“Flew Cross-Country for an Interview — the Hiring Manager Didn’t Show Up”
Interviewed for: Data/Analytics Position
Location: San Diego, CA
I was invited to interview for a data and analytics role and was told I’d be meeting directly with the hiring manager. I rearranged my schedule in the middle of a business trip in Washington, D.C., and flew to San Diego specifically for this meeting — only to find out that the hiring manager didn’t show up.
Someone else from the team stepped in last minute and did their best to fill in, which I appreciated, but the situation was awkward and unprofessional. I still gave my best — it was one of my strongest interviews — but there was no follow-up, no feedback, and no acknowledgment of the inconvenience caused.
Later, I learned that the person who interviewed me had already left the company shortly after the meeting, and apparently, no one else was assigned to handle the process.
Pros:
The substitute interviewer was professional and respectful.
The discussion itself was meaningful despite the chaos.
Cons:
The hiring manager never attended the scheduled interview.
No communication or apology afterward.
Zero follow-through or structure in the process.
Overall:
I flew across the country and rearranged client meetings for an interview that the company clearly wasn’t prepared for. The lack of coordination and accountability made it one of the most disappointing professional experiences I’ve had.
