Posted on 07/07/2006 by NoMoreIT
Viewed: 593 times
I was looking for my second job out of college. I landed an interview with a well-known consulting firm in the midwest more than an hour away from my home. I arrived ten minutes before the scheduled interview time, and waited for TWO hours for the interviewer to show up. I probably drove the receptionist nuts, but she never showed it. She kept apologizing and gently insisted that I should wait. Apparantly, this was par for the course for this fellow.
SOOOO, he strolls into the office, goes to his mailbox near the front desk, and ushers me into his office - somewhat annoyed. HE ACTED ANNOYED!! OK, I'm thinking, this is NOT going to be a good day!
The interview begins with him asking me to tell him about myself. Having polished my 'elevator intro' I felt confident and not one bit nervous. About two words into my response, he starts leafing through his mail! He then grabs a magazine and pages through it adding an 'umm humm' in very odd places in the 'conversation.'
After about ten pages, I stopped dead cold and asked him if the position had been filled. He didn't respond, never even looked up. So I stood up. WOW, he actually broke his gaze away from this much more important task.
He seemed a bit startled and asked me what the PROBLEM was. So I calmly, but firmly told him that I had been honored to be chosen to interview with such a prestigous firm, but if he was representative of the leadership I should expect at that branch, I wasn't interested in continuing the interview.
He asked me if I knew what I was giving up the opportunity for. So, I asked him to tell me anything about the last five minutes of what I had said. He couldn't (surprise). Then I asked him what the subject of the article was that was more important than the interview. It was the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. I am no prude, but this was a JOB interview. UGH.
I turned and walked out of his office, closing (not slamming) the door behind me. By the time I got to the receptionist desk, I had started shaking and could feel myself getting flushed in the face. When I passed by the front desk, the receptionist looked up and sheepishly asked how it went. I told her it was not what I expected, and THANK GOD I found out now.
And you know, she had a little glimmer of hope - or satisfaction of sweet, if vicarious, revenge!!
I did land a job about two weeks later - That's another story!!
POST A COMMENTavid reader(07/07/2006)
Oh that would just fry me! It's cool that you had the wherewithall (sp?) to get up and leave and stand up to him. Asking him to tell you what you said was genius! I always think of that stuff after the fact---like George Costanza ala 'The Jerk Store called'! LMAO!
BoneyardDiva(07/16/2006)
That is awesome. I would probably have excused myself, but you just came out & said why you weren't impressed. VERY NICE!
PJ in Minnesota(07/17/2006)
So much of what transpires between employers and employees (even prospective ones) is really just the basic good manners thing that most of us were taught as children. This guy sounds like a jerk. One wonders how he got into that position. He was obviously not interested.
twiz (07/07/2006)
Good for you! I can't stand corporate consulting lackeys like that!! They only care about themselves and making others realize they are important.
(6)
Editorial Assistant(7)
Can't take it anymore(4)
Company memo that Belfort Instruments needs to write but never will(7)
now I know why people shoot up their workplaces.(4)
March 10, 2006(11)
Huh?(1) Blog Comments:
The SAW Effect(4)
Another Advertiser Who Does Not Want Us to Think(11)
An Uncomfortable Truth?(15)
Mr. Bad Habits(4)
The Fear Factor(4)
The Internet? I Can Stop Anytime I Want!(3)
What You're Talkin' About: The Most Recent Comments
Story Comments:
I need some advice.
Marketplace
Sony Platinum Visa® Card
APR: 14.24% Annual Fee: $0
Common platinum benefits; no annual fee; access to reward program.
IN:CHICAGO Card from American Express®
APR: 12.24% Annual Fee: $0
Double points earned on city essentials; additional Chicago benefits and services for cardholders; no annual fee; reasonably low APR for purchases.
Citi® Driver's Edge® Platinum Select® Card
APR: 14.24% Annual Fee: $0
Long term 0% introductory rate; 6% rebate for first twelve months; no annual fee.
comments (4)
post to digg | 
post to del.icio.us | 
e-mail it
POST A COMMENT
