Question to older generation members: how to deal with being badmouthed?

[Paul2]

Hello PDF club members,

Three years ago, I ran into a nasty individual during a job interview, and got in a very heated argument with him. That would've been a long forgotten story if it didn't came back to bite me.

Recently, I was trying to get in touch with my industry contacts, talking about moving jobs as my current employer ran into financial troubles.

I had a LinkedIn conversation with an owner of one very successful iot chip company 3 years ago, but he abruptly stopped responding to my messages back then. It is just now that I realised that the guy mentioned above got connected to him on LinkedIn right around that time, and to other people in my social circle.

This is why I suspect that it is possible that he went badmouthing me after our argument, especially given him emanating that "Internet weirdo" feel (despite him being a very business like smooth talker on a first look.) That man owns his own non-insubstantial business, and has some reputation in the industry.

Right now, it is very important to me to repair that relationship.

Two things are possible:

1. The owner of the company was simply too busy to answer random messages, and I am just too paranoid.

2. The scenario above actually happened, and I am in trouble now.

Have anybody encountered anything similar?

Question to 40-50+ people, how would've you handled that?

How would've you prepared an email taking in account both possibilities (CEO being pissed off about randoms contacting him directly, and possibility of him being disinformated.)

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Three years ago, I ran into a nasty individual during a job interview, and got in a very heated argument with him.

So, did you get the job?

 

[Paul2]

So, did you get the job?

No, I just walked out from that interview once I got enough. The man went totally weird, maybe he actually had something mental.

 

[Baghial]

never loose dignity------------------- its a clean winner every time--

and have faith in yourself---- cas there is no-1 like you ever created nor will be ....

some time what you want does not happen for your own benifit........

 

[waz]

Hello PDF club members,

Three years ago, I ran into a nasty individual during a job interview, and got in a very heated argument with him. That would've been a long forgotten story if it didn't came back to bite me.

Recently, I was trying to get in touch with my industry contacts, talking about moving jobs as my current employer ran into financial troubles.

I had a LinkedIn conversation with an owner of one very successful iot chip company 3 years ago, but he abruptly stopped responding to my messages back then. It is just now that I realised that the guy mentioned above got connected to him on LinkedIn right around that time, and to other people in my social circle.

This is why I suspect that it is possible that he went badmouthing me after our argument, especially given him emanating that "Internet weirdo" feel (despite him being a very business like smooth talker on a first look.) That man owns his own non-insubstantial business, and has some reputation in the industry.

Right now, it is very important to me to repair that relationship.

Two things are possible:

1. The owner of the company was simply too busy to answer random messages, and I am just too paranoid.

2. The scenario above actually happened, and I am in trouble now.

Have anybody encountered anything similar?

Question to 40-50+ people, how would've you handled that?

How would've you prepared an email taking in account both possibilities (CEO being pissed off about randoms contacting him directly, and possibility of him being disinformated.)

It is likely that he's tried to character assassinate you.
The bottom line is that you can't do anything about the malicious individual but can try to find out why the director of the company you talked to suddenly broke contact.
I'd advise a polite email to the owner or his PA and wait for a response. If there's nothing, try to find a mutual contact, friend, colleague etc who could give you some inside information on just what happened.
If there is still nothing I would say you move on and cast your net far and wide. There are many firms out there and he possibly couldn't know them all. Once you have your foot in the door the rest is easy.

 

[jamal18]

You're overthinking it.

 

[sinait]

Hello PDF club members,

Three years ago, I ran into a nasty individual during a job interview, and got in a very heated argument with him. That would've been a long forgotten story if it didn't came back to bite me.

Recently, I was trying to get in touch with my industry contacts, talking about moving jobs as my current employer ran into financial troubles.

I had a LinkedIn conversation with an owner of one very successful iot chip company 3 years ago, but he abruptly stopped responding to my messages back then. It is just now that I realised that the guy mentioned above got connected to him on LinkedIn right around that time, and to other people in my social circle.

This is why I suspect that it is possible that he went badmouthing me after our argument, especially given him emanating that "Internet weirdo" feel (despite him being a very business like smooth talker on a first look.) That man owns his own non-insubstantial business, and has some reputation in the industry.

Right now, it is very important to me to repair that relationship.

Two things are possible:

1. The owner of the company was simply too busy to answer random messages, and I am just too paranoid.

2. The scenario above actually happened, and I am in trouble now.

Have anybody encountered anything similar?

Question to 40-50+ people, how would've you handled that?

How would've you prepared an email taking in account both possibilities (CEO being pissed off about randoms contacting him directly, and possibility of him being disinformated.)

He don't have to badmouth you, only need to tell it as it is.
That you did not restrain yourself at the place of a job interview.
He simply have to say something like "I met this guy at a job interview, nasty hot tempered fellow".
We dress proper and show decor when going for a job interview is to show our best.

Prospective employers will have misgivings if they know you are unable to control your temper where you need to show your best at a job interview notwithstanding your reasons for the flare-up.

Hopefully your field of work is not the narrow circle type where everyone knows each other.
Not pleasant but I would advise some self introspection and offer apologies where needed.
And good luck on your next interview.
.

 

[Paul2]

Hopefully your field of work is not the narrow circle type where everyone knows each other.

Unfortunately, it is, very small industry — IOT things/consumer electronics. I totally agree with your rationale, and normally I would've walked out once he went down to vulgarities. I was just startled beyond imaginable seeing a 40+ man, with a reputation in business, behaving like some teenage Internet troll from places like Reddit or *chan sites.

And yes, in the eyes of his peers, his word would have much more weight than mine. That's one other issue, if it really is the case.

 

[sinait]

Unfortunately, it is, very small industry — IOT things/consumer electronics. I totally agree with your rationale, and normally I would've walked out once he went down to vulgarities. I was just startled beyond imaginable seeing a 40+ man, with a reputation in business, behaving like some teenage Internet troll from places like Reddit or *chan sites.

And yes, in the eyes of his peers, his word would have much more weight than mine. That's one other issue, if it really is the case.

It is not about whether who have more weight.
We are all not perfect and even nice guys can behave abnormally at times.
So his friends would rather employ someone who would defer to them notwithstanding whether they are right.
Perfect bosses only appear on TV dramas, afraid.

Surely not everyone are his friends, but you may need to attend more interviews and maybe wait longer.
With his nasty behavior, it may work to your advantage with those who are his antagonist.
So good luck, I mean life depends on luck as well, unfortunately.
.