Signing you in

The post, shared on Reddit's r/interviews forum, described an interview experience that the candidate believed was little more than a formality, sparking a discussion about subtle signs that an employer may have already made up its mind.

In the post titled "How to know you're not getting the job," the candidate claimed one of the biggest giveaways was when interviewers appeared uninterested, rushed through the conversation and barely allowed the applicant to speak.

Recalling their experience, the Reddit user said they had spent a week preparing for a panel interview, only to be asked fewer than five questions. They added that the interviewers repeatedly cut them short, saying "it's okay," instead of letting them elaborate on their answers.

The candidate also noted that there was no introductory "tell me about yourself" question or detailed discussion about their experience. One of the panel members reportedly did not speak throughout the interview.

When the interviewers said they had finished asking questions, the applicant was surprised by how quickly the session ended, writing that they wondered, "That's all?"

The candidate later received a rejection email, reinforcing their feeling that the interview had simply been a procedural step rather than a genuine evaluation.

The post prompted others to share similar experiences from their own job searches.

One Reddit user said they only realised in hindsight that an internal candidate had likely been the preferred choice all along, adding that there had been subtle signs during the interview process that the decision had already been made.

Another recalled an interview where a senior leader spent most of the one-on-one conversation chatting about mutual industry contacts and general gossip instead of discussing the role or asking technical questions. Looking back, they felt it was another indication that the company had already settled on someone else.

Several others said they had experienced interviews that felt like employers were simply "checking a box" before eventually sending a rejection, with many describing the experience as frustrating, particularly after investing significant time preparing for the role.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Jul 17, 2026 19:26 IST