What are the common elements in interview horror stories?

One common element is unprepared interviewers. They might not have read your resume properly before the interview and ask you basic things that are already on there. Another is a very uncomfortable or intimidating interview environment, like a super cold room or an interviewer who stares at you in a really unfriendly way.

Rude behavior from the interviewers is also common. They could be dismissive of the teacher's experience or ideas. I know a teacher who was told her previous teaching experience in a small school was 'not good enough' in a very condescending way during an interview.

Time pressure is a big factor in these horror stories. Sometimes the interviewer gives too little time to think through a complex case. This means the candidate has to rush through their analysis and solution, often leading to incomplete or inaccurate answers. Also, unfriendly or unhelpful interviewer behavior can be common. If the interviewer is cold and unresponsive to the candidate's questions or concerns, it can create a very nerve - wracking experience.

One common element is being unprepared. For example, not knowing basic information about the company. Another is technical glitches, like a bad internet connection for an online interview. Also, unexpected interruptions, such as a noisy background during a phone interview.

Unexpected questions are common. For example, questions that are way out of the scope of normal prep. This can catch students off - guard.

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.

One common element is rude interviewers. They can be dismissive or condescending.

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 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.