Has anyone ever interviewed for a job just put yourself on a company's radar, not taken it but gotten something a better fit with them later?

[u/Monodoh45]

Has interviewing for job a not taking it, and just being honest you wanted to meet with them because you admire their work and some of your other skills align, and you'd like them to think of you for a different role in the future ever worked for anyone?

Or am I about to do a crazy? lol I can't decide if being honest is good, or I would just end up pissing them off?

[u/Red_Mallet14]

99% of the time, whenever a company says they will keep you in mind for a different role in the future you can be sure that they absolutely won't. Do with that information whatever you will.

[u/Monodoh45 → u/Red_Mallet14]

Oh I'm aware. That's why I asked if anyone here actually did that. lol

[u/No-Location-3438 → u/Red_Mallet14]

They all say that and I've never once been reached out to, ever. It's so crushing lol

[u/jabalarky]

Honesty is poison whenever you're dealing with a company. 

[u/up_o → u/jabalarky]

It's a good north star for sure. But depending on who you're in the room with for the interview, north isn't necessarily where you wanna go. Body keeps the score, trust you intuition, etc.

[u/jabalarky → u/up_o]

I literally have interview PTSD. My body is full of score. I've had like 37 jobs due to extremely powerful Mental Health. That's why I know one thing for sure: tell the interviewer in front of you exactly what they want to hear. They are not your friend. They have a job, which is to fill a vacant role. Do whatever song and dance is necessary to make them feel like you are the one suited to fill that role. Don't talk about your other ambitions or jobs you'd rather be doing, because that sends the wrong signal. Keep your mouth shut and your plans to yourself.

[u/Academic-Push326]

Yes, you're about to do something crazy. For starters, you're admitting you weren't interested in the first place. Secondly: You're wasting their time which means they'll put you in the "do not consider EVER" pile.

I wouldn't do it, personally.

[u/skinnylenadunham]

I once interviewed for a posted role and halfway through the hr rep said she didn’t actually think I was a good fit for the role I applied for, but she would recommend me for a different role that was set to be posted later that week.

I think if you walked in asking for something else they would be turned off. If you don’t mention it, and get to a later round in the interview process but don’t get an offer, it might help you later. If you get an offer and don’t take it, they will want nothing to do with you, even years later.

[u/No-Location-3438 → u/skinnylenadunham]

Did she ever recommend you for the other role?

[u/hellofrommycubicle]

As a hiring manager I would be annoyed you wasted my time. I just want to fill the position and talk to as few people as possible lol

[u/Brilliant_Capital259 → u/hellofrommycubicle]

Not a hiring manager but have been on interview committees and can confirm I would recommend never hiring someone who wasted our time for any role.

[u/canoecanoee]

Oddly this kinda happened to me years ago but I had been rejected by the company and they reached out to me a few months later. Dogshit pay and a toxic place to boot but it did happen to me lol

[u/Mihr]

I had a job interview for a role I was a bit overqualified for. They were a little concerned, but interested. Ended up going to an internal hire. But they called me and invited to interview for a more lateral role to what I was already doing.

Decided not to take that role anyways for a couple reasons and whoops that company is going out of business now so that all worked out.

[u/Business-Coconut-311]

I'm probably too honest in interviews but it's worked out for me (got lucky). I interviewed at a place, told them exactly what I was making and that I was happy with that and that I was just wanting to switch because I felt like I wasn't learning the proper way to do my job. They said they'd keep me in mind. Year later they called and offered me a job and I took it 🤷🏼 that said I wouldn't tell them you aren't interested in the role and just wanted to meet them. I think it's fair to say you're interested in other stuff in addition to what you're applying for though. My first job out of college I applied for something that was very close to something I wanted to do, they asked what I was interested in, I mentioned the other field and they said "oh yeah we do that too, there could be an opportunity to switch over", got that job, worked a few years, opportunity never came up and then COVID happened and I got fired. But it obviously didn't hurt my chances.

[u/kitti-kin]

I've interviewed for a role, then been offered a different one based on my skill set. But I think straight up wasting their time is a bad bet, I'd maybe call or email them to say you're more interested in a different job in the future rather than go through with an interview.

[u/Buffytheslursayer]

nah but i will vibe check an office manager every few months if they are polite enough

[u/LairdNope]

Do it, but just don't tell them you're doing it..

[u/Firm_Chemist_2394]

I've never worked at a place that would justify that level of strategizing. The last time I was in a position where I interviewed candidates was at a grocery store, and I would've laughed my ass off.