I recently had an interesting interview with Accenture, as an experienced hire. My interviewer was useless--pompous, arrogant, and enthralled with the sound of his own voice. In the end, the conclusion he drew to crack the case was erroneous. I didn't get the position. At the debriefing, he praised my 'fit', but said my shortcoming was poor analytical skills. When I led him through his solution, pointing out the inconsistencies and erroneous conclusion, he didn't have much to say. Instead of answering me, he gave me the "in my professional experience" and started naming two or three companies he'd worked for in the past. I felt embarrassed for him. I asked whether he had heard of an invitation-only industry executive strategic counsel. He had heard of the organization, but not the counsel. I told him that I had been a member for three years, and had been flown to the US on several occasions to offer strategic and ethical counsel on product and servie issues. I used this as a segue to point out that I had enviable senior experience as well. Befuddled, he then said "You know, now that I have my notes here--our concerns were your capacity for fit. Yeah, even in your first interview..." What he doesn't know is that three senior managers encouraged me to apply there, despite my reluctance to join. Two of them have known me over 15 years, and the other, in a professional capacity for six. "You're the kind of person we need," said one, adding that she has had to "roll people off" projects because they're functionally incompetent.Interesting... What do you do when your interviewer wouldn't meet your own expectations?

Please name and shame the firm.My advice to you is not to dwell on it. Only morons argue with idiots. Who wants to work with a firm that employs idiots like the guy who interviewed you? Take it as an indication that the firm is a pile of junk. However, I agree that it is frustrating when you get rejected by an idiot. It's like asking a 'miss average' out on a date only to have her reject you because she thinks she's superior.

I think the clue was in the first line: "I recently had an interesting interview with Accenture....."It's sad, but even the best companies have the odd idiot that really let the side down.

accenture... isn't that the one that used to be andersen consulting??!!!!??!?!?!!

Interestingly, in your query, you embody some of the characteristics that you attribute to your interviewer: "pompous, arrogant, and enthralled with the sound of his own voice” (e.g. lengthy, self-righteous post).Fact is, you didn't like him and he didn't like you. Unfortunately for you, he held the real power in the situation (e.g. entrée to a job you wanted) and you lost out.I found my Accenture interview process to be fair and highly enjoyable. Yeah, I took my share of deft punches and was challenged on a number of issues - that's a large part of the interview process at this stage. They already know from your CV and 1st round interview that you're bright and qualified, or they wouldn’t be inviting you over for an in-person chat. The point of the exec interview is to give you some pokes and see how you handle under pressure. Despite your fancy membership, world travels, yadda, yadda, you failed to impress. Sometimes it’s not about being 100% “right”, but showing the right mettle. And you need to be more than “functionally competent” to get by in consultancy – you’ve got to have the right presence and personality skills. You have to show that you can charm the pants off an ignorant, arrogant client who’s paying for your fees – not get all mine-is-bigger-than-yours on them.My advice is pick yourself up, learn some humility and go try your luck at Deloitte.I know my response sounds harsh, but I think honest feedback will do you more good.

So how do you sell your solution to your clients.I hope you don't adopt the same attitude that you appear to have done in selling yourself to the interviewer.Duh.

Fair enough I suppose, although I didn't think his post seemed arrogant and pompus.

I went through the andersen consulting recruitment process years back and can remember coming out of the place with the impression that there were a few good folk there but on the whole the firm seemed full of idiots who thought they were clever but weren't. Imagine working for someone who thinks they're a lot smarter than they are, it would drive you nuts!

My advice would be to avoid the unfamiliar. If you are asked to apply for a role by someone senior in an organisation (and esp. so if it's three people) tell them that you are prepared to apply but would like to have the process handled in a more suiting manner. After all, you have fifteen years experience and a professional reputation which they are eager to aquire.Regardless of the systems, processes and procedures HR force us into we all know that most jobs for experienced people are given on the nod and the wink. A private interview and a discussion of your credentials/presentation on your achievements will often be enough.By jumping onto the helter skelter of recruitment centres you are agreeing to be put through the mill by people who have either been forced, or worse, have volunteered to interview general candidates.I would take my concerns to those who asked you to apply. If they are in a position of power you may be helping expose a critical weakness in their recruitment process.They owe you enough to listen, they asked you to apply.

Bingobango's reply is, as ever, spot on.