Posted on 10/16/2006 by Dharmadee
Viewed: 178 times
Just thinking about an interview I had, a few years ago...I was very excited to be considered for the position, which was for "Administrative Assistant to the District Manager" of a very prominent national drugstore chain. I was called in for the initital interview, and it seemed to go very well. I was then called for a second interview, and felt that I had a good chance at the job. I was a little surprised, when the District Manager himself telephoned me, while I was at another job (I was job-hunting due to rumors of a down-sizing, which eventually happened). He offered to come by and pick me up for a long lunch, or give me a ride to the interview the next day. Kind of weird...but I assured him that I could drive myself to the interview that was already scheduled, and since I only had a 1/2 hour lunch break, I could not take the time to have a leisurely lunch interview that day. He seemed disappointed, but told me he was looking forward to seeing me the next day. I had already taken the day off for the interview, and went in the following day with high hopes. He invited me into his office, and shut the door. We had a bit of small talk, while I looked around his office. I saw the numerous pictures of his wife and family, which made me feel a little better, and I thought that perhaps I had misjudged his intentions about the "lunch interview" the day before. Then, after he asked me a few general questions about my job skills, he got down to business. "So," he said, as he leaned back in his chair, "How do you feel about overnight trips?" I was a little confused, and asked for some clarification. He explained that the job required that I accompany him on overnight trips to nearby cities, for inventories and meetings. 'The thing is," he continued, "due to budgetary constraints, we would need to stay in the same room. Not to worry-they are like suites, with "pull-out" sofa-beds. I see by your wedding ring that you are married, so-do you think that would be a problem?" I sat there wondering if this was a joke. Maybe there was a hidden camera? Perhaps he would laugh, and say, "Just kidding!". But no-he leaned forward and studied me intently as I tried to frame my answer. I REALLY wanted this job, but I was reading something else between the lines (not that he was trying to hide his intentions.) I stammered something about how my husband would probably not be too happy about me sharing a room with him. And this clown actually said, "The question is - would YOU have a problem with it?" At that point, I had to say it, "I probably would find it to be somewhat uncomfortable." He then rose abruptly, extended his hand, and thanked me for coming in. Guess what, I never heard from him again. Maybe I should be thankful that he took the time to screen out "uncooperative" employees.
POST A COMMENTthe cynic(10/16/2006)
Hahahahaha....the most twisted excuse for "budgetary constraints" I've heard yet!! That guy is just....icky. One of those who makes the administrative assistant profession look bad, because folks assume we're all out to "accompany" the guy, in the wrong sense. I wonder if the perv ever did get anyone to work for him?
sheila(10/17/2006)
It makes me feel so sick thinking about how many men there are out there like this. I don't understand why they think they can get away with stuff like this. It literally makes me feel sick because I don't ever see it changing. I am sure it is better now than it was 20 or 30 years ago but to still experience it now? It doesn't give me much hope.
twiz(10/17/2006)
What is creep! Someone needs to send an anonymous letter to this guy's wife.
SouthernProgrammer(10/17/2006)
Too bad you didn't catch it with a recorder. If anyone ever feels a situation is going to be like this, take an MP3 player that can record and just record the whole thing for evidence!
HaveADamnNiceDay(10/24/2006)
Ew. Yah, I agree with everyone. This guy is a sicko. I'll bet this job opportunity was only a thinly veiled attempt to find a "lap cat". I'll bet you dollars to donuts he probably fired his last assistant because she wouldn't "cooperate".
Dharmadee(10/24/2006)
It is just so disappointing, to get your hopes up, go to a professional interview, and then get this kind of treatment. Sad to say, it has not been an isolated situation, I wish it was. I am working very hard right now, to get my degree (Bachelor in Human Services), so I can at least be treated with some sort of respect, and not be mistaken for some idiot's idea of a sexual fantasy. Just to be clear, I am moderately attractive, certainly not a center-fold, and I do not try to play that card. It makes me wonder how bad it really is out there.
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