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Congratulations, your application has landed you a job interview! Now it's time to do your homework, put on some nice clothes, and sit down face to face with your possible employer. What's the worst that could happen?

Turns out, a lot. A few days ago, Twitter user Kristin (@fencheeks) described a ridiculous experience she had with one recruiter, and it gave people the courage to share their own similar stories. From making mistakes and underselling yourself to creeps who think sexual harassment is OK, continue scrolling and check out some of the most popular replies to Kristin's tweet.

Image credits: fencheeks

For one of our earlier articles, Bored Panda Becca Carnahan who is an experienced career coach located outside of Boston, MA. She is dedicated to helping early and mid-career professionals find fulfillment and joy in their work, and told us that every job interview is different and the same.

"The skills and competencies interviewers screen for will differ significantly based on the role and the company," Carnahan said. "However, you will almost always be asked a variation of 'tell me about yourself.'"

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Viviane
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An 8-hour volunteer position?? Does this restaurant do a lot of "trial shifts" with different candidates? I've done unpaid tests for graphic design jobs - they were an hour long at most. For restaurant work before that, I did paid shifts; I wasn't good at it, so I lasted anywhere from an hour to two days.

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"There are subjects that are not just off-limits, but also illegal for interviewers to ask," Carnahan highlighted. "Questions around marital status, children, ethnicity, religion, race, and age should not be asked in an interview. Keep in mind, the laws in your state as well. For example, in some states, employers cannot ask about your salary history."

According to the career coach, while some inappropriate or illegal interview questions may be asked off-hand or with innocent 'get to know you' intentions, it is fully within your rights to not answer the question. "You can state that you would prefer not to answer, you can redirect the conversation, or directly ask 'Is that relevant to this position I am applying for?' or 'Can you help me understand how this question is relevant to the job I am being considered for?'"

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Carnahan said it can be intimidating to respond in this way but it's also important to protect yourself and your boundaries. Just like Kristin did!

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Viviane
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, the nerve and then trying to neg/shame a candidate. If they pay minimum wage, they'll be very lucky to get an inexperienced person who just wants experience for their next job.

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Kathryn Baylis
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wasting the time of someone who could be at an interview with a company that would pay them what they’re worth—-and tell them the range BEFORE making them take a slew of stupid tests!

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Lyone Fein
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What makes people think they are so much better than others that they get to waste your time?

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DKS 001
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what a twat. The interviewer should know better.

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They... wanted you to bend spacetime? NO ONE can do more than an hour's worth of walking in an hour. It's against the laws of physics.

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ikcollins1 avatar
iBlank
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

haha, yep good to play it cool whether the "wow!" is good or bad

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kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had an interview for what sounded like a really great job, but one for which I couldn’t find a salary range anywhere online, even on sites like Salary.com, Glassdoor, etc. Their first question was if I had any questions. So I asked, point blank, what the salary was. They gave me a ridiculously low number. I asked if they could do any better than that, but they said that was the top amount they were authorized to offer. So I said I wasn’t going to waste their time anymore, and got up to leave. They asked me what I meant, so I told them that I didn’t work so hard to get my Master’s Degree (just graduated, in fact) to accept such a low salary offer. Their jaws dropped to the floor, like they couldn’t believe someone with a graduate degree wouldn’t be thrilled to work for a pittance. I just thanked them, then turned around and left.

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susannaental_1 avatar
Dynein
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To summarize using more understandable grammar: Group interview, interviewer says the job is only for 2 months, EVERYONE leaves, OP has same reaction as everyone else (which is to be shocked/confused, then decline and leave)

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Frank S
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, technically you are supposed to convince them you’re good enough while they try to convince you to want/take the position, but there’s definitely a professional way about it…or there should be

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True but it makes a difference when you walk into the room with the confidence that THEY need you and not the other way around!

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ikcollins1 avatar
iBlank
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm guessing this story has more context not mentioned, but that is the main reason anyone should be hired for any position (being good enough to accomplish a particular task). Seems like a very appropriate attitude to have as an interviewer

florapolvado_1 avatar
Catlady6000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That almost seems to be the norm for little po-dunk towns in the middle of nowhere. I think they feel that its too far for anyone to drive for a better offer, so it doesn't matter how you get treated. And that's just the interview, the job is usually an acceleration of that

beejayw avatar
Ben Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like they dodged a bullet with you. You sound incredibly stuck up

stephanwonczak avatar
Nirdavo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You shouldn't have resisted, but thrown that into their st**id faces!

sistence avatar
Lenka Smetanová
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be confident... You have your experienvce and knowledges, or other things that the job requires... You told them all, and then you expecting them to show what they offering you for this in exchange... nothing mucH? then go somewhere else

beth_landers avatar
Beth L
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No... part of a job interview is you proving that you're the right person for them, and that your resume isn't BS

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rumade
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It goes both ways. They need someone, or they wouldn't be hiring.

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Jeannie Boniface
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always had good results with answering "So, why do you want to work here?" with "I don't, you want me to work here - I'm just giving you the opportunity to convince me to do so." Throws interviewers off, and puts the ball in their court for showing me that the workplace is one I want to join.

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Kathryn Baylis
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What happened wanna bet the asshole only wanted to hire this one particular applicant he was attracted to, or is related to, or was a frat bro, so had to make the other interviewees walk out so their choice would end up being the only one.

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third molar
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Companies expect honesty only to tell on others. If its about the company then its bad attitude!!

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