Bad Cop Good Cop Interview

Callie22

Forever wrote: »

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

I struggle to see a purpose for this kind of interviewing at all, tbh. I'd imagine that if it's done properly it possibly, might, maybe have the desired effect, but when it's done badly by your average HR bod who's done a half-day course on it a couple of years ago then it's just pointless. There are too many interview panel members who think behaving like Alan Sugar on an episode of 'The Apprentice' is a professional way to conduct an interview - it really isn't.

And let's face it, companies generally only employ one person when they go through an interview process. If they choose to interview like this then they're going to end up with an awful lot of people who leave the interview thinking 'Blimey, what an AWFUL company' and feeling that not getting the job was a lucky escape! It's not good PR.

Forever

Callie22 wrote: »

I struggle to see a purpose for this kind of interviewing at all, tbh. I'd imagine that if it's done properly it possibly, might, maybe have the desired effect, but when it's done badly by your average HR bod who's done a half-day course on it a couple of years ago then it's just pointless. There are too many interview panel members who think behaving like Alan Sugar on an episode of 'The Apprentice' is a professional way to conduct an interview - it really isn't.

And let's face it, companies generally only employ one person when they go through an interview process. If they choose to interview like this then they're going to end up with an awful lot of people who leave the interview thinking 'Blimey, what an AWFUL company' and feeling that not getting the job was a lucky escape! It's not good PR.

The PR aspect you are definitely right on. And in this way, it's crazy any company would do this in the age of social media.

You are also right that most people are probably not even trained to do these types of interviews appropriately. I was being interviewed in a small company, so there wasn't any HR specific person there at all.

Thinking about Hermia's interview earlier, couldn't the interviewer just tell Hermia that many people haven't been able to cope with some members of the community, and did she/he think they would be able to handle it? The interview could have focused on Hermia giving examples of dealing with difficult people previously too.

Hermia would have then had a much better interview experience, and would have had a clearer view of the actual job, the boss and the company. At the same time, the company would know they were taking someone on that they had already built up an initial relationship with, and who felt they were up to the challenges of the job.

There would also be no bad feelings from the potential employee, or bad PR for the company resulting from the interview. Surely, that's got to be a better approach?

So I'm saying that after thinking about it, I agree with you. I can't see any point in these bad cop good cop interviews at all.

So my vote is that it should definitely go in Room 101! :rotfl:

TrickyWicky

Forever wrote: »

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.

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

I've had this twice for two jobs. Once at a council, once in the civil service.

The council job left me feeling like absolute sh**. I literally got home in tears and felt suicidal. I honestly felt like i was the most hated person alive... just for being alive. Somehow I made it through the rest of that day (and night) and got woken the next day by a phone call from the bad cop saying they were impressed with my interview, liked me and I had the job if I wanted it :cool:

To say that confused the hell out of me is an understatement. As it turned out the bad cop was actually a really nice guy and I really liked him when I worked there. One of the other managers however... he was nice to start with but quickly turned difficult towards not only myself but others who started with me. Shame really as I really liked him when i started there and thought he was a decent bloke.

The civil service.. somewhat of a minefield in general. The bad cop was the office manager who i ended up working for... actually another really decent guy and i was sad when they moved him to a neighbouring office in another town as he was incredibly easy to please and work for. His successors were not quite so.

Anyhow my point is this, the bad cop isn't something you should worry about. Like I said I went home thinking of suicide from one and then ended up getting the job so i wouldn't take it too personally. I certainly won't if i ever get that routine again!

xapprenticex

Not having a pop at you or anything but if you are willing to contemplate kiling yourself over an interview or how strangers you never met before or possibly will meet again, respond to you then that's pretty heavy stuff there.

Hope you don't meet many bad people in life, though i understand some people are more delicate (in a non derogatory way) than others.

Tygermoth

I had this type of interview once and it went horribly wrong.

The lady (bad cop) told me to pick from quantity or quality and present why my choice was the best choice. I chose Quality.

She started off by laughing and my choice and then started to debate with me. I held my own and then the mask slipped a bit and she got irritated... and more irritated as i (gently and respectfully) countered every argument she made.

I remember thinking is this part of the interview? as she got more and more wound up. The lead interviewer then broke in and steered questions to other formats but bad cop would suddenly interject, while on a totally different topic or question, an another argument for why she was right. It got quite bizarre.

At the end of the interview when i was being walked out she told me i was stupid and quantity was obviously better. Turned on her heel and stalked off.

I didn't take the job when offered. Though i did, through round about means, end up working with her at a later date and she was just an intransigent in her role. Though oddly a very nice person on the whole (if you were not clashing heads with her)

bugslet

Crikey, if that is what modern interview techniques are like, I'd last 5 minutes.

What is wrong with just interviewing someone about their experiences and skills and getting a feel for attitude.

I can understand if the role includes working with difficult people, but far better to give training and role play prior to commencement if that's the case.