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My little rant but honestly...what ever happened to those who actually are willing to work hard for what they earn instead of being concerned about how much vacation time they get or the minimum amount of hours they need to put in.
I had an interview today for an engineer in our firm that's applying to work under me as an operations liaison, he's been here for about 8 years and he's a nice guy. Interview went pretty well, had a couple other candidates I was also going to interview but I thought this guy would be a pretty good fit for the job considering his skill set. Anyway towards the end of the interview, I ask him if he has any questions and he asks right off the bat "So how many more vacation hours would I receive and what's the minimum amount of hours I'd have to put it each week?". REALLY?!? WHY would you ask this for a job you don't even have, it puts a bad taste in my mouth. It sounds to me as if you really aren't committed to what you're doing but rather want to get more time off for a vacation and want to work the least hours possible.
Just had to vent.
Whatever happened to those who actually want to work?
They grew up, got old and died.
The past couple of generations are spoiled, lazy, complacent, apathetic and narcissistic.
Bad form on his part. He should have asked you what a typical day was like for someone in that position. That would have been your cue to tell him what the hours were. If he was really smart, he'd simply do some digging and find out from other people in the company what it's like to work in your department. I mean, he's already there. I can't imagine applying for another position within a given organization without getting the scoop on the department, the boss, and the coworkers, but that's just me.
As for vacation, he should have saved that for when you made the offer, and even then, he should have couched it in more diplomatic terms. "I don't recall if we discussed whether there would be a change in benefits. Refresh my memory?"
I don't have a problem with people wanting to know such things, but I can see how the way he asked could have left a bad impression.
This is basically what is it, the form and manner asked were completely unprofessional. The job is about $80K/ year base salary which isn't too shabby in my book and the hours are usually 8-10 hour days, 5 days/ week.
I have no problem anyone asking but this wasn't a contract negotiation, it was an interview about a position. Usually asking about vacation time and such is reserved for the time that you're selected for the position.
Just put a bad taste in my mouth how it was worded and how he came off. Nice guy, smart, but I think he's lacking in professional conduct.
Engineers aren't always known for their common sense. He may not have been thinking his questions through at the end... Or he may have figured he had this one bagged. Either way, if he's the most qualified candidate for the job, why hold it against him? I mean, you do offer vacation time, and require a minimum number of hours to be worked per week right?
My little rant but honestly...what ever happened to those who actually are willing to work hard for what they earn instead of being concerned about how much vacation time they get or the minimum amount of hours they need to put in.
I had an interview today for an engineer in our firm that's applying to work under me as an operations liaison, he's been here for about 8 years and he's a nice guy. Interview went pretty well, had a couple other candidates I was also going to interview but I thought this guy would be a pretty good fit for the job considering his skill set. Anyway towards the end of the interview, I ask him if he has any questions and he asks right off the bat "So how many more vacation hours would I receive and what's the minimum amount of hours I'd have to put it each week?". REALLY?!? WHY would you ask this for a job you don't even have, it puts a bad taste in my mouth. It sounds to me as if you really aren't committed to what you're doing but rather want to get more time off for a vacation and want to work the least hours possible.
Just had to vent.
That doesn't mean he doesn't want to "work for a living".
He waited until the end of the interview and waited for you to ask if he had any questions.
Just put a bad taste in my mouth how it was worded and how he came off. Nice guy, smart, but I think he's lacking in professional conduct.
This is ridiculous. This is about a job. He has something to offer you and you have something to offer him. During this interview you or whoever else was there interviewing likely asked him an array of questions to address his suitability for the job. He then took this time to interview you as well to ensure that the position would be suitable. I am flabbergasted that you consider this to be unprofessional conduct. This is precisely the time in which a candidate should be asking about all aspects of the job, including the benefits and the hours expected.
There are way too many company stooges out there. This is a prime example of the egotistic, holier-than-thou attitude present among employers these days.
You would have to understand the rivalry that has always existed in my line of work between engineers, foreman, machinists, and the like. Since I'm on a forum of mostly professional level workers, I am not going to argue because I will not win. You can research this on your own time if you would like however.
I will leave you with this though... In most places I have worked, when an engineer submits blue prints for production or prototype, machinists would put them in the drawer for a couple days. The reason? "Give it time, dimensional revisions will arrive just in time when the job is already complete"... I could give many personal examples of engineers not properly thinking things through, but we are all human and we all make mistakes.
This is ridiculous. This is about a job. He has something to offer you and you have something to offer him. During this interview you or whoever else was there interviewing likely asked him an array of questions to address his suitability for the job. He then took this time to interview you as well to ensure that the position would be suitable. I am flabbergasted that you consider this to be unprofessional conduct. This is precisely the time in which a candidate should be asking about all aspects of the job, including the benefits and the hours expected.
There are way too many company stooges out there. This is a prime example of the egotistic, holier-than-thou attitude present among employers these days.
He's already working in the company just in a different capacity. There are certain things I look for when conducting an interview for someone who will be working under me on a team and when he blatantly asked "What's the MINIMUM amount of hours I'd have to work per week?" ...I was stunned. It gives ME the feeling that you really don't WANT to work, why should I give you a position in which I feel you aren't going to contribute 100% too but rather are going to be watching the clock until it's time to leave. It's a salaried position and the hours are malleable depending on various factors but asking the minimum amount you'd have to work just doesn't sit well.
Nothing to do with being egotistic or having an attitude, I want the best people on my team, why would I hire someone who I don't feel is committed to the company?
My little rant but honestly...what ever happened to those who actually are willing to work hard for what they earn instead of being concerned about how much vacation time they get or the minimum amount of hours they need to put in.
I had an interview today for an engineer in our firm that's applying to work under me as an operations liaison, he's been here for about 8 years and he's a nice guy. Interview went pretty well, had a couple other candidates I was also going to interview but I thought this guy would be a pretty good fit for the job considering his skill set. Anyway towards the end of the interview, I ask him if he has any questions and he asks right off the bat "So how many more vacation hours would I receive and what's the minimum amount of hours I'd have to put it each week?". REALLY?!? WHY would you ask this for a job you don't even have, it puts a bad taste in my mouth. It sounds to me as if you really aren't committed to what you're doing but rather want to get more time off for a vacation and want to work the least hours possible.
Just had to vent.
I would hope you have deep sixed considering him.
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WHY would you ask this for a job you don't even have, it puts a bad taste in my mouth. It sounds to me as if you really aren't committed to what you're doing but rather want to get more time off for a vacation and want to work the least hours possible. 
