I’m not overreacting

I work in training and talent management and was laid off for the first time in my career last year. I immediately got to work and started looking for a new job. Eight months into my search, I had traction for a great role with an amazing company. I was in the final stages and had a Zoom interview with the VP of HR (who would be my direct manager).

During the interview, the VP of HR named a long list of priorities before the end of the year. So I asked him if he had to prioritize the priorities, what would his top three be. He responded, "I don't know, it's so busy I feel like I'm on a death march until the end of year.... you know how that goes.” And then he winked at me like he was building rapport. This was also the week after October 7.

Not knowing what to say or do, I took a moment to collect my thoughts. I decided in that moment I'd rather stay unemployed than work with this man, and used it as a teachable moment. I asked him if he knew where the term 'death march' came from and he said no. I quickly explained what it was in the context of the Holocaust and that especially right now, in the wake of the October 7 attacks, we need to be extra cognizant about who we are talking with and the language we are using. He barely apologized and insinuated I was overreacting.

He then tried to move the conversation on to next steps and what the final round of interviews would entail because he wanted to move me forward. I politely stopped him and said, the conversation today has made it clear to me that this company and role was not the right fit for me and I was removing myself from the process. He was shocked.

I'm glad I was true to myself and ultimately feel like I dodged a bullet.