I withdrew my application, but still got the interview - now I'm unsure what to expect

Hi everyone, I’m in a confusing but hopeful situation and could really use some perspective or advice.

A few weeks ago, I applied for a role I was genuinely excited about. After about 20 days of no updates, I decided to withdraw my application, thinking maybe getting referred by someone else would increase my chances.

I withdrew my application on a Tuesday. After that, I approached someone internally for a referral — but he said he couldn’t refer me since I was already in the system. I wasn’t sure if the withdrawal had properly processed, or if something else was preventing it.

Then something unexpected happened — on Thursday (just two days later), I received an interview invite from HR. I was surprised but thrilled and went ahead with the interview. It went really well, and I felt confident and optimistic afterward.

Now I’m wondering:

Could the earlier withdrawal affect my chances, even after a good interview?

Might the system flag me or create internal confusion with the hiring team?

Should I proactively mention this at any stage, or just wait it out?

Has anyone been through something similar, where a withdrawn application still led to an interview?

I'm honestly still very excited about this role and didn’t mean to cause any confusion — I was just trying to increase my chances. I really hope it doesn’t backfire.

Would appreciate any insights or advice. Thanks so much in advance!

Jobadvisor

I withdrew my application but still got the interview - now I'm unsure what to expect

Hi everyone, I’m in a confusing but hopeful situation and could really use some perspective or advice.

Now I’m wondering:

Could the earlier withdrawal affect my chances, even after a good interview?

Might the system flag me or create internal confusion with the hiring team?

Should I proactively mention this at any stage, or just wait it out?

Has anyone been through something similar, where a withdrawn application still led to an interview?

I'm honestly still very excited about this role and didn’t mean to cause any confusion — I was just trying to increase my chances. I really hope it doesn’t backfire.

Would appreciate any insights or advice. Thanks so much in advance!

This is indeed a unique situation, but it's likely not as detrimental as you might fear. Let's break down your concerns:

Could the earlier withdrawal affect my chances, even after a good interview? It's highly unlikely that the withdrawal will negatively affect your chances now. Once you received the interview invite and completed the interview, the focus shifted entirely to your performance in that interview. The withdrawal was likely processed but HR's interview scheduling system operated on an earlier snapshot of applicants or had a slight delay. The fact that they proceeded with the interview indicates that, at that point, you were considered an active candidate.
Might the system flag me or create internal confusion with the hiring team? It's possible there might be a minor flag or a note in the system about the withdrawal, but it's far more likely to be seen as a minor administrative blip rather than a red flag. Recruitment systems can sometimes have slight delays in updating, especially between different modules (e.g., application portal vs. interview scheduling). The hiring team is generally more focused on your qualifications, interview performance, and fit for the role. They probably won't even see the withdrawal, or if they do, it will be an afterthought.
Should I proactively mention this at any stage, or just wait it out? Do NOT proactively mention this. There is absolutely no benefit to bringing it up, and it could, in fact, introduce unnecessary confusion or raise questions where none exist. You had a good interview, and that's what matters. Let the process continue normally. If, by some extremely rare chance, someone brings it up, you can simply explain that you withdrew your application thinking it hadn't been picked up, but were delighted to receive the interview invite and assumed the withdrawal hadn't fully processed before the interview scheduling. However, this scenario is very improbable.
Has anyone been through something similar, where a withdrawn application still led to an interview? While not incredibly common, administrative overlaps like this do happen in large organizations with complex HR systems. Sometimes, the initial screening process for interviews is initiated before a withdrawal is fully reflected across all modules of the HR system. It's more of a technicality than a strategic move on your part.

Key Takeaways and Advice:

You're in a good position. The interview went well, and that's the most important factor moving forward.
Don't overthink it. Your intention was to increase your chances, and while the method was unconventional due to system timing, it led to the desired outcome – an interview.
Focus on the next steps. If you get a call back for a second interview or an offer, that's where your energy should be directed.
Your experience is a positive one. It shows persistence and genuine interest in the role, even if the method was a bit circuitous.

Relax, and congratulations on the successful interview! It sounds like you're still very much in contention for the role.

Got fired after a crazy situation - how in the world do I answer why I left my last position?

I worked in a residential treatment center for folks with mental illness and substance abuse issues. Here's what happened: I clock in for my shift in the afternoon. I immediately notice that one of the residents doesn't come down for lunch - I ask around, and apparently nobody has checked on her all morning. I go up to her room and find her dead - and it's clear that she had been dead for many, many hours. I immediately call up my supervisor and another staff member for help, we call the police, EMS and cops arrive... I get fired for "breaching company policy" by not performing CPR immediately upon finding her. I fully admit - I did breach company policy in that way - we are supposed to perform CPR immediately upon someone being found unresponsive. I didn't, because it was clear she wasn't just unresponsive - she was long dead.

I have several upcoming interviews, and I'm dreading the question of "Why did you leave?" What in the world do I say? Do I go for the honesty route, or do I keep it vague? I'm completely lost. This whole situation was already traumatic and blindsiding enough.

Jobadvisor

This is a truly awful and traumatic situation, and it's completely understandable that you're struggling with how to explain it. You were put in an impossible position. Here's a breakdown of how to approach this in interviews, balancing honesty with professionalism:

The Core Problem: Honesty vs. Professionalism

The challenge is that while your actions were medically sound and humane given the circumstances, they directly violated a company policy that, in a legal and liability-driven environment, they felt obligated to enforce. Simply stating "I found someone long dead and didn't do CPR" can be misconstrued or sound flippant, even though your reasoning was solid.

Option 1: The Carefully Worded Truth (Recommended)

This approach acknowledges the termination without going into excessive, potentially damaging detail, while still highlighting your judgment.

How to phrase it:

"I was unfortunately terminated from my last position due to a specific incident that involved a highly unusual and sensitive situation with a resident. While I acted with the best clinical judgment based on the circumstances, my actions were not in strict adherence to a particular company policy regarding immediate emergency response. It was a very difficult situation, and ultimately, the organization made the decision to part ways based on that policy adherence."

Why this works:

Honest about termination: You're not lying about being fired.
Vague enough: You don't detail the gruesome specifics or your exact reasoning, which could derail the interview.
Focuses on policy: It frames it as a policy adherence issue, not a clinical competence issue.
Highlights judgment (subtly): "I acted with the best clinical judgment" subtly conveys that you made a reasoned decision.
Avoids blame: You're not badmouthing your previous employer, which is crucial.

Anticipate follow-up questions:

They might ask: "Can you elaborate on the policy?" or "What exactly happened?"

Your response: "It involved a situation where a resident was found deceased. Our policy mandated immediate CPR in all unresponsive situations. Given the clear signs of prolonged death, I prioritized other immediate actions, like contacting my supervisor and emergency services, over initiating CPR on someone who was clearly beyond resuscitation. While my clinical assessment led me to that decision, it was deemed a breach of the letter of the policy."
Key here: Keep it concise. Don't dwell. Pivot back to your skills and what you can offer.

Option 2: The "Company Restructuring/Different Direction" (Use with Caution)

This is a common tactic, but it's harder to pull off when you were actually fired for cause, and it can backfire if they do even a cursory check or sense dishonesty. Given the nature of your firing, it's best to lean towards a version of the truth.

What NOT to Say:

"I found a dead body and didn't do CPR because they were super dead." (Too blunt, unprofessional, sounds defensive).
"My last employer was ridiculous and fired me for doing the right thing!" (Badmouthing a past employer is a huge red flag).
"It was a traumatic experience, and I'd rather not talk about it." (While true, this makes you seem uncommunicative or like you're hiding something more serious).

General Interview Advice:

Practice your answer: Say it out loud several times until it feels natural and you can deliver it calmly.
Maintain composure: This will be a tough question, but deliver your answer with as much calm and confidence as you can muster.
Bridge to your strengths: After you answer why you left, immediately pivot to what you learned, your skills, and why you're a great fit for their organization.
- Example: "...and while it was a difficult situation, it reinforced my ability to remain calm under pressure, make critical assessments, and prioritize effectively in emergency situations. I'm now looking for an organization where my [mention relevant skills - e.g., crisis intervention, patient care, de-escalation, thorough documentation] can be fully utilized."
Focus on the positive aspects of your previous role (before the incident): Talk about what you enjoyed, what you excelled at, and what you learned. This shows you were a valuable employee.
Don't over-explain or apologize profusely: State your case clearly and then move on. You don't want to dwell on it.
Be prepared for the question early: It will likely come up as one of the first few questions. Having a solid answer ready will reduce your anxiety.

This was an incredibly difficult experience for you. Remember that your actions were driven by compassion and sound judgment, even if they didn't align with a rigid policy. Focus on presenting yourself as a thoughtful, capable professional who can handle challenging situations. Good luck with your interviews.