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Topic: Job interviewers-- interview etiquette story
| Author | Message |
| salsera | Posted – 4/8/2008 6:35:47 PM | show profile | email poster Hi, there, I'm working on a story about job interview etiquette. I'm hoping some folks out there would be willing to share stories of good or bad interview etiquette that they've seen. Which mistakes are most common? What are some crazy things you've seen people wear to interviews or do during interviews? Has anyone ever asked you a really strange question during an interview? I would also be interested in talking with interview coaches. Thanks! |
| observer | Posted – 4/8/2008 7:37:23 PM | show profile funny story my Ex was a recruiter for a high tech company. He asked the woman who he was interviewing why she left her last job. She answered by telling him that he old boss a 'F'er and then she got into this rant and used all these other creative words to describe her past employers. It really through my Ex off and he let her talk for a few minutes before he finally cut her off. |
| Decorama | Posted – 4/8/2008 10:11:29 PM | show profile Great topic I once worked as a receptionist in an office, and I saw all the interviewees who came in, and there were lots, because the place was turn-around city. A young "lady", and I use that word advisedly, once came in wearing a pair of skin-tight jeans with a Playboy Bunny logo embroidered on the ass. And no, I wasn't working at Hooters, but at a job where image was EVERYTHING. The most common mistake that I observed was people arriving to an interview late and not being at all apologetic. Worst etiquette - - asking to use the bathroom immediately. This happened tons of times. To me, this is just plain bizarre and shows poor planning. For heaven's sake, this is NYC and public restrooms abound. Abysmal etiquette - - using the bathroom for an unconscionably long time while the interviewer is waiting. Then, after the interviewee leaves, the toilet is now clogged. |
| Thabit | Posted – 4/9/2008 10:36:50 AM | show profile You wouldn't believe the number of people who forget to turn off their mobiles or don't remember if they have or not so hurriedly dig them out mid-sentence to check. Before you go into the building, turn the ringer off. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 4/9/2008 12:08:06 PM | show profile I once went on a job interview at a small office. In the middle of the interview, the interviewer excused himself to go to the bathroom. He opened a door to what I thought was a closet, and for several moments afterward, I was treated to the sound of his pee hitting the water in the toilet bowl, followed by a flush. The worst part was that he didn't wash his hands afterward, so when the interview was over, I gathered up my things with both hands so I couldn't shake his. "Sorry! Hands are full!" I've also had people sing to me, forget my name, pass wind, snap gum, eat, and pick their noses. Each time, I left feeling, "Well, THAT was a waste of make-up and the $14 it cost to dry-clean this suit." |
| WordyBird | Posted – 4/9/2008 12:11:16 PM | show profile Deco, sorry, but when you just spend an hour on the train, followed by 20 minutes of slogging through disgusting Manhattan heat, yes, I am asking for the ladies room if there is none in the office building's lobby. Just not in the middle of the interview. And I do wash my hands afterward, compulsively. |
| muserella | Posted – 4/9/2008 1:56:12 PM | show profile Bathroom and Interviews I have really cold hands. Makes a bad impression. I have gone into the bathroom just prior to an interview to warm them up under hot water. A common mistake in first interviews is asking about the salary or other compensation. Find out if the position and company are a good fit first and see if they show interest in you with a follow up discussion before talking about money. |
| fredtryle | Posted – 4/10/2008 12:07:00 PM | show profile A colleague had someone show up for an interview and ask the interviewer to photocopy a 40 page report, and then a binderful of information. Another freaky/creepy thing is the people who show up an hour early and say "I'll just wait". It seems people feel more entitled to do this if they have invested a few hours in getting to the city where the interview takes place. |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 4/10/2008 2:55:32 PM | show profile From the point of an interviewee, I've seen a lot of strange things in my time. I've seen interviewers who didn't bother to read my resume before I came in (common practice). I've seen interviewers who asked me personal questions about my age and economic background. I was once in an intervew where my interviewer spent the whole meeting on her computer, clicking and typing away. In another interview, my interviewer never once asked me about my interests, goals, etc.--he only went off what was on my resume. The resume is one thing; the whole point of an interview, to me, is to see what a candidate is like off the page. To me, all those behaviors are turn-offs and say to me that the prospective emplyer couldn't care less. Seriously, there are some people who need to take a course or something on how to interview prospective employees. It's not just the job seeker who has trouble. On the other side of the fence, I once worked as a receptionist where a woman (girl, really) came in to interview for an assistant position (in special events). She wore: a low-cut leopard-print dress, sheer stockings (it was February), knee-high boots, and her hair in one of those childish butterfly clips. Black nailpolish; face caked with makeup. Later, I heard that she'd asked for more than twice the salary that was offered (it was a nonprofit company, so they pay assistants about the same as they do in publishing). Needless to say, she didn't get the job. |
| Louisewasnothalfbad | Posted – 4/10/2008 5:18:59 PM | show profile Receptionists who worry about an interviewee asking to use the bathroom have too much time on their hands. It makes perfect sense to hit the ladies' before meeting the actual person doing the interview--lipstick, hair, teeth, etc. Why would anyone think this is a faux pas? |
| wingfan25 | Posted – 4/11/2008 9:34:23 AM | show profile | email poster Interesting Resume About 3 or 4 years ago, I was on campus recruiting for my company at a large SEC school (which shall remain unnamed) in the South. One girl came up to our booth at the career fair popping out of her shirt and with a skirt that would have made Adam & Eve blush. When she handed me her resume, her top example in the "Experience" section (obviously done with MS Word's Resume Wizard) was at Hooters. The position title? You guessed it..."Hooters Girl." I managed to stifle myself from laughing in her face until I got to the end of the resume. Two of her interests: "The Beach" and "The Internet." |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 4/14/2008 5:27:57 PM | show profile In defense of the poster who said that people using the bathroom upon immediately arriving was rude--I was in the same position (as receptionist), and I agree that it IS completely rude. There ARE bathrooms all over the city; if you're desperate, go find a Starbucks or something. And If you need to check your hair, teeth, etc, you should have done that before leaving home/ the office. This kind of thing happened numerous times at the place I used to work, and every time, the office manager would say to me, "why he/ she certianly makes themselves at home quickly." The interviewee is overstepping their boundaries. |
| Louisewasnothalfbad | Posted – 4/14/2008 10:26:06 PM | show profile Was the office manager hiring? I've never heard of this being an issue, and I think it's insane. |
| foodlit | Posted – 4/15/2008 10:18:32 AM | show profile You are way off base about the bathroom thing. I actually advise candidates to get there a few minutes early and run to the bathroom to freshen up, to brush their hair, check to make sure nothing in their teeth, etc. Why on earth would this bother the receptionist at the front desk is beyond me....seems rude of that person, frankly. As long as you're not running late, there should be no issue at all. |
| Decorama | Posted – 4/15/2008 10:28:19 AM | show profile Well, we are talking about people who are quite late, utterly unapologetic, and then ask to use the bathroom . . . It just doesn't speak very well for planning ahead. Believe me, the person hiring was NOT happy. |
| foodlit | Posted – 4/15/2008 10:35:29 AM | show profile Oh, yes, in that case, I totally agree! Being late is rude, not apologizing for it is unacceptable. I could write a book on what I've seen over the years....the temp who had a nervous breakdown over a collating project and was found crying under a desk with bleeding paper cuts.... And my favorite....the temp who was pumping breast milk on her lunch break...and left the pump behind...on the CEO's desk. Never a dull moment in this biz..... |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 4/15/2008 11:20:36 AM | show profile compassion? For those who think it rude to use the company's restroom prior to an interview, some people perspire heavily -- hot flashes or a hot/humid day can both be embarrassingly problematic for the most polished and professional person -- no matter how dry you were even in the five minutes between the nearest Starbucks and your interview. Which would you prefer to interview or to be -- someone literally dripping sweat (not their fault) or someone who had maybe 2 minutes in privacy to feel as calm, confident and prepared *physically* as they can be before shaking hands? Be serious. No one wants to walk into an interview looking odd and this situation is not as uncommon as people wish it were. Same goes for a really rainy/windy day, where perfect hair or make-up can smudge or muss in even a block's walk. Better to do this in the lobby? Interviewing can be an ordeal for the candidates...I spent one NYC major consumer mag IV peering through cigarette smoke at the EIC who spent the whole time grilling me about what the last place I worked was like -- not what I did there, but inside gossip. I loved the one last year (he was later fired) who sneered at my resume (most recently staff at one of the country's largest publications) and told me my clips would have been tossed into the garbage had he not deigned to meet me in person -- then urged me to pitch him freelance material. While I understand why interviewers do it, taking a really aggressive tone and challenging or ignoring your credentials on the resume seems unhelpful, at least for anyone with a decade+ experience. Interviewees are deciding whether to work with you as well; if someone's skills are *that* sketchy to you, why did you call them in? If it's an error, I'd suggest that treating a potential hire like some drunk who smashed into your car can actually cost you a few good candidates; even if you decide you want them, they may decline based on what they experienced in the interview(s). You can ask plenty of tough questions in a polite, civil manner and the candidate you want is happy to answer them. I had one boss (who hired me) begin the interview -- first sentence -- with "Any questions?" Then, maybe 20 minutes in, told me how much he hated conducting interviews. My favorite first question, ever, was walking into one office wearing a sweater (no jacket) and being asked (with a smile) "You packing?" (the topic of my book.) |
| fake.it.til.you.make.it | Posted – 4/15/2008 4:38:39 PM | show profile I've been asked a couple of times during an interview if I had kids! I guess as a 20-something latina, that must mean I have five kids by now, right?? The last guy who asked if I had kids then went on and on about how some employees with kids take too much time off if they kids get sick, etc. WOW. Just wow! I also had a woman who interviewed me tell me I was beautiful, which was rather embarrassing. Later on she said something about her "not being bi or anything" and then mentioned something about hot flashes while putting the AC on. |
| Mirage | Posted – 4/15/2008 5:19:22 PM | show profile I once showed up at an interview for the Barnes & Noble SparkNotes division wearing an Ann Taylor skirt suit. It was summertime; it was hot. However, it was an interview, and that means at least a suit jacket, right? The hiring manager kept me waiting for a good 20 minutes, then strolled out of her office wearing tight jeans, a hemp necklace, and a TANK TOP from Joyce Leslie. (I know where it was from because my younger sister still shops there, and has the same one.) Oh, by the way, she was at least 45. She cooly gave me the once-over and sneered. She deigned to allow me a whole 5 minutes to do the (rather extensive) edit test, and then dismissed me. Maybe she would have liked me more had I shown up sporting something from H&M instead of a suit... (And yeah, I know that I basically "named names" here, but I'm not saying anything untrue.) Regarding the bathroom thing -- I always (and I mean ALWAYS) arrive early to allow myself a few minutes to use the bathroom before an interview. In commuting through NYC for a job interview, it's practically a necessity to have a few minutes to freshen up. And, really, who cares what the receptionist thinks? As long as you're on time for the hiring manager (who is the one making the decision, not the receptionist), why would it matter? |
| frankhotdogs | Posted – 4/16/2008 2:32:53 PM | show profile Who gives a crap about bathroom use I'm trying to imagine someone not getting a job because the receptionist pointed out to the hiring manager that the candidate used the bathroom 2, 5, 10 minutes after showing up for the interview. Nope. Can't imagine it. Part of the reason interviewing is hectic is that people get caught up in all this crap. That's all it is, crap. And so I don't derail the poster's thread: I was applying for a job in advertising. One interviewer (not HR) had an index card with questions. He actually read off the card "What is your greatest weakness?" - as in, he couldn't remember that question or think of a better one. I was pretty confident that I could find a job somewhere, so I said, "My impatience for bullshit questions like that." I ended up getting hired there (but not reporting to him). |
| salsera | Posted – 4/16/2008 3:25:24 PM | show profile Thank you all for your help! Great stories. I'm starting to think I should write a whole different article about bathroom use and the workplace. |
| ny or bust | Posted – 4/16/2008 11:47:16 PM | show profile I have more than my share of interview horror stories I can add. My favorite memories include not one, but two separate employers who failed to mention until the actual interview that the position was for the night shift; one of those interviews actually turned into a FOUR hour interview, with zero head's up that I would be there that long; interviewers that speed rush through the questions before throwing an edit test at you; interviewers who actually told me how boring the job is (um, why would you do this???); and my personal favorite, interviewers who, for a second interview, ask for a mock writing sample that's specific to their publication, suggestions on how to revamp their look, and a whole bunch of pitches - and then the effing magazine can't be bothered to inform you until two months later that you didn't get the job. It might be a buyer's market in terms of publishing jobs, but as far as I'm concerned, if job hunters have to make the concerted effort to come off as polished professionals, employers should do the same. It's called common courtesy people. |
| princess | Posted – 4/17/2008 2:41:00 PM | show profile This isn't a horror story - well it was for me - - but it got me my first post-college job. I was interviewing for a PR assistant position. About five minutes before I was walking in the door, I realized my wallet had been stolen. Luckily, I didn't need anything from it for the interview, but there was no time to call in my credit cards, etc. Internally I was a wreck, but kept my cool throughout the interview. When we finished, I asked my interviewer if I could please use a telephone for a quick call and briefly explained what happened. She was amazed, said I could have postponed, etc. but I just smiled and said this was more important. I got the job and earned her respect for keeping cool under pressure. And the thief, luckily, only charged $73 at Macy's. |
| chocolatebuckeyes | Posted – 4/20/2008 8:28:05 PM | show profile | email poster Cry Baby I've been through a lot of weird and difficult interviews, on both sides of the table. But the following was by far the most awkward. I was interviewing for a long-term freelance production gig at a major New York monthly lifestyle glossy. I would be covering for the woman interviewing me, who was going on maternity leave. About 3 minutes into the interview, a colleague stopped by the office, poked her head in and said, "Hey there [Jane], I just heard about the situation and I'm so sorry. Let's talk about it more when you have time, okay? Alright see you later." It's always a little awkward when an outsider busts into your interview and interrupts your train of thought, but how about when you turn to resume the conversation and the interviewer STARTS CRYING? Turns out the owner of this major monthly glossy had just changed the maternity leave policy from two months to two weeks. Needless to say, my pregnant interviewer was not happy with this news and hadn't even had time to process it. She then proceeded to tell me about all the bad things about this job -- horrible hours, nightmare boss, stress, and low pay. Sounds like fun! That was one job interview I did not bother to follow up on. salsera - you can email me for specifics if you're still researching this topic. |
| lissa2k | Posted – 4/22/2008 3:18:20 PM | show profile | email poster My eyes are up here I interviewed one guy for a junior editor position who spent the whole interview staring at my chest. He would have done well with our predominantly female staff. |
