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30 Stories About The Worst Job Applicants That Recruiters And Managers Have Ever Interviewed
Applying for a job can be stressful, since most of us actually want to work at a place that has the best pay and benefits. Naturally, it simply stands to reason that the better the job, the more stringent the requirements. Most folks would look at that and think, ok, I need to educate myself and build up some experience, but there are a select few who just see them as guidelines.
Someone asked “Interviewer, what was the worst applicant you have ever interviewed?” and HR specialists shared their horror stories. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your own tales in the comments.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Had a guy s**t himself because he got sick the morning of the interview and was giving it his all. Helped him with onsite gym to clean up and had his wife come get him. Interviewed him a week later out of pity and he showed up and was hired on the spot. He got my job when I left the company a few years later.
SheamusFanFrom1987 1 year ago
Sometimes, it's the sickness bug's fault. Don't let that scare away a potential gem of an employee.
Chich 1 year ago
Woke up in the middle of the night before an interview with a full blown cold. Loaded up with cold remedy in the morning and went in for it. Meds hit like a ton of bricks and I was lucky I could remember my own name. Did not get that position but eventually got a better one in the adjoining agency.
Momo ONeil 1 year ago
I got a job at a call center when I was a teen living on my own in a new town. On the morning of my first day I was hit with the worst flu I've ever had. I could barely walk. I gave them a heads up that I was sick but they had me start working anyway. My trainer stepped away for a bit and while she was gone I fell asleep. I couldn't help it. She woke me up and fired me on the spot. I went home and didn't leave my bed for 12 days except to crawl to the bathroom.
Mason Kronol 1 year ago
My husband had been interviewing for a job he wanted, pretty much got the job but got hospitalized with the flu. I worked for the same company so we were trying to keep it quiet so we could switch him to my insurance and then I had a job lined up where he was going. This was also when they were trying to pass the ACA. His insurance was trying to deny a lot of his coverage as a preexisting condition because of his asthma. So I was trying to fight United healthcare and keep it a secret about his job plans, communicating with his potential future boss while also hoping my husband didn’t die! That boss was really nice at the time, later turned into a giant greedy a*s and threw my husband under the bus. but after he, big boss, got fired and he caught his wife cheating on him he changed his tune. It’s always best to just be the nice guy. I would have remembered that guy as helping my husband but I just remember laughing when he got fired and his wife left him. Karma can be a b***h.
RELATED:
#2
The applicant was rude and dismissive when I went to meet him in the lobby! I think he assumed I was the receptionist.
He did not get the job.
N.B. Being rude to the receptionist is also not okay.
CG 1 year ago
Wise words of wisdom. It's always best to treat anybody within the company you want to potentially work with kindly, and to impress them.
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Scott Rackley 1 year ago
Place I worked for the receptionist was also asked to grade applicants.
Damned_Cat 1 year ago
Just know that the reception's first impression of you counts toward your interview rating. If you're rude, say or do weird stuff, or try to flirt with her/him, they will let the interviewer know and it will likely count against you.
michael reid 1 year ago
I had an interview with a company on a large site where the receptionist came to pick me up from the gate, because you needed a pass to drive on site. She had a cool car and I commented on it, she was pleased and we chatted all the way to the offices. It put me in a good mood for the interview, and I got the job.
#3
The worst one my wife's told me when she was interviewing someone for a sandwich place was three questions one after another that the interviewee couldn't have made themselves seem dodgier.
Q. "If I get hired can I get an advance on my first months pay?"
A. "No sorry, that's not something we're allowed to do"
Q. "Ah ok... Will I be doing cash drops at night from the safe?"
A " No, only supervisors have access to the safes"
Q "Will I be working on the till?".
Kaedyn Walsh 1 year ago
For real. I bet they didn't want the job in the first place maybe because their parent(s) were making them do so. Some kids can be rebellious lol.
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#4
To the guy working at American TV and Appliance in Appleton, WI on August 9th, 1993, I think I may have been your worst. I was 21 and my mother had passed away two days previously, quite unexpectedly. I have no idea wtf I was doing going in for a job interview that day. I remember I did not stop crying for one minute, and the look on your poor awkward lower management face still haunts me to this day.
I am truly sorry.
#5
O I got this one
B2B Sales Position when I was interim sales manager. Guy comes in with colored spiked hair, wearing ripped jeans with his Baby Mama and his crying baby...yes...but wait no its gets better.
Guy arrives 30 minutes late as well! I was on the call with a customer so I was busy and wasn't that inclined to interview someone who was late and showed up dressing unprofessional.
As the guy is waiting for me he tells the secretary he has to go cash a check and get his baby some milk...
I finally come out and ask the secretary where he is, she informs me he left to go cash his check and buy his baby some milk...and I'm like "wow"
I go back into my office
an hour and half later he comes back, I'm in a meeting with the GM he's told to wait. Keep in mind by this point
* He's brought his baby with him to an interview
* He's brought his girlfriend with him to the interview
* He arrived 30 minutes late
* He left to go buy his baby some milk & cash a check
* He's now 2 hours later
* He's unprofessionally dressed for a B2B sales job interview
* He's unprofessional to our sectary as well in regrads to his comments and behavior
But it gets better
I come out and greet him and the first thing he says to me "My time is valuable, I don't like waiting for you" and I'm standing there in shock...and I go excuse me? He says "I'm here for the interview, and my time is valuable and your constantly too busy to talk to me...lets get this interview over with so I can start" and I'm like "Wow"
So I smile and say "Well I got great news, the interview is over we won't be moving forward with your application"
He protests, I ask "Did you even bring a resume?" He said "No" and I'm like "Alright our interview is over, good bye"
I was amazed, my secretary said he stood there for like 5 minutes just staring into space wondering wtf just happened to him. When his girlfriend stood up and asked the sectary "Does that mean we aren't going hire him?" and the sectary said "I believe so"
He left after that.
CG 1 year ago
Every job interview I've been to, I wear dress clothes (even a tie), clean shave/trim, and short hair. And I showed up at least 15 minutes early. For the job I'm working now, I showed up 30 minutes early, and got the job on the spot after the interview.
Cyril Sneer 1 year ago
Fair enough. I personally don't like it when interviewees turn up 30 mins early (because the receptionist needs to deal with them for that long), but it isn't a deal breaker.
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Sue User 1 year ago
Oh, i had one like that. Interviewing the guys for dishwasher. Niw i dont expect suit and tie but dirty torn tshirt. Bad attitude, etc. At the end he hands me a piece ofpaper to sign to prove he is looking for work.
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Natalie Cooper 1 year ago
How did he even get to the stage of getting an interview for a position like that? I can hardly imagine that his application was professional?!
#6
I was filling a truck driver position for a construction company. Guy came in for an interview. He didn't have a drivers license.
Debby Keir 1 year ago
I interviewed someone for a driving role - he did have a driver's licence, but had a full on epileptic fit during the interview. Later discussion, it wasn't his first and was why he's been 'let go' from his previous job. In the UK, it's an offence to drive with untreated epilepsy, thus his licence was invalid.
Nimitz 1 year ago
Lol, I know more than a few guys who did this straight out of high school. They only had learners permits and they assumed they would be hired and the company would pay for their training and driver's tests. Their level of privilege was almost equal to their ignorance. I don't think any of them made it out of their parent's houses, and we're all 40 now
nottheactualphoto 1 year ago
Well... there's a little more to it than that.
Load More Replies... #7
Had an older guy in his 40s show up ten minutes late, answer the phone after introducing himself, and proceed to yell at his mother for 15 minutes while I was standing there waiting on him to finish. “Ma, I’m at work, I’ll call you back! Shut up ma, I’ll call you back!” ....and so on.
Then once he finally sits down I realize he is hammered drunk. Face is cherry red, he is sweating, and the unmistakable smell of booze on his body odor and breath.
He told me he would be a store manager one day, I just humored him since I had time to k*ll. Weirdest interview I’ve ever experienced, but also the worst.
Papa 1 year ago
I've reached the age where 40-year-olds look like they're 25.
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Justin Tyme 1 year ago
Please invent a time machine so I travel back and be an "older guy" in my 40s.
Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago
Yes, you may very well be a store manager one day. Not this store and not this day.
#8
I've got a good one. It's long but bear with me.
So a couple of years ago when I was managing a pub, I interviewed a lovely girl and it was all going great-loads of experience, seemed smiley and chipper in general, just what we needed-until we got to discussing shift patterns and hours requirements.
This girl was a student so she just wanted part time hours. Great, she could fill in our busy periods at the weekends, I thought, but she actually wanted Monday to Wednesday shifts preferably in the daytime. WTF! I closed my diary and said unless she can give us one weekend night and one weekend day shift then we can't proceed as this is a city centre pub and those are our busy periods.
Out of the blue, her personality completely changed and she flipped her lid at me, saying I was exploiting students and that a large part of going to Uni was having a social life, which I wouldn't understand. She said that I was just another corrupt manager taking advantage of young people and the reason I worked in a pub was because no one would hire me because I was too stupid and didn't have an education like her.
Now I'm used to dealing with drunk, angry people so a whiny, 20 year old wouldn't normally touch the sides but she'd touched a nerve and I was fuming. I stood up and roared "How dare you? I have a Russell Group education which I notice you do not and I choose to work here because I normally enjoy it. Now GET THE F**K OUT!" Off she went, tail between her legs.
This wasn't the end of it though, oh no.
A couple of weeks later, we'd had a really busy Saturday night so I decided to take my guys out for a post-work pint. They 'd worked hard, they deserved it. Who should be working in the bar we went to but Weekday Only girl-on a Saturday night at 1.30am no less. She saw me and was clearly uncomfortable with my presence but she avoided me so all cool. A couple of rounds in though, I was at the bar and I saw WDO girl turn to the Manager, talking frantically and pointing in my direction. She was really worked up about something.
It's a good time to point out that on our little strip of pubs, bars and restaurants, all the Managers know each other, talk to each other and are very supportive in general. It's a lovely community.
So the Manager finishes what he was doing and goes back of house with WDO. Not long after, she emerges, in tears, with her coat and bag in hand and is escorted off the bar. As she walks past me she picks up a full pint and chucks it in my face and screams that I'm a f*****g b***h. I'm stunned but she leaves and I attempt to dry myself off. As I'm doing so, the Manager explained to me that she had gone to him saying that she'd seen me selling d***s in the toilets and that I'd threatened her with a beating if she told the doormen or Manager, and that I should be removed and barred. He'd taken her off the bar, tore her a new one and sacked her on the spot.
Needless to say we both spent the next couple of week's making sure no one in the area hired this girl. Interestingly two of those places had already trialed her and thought she was lovely like I did.
What a psycho!
SheamusFanFrom1987 1 year ago
OP should've at least reported her for assault as well but I guess her not being able to find employment in the area is good enough.
UKGrandad 1 year ago (edited)
Social Media Rule no.1: Never say anything on SM that you wouldn't want to say in court. Rule no.2: If you break Rule no.1, make sure you are using a pseudo-anonymous account. This is why....A manager contacting other potential employers about a former employee to ensure they can't find employment is in breach of UK employment law. It is breaking the laws governing employment references, in which it is stated than an employer can only give good or neutral references, or decline to give a reference at all. The only reason it isn't often enforced is that the potential employee doesn't get to see the references and employers tend not to report breaches for the obvious reason that a bad reference helps them dodge a potential bullet. The woman who wrote the OP is fortunate that she's anonymous because otherwise her ex-employee would have a watertight case against her.
Colleen Glim 1 year ago
Kitchen workers gossip like old women. This b***h was hosed the first time she went psycho. Might wat to remember that. Laws are all well and good. But you can’t stop,people from talking
Load More Replies... #9
A female applying for a professional career position came to the interview in a "Minnie Mouse" outfit. When asked about it, she said she was going to a party after and was worried she wouldn't have time to change.
We gave her PLENTY of time to change...
Rayne OfSalt 1 year ago
What is it about dudes that they can't say or write "woman"? Unless you're writing an academic/scientific paper or you're a ferengi, the word is "woman" not "female".
#10
Had a young woman interview to be a cashier.
She was chewing gum, which was already not great to me. (Not a game changer, but, who doesn't know better these days?)
She then proceeded to give me her work history. She was currently working her first job of three weeks, but couldn't get good transportation to the town over. Before that she volunteered some place for a *week* before she quit because she couldn't get rides. She claimed this job was closer, and that she could quit tomorrow and come here. Red flag for questionable dependability, but I could look past it, since I'm a softie.
But the final nail in the coffin was when I asked: "What is your weakness?" I always try to make it a joke about "oh you always get this one in an interview" to kind of ease tension. This chick says, and I quote:
"My weakness is customer service."
Honey, you're interviewing for the *CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT.*
I have hired about 80% of people I interview. I just can't look past "My weakness is the only qualification I need to get this job.".
FrogMan 1 year ago
Friend was nervous and when asked her biggest weakness, said “peanut m&m’s.” She got the job.
Nea 1 year ago
Friend was interviewing for a PhD position and had half scholarship. Committee asked where she would find the remaining funds. She said, I’ll find a husband. Funny thing, she got it. Actually she is brilliant but wasnt entirely joking in that moment.
Load More Replies... Momo ONeil 1 year ago
I always ask people to give an example of when they made a mistake and how they corrected it. To me this helps me get a feel for whether the person is someone who can own up to their mistakes and learn from them, or... not. I was on a panel interviewing a gal, and I asked her that question when it was my turn. She answered, "Hmmm. That's a tough one. I don't really make mistakes... Ok, well there was the time I went on vacation and while I was gone my team messed up a bunch of my duties while filling in. So I guess what I learned was not to trust other people to do a good job." That answer gave me so much ick. Lady - everyone makes mistakes. I ranked her last of the interviewees, but the panel hired her. They liked her "confidence". She's been a problem ever since.
Sue User 1 year ago
I know someone who intentionally withheld information/ updates before she went on vacation because she was worried things would go too smoothly without her.
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#11
Not me, but a very close friend - interviews a guy for an engineering management position. The applicant spoke in third person the entire interview. “Bruce excels at....” and “Bruce has experience in....” and “Bruce thinks this position sounds promising.” I’m making up these examples but the dude was totally serious.
Tucker Cahooter 1 year ago
Pity he wasn't being interviewed for the Philosophy Department at the University of Woolloomooloo
Sven Horlemann 1 year ago
Had one conversation like that with an emergency room doctor checking on me. I talked also about himself in the third person. My knee really hurt, so I didn't care. Funny, 40 years later, I still remember.
SheamusFanFrom1987 1 year ago
So, if the guy fell and hurt himself, does he go "Bruce got a bruise?" XP
#12
Guy was applying for a mid-level web developer position. he had made it past the resume filters, and a 5-minute initial phone screen with HR and an executive. Now we're inviting him out to lunch to get a sense of his skill level, which will probably be the final round of interviews.
Turns out he has a couple of challenges... he has never owned a computer, and doesn't know how to write programs. But he HAS completed an "Intro to HTML" course at community college, and assures us he's a fast learner.
Also, he's not sure whether we would want him to quit his other job - he's currently a full time ice-cream truck driver. Do we anticipate a conflict? If so, he's willing to give us the majority of his professional attention, and also a limited amount of free ice cream.
Oh, and one other thing, he lives in a different city, 200 miles away, and cannot relocate due to a custody agreement. But he can't be making that drive every day, so would it be alright if he moved in with one of us (me, the senior developer, or the 22-year old junior designer girl)- just during the week, obviously not on weekends.
Ace 1 year ago
How did he make it "past the resume filter" and a phone screen with no previous web development experience or qualifications? Sounds like HR were not doing their job.
#13
CV looked pretty decent for someone applying for a senior software engineer role - showed years of experience in all the various bits of technology we used. One or two spelling errors, but nothing that stood out as alarms.
Candidate shows up 30 minutes late to the interview (I'll let this slide, we give a bit of allowance lest things overrun). Could not really communicate in English. When asked about his experience using a specific tool said he had never heard of it before, and when asked why it appears on his CV replied "the recruiter told me to put it there". Turns out the recruiter had basically edited the candidate's CV almost entirely.
What was scheduled to be a 90 minute interview lasted 10. The recruiter got a bollocking too.
JudyfromAccounts 1 year ago
Recruiters and headhunters will ask for your resume in WORD format (always capitalized!). Big red flag for me. I need to see what is being changed and sent to the hiring company as I will always bring printout of my resume to an interview.
Sue User 1 year ago
God, had a recruiter do that to me. Sent me to interview for completely different job. The interviewers were mad at me. Dodged a bullet with both the staffing agency and the company.
Load More Replies... #14
I was conducting a phone interview with a candidate applying for a role as a prison officer.
Me: "Tell me Daniel, what made you decide to leave the army?".
Him: "I was dishonourably discharged."
Me: "Could you tell me more about that?"
Him: "I was sent to army prison."
Now to explain, it takes a special type of person to be a prison officer; tough, strong and with a lot of situational awareness. It can actually benefit a candidate to have come from a tough background and minor offences might actually make someone more aware and capable in this type of job. Obviously you need someone to be honest, but unlike many roles, a small criminal record is not a rule breaker in this case.
Me: "I understand. For this role, there may be types of offences which are permissible. Would you be able to tell me the nature of the offence?"
Him: "I can't."
Me: "If you don't disclose the offence to me, I can't put you forward. If you do then I can note the offence and there's a chance you can still proceed in this role."
Him: "I can't tell you."
Me: "Are you sure?"
Him: "I can't tell you."
Me: "Ok. Thanks for your time."
At that point I was curious as to what exactly happened in the army and the fact that he didn't tell me made me think it was serious but I guess I'll never know.
Lighter Story:
For manual jobs we required all candidates to do the Manual Aptitude Test. This means that they must demonstrate safe lifting techniques, basic awareness of safety codes etc.
During one MAT a candidate was instructed to lift an empty cardboard box but pretend it was heavy. (Bend at the knees not at the back etc.)
He proceeded to moan and groan under the weight of the 'heavy' box and heaved it up slowly. He got the job.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
Maybe he committed so many crimes in the Army that he can't quite recall which one they nailed him for.
John Dilligaf 1 year ago
a dishonorable discharge is not given for a "small criminal record". A DD is what you get for things like espionage, assault, murder, r*pe, etc.
#15
I used to work for a very large animation studio, and we would hire quite a few animators / illustrators (to train up to be animators). We would always get hundreds of applicants and as I was one of the TD's I would be roped in to do interviews. All I was interested in was seeing raw talent and motivation. We were hiring for a couple of junior positions and so these qualities really were the most important as most of the junior's resumés are going to be pretty thin on experience.
This one girl comes in and she is currently working for a small animation studio that I used to work at (which was a nightmare environment so she already had my sympathy and respect for lasting so long), so she had already pinned herself to the in-tray a bit. She talked a really good game; she was young but really motivated and had learned in some good colleges and had (as far as I could tell) done some of the crappier jobs in production / animation.
At the end I like to look through their folio and showreel to see what they have done (again, I usually see a lot of college work or personal work and some light corporate and promotion animation work) and get them to talk me through it. This girl opens the folio and talks through her (strong) college work and then the next few pieces are *my work*, work that I had done at the company she is now at. I went very quiet, and my interview partner (another TD) was like: 'what's up?' so I said: 'I used to work for ***** and this is my f*****g work.'
She went bright, bright red and then burst into tears. She hated the company and (apparently) I was a bit of a legend after leaving (HTF did that happen?!) and she felt she was always working under my shadow and all she ever worked on was crappy wire removal or matte cleanup. I gave her a long lecture about plagiarism and using someone else's work as your own.
You know, even with all that, she did *have* talent and I liked her route to where she was now. So we gave her a second chance.
She got one of the spots. Still there and we keep in touch!
#16
Middle aged professional woman who was a secretary at a large law firm. She was looking for part time work in customer service. She was educated, had a great job history and had a fantastic resume. If anything, she was over qualified.
We were required to ask certain questions. In this case, I asked her "Are there any people that you have trouble working with?" The correct answer is "no, I get along with everyone." Her response -- "Indians and Chinese people."
I was baffled. One - really? Two - Our CEO was Indian and our HQ was in China. Three - still really? Needless to say, I didn't hire her.
Rayne OfSalt 1 year ago
Just for a moment ignoring the bigoted woman, the idea that every person "gets along with everyone" is the kind of absurd nonsense that only a corporation could come up with.
JudyfromAccounts 1 year ago
The question was "...have trouble working with?". The answer to that should always be: "No."
Load More Replies... #17
Guy comes in for an interview for an entry level software development position. He's fresh out of college, just like we were looking for.
Apart from some alarmingly bad breath, the interview itself was going just a bit below average. He seemed a little slower than other applicants, but what really k*lled it happened about 30 minutes into the interview, when we were interrupted by the receptionist.
Apparently someone had double parked their Subaru Outback in two very clearly labeled Motorcycle spots out in front of the building. These short, narrow spots are not at all long enough to hold a car, and he was literally blocking in someone's jeep. The owner of said jeep, was trying to get to the hospital for a family emergency of some kind, and everyone in the company had been running around looking for the owner of the Outback to get them to f*****g move. Of course it was the dumb-as-bricks interviewee.
#18
I suppose that would be me at 18 years old. While applying for some low level office job to pay for college, I was asked "describe a weakness that you have?". Being naive as I was then, I answered that I tend to procrastinate and have to force myself to begin important tasks. Once I start, it goes like a breeze. It was a perfectly honest answer, but I could immediately see the horror in the interviewers eyes and I knew that I wouldn't get the job. I also learned something important: never tell the truth in job interviews where any blemish could be placed on your character. I have been lying successfully ever since.
Papa 1 year ago
I don't believe I was ever asked that, but if I was I'd like to think I'd respond truthfully. " While I get along fine with just about everyone, I do best in group projects if I have my own portion to concentrate on, as opposed to working directly with other people."
Sue User 1 year ago
Honest answer but most people will twist that to " doesnt work well with others". Most companies want everything sunshine an rainbows. Just need to put positive spin. " I find group projects work best if roles and responsibilities are clearly defined because otherwise important tasks could be missed" or something like that.
Load More Replies... #19
Applicant looked presentable. White teefs and French cuffed shirt.
Then he entered the room
He smelled like s**t.
It was if someone had been collecting the s***s people take at Taco Bell and the portable bathrooms used in marathons, for the past 10 years. Then liquified it to form this mans cologne.
The smell that overcame my interviewing partner and I was enough to render my a**s shut in utter fear.
He was asked kindly to leave. Interviews were done for the day.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago (edited)
Definitely never judge a book by it's cover, you gotta smell it first.
#20
Me and a good friend of mine from college will often interview someone together as at the company we work at, I'm in charge of IT and he's in charge of productivity. The job itself was for an entry level helpdesk position. The guy had a decent enough resume (went to a good school, had a portfolio, good employment history, etc), so we decided to bring him in
But before that, me and my friend are going over some last minute ideas for questions to ask when his my friend's secretary bursts in. She tells us that the guy sitting out in the lobby waiting for the interview was someone who was being kind of creepy and staring and smiling at her. And not the "Hi, you look nice" smile, I'm talking "Hey baby, dtf?" smile. It was the guy we were going to interview
So I told her to let him in and literally his first words out of his mouth are "Pssh if you've got dimes like that all over this office, I don't know how I'm gonna contain myself". We looked at each other with a "You thinking what I'm thinking?" expression and made him leave the building.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago (edited)
A large aerospace machine shop was looking for an in-process QA inspector and as the shop lead man I was asked by the head of QA and HR to sit in on the interview since they would be working in my area. She interviewed well and really seemed to know her stuff. While looking at her resume, I asked her why she left her last job, she said she was sexually harrassed. That caused us to sit bolt upright on hearing that. The HR lady asked was she touched inappropriately and she said, no. She then asked if inappropriate comments were made and she said, no. She then asked if she was being stared at making her uncomfortable and she replied, no. Being somewhat confused she asked her in what form did the harassment occur? She replied, "I could tell what they were thinking". She was thanked for coming in and interviewing and we'd be in touch. It was decided that passing on this one might be a good idea since she'd be working primarily with men.
Rizzo 1 year ago
Had to google "dimes" and ... nothing. I think he meant "dames" and it's no fancy new word, but a simple typo. My life is so boring. ;)
dayngerkat 1 year ago
Dime means a 10. Like when you rank something 1 (worst) through 10 (best)
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#21
Had a guy spend a whole hour talking about how his last job was out to get him and the owner covered it up. And it was a large financial institution that he was a super high up in and now they have blacklisted him and he can't find work anywhere and he can't get out of bed and do his normal routine until he smokes himself out. And he was too nervous for the interview so he had to smoke in order to drive to the interview to calm his nerves. He asked how we thought he did and I told him the Second step was a d**g test, so not so well.
#22
Was interviewing to hire an accountant. This one guy, I don’t know if it was just nerves or not, but my first question after telling him about the company/role was “so tell me about your experience and which aspects you think would help you in this role.”
He responded “it’s all in my CV.”
I tried to push him a bit by explaining I’ve read the CV but I want to hear his take on it so I can get a feel for his communication skills, how he thinks, etc.
“I can’t give you any more information than what’s already there.”
I tried a few more questions, all of which were responded by picking up his CV and reading from it.
Awkward AF.
Hey hey hey 1 year ago
Rayne OfSalt Its the communication skill that being assesed. That's why a face to face interview being called. And its basically impossible to put in everything you have in the CV. Even if you managed to cramp everything in a pages of CV, then it means you have bery few to start with.
Load More Replies... Debby Keir 1 year ago
Maybe he cut and pasted someone else's CV and didn't know the answers....
Bec 1 year ago
Hey, let me let you all in on a little secret, everyone on the hiring committee except for the person who is going to be your supervisor is SUPER busy and not that invested in doing their homework. We've got multiple interviews to do. Have your elevator pitch down before you walk in the door.
Taylor's Ferry 1 year ago
They were anxiety ridden around strangers and that's why they became an accountant
#23
Had a friend who interviewed someone for their residency at a hospital. A few minutes in the applicant let out a super loud long fart but didn't say anything. He said him and the whole interview panel all just sat there awkwardly for a minute before a co-worker asked another question and they all basically just pretended it didn't happen.
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
I will quote Rodney Dangerfield (as Al Czervik) in Caddyshack (1980): “Hey, who stepped on a duck?”
Big Chungus 1 year ago
I would've died if someone did that in an interview, I would not be able to stop giggling cause I am a 5 year old
Stephanie Barr 1 year ago
Now, if it was an engineering position, "Well, sorry about that folks, but my system is built for leak before burst so consider that a plus."
#24
I worked at a smaller law firm and was in charge of interviewing for staff. One gal said she hated lawyers. She was applying to work directly for lawyers.
A poorly timed lawyer joke I could forgive and maybe appreciate, but if you are going to torpedo your chances that hard, I don't even know what to say other than good luck elsewhere.
#25
I was doing technical interviews. Candidate gets dropped off at my office by previous interviewer. I'm newish to the interviewing game, so my first question is kind of medium hard.
He smiles nervously, "I don't know."
Okay, that's cool, I'd rather that than BS. I ask the next question, a bit easier.
Smile, "I don't know."
Uhhhh, okay. I pull up a basic trouble ticket, explain the problem.
"How would you go about fixing that?"
"I don't know."
I then ask him a question which he was nominally certified to know.
"I don't know."
At that point I was out of questions. I had planned for a 45 minute interview, but "I don't know" doesn't take a long time to say, and is hard to follow up on. Meanwhile my boss messages me, asking how the interview is going. I tell him "not well". He shows up at my door about twenty seconds later, pulls me out into hallway, and tells me that I confirmed the last interviewers experience. Then he took the candidate away, and sent him home.
Perfectly nice person, but seemingly devoid of any knowledge of computers, as far as we could tell.
Anonymouse 1 year ago (edited)
I interviewed for a job - they informed me that they had moved from my system type to one I had no experience with! Q how would you solve this? A - her is how I would do it on my systems, here is how I would figure it out on the new one. Amusingly, even though I had no experience on the new OS, my willingness to display problem solving skills got me the job.
Toothless Feline 1 year ago
Because that’s what actually matters. If you can learn one software system, you can learn others. Problem solving is a more fundamental skill.
Load More Replies...
Tyranamar Suess 1 year ago
I wrote an essay about how Bartelby deserved to die and got an A.
Load More Replies... Big Chungus 1 year ago
We had a candidate like this once, designer who couldn't see past a day of work
#26
Once got this closing question for an on site engineer role.
"Do you d**g test?"
Yes, it's industry standard.
"I think I'll just leave it then mate".
David Morgan 1 year ago
In theory, I'm not in favour of d**g testing because I believe the company should respect the privacy of the employee. However, in practice I think it is sensible for any job in which mental or physical impairment could harm others - so doctors, drivers, machine operators etc. If you are an accountant and you are so high or drunk that you can't do your job, then you should be fired for incompetence - the exact reason why you can't do the job is your business.
Sue User 1 year ago
Agreed. Worked for chip manufacturer and everyone was tested. In a state that allowed recreational use. Tell me why you cant get a job as administrative assistant if you use for medical reason ( pain management ) but the VP of Sales reeks of alcohol and thats fine. Now, guy on dock running forklift, sure.
Load More Replies... #27
So hard to pick one...
Maybe the internal candidate who showed up drunk?
Maybe the person who asked me to remind him what job he was interviewing for?
Or maybe the person who spend the entire 30 minutes of the phone pre-screen telling me how much he needs the job. Did not get to the first question.
This is for a professional position at a large engineering company.
#28
Interviewing for a technical contract role at a bank. The applicant had an IT degree and Masters in Finance, so looked pretty good on paper. Going through the interview he was okay, nothing fantastic, but honestly we weren't fussy, just needed a lot of seats filled quickly and would get rid of the incapables once they were on the job.
At the end of the interview, did the usual, do you have any questions? He did, he wanted to know why banks charge interest on loans, and seemed genuinely shocked that it was a source of revenue, then he also wanted to discuss bank fees and pulled out his personal bank statement. It seemed like he applied, and attended the interview rather then call or go to a branch for his banking questions.
David Morgan 1 year ago
No, because the OP clearly means 'incapable of doing the job well'. They aren't using some eugenics euphemism for people with a physical disability. Don't look for offence where there is none.
Load More Replies... #29
So we were really short on help, and the office decided to take over the hiring process from the GM (me) and just start hiring anybody who applied online. Basically their first day was their interview. This girl came in, didn't seem too bright but hey, I needed help.
We were short staffed that morning and I really didn't have any time to train her, so I did the best I could and just had her follow me around while I explained what I was doing. About an hour and a half into this, a group of men and women who looked to be in their late teens (same as the new hire) walked in. I went to the front counter and asked how I could help them and they said that they needed to look at the menu, so I went back to making food.
It quickly became apparent that they all knew this girl. They were looking at her, whispering and laughing together. I'm still just explaining to her what I'm doing when she wanders off towards the front. Figure ok whatever some friends came to see her at her new job, I'll just let her get it over with then get back to training.
Next thing I know I hear some scuffling, look up, and one of the girls that came in has this girl in a headlock. She took her to the ground and by the time I got there she'd lost her top somehow, tits swinging as wildly as her fists. I made an attempt to break it up, realized I would literally have to wrestle a topless teenaged girl to do so, and called the cops.
SheamusFanFrom1987 1 year ago
Sorry, have to say it, but the whole trial and work-day just went tits-up (I'll see myself out, don't get up)
Michael Largey 1 year ago
That's ok. We had to get up anyway to lock the door behind you. :)
Load More Replies...
David Morgan 1 year ago
OP doesn't say that it was anyone's fault, or that new girl was sanctioned for what happened, just that it was weird.
Load More Replies... #30
Started asking a guy some questions about software he had listed on his resume. He fumbles two questions and then says “I probably should remove that from my resume”. Yeah. You should.
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What do you think ?
Ellie Ahmed 1 year ago
I once interviewed a man for a hospital records job who had done a tonne of pre-research online about small details and just came into it looking to "outsmart" us. One of those types. At one point he told us that we apparently had patient information online that he found in his Google search, and lectured me about privacy legislation. I had my doubts but asked him to forward it to me after the interview. He sent me a slideshow he found from the vendor that makes our patient management software, which included practical demonstrations using obviously fake patients who were all admitted to "Jungle Hospital". He did not get the job, but I emailed him back to reassure him that the records for "Leo Lion", "Tony Tiger" and "Debra Zebra" were not of genuine patients at our facility.
Cee Cee 1 year ago
I worked with rough sleepers. Every winter for 4 years (I then moved on) I recruited for winter shelter staff. One guy turned up with a bunch of religious pamphlets and began to blather on in the group interview section. I made it plain we did not push any beliefs on any body. He quietened down. Rest of interview was fine so we thought he'd grasped our position. He got a job. First shift and he didn't turn up. He lived about 2 minutes away. Spoke to him the following day and said this was unacceptable. He said it was a Christian festival and he couldn't be expected to work. It was clear the shelter was open 24/7 and it was shifts etc. Things went from bad to worse after that. Lots of preaching, leaflets everywhere. I sacked him. Lots of subsequent abuse and threats towards me. A year or so later I saw him working on a temp job at my new employer. Spoke to my manager and explained what had happened. He was again sacked.
Rahb in Oz 1 year ago
Funny how they don't get it, even after multiple fails.
Load More Replies... Chich 1 year ago
Ran some interviews for highly sought after seasonal supervisory positions. Everyone knew that the interviews would be about a month before they were recalled so we could get the roles filled. One applicant looked good on paper but when he was contacted to line up an interview his response was "Don't you people know its the off season? Leave me the f**k alone!"
Daniel 1 year ago (edited)
I had a friend who made a fortune working as a bond trader in the early 90's. He retired after 5 years and spent his life travelling and volunteering with charities. He was a true eccentric. He used to do bad job interviews for fun. Like, imagine if you went to an interview for a job you didn't need and had no intention of taking. He sang his answers in one, in another he said 'My kitty" at the start of every sentence. There were a bunch of others, including the Wal Mart interview he did in a top hat and tails. He actually had a plan to open a store that sold nothing but bent rusty nails, and would be called Maureen's Dress Shop, but he couldn't find a reliable "rusty nail guy". He was always like that. When he was in high school he went to a supermarket the day before Halloween and bought nothing but apples and razor blades. Or he'd run from cops. Not because he did anything illegal or they were chasing him. He'd see a cop car and just suddenly take off running. Unfortunately, all that money couldn't cure a brain tumor and he died two years ago.
Keith Lancaster 1 year ago
Not exactly somebody that I was interviewing but showing around the company that I worked for while other people accessed the people there. We are a food wholesale company so we always have some goods that become unfit for sale, damaged or short dated. This one guy kept asking where the free goods were. Didn't ask a single question about the company. Then at the end of the group interview he announced that he intended to stay for a free lunch in our canteen. Byeeeeee!
Damned_Cat 1 year ago
There are so many "unusual" applicants out there. More than one person wanted to know if I could come pick them up for the interview. One who asked to be reimbursed for gas money. Another wanted me to pay for an airline ticket so she could come in from out of state (this was before teleconferencing was a thing.) A couple of people who were angry that I was calling them so early in the morning (9 a.m. or later). One lady asked me how I got her phone number (it was on the resume) and accused me of being a scammer. So many...
Barbara Davis 1 year ago
I was interviewing for someone to assign personnel at a major medical center. When I asked for the candidate to be sent in, I heard my staff quietly giggling in the background. In the door walked a young lady dressed in what I can only describe as painted on jeans and see-through shirt, vigorously chewing gum. The pockets of the jeans were fur covered. Her naked abdomen hung over the jeans by at least 3 inches, but no matter, the jeans were being held up by a...get ready...seat belt. A GM seat belt at that. For a moment I stood there speechless, and all I could say was "you're wearing a seat belt". When I said it the third time, she said, yeah what? The interview went downhill from there...turns out my staff somehow knew I wouldn't pick her. I wonder why?
Rahb in Oz 1 year ago
I had worked in computer networking hardware for some years. We needed a new instructor. The applicant was well-presented, and was very proud of himself and his MS certifications. We asked him how a router worked. He claimed he had 'configured several routers in MS servers', but could not explain what a router (hardware or software) actually did. I have been VERY wary of Microsoft certifications ever since.
Ellie Ahmed 1 year ago
I once interviewed a man for a hospital records job who had done a tonne of pre-research online about small details and just came into it looking to "outsmart" us. One of those types. At one point he told us that we apparently had patient information online that he found in his Google search, and lectured me about privacy legislation. I had my doubts but asked him to forward it to me after the interview. He sent me a slideshow he found from the vendor that makes our patient management software, which included practical demonstrations using obviously fake patients who were all admitted to "Jungle Hospital". He did not get the job, but I emailed him back to reassure him that the records for "Leo Lion", "Tony Tiger" and "Debra Zebra" were not of genuine patients at our facility.
Cee Cee 1 year ago
I worked with rough sleepers. Every winter for 4 years (I then moved on) I recruited for winter shelter staff. One guy turned up with a bunch of religious pamphlets and began to blather on in the group interview section. I made it plain we did not push any beliefs on any body. He quietened down. Rest of interview was fine so we thought he'd grasped our position. He got a job. First shift and he didn't turn up. He lived about 2 minutes away. Spoke to him the following day and said this was unacceptable. He said it was a Christian festival and he couldn't be expected to work. It was clear the shelter was open 24/7 and it was shifts etc. Things went from bad to worse after that. Lots of preaching, leaflets everywhere. I sacked him. Lots of subsequent abuse and threats towards me. A year or so later I saw him working on a temp job at my new employer. Spoke to my manager and explained what had happened. He was again sacked.
Rahb in Oz 1 year ago
Funny how they don't get it, even after multiple fails.
Load More Replies... Chich 1 year ago
Ran some interviews for highly sought after seasonal supervisory positions. Everyone knew that the interviews would be about a month before they were recalled so we could get the roles filled. One applicant looked good on paper but when he was contacted to line up an interview his response was "Don't you people know its the off season? Leave me the f**k alone!"
Daniel 1 year ago (edited)
I had a friend who made a fortune working as a bond trader in the early 90's. He retired after 5 years and spent his life travelling and volunteering with charities. He was a true eccentric. He used to do bad job interviews for fun. Like, imagine if you went to an interview for a job you didn't need and had no intention of taking. He sang his answers in one, in another he said 'My kitty" at the start of every sentence. There were a bunch of others, including the Wal Mart interview he did in a top hat and tails. He actually had a plan to open a store that sold nothing but bent rusty nails, and would be called Maureen's Dress Shop, but he couldn't find a reliable "rusty nail guy". He was always like that. When he was in high school he went to a supermarket the day before Halloween and bought nothing but apples and razor blades. Or he'd run from cops. Not because he did anything illegal or they were chasing him. He'd see a cop car and just suddenly take off running. Unfortunately, all that money couldn't cure a brain tumor and he died two years ago.
Keith Lancaster 1 year ago
Not exactly somebody that I was interviewing but showing around the company that I worked for while other people accessed the people there. We are a food wholesale company so we always have some goods that become unfit for sale, damaged or short dated. This one guy kept asking where the free goods were. Didn't ask a single question about the company. Then at the end of the group interview he announced that he intended to stay for a free lunch in our canteen. Byeeeeee!
Damned_Cat 1 year ago
There are so many "unusual" applicants out there. More than one person wanted to know if I could come pick them up for the interview. One who asked to be reimbursed for gas money. Another wanted me to pay for an airline ticket so she could come in from out of state (this was before teleconferencing was a thing.) A couple of people who were angry that I was calling them so early in the morning (9 a.m. or later). One lady asked me how I got her phone number (it was on the resume) and accused me of being a scammer. So many...
Barbara Davis 1 year ago
I was interviewing for someone to assign personnel at a major medical center. When I asked for the candidate to be sent in, I heard my staff quietly giggling in the background. In the door walked a young lady dressed in what I can only describe as painted on jeans and see-through shirt, vigorously chewing gum. The pockets of the jeans were fur covered. Her naked abdomen hung over the jeans by at least 3 inches, but no matter, the jeans were being held up by a...get ready...seat belt. A GM seat belt at that. For a moment I stood there speechless, and all I could say was "you're wearing a seat belt". When I said it the third time, she said, yeah what? The interview went downhill from there...turns out my staff somehow knew I wouldn't pick her. I wonder why?
Rahb in Oz 1 year ago
I had worked in computer networking hardware for some years. We needed a new instructor. The applicant was well-presented, and was very proud of himself and his MS certifications. We asked him how a router worked. He claimed he had 'configured several routers in MS servers', but could not explain what a router (hardware or software) actually did. I have been VERY wary of Microsoft certifications ever since.
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