One of the most common horror stories is when the employer has clearly not read your resume. They ask basic questions that are already answered on the resume, which makes you wonder if they are actually interested in hiring. Another is when there is miscommunication about the job requirements. You think you're applying for one type of position, but during the interview, they start talking about a completely different set of responsibilities. It can be really frustrating.
In an interview once, the room was freezing cold. The employer didn't seem to notice or care. I was shivering while trying to answer their questions. And on top of that, they were asking really personal questions that had nothing to do with the job, like about my family's financial situation. It was a very uncomfortable experience.
One common employer horror story is when employers don't pay employees on time. It can cause a lot of financial stress for the workers. Another is when employers overwork their staff without proper compensation or recognition. For example, making employees work long hours during holidays without extra pay.
A common one is when the interviewers are running extremely late, leaving the candidates waiting for a long time. It makes the candidates nervous and can disrupt their whole day's schedule. Another is when the interviewers are overly aggressive or intimidating in their questioning, making the interviewees feel like they are on trial instead of having a conversation about potential residency.
One common one is when the interview location is really hard to find. You end up getting stressed and flustered before you even start the interview. Another is when the interviewer is rude or condescending. It can really knock your confidence. And also, when there are technical glitches during a virtual interview, like the internet cutting out or the video freezing.
Nervousness is a big one. Many students get so nervous that they can't perform at their best. For example, they might forget important facts or concepts they've studied for years. Another common element is unexpected questions. These can range from really strange hypothetical situations to questions that seem to come out of left field and are not directly related to the student's area of study. And then there's the pressure of the interview environment itself. The formality and the knowledge that a lot is at stake can make students feel extremely stressed.
Misunderstanding the scope of the interview. Some students might study the wrong materials or focus on the wrong aspects of their subject. Then when they face unexpected questions, they are completely lost, which is a horrible situation to be in during an important interview like at Oxford.
Unexpected questions are common. For example, questions that are way out of the scope of normal prep. This can catch students off - guard.
Unprofessional interviewers can create horror stories too. Some might be checking their phones during the interview or seem uninterested. One person told me that the interviewer was yawning constantly, which made them feel like they were boring the interviewer. This lack of professionalism from the interviewer's side can really put off the candidate and make the interview a horrible experience.
One common type is the unprepared interviewer. They might not have a clear understanding of the skills they are supposed to test, so they ask irrelevant questions or misinterpret the candidate's answers. Another is the overly strict time limit. For example, being given a very complex problem but only a few minutes to solve it. It doesn't give the candidate enough time to think and code properly.
Often, there are horror stories about the interview environment. Some interviews take place in really small, stuffy rooms with no air conditioning. It's hard to focus on answering questions when you're sweating and uncomfortable. And sometimes the chairs are really uncomfortable too, which can make the whole experience feel like torture.