'An interview is a two-way evaluation': Candidate has to turn camera on for interview but recruiters don't reciprocate, immediately turns down job

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Feb 21, 2023 8:00 AM EST

It's pretty simple at this point: if you can't live up to your own expectations, then you're less likely to fill the position…certainly not with the best candidates, anyway. This thread was posted to Reddit's r/recruitingh*ll subreddit by u/ChocolatesaurusRex, who explained that after they were asked to put their camera on for a group interview, they complied. 

However, the candidate eventually asked if others would be joining the call on camera (a slick way of checking to see if this request would be reciprocated), and to the candidate's shock, the main interviewers did not turn the cameras on. Only one of the managers felt the need to reciprocate. This clearly says everything about the expectations of employees versus those with power and authority within the company. Like the candidate, I also would have instantly decided this was not for me. In fact, I'm surprised they didn't sign off at that moment. For more stories like this, here's one about a server who laughed at their manager and got instantly fired.

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  • 01
    Computer - "Group Interview. Camera Required. None of the interviewers put their camera[s] on. ===8888 D D fn ctri A ait t #588688 W Z S D DANDE X CV cmd 30
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  • 02
    Font - Group Interview. Camera Required. None of the interviewers put their camera on. Had a 4:1 group interview yesterday, and one of the managers asked me to put my camera on. No biggie, I was fly and prepared. When my camera was on, they really just started the interview. Do these companies really think that the candidate doesn't want the same courtesy reciprocated?!?! Politely, I asked if anyone would be joining me on camera, and one of the four put their video on (not the person that asked)
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  • 03
    Font - im_the_welshguy . 8 hr. ago I had this. I was asked to put my camera on but before I did I asked if they would be doing the same, I was told no, so I told them I wasnt interested in working for the company wished them luck and left closed the teams meeting. They emailed me 10 minutes later and said they could put the camera on. I told them too little too late, I'm too qualified to have to demand to be treated like a human and want nothing to do with a company that acts in this way. 899 Re
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  • 04
    Font - EWDnutz 5 hr. ago edited 3 min. ago Director of just the absolute worst Good on you for calling out their double standard. Them back pedaling immediately tells me the desperation kicked in lol.. 292 Reply Share
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    Font - suh-dood 1 hr. ago . Agreed, you don't want that job after that BS. They'd definitely hold it against you if you got hired and why would you start a job where the employer already doesn't like you? 33 Reply Share
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    Font - Epsilon_Meletis 4 hr. ago . And that's how they weed out applicants with a sense of self-respect. "Boundaries? How dare they." Reply Share 219
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    Font - sharri70 8 hr. ago Good for you. I would ended the interview there too. Politely, but stating my boundaries. They forget we are interviewing them too. 109 Reply Share
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  • 08
    Font - PawCrusader - 4 hr. ago . Candidate You were interviewing them too and they failed. ↑ 76 Reply Share
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    Font - codykonior 5 hr. ago . Yeah the problem is them demanding it and not reciprocating. But for my last role I had it on by default, and they said they weren't going to turn theirs on, and I said that's fine I really wanted that job though and knew I'd look good on cam. So I wanted it. I understand it's fair to others if they don't ask for it or use it, but if it's to your advantage then use every trick you can! Reply Share 49
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    Font - Calkky 3 hr. ago This is startlingly common. Getting my last job consisted of 3 hour-plus interviews where I had my camera on and none of the interviewers returned the courtesy. I needed the pay rise, so I dealt with it. On principle, if there's an expectation that a candidate has their camera on, I will turn mine on as well. To not do so almost seems like an intimidation tactic. 42 Reply Share
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    Font - Sumfuc 3 hr. ago I congratulate you on putting these animals on notice. There's a new Generation coming onboard & they are not suffering fools gladly. As a retired Gen X (Union 100%) you give me hope for the future. Y'all have my support & I salute you all.
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    Human body - tiarals 3 hr. ago Please post a review on the interview section on glassdoor to warn others
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    scottjl 5 hr. ago yep, been in several like this. pretty common thing. i don't care, i work with a window out in front of me, if there's no one else to look at, i just stare out the window at the nice scenery instead. is it of them? i'd say so, but what are you going to do if you're interested in the job.
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    Font - Chocolatesaurus Rex OP 5 hr. ago So, that's something I've been trying to be more aware of recently. Lately, it feels like literally every system is against the worker nowadays. Someone has to speak up for the benefit of those who can't. If I find myself in that situation, I'm trying to be more vigilant about holding companies accountable. Hopefully, the next candidate has a better experience because I said something.
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    Font - Not The Great Nate 4 hr. ago . I think there is at least a little bit of gray area here. Like, the person leading the interview definitely should, especially if they're asking you to. But if some random director outside of your reporting structure was asked to hop on and weigh in regarding, say, your answers about Project Management, but they aren't speaking, it's less of a big deal imo. Especially if they're calling in by phone, or if they are feeling video fatigue. Lastly, you don't kno
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    Font - Chocolatesaurus Rex OP 4 hr. ago Sure, but that's not at all the situation described above. We can hold companies accountable for poor behavior while understanding that there are exceptions. If that's the case, I believe the accepted etiquette would be to communicate the reason why. "Unfortunately, the company was just hit by an EMP, and our cameras are down, but if youre comfortable, we'd love for you to be on video...bla blah blah" The bar for consideration is so low. We should definite
    via u/ChocolatesaurusRex

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FAILS toxic-workplace FAIL recruiting reddit thread Reddit job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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