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UPDATE: Executive directors accidentally send job candidate private meeting video discussing her job interview: 'Do I just pretend I didn't see the recap?'

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  • 01
    After logging off Zoom in what I thought had been a good interview, I receive an email from Fathom with a full rundown of the interview, the interviewer's thoughts on me, and their to-do list for the week! They said I lacked enthusiasm and energy as opposed to other candidates. And that my communication style was "more subdued" compared to others they'd talked to.
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  • 02
    I suppose it's not the worst feedback but it s ks to hear I don't have this "energy" they're looking for. I'm always super calm in interviews and generally laid back, so I wonder if I just need to kick it up a notch?! In any case, I just received an email inviting me to an in-person meeting later this week.
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  • 03
    Do I just pretend I didn't see the recap and change up my personality for this next meeting?! Has anyone else accidentally received feedback after an interview?
  • 04
    SPICY UPDATE!! THERE IS A VIDEO. Their entire conversation was recorded and sent to me. I've never used Fathom before so I saw the recap email and left it at that. But today I went back into the email and noticed everything was underlined with a little "play" icon next to it. I didn't see it yesterday so I clicked it and opened Pandora's Box. You can not make this up.
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  • 05
    First, some context. I was meeting with the executive director and a new director he'd hired just a couple of months back. This role would've reported into both people. That context is important because as soon as I left the Zoom call, the E.D. said, "I like her. She's chill."
  • 06
    But then the new director said my comm skills were the weakest among the three other candidates and it "felt like pulling teeth." Said I wasn't proactive in my questioning, wasn't "asking questions like I wanted to see." Actually scoffed at my questions regarding the board of directors even though 20% of this role would be interfacing with the Board.
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  • 07
    The Executive Director was silent for a few seconds, until he agreed with her and said, "her energy was muted." Call me muted - I actually don't care but don't let a brand new - director brainwash you into thinking "chill" means muted or bland. New director then said the other two candidates were "additive," that the story I shared was lackluster, that she worried I
  • 08
    couldn't convey the organization's mission to donors/partners because of this. Executive Director agreed with, "Yes, underwhelming." New director then says her instinct is to put me in third/last place, with the other two being ranked close to one another. Executive Director then says, "Yeah, she might be a function of what looks good on paper... and
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  • 09
    lacking some energy." New director: "Energy, drive, curiosity, you know... she could perform on the job but I was looking for a little more 'oomph." Then she tells the Executive Director that next steps will be interviewing me in person to see if they can really get a vibe for me. Then they talked about confirming Kathleen for Thursday at 11am (good luck, Kathleen -
  • 10
    you got this! They mentioned the org Kathleen is coming from. I feel bad knowing this candidate's information). Then they spoke about getting a restaurant for a team dinner. "Are we ok with fancy?" "Mediterranean?" "What about a churrascaria?" No, the new director steamrolled that idea. The Executive Director agreed. Also Lydia can't come she'll be upstate.
  • 11
    Then they spoke about a board member's difficulty in getting a dogsitter. The amount of times this new director rolled her eyes is outrageous. I think she's the mean girl of the office and it's concerning that the E.D. agrees with everything she says. Yikes. Now friends, here's where it gets interesting. I was offered my dream job today! Like, my actual dream job. The dream job that I
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  • 12
    was sure I wasn't qualified enough for because it's such a well-respected org! I'd been interviewing with them for 2 months and was convinced I was gonna fall at the last hurdle. Suffice to say I will not be going to the in-person interview at that sh*tty office, but I think we should have a little fun with this, no? Also, who's free on the 20th to rock up for the team dinner? O
  • 13
    A. This is actually great for you. Interviewing is tough and getting honest feedback on interviews is even tougher. This will help you improve moving forward. Don't make it awkward. But I would reply and let them know they accidentally sent it to you, and that even though it was accidental, you'll take the feedback and improve in the
  • 14
    C next interview. Showing that you can take constructive criticism and grow is a huge plus. Edit 2 based on your latest update: Yeah, F that place.
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  • 15
    Woman with short red hair and green shirt talks on laptop to man in blue shirt with wooden background
  • 16
    Edit 1 (prior to latest update from OP -- ignore these, no longer relevant): lots of interesting points in the replies, so adding some here (in no particular order): • this could be a test and they are waiting to see what you do (unlikely... would be a big red flag). If not, there is a high probability they realize their mistake anyways and not
  • 17
    replying would look bad. Replying shows you are an ethical person and have integrity. • this could backfire if the person who made the error gets embarrassed. They might cancel or reject you - if that happens, you dodged a bullet. Personally, I wouldn't want to work for someone who is
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  • 18
    spiteful and isn't mature enough to handle a small mistake. Remember it's about finding THE RIGHT job, not just a job. To me, this is not a risk, it's an opportunity for insight into how your potential future boss/coworkers react. depending on country and company, the person who made the
  • 19
    error could get in trouble....That would S k and I'd hate to get someone in trouble, but that's also on them to own up to and learn from their mistakes. • there is a chance this could give you an unfair advantage over other candidates and if they find out they could disqualify you from the role. this is probably -
  • 20
    the only real concern I have.... Definitely depends on the company and person. • don't go crazy and change your personality. If they want. someone you are not, then it's not a good fit. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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