Apparently we're all screwed, no matter what we do.

[kodaka]

Thing is about the front-desk person, yes, the applicant needs to make a good impression.

But just like all of the other things on that list, so too does the employer. If your receptionist is a total ***** who refuses to provide the applicant a glass of water, even when asked, on the hottest day of the summer, that isn't a good impression to give the applicant. Nor is smacking your gum or taking personal calls before addressing the visitor standing there in front of them.

There is a reason why receptionists are sometimes called the 'Director of First Impressions'. Too often, management never bothers to find out how that person treats visitors, to their detriment.

And it isn't just the receptionist but that whole entry experience. I once turned down a job after I witnessed a heated argument between two project managers while I was waiting in reception. It wasn't just a 'I said this!', they were calling each other names. Not good. I'm glad I got to see that before I accepted the job, because that's not an environment I want to work in.

Offering a good first impression isn't a one-sided deal.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by lovetheduns

The person at the front desk-- you would be surprised at what kind of input they may have into a job.

I worked a Director of Sales for a large region. I was his exec assistant. He was interviewing for a regional sales manager and there was a candidate waiting in the reception area. I went to go grab him when my director was ready (he had been in a meeting and I had called to the front to tell the security guard to let the guy know it would be a few more minutes). When I came to collect the guy and escort him back, he kept griping about the extra fifteen minutes. He had been pretty rude to the security guard as well.

He had a copy of his resume, but he wanted a copy and he went to the lady who sat in front of my boss's office (she actually was a marketing person and not the assistant), he handed her a copy of his resume and informed her he would like to make an additional copy to use during his interview. He didn't ask, he literally just handed the papers over and informed her to make the copy.

After every interview, the director would always ask all of us who had any interaction with the candidate our opinions and impressions. My director actually liked the guy in the interview and the security guard, myself, and the marketing lady all told him we thought the guy was highly rude and arrogant. Needless to say the guy didn't get the job. The thought being that how he acted to all parties who had nothing to do with the 15 minutes extra time-- well the director could not even imagine how this guy would behave in front of a client if a client happened to be running late, or if the client upset him, etc.

That was a smart move on your boss' part - Soliciting the imput of others who came in contact with the job candidate. I cannot believe the audacity of demanding that the lady in front of your boss' office prepare copies of his resume. Even if she were a lowly clerk, there is no excuse for him to demand her to do anything! He should have brought his own copies and enough for the panel.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by kodaka

Thing is about the front-desk person, yes, the applicant needs to make a good impression.

But just like all of the other things on that list, so too does the employer. If your receptionist is a total ***** who refuses to provide the applicant a glass of water, even when asked, on the hottest day of the summer, that isn't a good impression to give the applicant. Nor is smacking your gum or taking personal calls before addressing the visitor standing there in front of them.

There is a reason why receptionists are sometimes called the 'Director of First Impressions'. Too often, management never bothers to find out how that person treats visitors, to their detriment.

And it isn't just the receptionist but that whole entry experience. I once turned down a job after I witnessed a heated argument between two project managers while I was waiting in reception. It wasn't just a 'I said this!', they were calling each other names. Not good. I'm glad I got to see that before I accepted the job, because that's not an environment I want to work in.

Offering a good first impression isn't a one-sided deal.

I agree. Unfortunately, many candidates are so desperate for a job that they ignore these signs of a potential dysfunctional office environment.

[artsyguy]

I know what you mean. I'm sure it is humiliating when an applicant calls in two weeks later after not getting the job to complain about the poor quality unprofessionalism that was encountered.

Originally Posted by kodaka

Thing is about the front-desk person, yes, the applicant needs to make a good impression.

But just like all of the other things on that list, so too does the employer. If your receptionist is a total ***** who refuses to provide the applicant a glass of water, even when asked, on the hottest day of the summer, that isn't a good impression to give the applicant. Nor is smacking your gum or taking personal calls before addressing the visitor standing there in front of them.

There is a reason why receptionists are sometimes called the 'Director of First Impressions'. Too often, management never bothers to find out how that person treats visitors, to their detriment.

And it isn't just the receptionist but that whole entry experience. I once turned down a job after I witnessed a heated argument between two project managers while I was waiting in reception. It wasn't just a 'I said this!', they were calling each other names. Not good. I'm glad I got to see that before I accepted the job, because that's not an environment I want to work in.

Offering a good first impression isn't a one-sided deal.