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Hiring Managers Share The Times They Thought “What’s Wrong With This Person” (30 Stories)
Looking for a new job is an adventure in itself. Full of peril. Overcoming challenges. And maybe a few dragons if we’re (un)lucky. But how often do you think about the other side of the interview table? What hiring managers have to deal with can be just as nightmarish as what candidates sometimes face.
And we’re about to show you just how chaotic and bizarre things can get. Hiring managers and recruiters have been sharing their weirdest experiences while interviewing candidates in a thread on r/AskReddit. Their stories, well, let’s just say that they’re likely to make you giggle, facepalm, and raise your eyebrows. All. At. Once.
Check out the stories below, upvote the ones that seriously made you question how the human race still functions, and be sure to let us know about the weirdest interview you’ve ever been in. Whether you were a recruiter or an employee.
Career coach Jermaine Murray from JupiterHR gave Bored Panda some spot-on advice on what (not) to do during your next job interview. According to Jermaine, the biggest mistake that applicants make is not doing enough to highlight their accomplishments!
"They humble themselves when they need to be boasting. If you understand why the work that you were doing was important and how it impacts your org (project) then you should be explaining that to the interviewer without holding back. How did you go above and beyond to make sure things worked? What creative ways did you come up with?" Jermaine said. "Show off."
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#1
Asked a (male) applicant about a few specific projects he'd done with people I've met. His comments about male collaborators were perfectly normal and respectful. His comments about female collaborators were dismissive, condescending, and inappropriately familiar.
I know there are lots of sexist people out there, but... not being able to conceal it for a 30-minute interview?
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
So did each and every one of the company’s female employees.
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Diandra “Mss Didi” Blackthorn 4 years ago
Supremacists never believe they should have to conceal their toxicity because they believe they are right to have it.
Csaba Horvath 4 years ago
It was honest, better than hiding to be a woman hater, and causing problems later.
cursed--alien 4 years ago
That would be one hell of a coincidence, don't you think?
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#2
I asked an applicant what kind of hobbies he took part in, and he told me he collected random things that 'pretty' women threw away. When the interview was over, I called the police and gave his résumé to them.
Adam C 4 years ago
Is that a crime to collect stuff people throw away? What are the police suppose to do?
#3
Hiring for a Senior Dev position. Had a telephone interview and she seemed confident and competent so I flew her down for an on site interview. She calls not me but the front desk reception and says she can’t drive in a big city and needs a car to pick her up and she refuses to get the rental car we reserved (before Uber/Lyft). Call is transferred to me and I tell her to take the train (Atlanta, MARTA) no, she says, too scary. I tell her to go to the taxi stand and take that, nope afraid of taxis. She wants a corp limo to pick her up and nothing else will do. She is adamant. I put her on hold, have a chat with my boss who says just send her home, shes too much work if she can’t even handle this. I tell her thank you for taking the time to fly down but not even our own VPs get that treatment and to go ahead and change your ticket to fly home, now. She then starts telling me she will take a taxi, etc. i said please don’t bother it will be a waste of everyone’s time, thank you, goodbye.
Not once when setting up her travel plans did she say she needed assistance getting from the airport. It was explained to her she would pick up a rental car at the airport. She was fine with it. No idea WTF she was thinking but ain’t nobody got time for dat nonsense!
Mihai Mara 4 years ago
If you were to hire that person you would also have had to hire a private driver.
Deborah B 4 years ago
If there was a genuine reason, she should have made it clear at the time the interview was set up: "A rental car won't work for me, and I'm not comfortable taking public transport or risking a gypsy cab in an unfamiliar city. Can we arrange a car service, or prebook a taxi from a trusted company?" As someone who drives an adapted vehicle, and can't use a lot of public transport options due to accessability, I can see how it might be a problem for some people, but you have to be up front about the accomodations you require, and have a plan for how you will manage if you get the job. eg "If I move here, I'll bring my private vehicle, which is adapted to my driving needs, so transport won't be an issue."
Brooke Weber 4 years ago
If she needed accommodations for a legitimate disability then, yes, I would agree. This instance, it seems like she wanted the red carpet treatment for a job she didn't have yet. Also, if you don't trust ANY sort of publicly available transport, you probably shouldn't be seeking a job in a big city (or one that requires travel at all).
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Curry on... 4 years ago
I wouldn't be surprised if she had actually brought along a friend and wanted to impress them.
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
She miscalculated that the flight cost would justify the limo cost --- if it had worked she'd have a superstar pay deal... The 'sunk cost' fallacy (we're in too deep, now, must salvage prior investment!) combined with the perception (the entire 'puss in boots' story works like that!) would work out...
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
I can't imagine what She would expect from the company when and if she had been hired and thus, needed to relocate. Thank goodness her true colors were demonstrated so quickly. In this day and age, too much cost can easily bankrupt an independent company.
Full of Giggles 4 years ago
You’re in the wrong here. There’s nothing immature about being content with flying but not a taxi, especially for a woman. On the plane, you’re surrounded by other people. So, if something happens there are plenty of witnesses and people to help. In a taxi, it’s just you and the driver. They can deviate from your course and take you to a place where nobody can hear you scream, nobody to help you, and nobody to witness bad things the cab drive might do to you. And it happens more often than you think to women who get into a cab with a male driver. I know this because my sister was sexually assaulted by a cab driver who decided to take of advantage of her inebriation. And it’s why I’m good on a plane but will never get into another taxi.
Load More Replies... Career coach Jermaine was candid about how vital our body language and tone of voice both are to our success during interviews. They're both "super important" and you "always want to be perceived as confident and capable." Creating the opposite perception can reduce your talents to ashes in some hiring managers' eyes.
"If your body language or tone says otherwise, you destroy the perception of your skills. Once that's gone so are your chances of landing the job," Jermaine from JupiterHR warned.
#4
She listed all of her ex-boyfriends who currently worked there and said she couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces when she showed up to work
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
If I was hr I might interview her out of curiosity, but definitely not hiring her, the job site isn't a place for extra drama.
Marie 4 years ago
Interviewing her to create just the entertaining amount of drama.
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Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
See, she’s stupid to mention it. Some things should not be shared, but kept very close to yourself. Makes the possible outcome just that much sweeter—-especially if she was hired as their boss.
Full of Giggles 4 years ago
Hold up... She listed ALL of her ex-boyfriends? How many is “all?” The girl is a sexual harassment nightmare waiting to happen.
birdie asf 4 years ago
sorry how does dating a lot of people make someone a sexual harrasser
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François Carré 4 years ago
Oh, that sounds great, I can't wait to see you sow discord in my work team either.
Virgil Sanders 4 years ago (edited)
but why would you even want to work in a place with all your exes? me personally, unless i was good friends with my ex, would be totally uncomfortable working with my ex on lots of projects and things together
Felicor Bongolan 4 years ago
Funny how her exes ended up in the same place. Work with entertainement could a uplifting for everyone (probably not for the exes) - I would have hired her.
#5
I had a guy tell me God had chosen him for the job. But I did not choose him
kurisutofu 4 years ago
"sir, I've got god on the line for you, he doesn't sound happy" "oh oh"
Virgil Sanders 4 years ago
it's people like him that give other people bad views of religion smh
Aaron Kara 4 years ago
I don't think God is a part of the hiring committee, in which case, classic nepotism.
Jill Bragdon 4 years ago
Had this happen once during an interview for an analyst position. I didn't hire him either.
Marvin HeartofGold 4 years ago
Damn what's gonna happen when your time comes and God goes "sorry but you didn't hire my guy" 😂
#6
He was naked during the interview, so we declined. When we brought up his video feed, he was laying in bed nude
Demi Zwaan 4 years ago
People here who are unemployed, are obligated to apply for jobs. Often they apply to jobs they have no interest in, just to fullfill that obligation. If someone like that makes it to the interview, they might sabotage it by doing something stupid like this :)
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Aaron Kara 4 years ago
This is a long winded way of getting your rocks off. Just watch some porn man! You don't have to fill out an application for that.
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
This whole Covid thing has passed you by somehow!?!
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Douglas Turner 4 years ago
"Oh you wanted me to make an effort? I didn't think it was THAT kind of job."
Tracy Jones 4 years ago
only time an interview should be nude is if you are getting a job in porns
"You can teach someone to be a better coder but it's near impossible to teach them how to be a better person. Recruiters will always value personality first, but technical skills are a very close second," the career coach gave us a sneak peek into the exciting world of recruitment and HR. "Hiring managers keep that in mind and try to make sure candidates they like can perform competently. Different things contribute to this bar that aren't based on the candidate but the organization's internal ability to support and develop someone. Once those two elements are present a hire will happen.
#7
A few years ago, I was hiring for a new graphic designer. The guy didn’t have much working experience and was a little odd, but I liked his portfolio so I decided to interview him anyways.
The whole interview was bizarre, but ended with the question “what do you think are your weaknesses?”
He replied “ummm tbh. I have some pretty violent tendencies...”’
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Aaaaand now we know the reason for the lack of work experience.
Aileen 4 years ago
But on the other hand, better to know and avoid rather than hiring him and learning about it the hard way.
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Lydia Gichia-Black 4 years ago
Not...Get me a restraining order RIGHT NOW
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Caroline Overill 4 years ago
I hope you broke it to him gently that he hadn't got the job. Preferably surrounded by security.
#8
This kid, probably 18-20, started picking his nose, like nuckle deep and digging for gold in the middle of his food service job interview.
Wrapped that up real quick and didn't hire him.
Aaron Kara 4 years ago
My relentless nose picking shows dedication, patience, and a firm hand.
Raine Soo 4 years ago
Are people that moronic? It seems as if he just went to the interview to fill some quota, and did this so no one would hire him.
Sam Cook 4 years ago
I remember talking to a friend of mine once and trying to get an itch on the edge of my nostril, only for my finger to go straight into my nose. I tore it out, wiped the itch away, and acted like it didn't happen. I don't know how it would have been had it happened during an interview.
#9
This one guy was interviewing for a kids job at a school and then casually slips in the conversation how ungrateful children are then tried rubbing it in that they would not be able to withstand PRISON LIKE HE DID
Mihai Mara 4 years ago
Isn't a clean criminal history (no convictions) mandatory for working with children??
Kay blue 4 years ago
Not necessarily, it depends what the crime was and how long ago it happened. Usually it's sexual and/or violent offences that are the big no no"s.
Load More Replies... Douglas Turner 4 years ago
Why is the first post depicting a Black person talking about prison?
Patricia Pitsel 4 years ago
Why does your picture show a back guy, presumably the interviewee, who said he had been in prison?
Rob Wunsch 4 years ago
Why did you have to use a black model for the guy who had been in prison?
Job interviews can be incredibly stressful. Our heart rates skyrocket, we start sweating, and our tongues feel like cotton wool in our mouths. That’s all part of the process, though, and plenty of HR reps understand this and give us the benefit of the doubt. However, being nervous doesn’t excuse some things, like rudeness.
According to GCFGlobal, poor manners can give your interviewer the impression that you’re unlikely to be a team player and that you’ll have a hard time retaining customers. What’s more, there’s the underlying assumption that you don’t value the people around you.
#10
A graduate sent his résumé in by email, had all the grades — assumably a quality hire. He showed up...but with his entire family
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
That would be a great deal if that was an "all for the price of one" deal.
Vorknkx 4 years ago (edited)
As someone who participates in signing up freshmen at a university, I've often seen a relative (mother or grandmother, usually) fill in the documents while the future student just stands idly by. I am tempted to ask them "is your mom going to take your exams for you?"
François Carré 4 years ago
Each member of the family had one of all the grades he'd gathered in his resume and they were expecting you to hire all of them.
Bex 4 years ago
I can see why this sounds bizarre to most. Perhaps the interviewer might have taken the time to ask some questions about the applicant's culture. Or just point blank asked why the family members were there instead of making assumptions about an obviously bright kid with great qualifications
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Fun fact: Applied for a job in NZ --- was informed that I was entitled to bring along my tribe/family council indeed.
Rene Morgan 3 years ago
Yes, whanau (family) are welcome and expected. They are there to awhi (support) that person.
Load More Replies... Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
As sketchy as this situation might be, I would have to ask "Why?" Then base anything further on the answer.
Hecking Heavy 4 years ago
I sure hope so. Perhaps the family coming with him wasn't his choice.
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Vanessa Gibson 4 years ago
I will say in some cultures this is a normal practice, as it is considered rude to "big yourself up" you need to bring a family member/s in order to talk to your good qualities. But on the flip side of it's not a cultural thing then yeah its pretty bad. I used to manage a movie theatre and most of the employees were high school kids, which is fine. But if parents bought in a CV for their child instead of the child coming in themselves it would go straight in the bin. If you can't be bothered even bringing in your resume, why would I think you would be bothered coming in for work?
#11
The applicant wrote that can do a backflip on his application. Then, unprovoked, he elected to demonstrate said backflip in my office.
James016 4 years ago
One can argue that he backed up his claim. Unless he botched the backflip and landed flat on his face.
Simon Levene 4 years ago
Nothing wrong with that. We had a candidate who said on his CV that his hobby was close-up conjuring. We asked him if he could do something for us, and he performed the most elegant and mystifying trick. We all clapped and gave him the job.
Edison Michael 3 years ago
What even is a close up conjuring? Sounds like wizardry.
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Pacer Three 4 years ago
I think I dated this guy!!!!! on a blind date, a guy told me the same thing, when he dropped me off for the evening and proceeded too do a backflip in my brother's living room????? there was no 2nd date.
Nikki Owens 4 years ago
A thoughtful interviewer would see this as an impressive demonstration of determination, persistence, and hard work to master something challenging. All excellent qualities in any employee.
#12
I interviewed a gal once and while we were talking, I was looking over her resume'. (Please note that English IS her first language or else this wouldn't have humored me so much) Her "mission statement" on her resume' was as follows:
"Along with my detail oriented and organizational skills, I will bring encourage team to work cooperatively and creativity to provide an understanding the visual aspects of our work."
This was for an admin position at a law firm. Not sure what "the visual aspects of our work" entailed in this position, honestly. I read it over about 5 or 6 times, worried that I was having a stroke so I didn't really hear much of anything she said during the interview. I haven't been able to make sense of it no matter how many times I read it. I actually cut it out of her resume' and have it sitting on my desk some 15 years later.
Demi Zwaan 4 years ago
That would’ve been a good thing to ask during... oh, I don’t know.. AN INTERVIEW?
M Kate McCulloch 4 years ago
can't imagine why an HR manager would hire someone who liberally peppered their resume with buzz-words that were completely irrelevant and out of context. Communicating effectively is a key requirement of an admin...
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SandraG_lak 4 years ago
I am very surprised she got an interview. I don't know of any company that wouldn't have tossed the resume after reading that.
Lunar Bicycle 4 years ago
What if she’s stumbled across this post, and she’s yelling at her screen right now? “It’s was perfection obviously! I work cooperatively and creativity, you stupidly managerial!”
Curry on... 4 years ago (edited)
Sounds like copy paste without checking for accuracy. Or maybe she wouldn't have known what was accurate or not.
Beeps 4 years ago
I always love it when someone calls themselves ‘detail oriented’ or even better a ‘perfectionist’ 11 out of 10 times you’ll be able to find a mistake in their work.
André Roth 3 years ago
Yes, and it means they're taking to much time for a given task.
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Simon Levene 4 years ago
Not sure you are best placed to criticise her a English if you think that "humoured" = "amused".
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
Sounds like she cut and paste some phrases out of a CV website and ran them through Microsoft Word using first a spell checker then thesaurus
Catlady6000 4 years ago
Even better, read your resume before handing it over
Load More Replies...Most interview tips are really just common sense dressed up a bit (pun intended because dressing appropriately is important). Things like arriving on time, greeting everyone present at the interview, and keeping your phone turned off.
Meanwhile, other things are a tad more difficult to get right. Especially when we’re nervous! Our tone of voice and body language say a lot about us and our insecurities. So getting them under control should be a priority if it’s a high-profile interview for an awesome job. You want to exude confidence, so you avoid doing things too quickly, whether it’s rushing out an answer before your lips can keep up or moving your body way too much.
#13
While waiting in reception, the applicant wandered into the CFO's office. She was on the phone, so he stood in her doorway and stared at her while she was on the phone
My O My 4 years ago
I call it the "cat techique". Stare at someone long enough for them to realize you need attention
Jamma 4 years ago
I think you are confused. The male applicant wandered into the CFO's office, who is a female and who was on the phone. The applicant wasn't on the phone. They were just being creepy and not respecting professional boundaries.
Load More Replies... #14
Had a candidate who came in and asked how hot my administrator was and asked if she was single or 'open to freaky Fridays.'
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Part of the interview is checking your "fit", in this case the candidate blew it by blatantly telling the interviewer that he was planning on harassing the female employees.
another one 4 years ago
Why did you feel a need to explain it? We can understand it just fine.
Load More Replies... Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
Are "Freaky Fridays" and accompaniment to "Casual Fridays"? In your dreams perhaps.
Tinder of the SkyWings 3 years ago
Only if you have very, very screwed-up definition of the word 'casual.'
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Debbie Lavender 4 years ago
i did not like this post so i clicked on Humphrey Muleba. iiiiccck
Jamma 4 years ago
Are you assuming the candidate was male, and you thought that in 2021 it is a "twist" for a man to hit on another man (albeit inappropriately)? I'm afraid you're a few decades out of date.
Load More Replies... #15
They answered literally every question, 'I don’t know, man' or 'Can’t think of anything right now.'
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
I feel that, interviews are scary and it can be difficult to come up with a good answer.
Debbie Lavender 4 years ago
i feel if you are a grownup person you should have an answer ready for this predictable question.
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Paul Davis 4 years ago
probably interviewing just so he can tell unemployment office he's interviewing
Truth Monster 4 years ago
I did this on an interview, but only because they were asking questions weirdly and my brain was trying to figure out what they actually wanted from me.
Bethan Coleman 4 years ago
Probably just attended the interview because the job centre told him he had to else he would lose his unemployment benefit.
M Kate McCulloch 4 years ago
might as well just said straight up - I'm high as f**k right now, man...
Mari Bryant 4 years ago
Probably means they were stupid, irrelevant questions. We've all had them.
A lot of issues with performing well during a job interview come down to a fear of public speaking. However, practice makes perfect. If you’re dead-set on making an awesome impression, then there’s really no substitute for putting yourself in as many uncomfortable situations as you can so that you can get used to them.
It’s one thing to know the theory of how to behave in an interview, it’s an entirely different thing to put it into practice. And reading about something is no substitute for cold, hard experience. When you’ve seen it all, there’s no reason to get scared. And your body language and tone will show it.
#16
I was interviewing a CDL driver candidate and this is how he explained his arrest for domestic violence.
“You know how Cherokee Indians get”
Marnie 4 years ago
Oh, wow. Reminds me of my friend's ex-friend whose trial I went to decades ago. He was picked up for giving drinks to underage kids. He had a record for domestic assault. At the trial for the booze, somehow that came up. He says to the judge, "Well, some women are just asking for it, you know?" He literally said that. Then the baillif looked at me with great sympathy, thinking I was his ex. Hell, no.
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
My jaw would have dropped to the floor so hard and loud that the judge would've had to call for "Order in the court!!"
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Everything_Fubar 4 years ago
Besides the fact that he's talking about himself, just don't have to make everything a race issue, please just vibeeee
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Guy MacGregor 4 years ago
I had to google that, so maybe it will be useful for others: "CDL" stand for "Commercial driver's license". (It wasn't even the first google result... Please, OP provide context when you tell a story)
Lorelai Dewrell 4 years ago
This makes me real angry my moms side is Cherokee (so im half) we are no different than other people.
#17
Me: I see you managed a vegetarian restaurant.
Interviewee: What?
M: It says here you managed a vegetarian restaurant.
I: Oh, I guess I did write that. Not really though. My girlfriend had an art exhibition, and I organized the sandwiches for the opening. They were vegetarian.
This was a candidate that was otherwise pretty impressive seeming, and had been among the favorites for a quite sought after position, the interview had even gone quite well up until this point. Met him later at a party, he had no memory of me.
Sergio Bicerra 4 years ago
This reminds me the time I worked as an event photographer, and... wait, no, I just took a selfie at my sis wedding.
Tracy Costa 4 years ago (edited)
Name of Gallery, Catering Manager (Project Work) Organized refreshments for Art Exhibit for X-amount of people. Coordinated logistics of food ordering while focusing on specific dietary needs. Ran catering at event.
François Carré 4 years ago
Some people just don't give a f**k. Most of them still manage to get hired though, and it's your turn to cringe when you have to deal with them professionally.
Ginny Swart 4 years ago
he could have been smoking a vegetable at the time of your interview!!
#18
"And what do you think you could bring to this role?"
"Hire me and find out."
We stopped the interview then and there. He complained to the CEO that we'd treated him unfairly (he was only interviewing because of a personal recommendation; I think he believed this entitled him to a job). The CEO laughed in his face.
Dynein 4 years ago
They could have given him a second chance to answer in seriousness, yes, but for a real interview the answer was lame and pointless. Figuring out if the skills and expertise of the candidate fit the requirements and wish list of the job opening is kind of the point of a job interview...
Load More Replies... Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
No it isn’t. It’s not different than saying “I won’t tell you.” Which is literally the antithesis to interesting.
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Jods 4 years ago
Nowt wrong with his answer. Candidates have to put up with a lot of BS open ended questions with no definitive correct answer.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
“What do you think you could bring to this role” isn’t a BS open ended question. It’s probably one of the most valid interview questions. “What do you offer us that we should hire you and pay you for?” It might as well be the only question.
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Dario Li Causi 4 years ago
Jusus this white collars take it seriously when they are about to hire the new servant
So, dear Pandas, which of these stories caught your attention the most? What’s the most nerve-wracking or just downright weird interview experience you’ve ever had? Do you have any tips and tricks for performing well in interviews that you’d like to share with all the other readers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below. And remember—never let them see you sweat (metaphorically).
#19
To start the interview, I asked him to tell us a little bit about himself. Thirty-five minutes later, he stopped talking
Marnie 4 years ago
That would be me :-( I'm usually pretty quiet. I make up for it when I'm nervous. And at some point, I'll realize it, then I'll just abruptly stop talking mid-sentence. My son told me next time that happens, just pause then say, "End of story," with a great deal of confidence.
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Well it is a vague question that is really hard to answer. If you ask a mathematician about their passion - math, they can go on forever. We are each experts on ourselves and it can be difficult to narrow it down to stuff that the interviewer MIGHT be interested in. The first time I went to an interview, I didn't know what they wanted so I did give a summary of my life... If we are embarrassed by our past selves, it means we have grown.
Emma London 4 years ago
I was once following a trainee interview where the poor applicant was so nervous that she couldn't end sentences logically, but just went on and on until her words dried out. She even had nervous tics. We took pity on her, asked soft ball questions and ended the interview early.
Mayrene Chester 3 years ago
Little bit means differently to different people. can't really fault him.
#20
We have a very simple “pre-employment” test. If you have been in our industry for more than a year you should get 100%. Some times we even give it as an “at home” test.
We had one guy that took his test home had it for over a week. He brought it to the formal interview and got 90% of the questions wrong. Even though according to his resume he was an all star and knew everything.
He had an excuse for every wrong answer to even the most widely known questions in our industry.
It would be the equivalent of saying you have been laying sod for 20 years, and then put the green side down.
He didn’t get the job.
Raine Soo 4 years ago
This would not have been the first time that an applicant lied about his credentials.
M O'Connell 4 years ago
If you're going to lie on your resume, make your lies bold. But above all else, make them unverifiable. Why yes, it does say I spent six years working for the CIA, but they'd likely kill you if you checked on that.
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Robert Thompson 4 years ago
I have one test that I administer to every applicant. Call me tonight/tomorrow or some other appointed time. How hard is that. It is not that different from a former employer of mine that told every candidate to come back at 6am tomorrow morning. Literally every one that came back at 6am got hired (including me.)
Random Anon 4 years ago
Over the years I've come across these type of applicants unfortunately. Their resume usually looks good but during the face-to-face things fall apart. They usually answer questions on the actual work vaguely in an effort to let the interviewer fill in the blanks themselves. This is a red flag to me. Even as a manager, this level of hands-off is too much.
Monday 4 years ago
Probably an indication that the test was super easy, not the job.
Load More Replies... Diandra “Mss Didi” Blackthorn 4 years ago
AND was too clueless to look the answers up online before coming to the interview...
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
That is a good way to week out the liars. Avoids wasting everyone's time.
#21
I had a video interview with a candidate. They were clearly in a large room/bedroom, with most of it visible in the background, but it was clean, so I didn't mind. In the back right corner was a closed door. A few minutes into the interview, I saw the door open slightly. Some dude poked his head in and then closed the door. About 30 seconds later, I saw the door slowly open again, only this time the dude came crawling out the bottom. He continued to crawl across the floor, making his way to the opposite side of the room. I assumed he thought he was out of the camera's focus, but he was visible. He got to the far end of the room and turned to fiddle with something — ass in the air facing the camera.
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Did ass-in-air-guy or candidate ever realize that the interviewer could and did see everything?
Wandaluzt 4 years ago
Who are you trying to ask? The poster on Reddit? You're on the wrong site and you'll need a time machine as it was posted a year ago.
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Ozacoter 4 years ago
That’s not the fault of the poor person asking for a job. I find this very unfair.
earringnut 4 years ago
This post is about wtf moments not "why I didn't hire them" moments.
Load More Replies... Wandaluzt 4 years ago
But it is your fault that you don't read what the article is about.
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Chaotic_pansexual 4 years ago
Lol 1. It’s not the applicant’s fault, and 2. At least the housemate tried to be considering while doing their task
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I would not have let that sway my decision for employing the candidate but would I'm fact see it as he has friends that will do their best to help him an that he has a good support group and good judgement in people
Persp Gold 4 years ago
this stuff happens. you are presumably interviewing the candidate, not his/her crappy roommates
#22
He showed up late. Then, he started checking his hair in the front camera as I was mid-sentence!?
Brie Sansotta 4 years ago
Did he know he would be filmed? This might throw a candidate. Might even be a invasion of privacy.
#23
A man told us all about his mom’s Alzheimer’s, talked [bad things] about our company, and got upset when we didn’t offer him the position on the spot. It was a wild ride.
#24
A lady walked in to the office with sweat pants on, a nice blouse, and sunglasses. We asked her to take the glasses off and she declined saying florescent lights hurt her eyes. We gave her the interview questions anyway. We asked what her strengths and weaknesses were. She gave us nothing but weaknesses. She couldn't stand still for "more than 5 minutes and really didn't like talking to people". She applied for a cashier position.
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Probably not, but maybe she is trying to escape an abusive relationship. Going after an entry level job, no confidence talking/working with other people, not able to list even one good think about herself and obsessively focused on her faults. Plus the sunglasses could be hiding a black eye. I'm probably reading to far into it.
MiriPanda 4 years ago
Yes, that is definitely reading too much into it...
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another one 4 years ago
Interviewers need to get some new questions. The whole "strengths and weaknesses" thing is so tired.
#25
I once received a resume that was just a list of around 20 places someone had worked with the reason they had been fired next to each one.
No you didn't 4 years ago
To be fair, reading this must have been more entertaining than reading most other resumes.
Tinder of the SkyWings 3 years ago
It's like a double-edged sword, but both ends are pointed at you.
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Guy MacGregor 4 years ago
I am confused by the "they". "They" imply there are multiple person, but you said "once"
Guy MacGregor 4 years ago
Why I am downvoted for asking a grammar question? English is not my first language (actually my third) and I find legitimate to ask...
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#26
Once had the spouse of a prominent Soldier tell us that she was obviously the most qualified and if we didn’t select her, she would go to the IG and the General. She wasn’t selected.
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Is this really how someone wants to start a new job? Scare tactics and bragging? Seriously.
Paul Davis 4 years ago
Trying to steal valor from the spouse...have heard more than one story about that sort of thing. It's really pitiful.
WhatEvenIsLife 4 years ago
I don't get military wives who feel entitled to special treatment and sh*t just because their husband is in the service.
Jaybird3939 4 years ago
I read that that is a MAJOR no-no. Anyone claiming privileges for their spouses rank can get the spouse in big trouble. BIGLY trouble.
Bre 4 years ago
We call them Dependapottamooses or Dependas. "We" being other military spouses or people who deal with military families on a daily basis. At least where I live.
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William Travis 3 years ago
I've met a few Karens who feel that their husband being in the military should earn them special treatment. My response is that if they want the military discount they should enlist.
Carrie Roettger 4 years ago
She's a dependa. They are military spouses who believe they're completely entitled to special treatment because their spouse is serving. Think of it like a Lieutenant Karen or some other rank.
#27
Applicant stated during the job interview that they didn't read the job description and had no idea what this position was. And they were an internal applicant... so we pretty much stopped right there.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
I had someone do this to me just a few days ago. “I didn’t take the time to remember the name of your company, what is it again?” 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
earringnut 4 years ago
I was part of an interview panel where a person with union seniority applied without even knowing what the job title she was applying for. Fortunately the union had enough common sense to hire the best applicant for the job instead of her. But it was damn scary for a hot sec.
Load More Replies... Nikki Owens 4 years ago
I'd take that as a clear statement that whatever position they're currently in sucks and anything would be an improvement. Might want to look into improving conditions for that job.
Nevits Yibble 4 years ago
Then I'd say that's even more stupid, especially for an internal candidate
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#28
My wife was interviewing an early college student for a (paid) internship at a pharma company and he just stared at her breasts the whole time. She was not displaying any cleavage or skin, he just stared.
Marnie 4 years ago
I had that exact thing happen to me 15-20 years ago. I was a developer, interviewing an college-age intern. I was wearing a sweater. Nobody ever stared at my breasts, so I particularly noticed it. He looked up once in a while. But honestly, he still gave a great interview. He was a kid, so I didn't really hold it against him, and recommended they give him the job. He did very well (and he didn't do the staring thing after that).
albernistuff 4sale 4 years ago
When concentrating on questions, I often will look away at a slight angle, as I find I cannot process what someone is saying when looking at their face; very distracting. I have been told I am obviously not paying attention if I am not looking at their face, when the opposite is true. Did this person have the "horizon stare" during this interview? Possibly NOT staring at your breasts, just trying to listen to your words.
Brandi VanSteenwyk 4 years ago
Some people use sight distraction to cope with anxiety in stressful situations. And there are few things as stressful as an interview for employment. If everything else presented fell in line with what the business was looking for, they could lose their best candidate if they chose to judge the applicant entirely by this one thing.
Virgil Sanders 4 years ago
hopefully it was an accident and he was just zoning out. but if not... ewww
Mayrene Chester 3 years ago
Maybe he was nervous and didn't realise what he was staring at, he was just focusing on answering the questions in mind.
#29
Probably the one who when asked why they hadn't declared their previous convictions which showed up in pre employment screening checks.
"those don't count they are my deadname crimes"
PAN-da (hehe get it) 4 years ago
its people like them that make people suspicious of the trans community
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cursed--alien 4 years ago
I thought your criminal record was one of the paperworks that got updated after a name change
Edison Michael 3 years ago
The name you used to have is called a "dead name", after you legally change to a new name.
Load More Replies... #30
My manager and I were doing this interview. When I called the applicant in, he gave me a huge hug and proceeded to talk to me like I was his best friend.
Aurelia! 4 years ago
Okay, but some people are just super affectionate, depending on their personality and the part of the world they come from. I don't see this as an issue necessarily, although I understand how in some contexts it could seem unprofessional.
Aunt Messy 4 years ago
You NEVER put your hands on someone without consent. EVER. Especially in a work environment.
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Elizabeth Molloy 4 years ago
Personal space is incredibly important! I don't care how "cute" some of you may think this is; it's highly inappropriate in the workplace.
Monic Krugell 4 years ago
I think every office should have a dedicated hug giver
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JennyLaRue 4 years ago
I had a candidate once offering to give one of the panel member a lift to the airport, asking flight times and everything
Adam C 4 years ago (edited)
One time when I was buying lunch the guy shaked my hand, said long time no see and so on..He gave double of what I ordered and didn't take my money. Never seen him before.
Nikki Owens 4 years ago
Aw, nice. Paying it forward. Random acts of kindness are the best. :)
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Krystina Fasano 4 years ago
GIVE HIM THE JOB HE SEEMS LIKE A NICE GUY! okay some people dissagree but he would lighten up everyones day
#31
Some of the walls in the office were painted a vague brownish colour. Partway during the interview this guy starts looking around with a really spaced out look and says: "This office really reminds me of a cardboard box. But not in a bad way. Like the kind of box that you put things in, you know?"
He then decided that he didn't want the job and left before the interview was over.
TheRandomBorger 4 years ago
I wanna hang out in the office. I like boxes :)
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#32
In the middle of the interview for a technician job he tells me that he wants to change his name and asks me how to do it. I said I guess go to the courthouse and he spent 5 minutes discussing what he will have to do.
#33
What about the job interests you? "What job do you mean?" This job, the job you applied for... "What job is this again? What do you do here?"
Mihai Mara 4 years ago
That's what happens when you send your résumé to 100 companies, you lose track of what job every company offers.
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Sigh, me on my first interview, I was in denial and was just dropped off by my parents. Thank god I've grown since then.
#34
This guy was really good, but he kept bringing up his vacation in the Finger Lakes like every four sentences. 'Just making sure the Finger Lakes thing is OK.' I mean, for real?
#35
At the conclusion of the interview, we asked if he had anything else to add, and he said "Please like me."
JennyLaRue 4 years ago
I was on a panel where someone asked at the end "is there anything you want to add that'll make us remember you?". No word of a lie, he replied "I had a five knuckle shuffle this morning". We were speechless, buy definitely remembered him!
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
He probably had a massive full on all body cringe in the car park when he left the building at the thought of that and probably still does to this very day
#36
Posted an ad for taxi drivers on Craigslist, and got a picture of some anime samurai, along with a long dissertation on how the applicant was really into comics and anime. But didn't answer any of the questions.
I want cake 4 years ago
Sounds like someone who very earnestly completely misunderstood advice about a good cover letter.
#37
She cried three times during the interview about how much she hated her current job. My coworker had to get up and grab a box of tissues for her. When she finally calmed down, she informed us that she'd need a special desk chair due to an injury she sustained at her current job
Kendra Miller 4 years ago
Poor lady isn't holding it together, needs to get out, but can't because she unable to keep it together. Vicious circle.
Kari Panda 4 years ago
The special desk chair shouldn‘t be held against her Oo If anything, it’s great of here that she was so honest about that upfront.
Chaotic_pansexual 4 years ago
:( I feel bad. I mean, sure, she was struggling to hold it together but if she was a good applicant, I woulda still hired her, especially since it would get her out of her current situation
Bama Belle 4 years ago
She mentioned a supposed on-the-job injury at a job she hated. If this was the U.S. (lawsuits abound), then no, she most definitely didn't get the job. I work in a no-fault state (meaning you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all). My coworker was wonderful. Everyone loved him. Our manager found out he had an ongoing lawsuit against a former employer. Without knowing whether the lawsuit was justified or even what it was about, he was fired that day.
Load More Replies... #38
I asked, 'How well do you interact with people?' He said, 'I used to be a bouncer, so I know how to DEAL with people.' I immediately said, 'OK, this interview is over. Thank you for your time.
Demi Zwaan 4 years ago
This was more tongue-in-cheek funny than anything else. Bit weird to dismiss someone for having been a bouncer.
Kiki 4 years ago
it's not that its just that he suggests that he will use violence with the customers
Load More Replies... Kari Panda 4 years ago
The bouncers I know are actually always the calmest people in conflict situations. Many of them also went through special deescalation training (probably depends on where you live, of course).
What do you think ?
kate h 4 years ago
Some of these are obviously people who are on unemployment and want to stay on unemployment. They have to prove they are looking for a job, so they interview but blatantly blow it in some way. I used to see this a fair amount when I was hiring. I always wondered what their plan was when their unemployment insurance ran out, which at that time was 20 - 30 weeks depending on the State. (this was pre-Covid.)
Chris 4 years ago
I was interviewing someone once, she was talking us through where she'd been, then dropped something huge in the middle, and then carried on like it was totally normal... "so I worked here and did this role, got promoted, my husband burnt the house down with me and my three children in it, then I moved to London, worked at this other company..."... WTF?? You can't just drop that in mid-sentence!!!
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
Probably that she wanted to explain herself a little but didn’t want to talk about the situation unless she had to. I don’t blame her.
Load More Replies... James016 4 years ago
I used to work for a tour operator so there was always interviews going on for seasonal positions in the hotels. Mainly 18-22 year olds. One of the recruiters was complaining that the guy she had just interviewed stank of BO and alcohol and during the interview burped really loudly without covering his mouth. She said she felt physically sick and stopped the interview there and then.
Saico Hipe 4 years ago
I worked at a Philly cheesesteak restaurant years ago. It was a tiny place, so we didn't have a lot of staff on hand any given shift, and everyone pitched in on every job (grill, salad, register). One day, my manager is interviewing this chick, and she seems competent enough, but towards the end of the interview says, "Oh, I'm a vegetarian, I won't have to handle any meat products, will I?" My manager was kinda dumbfounded. He said slowly, "Yesss... We only have one vegetarian item on the menu, and we virtually never sell it. You would be standing within 2 feet of a griddle that's cooking up to 40lbs of meat at a time for hours. And then assembling and wrapping meat sandwiches. That's basically all we do." She seemed shocked, and ended up just kind of leaving. I felt bad for anyone that oblivious, but we all got a chuckle out of it as well.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
I don’t blame her. She probably thought she’d just be a cashier and ring things up and not have to touch the animals.
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Christopher Chaaban 4 years ago
After first having a phone interview with her, I had a woman in her early twenties arrive for her in-person interview with me, a man in my late twenties. She was wearing a much-too-short mini-skirt with a mostly open blazer and an exposed, lace bustier in lieu of a blouse. As she walked inside, I stood and greeted her while simultaneously using her overtly flirtatious hand shake to guide her back through my office door toward reception. I thanked her for coming and told her under no circumstances would I be hiring her for any position in the company. I then asked reception to show her out and returned to my office. She was stunned.
Esca Sav 4 years ago
Interviewed a few months back right when I received a positive Covid test. Didn't tell the interviewers I was sick (This was over Google Hangouts btw), but holy sh*t was it difficult to hide my red face and sweaty armpits on screen. I legit almost died in that interview. Mom opened the door after it was done and saw me drenched. Did well apperantly, but the company decided they couldn't hire anyone at the time T_T Over 500 applications so far guys, still unemployed. Haven't even managed to get to the interview process...
the redqueen 4 years ago
Lol-glad you threw in the fact it was over google hangouts...still made me laugh
Load More Replies... AnnaBanana 4 years ago
Weirdest interview I ever had as a candidate was when the company owner walked in late, then unzipped his pants, dropped them a bit, tucked his shirt in, zipped up and then sat down and carried on like nothing happened. I got the job. I still work there, directly for the owner and he's done WAY more inappropriate things since then...it certainly makes the job interesting!
DDmaybeandor 4 years ago
My stepdad did this all the time and anywhere. It was a weird thing that was second nature to him, as natural as taking off a jacket. I got about 80% used to it but it was always odd.
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Jo Choto 4 years ago
I had a man interview with me. He started off by saying that he knew he couldn't do the job because of his bad back. He then told me that he currently had three or four lawsuits going for illegal prejudice against hiring disabled people with other prospective employers. He then told me that he was planning to sue my company when the interview was finished. I said, "But what if I offer you the job?" He said, "Well, I don't really want it." And that's how that interview ended. No lawsuit ensued.
Cake lady 4 years ago
On the flip side I was being interviewed for a job I had years of experience in. Walked into the interview to a conference table full of people. One young man spoke and went over my resume to the point of asking what I did between high school and college. I was 58! Should have walked right then and there.
denzoren 4 years ago
I was interviewing someone who was doing their PhD so I was expecting a good interview but when I asked why they wanted to work for the company they said, "because of Trish" and I asked, "in addition to that, what about the company do you find interesting?" and she said, "well Trish works here and she told me about it". Trish was the VP of the company. I was so confused because I knew she was here only because of her friend but come on...at least fake it....what made it worse was she was studying ICT systems and that's what we do...she could have easily used that.
kate h 4 years ago
Some of these are obviously people who are on unemployment and want to stay on unemployment. They have to prove they are looking for a job, so they interview but blatantly blow it in some way. I used to see this a fair amount when I was hiring. I always wondered what their plan was when their unemployment insurance ran out, which at that time was 20 - 30 weeks depending on the State. (this was pre-Covid.)
Chris 4 years ago
I was interviewing someone once, she was talking us through where she'd been, then dropped something huge in the middle, and then carried on like it was totally normal... "so I worked here and did this role, got promoted, my husband burnt the house down with me and my three children in it, then I moved to London, worked at this other company..."... WTF?? You can't just drop that in mid-sentence!!!
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
Probably that she wanted to explain herself a little but didn’t want to talk about the situation unless she had to. I don’t blame her.
Load More Replies... James016 4 years ago
I used to work for a tour operator so there was always interviews going on for seasonal positions in the hotels. Mainly 18-22 year olds. One of the recruiters was complaining that the guy she had just interviewed stank of BO and alcohol and during the interview burped really loudly without covering his mouth. She said she felt physically sick and stopped the interview there and then.
Saico Hipe 4 years ago
I worked at a Philly cheesesteak restaurant years ago. It was a tiny place, so we didn't have a lot of staff on hand any given shift, and everyone pitched in on every job (grill, salad, register). One day, my manager is interviewing this chick, and she seems competent enough, but towards the end of the interview says, "Oh, I'm a vegetarian, I won't have to handle any meat products, will I?" My manager was kinda dumbfounded. He said slowly, "Yesss... We only have one vegetarian item on the menu, and we virtually never sell it. You would be standing within 2 feet of a griddle that's cooking up to 40lbs of meat at a time for hours. And then assembling and wrapping meat sandwiches. That's basically all we do." She seemed shocked, and ended up just kind of leaving. I felt bad for anyone that oblivious, but we all got a chuckle out of it as well.
Mewton’s Third Paw 4 years ago
I don’t blame her. She probably thought she’d just be a cashier and ring things up and not have to touch the animals.
Load More Replies... Christopher Chaaban 4 years ago
After first having a phone interview with her, I had a woman in her early twenties arrive for her in-person interview with me, a man in my late twenties. She was wearing a much-too-short mini-skirt with a mostly open blazer and an exposed, lace bustier in lieu of a blouse. As she walked inside, I stood and greeted her while simultaneously using her overtly flirtatious hand shake to guide her back through my office door toward reception. I thanked her for coming and told her under no circumstances would I be hiring her for any position in the company. I then asked reception to show her out and returned to my office. She was stunned.
Esca Sav 4 years ago
Interviewed a few months back right when I received a positive Covid test. Didn't tell the interviewers I was sick (This was over Google Hangouts btw), but holy sh*t was it difficult to hide my red face and sweaty armpits on screen. I legit almost died in that interview. Mom opened the door after it was done and saw me drenched. Did well apperantly, but the company decided they couldn't hire anyone at the time T_T Over 500 applications so far guys, still unemployed. Haven't even managed to get to the interview process...
the redqueen 4 years ago
Lol-glad you threw in the fact it was over google hangouts...still made me laugh
Load More Replies... AnnaBanana 4 years ago
Weirdest interview I ever had as a candidate was when the company owner walked in late, then unzipped his pants, dropped them a bit, tucked his shirt in, zipped up and then sat down and carried on like nothing happened. I got the job. I still work there, directly for the owner and he's done WAY more inappropriate things since then...it certainly makes the job interesting!
DDmaybeandor 4 years ago
My stepdad did this all the time and anywhere. It was a weird thing that was second nature to him, as natural as taking off a jacket. I got about 80% used to it but it was always odd.
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 4 years ago
I had a man interview with me. He started off by saying that he knew he couldn't do the job because of his bad back. He then told me that he currently had three or four lawsuits going for illegal prejudice against hiring disabled people with other prospective employers. He then told me that he was planning to sue my company when the interview was finished. I said, "But what if I offer you the job?" He said, "Well, I don't really want it." And that's how that interview ended. No lawsuit ensued.
Cake lady 4 years ago
On the flip side I was being interviewed for a job I had years of experience in. Walked into the interview to a conference table full of people. One young man spoke and went over my resume to the point of asking what I did between high school and college. I was 58! Should have walked right then and there.
denzoren 4 years ago
I was interviewing someone who was doing their PhD so I was expecting a good interview but when I asked why they wanted to work for the company they said, "because of Trish" and I asked, "in addition to that, what about the company do you find interesting?" and she said, "well Trish works here and she told me about it". Trish was the VP of the company. I was so confused because I knew she was here only because of her friend but come on...at least fake it....what made it worse was she was studying ICT systems and that's what we do...she could have easily used that.
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