Ask HN: How to navigate an interview where the interviews has it against you

I had a weird interview once.

I used a common C# shortcut and the dev asked what it was....I explained....he said it would never compile. The whole interaction was really awkward and he was being kind of an ass about it.

I believe I asked "Would you like me to write it out so you can understand?". Frankly, at that point I was pretty annoyed. This was in front of 3 devs. He just sat there quietly, so I did rewrite it anyway in the complete syntax.

I ended up getting an offer but declined. As I was walking out the devs were on a computer trying to see if it works lmao.

I would always suggest not to get to upset, but I don't see why you can't fire back at them.

Just have to remain professional and positive. Interviewing is partly luck and not within your control (interviewer had a bad day, market downturn, headcount reduction)

Excuse yourself to the washroom. Call the front desk letting them know you are feeling unwell, must’ve been the food you just ate prior.

Ask to reschedule with a different interviewer if possible, idk because you are embarrassed or something.

98¼% chance that if one of the interviewers doesn't like you for any reason, you are not getting an offer.

So, as soon as something like this becomes clear, and first time you're disrespected... Stand up, dust yourself off, and say "I think we're done here." Then walk out and don't look back.

It's not so easy if it is the first time it's ever happened, but if you think and plan ahead of time, it is doable. Remember it is a two-way interview, and you have three more interviews lined up this week.

If someone is disrespecting you, call them out and walk away.

It might be a cultural difference. If not — it might be some sort of a stress test that you didn’t pass.

If not — there are as many assholes and just bad interviewers as interviewees.

No surprise here.

Sounds like they did you a favor. Even if you passed the interview, do you really want a coworker like that?

Sounds maybe like a 'stress interview'[0], basically they intentionally piss you off to see how you respond to stress. In any event, you dodged a bullet with them, who'd want to work in a place like that?

[0]https://www.topinterview.co.uk/interview-advice/what-is-a-st...

Just deal with it and be positive. Maybe try to turn it into friendly banter. In the past I have interrupted people and drilled into bits of their sentence. When all you have is 30 minutes sometimes you have to be quick. Sometimes people don’t stop talking. Maybe the interviewer didn’t get enough sleep.

Whatever you do don’t make it or take it personal, and don’t let it wobble you. Ascend above it and prosper. You want to be emanating good vibrations.