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30 Hilarious Things That People Overheard And Saw At Workplaces And Decided Were Too Good Not To Share
Usually, going to a job interview is a nerve-wracking process. Sitting there, being evaluated, questioned. “What are your major weaknesses?” “How do you deal with pressure?” “Where do you see yourself in five years?” And you don’t even know if you got the job at the end of it! Below is a collection of overheard conversations and honest thoughts about jobs and the job-search.
Collected by the Instagram account Overheard Recruiting, these situations reveal all the sitcom-worthy struggles people hear about in the workplace. Maybe it will help you feel a bit better about your on-the-job experiences. Be sure to upvote your favorite pictures and share your own unhinged office stories in the comments. Now let's get into it!
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#1
SealOfDisapproval 3 years ago
If you are indeed offering a "competitive salary" why don't you put the numbers in the description?
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#2
Sonja 3 years ago
I asked for a raise. I was well prepared to show what I brought to the company and how the company profited during the last year grom my work specifically in contrast to other employees and new hires. My boss countered that was still just doing my job as expected so why should he pay me more? I said, my general costs of sustaining the continued quality and amount of work had gone up and sadly I had to either ask for a higher rate or nove on to find a better offer to sustain me. And since new hires got higher wages anyways, he'd have more expenses because they wouldn't be able to deliver my output and he'd have extra costs for training and the hiring process so he should just give me a raise. He laughed and said it was a funny joke. 6 weeks later he realised it was indeed no joke when I quit. But I doubt he'll learn anything from it
To paraphrase Forrest Gump, candidates are like a box of chocolate, you never know who you are going to get. Sure, a resume might tell you something, just like a box of chocolates contains, well, at least some chocolate. But it’s what's under the chocolate coating that counts if we are maintaining the metaphor. And some of these are prime examples of “you never know what you're going to get.”
It’s no secret that recruiters are more likely to favor a candidate who they have a rapport with. So, presumably, many candidates like to present a bit of their personality. Let’s face it, the average person isn’t a robot who just eats, sleeps, and breathes work. Unfortunately, some candidates take this a little too far.
#5
Jalav BlackPhoenix 3 years ago
If I am already a butterfly why would I go back to caterpillar? As if that was even possible
Forbes magazine breaks down some advice for interviewees. It’s important to ultimately present yourself as professional. So talking down your previous boss or manager is off the table, even if they 100% deserve it. If questioned about your hobbies, maybe don’t say you mostly drink beer and watch basketball. By no means lie, being genuine is still pretty important. But don’t fall into the trap of saying everything you feel right off the bat.
Unfortunately, this is a prime reason why a lot of us grit our teeth at the idea of sitting down for a work interview. Because there is nothing intrinsically wrong with enjoying a glass or wine or a beer in your free time. And who doesn’t like lounging around on the couch?
#8
Anyone-for-tea? 3 years ago
Are they allowed to ask this as I have a huge gap now due to illness which I thought they couldn’t delve into?
There are actually a number of psychological impulses that cause us to overshare when we really shouldn't. Psychology Today talks about some positive and negative reasons people overshare. Sometimes we want the other person to feel comfortable. Awkward silences are painful, and after about four seconds, the average person will say anything to fill the space. Interestingly, some detectives use this psychological tidbit to get suspects to start talking. But even in a mundane setting, we desperately want to avoid silence.
#10
Sonja 3 years ago
This is reasonable for a well defined and reasonable time frame, like, would you like that new title and pay bump? Do this extra tasks for two weeks, then we'll evaluate, and if it works out you get it and if not you go back to your former position and tasks. That's reasonable. But if they're not willing to give you specifics, a firm time frame and clear expectations, and all in writing too, it's just a carrot you'll never get.
All in all, these experiences also point to the all-too-common issue of workplace stress. It often feels like being between a rock and a hard place, deadlines, responsibilities and difficult managers on one side and the challenges of job seeking on the other. Common sense would dictate that stressed workers are unproductive workers and there is research to back this idea up. Research conducted by Tina Bui, M.D., Et al. found that tension and stress directly reduced workers effectiveness. Now if we could only get this study in front of every manager…
#13
Ali H M Salehuddin 3 years ago
You should be glad. Had you been hired, your expertise will mean nothing to them - you are a new hiree. As a consultant they'll listen to you.
But let’s not just think about managing stress as a way to be “more productive.” Stress is debilitating enough as is. Fortunately, there are a few things we can do. Researcher Kamaldeep Bhui, Et al. discovered what tends to help people deal with stress in general and in the workplace in particular. First and foremost, the support of friends and family is vital. Good coworkers are a close second. We are, after all, social animals.
Physical health is second. Now, not everyone needs a personal trainer and to get shredded in three months. Just a good balance of nutrition and simple exercise like yoga can help reduce tension. Keeping your mind engaged is important too. Hobbies and other activities were found to have a very positive effect on stress levels. So If you ever even start feeling guilty about a personal project, just know that science says you should do it.
“You know what would really solve my stress? More pay,” you might be thinking. And you would be absolutely correct. Now try saying it out loud. Seriously. It might not get you the money, but similar to a lot of the confessions here, honesty actually has legitimate psychological benefits. Bonnie M.Le, et al. found that just saying what you think and feel helps with self-acceptance and lowers your risk of depression. So maybe don’t shout it out in the office, but definitely shout it out somewhere.
#22
Will Cable 3 years ago
Use the pen and for filling out applications and hthe mints for interview.........then on leaving give your old company a gift, a turd in a box for all the times they treated you like s**t
#23
#24
IcyPenguinToes 3 years ago
I'm not surprised by the stupidity of this, but I am super surprised that they actually heard back from the potential employer at all! And with (seemingly?) constructive feedback too? Seems like a myth lol
#26
Karen Tyas 3 years ago
Oh I’ve had better “On Fridays you can wear jeans for $5 that’s a vague donation we know you’ll never check up on!”
#27
#29
#30
Tomie Russom 3 years ago (edited)
I've been experiencing this very same issue. I'm applying for jobs that I've been doing the last 30 years. I get called for interviews, some of them require up to 3 of them, only to be ghosted. Not even a "thanks anyway but we've decided to go another way" email or call . Just... nothing. So frustrating.
#35
#36
#39
Kioh81 3 years ago
This is a thing in the banking industry. My ex had a huge problem with it bc he was Costa Rican but had a "white" last name. When he showed up with several degrees and lots of experience, they were surprised when he walked in. He got the job, but during his time there said he watched them overlook applications that had a minority "type" last name even if they had the same qualifications as other people. Not trying to be mean but don't be naïve, profiling unfortunately is still an issue and when you live in an area that has less minorities, it can be a bigger struggle to fight for what you are qualified for or deserve.
#42
Mother of Giants 3 years ago (edited)
Went thru this exact scenario a couple years ago. They hired 2 rounds of newbies for more than my team and I were making and we been there an average of 7 years with one lady who had 29 years seniority. And management had a super surprised Pikachu face when we all walked en masse. They lost 15 amazing employees that day and have been continuing that downhill slide ever since. They once had a full time staff of 147 across 3 shifts now they only have 42 and had to completely shut down the overnight shift. When management finally gives up and leaves I wanna be on the front lawn in a chair with a bowl of popcorn watching that walk of shame.
#47
Thomas Bentley 3 years ago
Nah, drug dealers have much more work experience, and know how to keep people happy. They need to be in HR, they would do a much better job than being wasted on a management position. Their talents would be wasted when trying to get people to work harder.
#54
Rebecca Watkins 3 years ago
Wow, trashing resumes because people want to support their trans/non-binary friends or are, themselves, trans or non-binary. Yeah, sure, you"don't care about their identity". No one believes you.
#57
DinosEatNoods 3 years ago
A former coworker of mine had this exact same issue. When he got closer to retirement, they forced him into early retirement and he couldn’t collect the full package. He waited all those years taking c**p and they screwed him in the end. Needless to say, I wasn’t shocked.
#59
White Sauce Hot Sauce 3 years ago
Having a sugar daddy is all fun and games until daddy wants some sugar.
#61
Péter Rózsahegyi 3 years ago
And you will say: "Sorry, I can't think outside of the box anymore".
#64
Péter Rózsahegyi 3 years ago
I don't think it's a good idea. While lifelong loyalty is not fashionable anymore, if, as an employer, I saw that someone had 5 jobs in 4 years, I wouldn't want to be her/his next stop for a few months.
#66
Geoffrey Scott 3 years ago
Lawyer up, many non competes are unenforceable depending on if the knowledge you possess will be used
#72
S Mi 3 years ago
This is pretty far out of line. Some of us don't have hiring departments. Wasting my time interviewing this person who gave a fraudulent resume because they feel like an outing is not okay. (I doubt my little non profit would actually be a target for something like this, but still)
#75
Péter Rózsahegyi 3 years ago
Then Elon Musk will post some stupidity about cryptos and OPs nephew will be broken in a minute.
#77
#78
Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
I just looked up the wage for a trading floor intern in NYC. Its up to $34,461 in NYC on Ziprecruiter. Apartmentlist.com has the average rent for a studio at $3457. The top paying job can't cover 10 months rent before taxes. Shut up and let them dance because you obviously aren't giving them enough money to have any joy.
#80
D. Richard 3 years ago
Same here. Been working for 15 years with a masters and in a mid-level management role. I get recruiters contacting me for entry level jobs that I’m not sure I would’ve taken fresh out of university.
#83
D. Richard 3 years ago
At the beginning of my career, I worked for a guy who didn’t hire someone BECAUSE she wore an engagement ring. He said he knew she’d be more worried about planning her wedding than doing her job. Sexist jerks always get away with c**p.
#84
#86
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What do you think ?
Annie 3 years ago (edited)
After taking an admin assistant job in an HR department of a big corporation, the manager changed the job description to require at least a Bachelor's degree, mainly because the company, and this manager in particular, were degree-obsessed. They even changed the receptionist's job description to require a degree! Needless to say, it was an extremely toxic place to work. (Edit to add that this was almost 30 years ago)
James Arvidson 3 years ago
Requiring a degree for most jobs is just a lazy way to eliminate candidates. What they fail to realize is they're probably eliminating the person perfect for the job. Degrees mean very little to nothing for most positions and does not guarantee the person knows anything about the position or has the requisite skill set.
Load More Replies...
Sunny Day 3 years ago
I was filling a full time position. I chose a candidate who was 50-ish, had no experience in this field, but was enthusiastic and willing to learn. He'd been unemployed for 2 years, and hadn't received any offers during that time. He was so excited. Then 3 days before he was due to start, his car was repossessed and he didn't have any way to get to work (45 minute commute from next town). It sucked.
Annie 3 years ago (edited)
After taking an admin assistant job in an HR department of a big corporation, the manager changed the job description to require at least a Bachelor's degree, mainly because the company, and this manager in particular, were degree-obsessed. They even changed the receptionist's job description to require a degree! Needless to say, it was an extremely toxic place to work. (Edit to add that this was almost 30 years ago)
James Arvidson 3 years ago
Requiring a degree for most jobs is just a lazy way to eliminate candidates. What they fail to realize is they're probably eliminating the person perfect for the job. Degrees mean very little to nothing for most positions and does not guarantee the person knows anything about the position or has the requisite skill set.
Load More Replies... Sunny Day 3 years ago
I was filling a full time position. I chose a candidate who was 50-ish, had no experience in this field, but was enthusiastic and willing to learn. He'd been unemployed for 2 years, and hadn't received any offers during that time. He was so excited. Then 3 days before he was due to start, his car was repossessed and he didn't have any way to get to work (45 minute commute from next town). It sucked.
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