Ending Of Interview

At the end of interview, remember to thank the interviewers for their time.

A very important lesson I learnt was never to burn bridges. For some reasons, some interviews may not turn out as what you would like to expect. In any event, always leave on a cordial note as you would not know when you may meet the interviewer again.

I had an unfortunate incident many years ago. Like many new job applicants, I sent out my applications letters and attended interviews. In one of the shortlisted interviews, I was offered the job but chose to turn it down as I was eyeing for a different job but in the same industry. I admit that being young and brash then, I was not tactful when I turned down the job and the interviewer got quite p***ed off.

Few days later, I was called up for the final interview of the job I was eyeing and was faced with a panel of interviewers. In the panel was the interviewer from the company I just turned down the job offer. He also happened to be a director in this company. Needless to say when he saw me, he gave me the "you-again!" look and gave me a hard time during the interview. An example, was when I was asked why I applied for the job. When I told him since I am new to that industry I hope to learn and...... He cut me off before I could finish my sentence and asked if that means that I would leave the company once I finished learning? That was the most unpleasant interview I have ever experienced. This does not mean that if it was not for him, I would have gotten the job. It just meant that I believe I would have had a better chance had I handled the earlier rejection properly.

The point I am trying to drive here is that the working community here is small and there is always a chance that you may meet again people whom you have offended earlier but needed to impress later.