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I applied for a job as a stocker at a small, mom and pop hardware store. The manager interviewed me immediately after I filled out my application. (FYI, I am a short, small woman who works out a lot). He told me they were looking specifically for MALE applicants. He explained that the job involved a lot of heavy lifting and other physical labor. I looked at him and said, "Perhaps you should reconsider that policy. After all, the last guy you hired for this job doesn't work here anymore." I then walked out.
I read some of the thread about rude interviewers. Now here is a question relating to the reverse: rudeness to interviewers.
Anyone ever acted snobby or rude to an interviewer? I've had many be rude to me, but never returned in kind.
If you are in the tech field, and post a resume to the popular tech-centric boards, sooner vs. later you'll be contacted (phone) by mumbling, stumbling foreigners shilling "contract" jobs that needed to be filled "ASAP."
First time, you're suckered in and answer their questions. Big mistake, but natural since as a candidate you're inclined to be friendly and informative. They get what they want, and usually blow you off afterward. Rather bewildering, that first time.
Fifth time, you wise up, realizing you're not even dealing with humans per se. Humans have emotions, actively listen and engage with a conversation mindful of both their needs and yours. Robots and automatons do not, and are participating in a scam. Scams are criminal. Criminals are fair game for counter-attack.
Twentieth time, you're on the offensive immediately and take great amusement in dismantling them in 30 seconds or less, laughing all the while, inviting them to find another line of work in Bangalore/whatever, and hanging up. Emailing them photos of diseased body parts, file labeled as "resume", is also amusing though ultimately serves no particular purpose, I suppose.
Other time I remember, in-person, was maybe five years ago at a large software corporation. The interviewer looked like she was about twelve, from Hong Kong or God knows where, and couldn't really understand my answers to her questions. I found her superior attitude unacceptable, also. 10-15 minutes in, I stopped and asked where she was from, taking over the conversation and redirecting back on her BS. Repeated several times, before she got it. That line of inquiry went nowhere that I can recall. I then asked to speak with a director or GM, not a junior staffer. That didn't work out, either, as I recall but I had to try. I already worked at the place so didn't need to "leave" so much as finally, in the end, start laughing and walking out. I remember shooting the breeze with the building's receptionist in the lobby on the way out, since I had a corporate badge and every right to be there. I do recall a sense of contentment about all of it, holding the line against someone who really didn't belong in a position of any authority. Went back to my regular job elsewhere, in another division of the same company: nothing gained or lost, truly.
Of course, it helps to not "need" a job, too. I am fortunate that way, with a marketable skill set that is "seller's market", and probably always will be (next twenty years or so, I suspect). While I seldom if-ever start fights, I do sometimes finish them with smarta55es and know-it-alls. Quite liberating, actually, to be free in that way
I was asked, "Have you ever smoked marijuana?" and answered, "No." The interviewer went on and on, "Never... Are you sure... If you're lying..." I asked him, "Have you ever smoked marijuana?" He said, "No." I had to snap at him, "Then why the ^%# are you ragging on me about it?" I got the job.
I just told one of those recruiters the other day to please not email me short term, low level jobs in other cites (as if one of the 3 isn't bad enough) but not even matching my skill set, just some key word they found.
One time I had an interview (for a less than desirable position). It seemed to me the (one) person had not even really bothered to think about any questions to ask. It seemed very informal to me, which I didn't like.
He had the nerve to say to me at the end of the interview "some people say all the right answers but cant do the job" and then he said at least 3 times "make sure this is what you want". Of course I just smiled back and said thanks for his time.
It drives me crazy when the interviewer makes it seem like an undesirable job from a not-so-well known company is the cream of the crop.
Its usually the unknown companies that make the job seem much more prestigious than it really is. Whereas the reputable employers don't usually do this during interviews.
Before I retired I was a salesman. I was good at sales and I never had any problem making as good living in my seasonal selling job. I sold roofing and paving mostly. Anyway I was usually off work from Dec. till April. I liked trying different products and different companies during this off time. Good salespeople can always get interviews, good sales staff are very hard to find and to keep. I have been very rude to interviewers on many occasions during these interviews. Right off the bat I basically told the interviewer that I was interviewing him to find out if I was even interested in working for his company. I wanted to know what it was that made their product, service, price and quality better than the competitors. In a few cases I found that there was no way in the world I would consider working for them and I told them so. Over the years I was hired by two outstanding companies that I continued to represent until I retired. One was a water treatment specialist company and the other was a parking lot maintenance outfit. So as it ended up I was a paving, roofing, water equipment, parking lot service salesman.
How is this a character flaw--being inclined to strike back at those who give bad treatment?
It can make things work IF acted upon. As I said above, I haven't reacted in many cases because it can make thing wore (eg, imprisonment, job loss, burning of bridges, and so on).
I have pulled passive-aggressive stuff before. For example, if I have to do something for someone else at work, if it is not an urgent matter and I have time to spare for the task, if someone reminds too many times to do it (eg, "Did you do...?", "Did you remember...?", "Remember to...") I put the task at the bottom of my to-do list and make the person sweat it out. I once had a nurse remind me something FOUR times in about five minute while I was doing data entry. I left the room without doing it and she later had to call me to enter the data she reminded me to.
I also once had a social worker who liked to nag people over the most inconsequential stuff. She didn't like that I stood in front of the nursing unit to document. I did that because sometimes the unit had no seats or space to work and the outskirt of the unit had nursing units parked next to it. Granted me standing there took up some space for a resident or patient to approach, but if I saw one coming I would move out of the way or ask who I could direct them to. From then on, I would often do my work where that social worker preferred me not to as a form of passive aggressiveness. She also liked to dictate who sat where at meetings as if there were assigned seats when there were not. So I would purposely sit in my SUPPOSEDLY unassigned seat many times.
I also worked with a speech pathologist who was the biggest attention ***** I ever met in my life as well as a pathological liar that expected every male on this earth to kiss the ground she walked on. I purposely would act utterly indifferent when she spoke to me even though I did cooperate with her recommendations and requests as I was supposed to of course.
I'm a vindictive kind of guy... to mean and intrusive and ill behaved people that is.
You poor thing. What a terrible way to go through life. How's that workin' for you? Sounds awful to carry around that kind of anger. Bless your heart.
I read some of the thread about rude interviewers. Now here is a question relating to the reverse: rudeness to interviewers.
I'm the type of person that likes--well, actually loves--striking back when I get mistreated, but because of practical reasons (eg, not losing a job, protecting reputation, not being sent to prison) I've held back in most situations of hostility wrongfully brought upon me by others.
I recently had a phone interview that I was very happy to have, but the interviewer seemed to have the personality of a lump of coal and sounded as if she was reading from a teleprompter. I was very happy answering her questions and to anyone with a pulse I would appear passionate about my field. I actually felt like saying, "It appears you're going through the motions. I'm sorry to have bothered you. Take care."
Anyone ever acted snobby or rude to an interviewer? I've had many be rude to me, but never returned in kind.
(Ready for drive-by lines such as "Quit complaining.", "Maybe she didn't like you.", "You sound angry.", and so on. Bring it on. )
I haven't had many jobs and have always gotten every job I interviewed for, except one, and I did it at that interview. The interview involved presenting a theoretical project for a museum, and the woman interviewing me keep letting other staff interrupt us while I was talking so that she could answer them, and I finally just told her that it was obvious she had no interest in what I was saying and therefore wasn't interested in hiring me, and I would just save us both time by ending my presentation and leaving. She looked kind of shocked, but as I observed all this happening, I knew it wasn't a place I would want to work.
How is this a character flaw--being inclined to strike back at those who give bad treatment? [...]
I'm a vindictive kind of guy... to mean and intrusive and ill behaved people that is.
And guess what they think of you?
The trouble with your approach is 1) perception is wildly subjective, and many people perceive (and react to) slights where none was intended and 2) the hostility, as implied above, naturally amplifies and escalates. Where does that lead?
Quote:
“An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind” --attributed to Gandhi.
Incidentally, this is a critical distinction between Mosaic Law and Christian Doctrine, FWIW.
No, I have never been rude. (raised to not be rude to anyone) But believe me I wanted to be. My past work history is that I get laid off approx. every 5 years or so for the last 30. So I have done a LOT of interviewing. There are some terribly inept and downright rude interviewers out there.
Like the person above stated: interviewing to me is a 2-way street. Some interviews there is such a bad vibe that there is NO way I would want to work there and was really glad I did not get the position. (dodged a bullet so they say).
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