop Interview

Forever

On Friday, I had a really awful interview.

I had to do a really time-tight aptitude test, and then that was followed by 4 shortish consecutive interviews over 2 hours with one person playing bad cop, and the other playing good cop.

I've never experienced or heard of anything like it, so I was feeling bewildered. By the end of the second interview, I was getting exasperated, and knew I didn't want to work there at all. It just felt nasty, and afterwards, I was cursing myself for not just leaving after the second interview.

However, after Googling, I now realise that this is an interview test to see how you handle stress. I now feel such an idiot, a bit humiliated, and a bit angry.

So how common is this type of horrid interview? And do candidates want to join the company after being put through this?

Eliza_2

I had one like this once for a well known national charity. A real good cop/bad cop scenario like you describe - and then they changed tack and seemed bored and unengaged with what I was saying. It seemed very managed. I came out feeling really angry with myself because the whole experience was awful and I felt I hadn't been given the chance to show what I could do for them. I did know too, like you, that I didn't want to work for an organisation that operated like this. After all, interviews should be about the interviewee finding out about the job and the company just as much as vice versa.

I was sure I hadn't got the job anyway, but as soon as I got home and just to make myself feel better I emailed the chair of the panel to tell them I wasn't interested in pursuing the vacancy. I didn't wait to be told. I said that as a result of the interview I didn't feel it was an organisation I would comfortably fit into. I wanted to feel I'd rejected them rather than be rejected by them!!!

It probably didn't make the slightest difference to them but I felt a hell of a lot better, otherwise I would've been stewing over what I wish I'd said. They didn't respond to my email.

What will you do if you're offered the job?

Forever

Eliza wrote: »

I had one like this once for a well known national charity. A real good cop/bad cop scenario like you describe - and then they changed tack and seemed bored and unengaged with what I was saying. It seemed very managed. I came out feeling really angry with myself because the whole experience was awful and I felt I hadn't been given the chance to show what I could do for them. I did know too, like you, that I didn't want to work for an organisation that operated like this. After all, interviews should be about the interviewee finding out about the job and the company just as much as vice versa.

I was sure I hadn't got the job anyway, but as soon as I got home and just to make myself feel better I emailed the chair of the panel to tell them I wasn't interested in pursuing the vacancy. I didn't wait to be told. I said that as a result of the interview I didn't feel it was an organisation I would comfortably fit into. I wanted to feel I'd rejected them rather than be rejected by them!!!

It probably didn't make the slightest difference to them but I felt a hell of a lot better, otherwise I would've been stewing over what I wish I'd said. They didn't respond to my email.

What will you do if you're offered the job?

I now wish I had done this too.

They have already told me that I didn't get the job, but I already knew I wouldn't take it.

I can't believe some companies would rather play mind games in an interview, rather than trying to build a good relationship from the outset?

What would you do if this situation arises again: would you walk out, or would you ask for a normal interview?

Eliza_2

I suppose it might depend on how desperately I wanted the job but I've never wanted a job that much to be able to overlook something like that. I think I'd do the same again. I've turned down a job before being offered it at other times too, because I felt that the place isn't right for me. I haven't waited to be told on those occasions, both cos it wouldn't be fair on them if they were thinking of offering it to me but also because I wanted to take control - rejection after an interview isn't nice!

It's hard not to take it personally but as we all know, we can be a brilliant candidate but not chosen for reasons outside our control - there's someone internal, they already know who they want, etc etc and in fact you might have done really well at the 'stress' interview, but someone else has just beaten you in another section. Have you asked for feedback? That might be your opportunity to say how what an unpleasant impression of the company you received or something? Try not to sound too petulant!!!

Fwiw, an interviewer once walked out of an interview I was having - and if you're still out there mate, I've never forgotten your rudeness - be afraid!!! I was a generic social worker and keen to move into a more specialised area. I got an interview for a more specialised trainee post, it was all going fine until the guy who would be my manager asked me some very specific, detailed questions about the condition involved - nothing I'd researched and he knew from my application that other than some voluntary work I hadn't got the fieldwork experience. When I waffled something about not knowing or having experience of this particular aspect but would like to receive training, he threw down his papers and marched out, followed by scuttling HR person. The others on the panel looked so embarrassed as I was, none of us knew what to do. I just muttered something about sorry to waste their time and left completely humiliated. They said something about the interview not being completed and he'd be back in a minute (they also said don't worry, he's always like that which was telling) but I felt 2ft tall and scarpered. Bought huge bar choc at first shop I came to. I wished I'd rung them to say I was no longer interested then too, but was young and wallowed for ages in my misery! So yes, taking control is the best thing, it makes you feel hugely better, so I'd do the same again.
Just realised I didn't answer your question, I'm obv the queen of waffle! No I wouldn't ask for a 'normal' interview, cos there's no such thing. However if I was uncomfortable or felt sure it wasn't for me, I would say so and leave prematurely.

Forever

Eliza wrote: »

I suppose it might depend on how desperately I wanted the job but I've never wanted a job that much to be able to overlook something like that. I think I'd do the same again. I've turned down a job before being offered it at other times too, because I felt that the place isn't right for me. I haven't waited to be told on those occasions, both cos it wouldn't be fair on them if they were thinking of offering it to me but also because I wanted to take control - rejection after an interview isn't nice!

It's hard not to take it personally but as we all know, we can be a brilliant candidate but not chosen for reasons outside our control - there's someone internal, they already know who they want, etc etc and in fact you might have done really well at the 'stress' interview, but someone else has just beaten you in another section. Have you asked for feedback? That might be your opportunity to say how what an unpleasant impression of the company you received or something? Try not to sound too petulant!!!

Fwiw, an interviewer once walked out of an interview I was having - and if you're still out there mate, I've never forgotten your rudeness - be afraid!!! I was a generic social worker and keen to move into a more specialised area. I got an interview for a more specialised trainee post, it was all going fine until the guy who would be my manager asked me some very specific, detailed questions about the condition involved - nothing I'd researched and he knew from my application that other than some voluntary work I hadn't got the fieldwork experience. When I waffled something about not knowing or having experience of this particular aspect but would like to receive training, he threw down his papers and marched out, followed by scuttling HR person. The others on the panel looked so embarrassed as I was, none of us knew what to do. I just muttered something about sorry to waste their time and left completely humiliated. They said something about the interview not being completed and he'd be back in a minute (they also said don't worry, he's always like that which was telling) but I felt 2ft tall and scarpered. Bought huge bar choc at first shop I came to. I wished I'd rung them to say I was no longer interested then too, but was young and wallowed for ages in my misery! So yes, taking control is the best thing, it makes you feel hugely better, so I'd do the same again.
Just realised I didn't answer your question, I'm obv the queen of waffle! No I wouldn't ask for a 'normal' interview, cos there's no such thing. However if I was uncomfortable or felt sure it wasn't for me, I would say so and leave prematurely.

I think you had a near miss from that interview, and you were right to call it quits. I hope the choccie bar helped

So far, I have turned down one job offer after the interview. The company and the potential boss seemed lovely, but I didn't think the job itself was right for me. But I had slept on it before deciding.

I've never walked out of an interview though. Maybe this experience has taught me that sometimes, leaving an interview (in a polite way) is the best thing to do.

I think I'm still shocked that these types of stress interviews are given to people who work in offices though. I'm beginning to think that they only test how well you cope with rudeness in an interview, and how forgiving you are of being put through it by taking any job offer afterwards.

Hermia

I had a stress interview for my last but one job. One interviewer either looked bored every time I spoke (or would loudly tut) or would disagree with everything I said. I got the job and he turned out to be a big softy! It was horrible, but I can understand why they did it because the job involved working with the public in a very rough urban area. They had had problems in the past with people getting the job and then leaving because they couldn't deal with it.

Forever

Hermia wrote: »

I had a stress interview for my last but one job. One interviewer either looked bored every time I spoke (or would loudly tut) or would disagree with everything I said. I got the job and he turned out to be a big softy! It was horrible, but I can understand why they did it because the job involved working with the public in a very rough urban area. They had had problems in the past with people getting the job and then leaving because they couldn't deal with it.

I think for your scenario, I can see the point of giving this type of interview.

I'm glad the interviewer turned out to be a big softy, although I imagine it must have been a bit worrying for you when you first joined, in case the interviewer was as difficult as he initially seemed.

Rosemary7391

Forever wrote: »

I think for your scenario, I can see the point of giving this type of interview.

I'm glad the interviewer turned out to be a big softy, although I imagine it must have been a bit worrying for you when you first joined, in case the interviewer was as difficult as he initially seemed.

Would it make sense to have a more 'normal' interview immediately following though - and explain what had just happened, so the candidate gets an accurate impression of the company and people they'll be working with? Obviously it wouldn't make sense to do it before, but I don't see the objection to doing it afterwards?

Forever

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Would it make sense to have a more 'normal' interview immediately following though - and explain what had just happened, so the candidate gets an accurate impression of the company and people they'll be working with? Obviously it wouldn't make sense to do it before, but I don't see the objection to doing it afterwards?

I agree that it would make more sense to have a more 'normal' interview straight afterwards. Well, I would have thought so, anyway.

Callie22

A few years ago I had a 'good cop, bad cop' experience in an interview. It wasn't any kind of 'stress test' but was simply how the two managers of that department behaved. I felt incredibly uncomfortable throughout the whole interview process (which consisted of two formal interviews with them swapping the good cop and bad cop roles) but I was offered the job, and very stupidly took it. It ended up being the most miserable year of my working life as the two managers turned out the be the nastiest, most bullying pair of harpies that you could ever imagine. If I am ever in that situation again then I would simply not take the job, as to me it's an indication of one of two things - 1) if it's a tactic, then it's a company with a culture that won't suit me at all or 2) if it's just the interviewer, then it's a massive red flag about what they'll be like to work for.

Forever

Callie22 wrote: »

A few years ago I had a 'good cop, bad cop' experience in an interview. It wasn't any kind of 'stress test' but was simply how the two managers of that department behaved. I felt incredibly uncomfortable throughout the whole interview process (which consisted of two formal interviews with them swapping the good cop and bad cop roles) but I was offered the job, and very stupidly took it. It ended up being the most miserable year of my working life as the two managers turned out the be the nastiest, most bullying pair of harpies that you could ever imagine. If I am ever in that situation again then I would simply not take the job, as to me it's an indication of one of two things - 1) if it's a tactic, then it's a company with a culture that won't suit me at all or 2) if it's just the interviewer, then it's a massive red flag about what they'll be like to work for.

I agree with you that this type of bad cop good cop interviewing is definitely a red flag. It shows no respect for the potential employee at all. And it sounds like this lack of respect was your experience when you took the job. It's just awful.

The only time I think this type of interviewing seems sensible is if there are real valid reasons for it, as per Hermia's post where she/he would be working with difficult members of the community.

We all live and learn, I guess