walking out of interviews - any significant problems down the line? [duplicate]

Question

I was just reading a question where a person who had excellent qualifications for their age was offered low compensation because other people in his age-group have similar compensation(I am talking about an age in which most people are fresh graduates). The candidate in question had already worked at a previous job and had had a decent salary, but the interviewers weren't prepared to pay what he expected.

That got me thinking: in such cases the candidate may think "enough of this BS" and want to walk out. Whatever he may have said to the interviewers, they wouldn't help realizing that the candidate wanted to walk out at one point, and soon did so.

My question is: will this have any significant impact on later interviews for the candidate? If so, what should his course of action have been then?

Answer 1

Like a lot of things in life, it's not what you do but how you do it.

The next time it is your turn to speak in the interview, address your concern. If their answer doesn't satisfy you, thank them for their time and tell them that this doesn't feel like an opportunity to you. They will either try to persuade you to stay or say something like "Sorry to hear that, I'll walk you back to the front and we'll turn in your badge and validate your parking."

Keep in mind that a lot of business communities are relatively small, and the story of any dramatic maneuver has a high probability of being shared within that industry.

Answer 2

Cutting an interview short when you realize that the position just isn't for you is acceptable. How you cut the interview short is where lasting impact comes from.

To walk out on a positive note saying something like

I realize that this position just wouldn't be a good fit for me, so lets just wrap it up here. The company seems nice so I'd definitely apply again, just not for this role. Thanks for your consideration.

shouldn't poison the well. However silently getting up and leaving probably would.

Answer 3

I've left a few interviews all over the same issue, money wasn't enough. Nothing wrong with it if you do it politely, it saves people wasting time on both sides.

Whether it will hurt future job prospects at that particular company depends a lot on the individuals involved. I would think not.

It shouldn't impact at all on interviews at other places, but again it depends on whether someone feels slighted and has a broad network in the industry. Even then it shouldn't be a problem.

Throwing a tantrum and storming out is another story.

Answer 4

Different perspective: Why would you walk out? This is a great learning and practice experience, even if the job is probably not the right one. There may be more information that's relevant down the line, there may be question and experiences that can help you in future interviews. Practice makes perfect and this is a good opportunity for that.

Is it that terrible to sit through another two or three conversations and hone your interviewing skills? What other urgent matter would be more important ?

Answer 5

Personally, I would never walk out of an interview under any circumstances that did not involve a family emergency.

If it seems like it is not a good fit, continue anyway, ask more questions of the company, and just relax. It's a chance to hone your skills at interviewing if nothing else. At this point, the candidate can push the envelope a bit, and even inquire about other positions should they feel him unsuited for this one, but never ever walk out.

I witnessed one fellow being interviewed who walked out who was blacklisted from the company after that.

Never just walk out.

Answer 6

There seem to be a few other options that wouldn't be quite as unprofessional.

The interviewer is saying that at the end of the process, the offer isn't going to match the interviewees expectations. If that isn't going to be acceptable, then it's okay to end the interview right away. "Walk out" is a bit or a harsh way of putting it, even if effectively, that's what the interviewee is doing. As the interviewee, I would clarify the rough terms being offered, and politely decline. I would then transition to say that the company was still interesting, and that if something open up in the future, maybe when my skills and experience matched their expectations for a different role, I'd be interested in talking again. I'd keep it very friendly, shake hands, and leave them with the impression that I was someone they'd like to speak with again. This way you've established a relationship, and negotiated part of the next interview.

Just walking out isn't a good negotiation technique in this case. It does have its place--but not here, precisely for the reason you mention: there will not be future interviews. It's nice to think of movies where someone effectively spits in the face of the interviewer, and ends up getting the offer. If this does happen, it doesn't happen for low level positions or future engagements. "Hey Bob, remember that guy who just walked out? I wonder what he's up to...". Walking out shows that your highly desirable value will go elsewhere. If they don't see your value now, walking out is just saying you're an unprofessional jerk, they'll throw your resume out, and the bridge will be burned.

Answer 7

Define "Walk out"? If you leave in a huff, word might get round that you're stroppy. If you get to the point where salary is mentioned and they don't offer an acceptable response to your proposition that experience counts as well as age, there's no problem with saying "Thanks, but no thanks this time".