30 Sep I’ve Been That Jerk Before: Time to Do Better in Interviews

I want to apologize to anyone I’ve interviewed in the past whom I may have discouraged after hearing a response that wasn’t quite what we were looking for. I’ve been in situations where we dismissed candidates for various reasons, even making jokes on Slack or Hangouts instead of trying to help them recover.

There’s no worse feeling than realizing that the interviewer has stopped engaging 5 to 10 minutes into an interview because they’ve already decided you’re not a fit. What often follows is silence—no feedback, no guidance, just an abrupt end to communication from recruiters or hiring managers.

These reflections are about basic decency. If someone stumbles during an interview, why should we, as interviewers, make it worse—even if that means going through the motions? Our role should be to empower candidates, even if they’re not the right fit for our company. Offering constructive feedback can help them improve for their next opportunity, even if it’s not with us.

We can change how we approach interviews—not just as a gatekeeping process, but as a moment to uplift and guide. Let’s aim to make every interaction a learning opportunity for candidates, providing them with the respect and support they deserve.