Unprofessional Interviews (apply, interview, application, applications)

[chai26]

I had an interview today at Macy's for a pt admin position. When I sat down with the HR lady she said "one minute while I look at your resume." WHAT? She hadn't even looked at my resume yet. Then her cell phone started ringing and she answered it- twice.
She asked me if I think I'll like retail. I told her I was interviewing for the admin position. She didn't know this so had to skip all the "sales" questions on her sheet. She ended up only asking me two questions. Tell me about a time you took on a leadership role and tell me about a time you took initiative.
I felt pretty cheated at the end of the so called interview. She told me nothing of the position, only answered the questions I had, and she really asked nothing of me. She didn't even know the position I applied for was part time because she asked me if I could do part time instead of full time.
I don't know if the interview went well because there was really nothing to it. She acted like I was over qualified. Truth be told I am, but I need a job even if the HR attitude is tacky.

[Miss Crabcakes]

Yep, just plain tacky. I've had a few people who seemed to have just picked up my resume for the first time when I got there.

[kodaka]

welcome to the club.

[artsyguy]

Yes. Human resources incompetence have contributed to the poor economy and the gloom too. Just look at how unprofessional they are.

[Northside904]

Originally Posted by chai26

I had an interview today at Macy's for a pt admin position. When I sat down with the HR lady she said "one minute while I look at your resume." WHAT? She hadn't even looked at my resume yet. Then her cell phone started ringing and she answered it- twice.
She asked me if I think I'll like retail. I told her I was interviewing for the admin position. She didn't know this so had to skip all the "sales" questions on her sheet. She ended up only asking me two questions. Tell me about a time you took on a leadership role and tell me about a time you took initiative.
I felt pretty cheated at the end of the so called interview. She told me nothing of the position, only answered the questions I had, and she really asked nothing of me. She didn't even know the position I applied for was part time because she asked me if I could do part time instead of full time.
I don't know if the interview went well because there was really nothing to it. She acted like I was over qualified. Truth be told I am, but I need a job even if the HR attitude is tacky.

If you get the job, consider it a good thing it was tacky.

[GypsySoul22]

I hear you.
At my last interview, they told me to contact them on a certain date by email. I did and they asked could I come in the next day (I have heard people say DON'T go if they do not give you 'enough' notice but trying to be 'flexible' I did).

The guy was a bit confused to where I was from (not from here originally but have lived here since Sept. 2008). He kept saying are you from "the city I went to college in?" I was like, no...I told you already...

Why this was an issue...? Well, they DON'T like New Yorkers here.

[antiquesmountainapache]

Originally Posted by chai26

I had an interview today at Macy's for a pt admin position. When I sat down with the HR lady she said "one minute while I look at your resume." WHAT? She hadn't even looked at my resume yet. Then her cell phone started ringing and she answered it- twice.
She asked me if I think I'll like retail. I told her I was interviewing for the admin position. She didn't know this so had to skip all the "sales" questions on her sheet. She ended up only asking me two questions. Tell me about a time you took on a leadership role and tell me about a time you took initiative.
I felt pretty cheated at the end of the so called interview. She told me nothing of the position, only answered the questions I had, and she really asked nothing of me. She didn't even know the position I applied for was part time because she asked me if I could do part time instead of full time.
I don't know if the interview went well because there was really nothing to it. She acted like I was over qualified. Truth be told I am, but I need a job even if the HR attitude is tacky.

Welcome to the world of tacky and unprofessional interviews.

I went to one of Macy's "cattle calls" when I first returned to Atlanta. The position was for part time temporary Christmas help and it was before the recession. Here's the summary of the interview.

1. Good impression and connection with one of the five people standing around the first desk area.

2. No idea of how things were going or any reaction from HR rep in her office. She did send me along to the next interview spot. I didn't see anyone else in my time slot get that far.

3. I heard the interview prior to mine from my side of the screen. The woman was certainly capable of performing the part time temporary position. I saw the woman walk out and the interviewer's face (between the screen panels. Yes, I am sneaky sometimes). The interviewer looked bored.

4. I could not make any headway or contact with the interviewer at all. I can count on one hand the times this has happened to me in 30 years. She looked bored and kept mentioning lunch.

5. An area manager was in the hallway so I made one last attempt to make an impression. No go.

Never heard from Macy's again. Who knows? I presume the planets weren't aligned correctly or someone crossed their legs the wrong way.

It's funny . . . I was in Macy's many months later shopping and the associate helping me said, "you would be good at retail." Ha, ha, ha! Sorry she wasn't conducting the interviews.

[chai26]

I'm sorry I'm not the only one this happens to. It's a little discouraging. I have another interview for executive assistant position on Monday. I'm sure it will be much much different than the Macy's interview. I hope so at least

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by chai26

I had an interview today at Macy's for a pt admin position. When I sat down with the HR lady she said "one minute while I look at your resume." WHAT? . . .

I have to take a different position here and present a different perspective. I used to interview people in this sort of "rushed" manner. No, not munching on food, answering phones, or anything like that. But yes, in a hurry and seemingly not paying attention. I had to interview interns for very competitive spots for a highly-sought after organization (don't want to name names). I used to received hundreds of applications, both in the USA and abroad for only one position.

Basically, the top candidates had nearly all the same qualifications (i.e., education, activities, experience, etc.). So it really boiled down to personality and seeing if they were a team player and had other desireable characteristics. In addition, there were times when a short-term position would open up which could be filled by an intern (who would be converted to an employee) which is another reason I would ask questions that appeared out of context (like your interviewer asking you about retail even though your interest was admin). Also, we were always short-staffed so everyone moved very quickly. I would even take interviewees off-site (out of the office) and see how they reacted to an environment they'd be working in which was far less glamourous than they expected.

When you're interviewing for a junior position, especially something that's very generic, there isn't going to be the same attention paid as someone bring hired into a director's position. Furthermore, if the interviewer is in a hurry (because they have critical things waiting), they're also looking at the interviewee to see how they would respond in that environemnt--are they impatient? Needy or high maintenance? Can they move as fast as everyone else? Think quickly? Take on tasks and help others when needed without grumbling?

I also had to consider if this would be a good experience for them or if I knew they'd be miserable in our organization. So, there's alot more going on in this type of interview than what you might think.

[chai26]

Hi Styx,

I get what you're saying and understand your point, but thats not what happened at my interview. This woman was confused when I told her I was there for the admin position. She said it made more sense because of my resume and she's "so sorry"... which she said each time she picked up her phone too.

I didn't expect the interviewer to bow down at my feet. All I wanted was for her to read over my resume and take a few minutes to prepare for the interview, like I have to. I took my time to apply for the job, dress for the interview, and prepare for the interview. To be treated like I just came in off the street is unacceptable.