I recently got a great e-mail from a bright, talented, well-qualified job seeker who shared some of his oh-so-honest thoughts and feelings based on four long months of looking for a job. And let me tell you…he’s NOT a happy camper. He’s had it beyond up-to-here with employers, interviewers and the entire hiring / job interview process!
He feels frustrated, angry and fed up with the way he sees job candidates – including himself – being treated during the hiring process by employers or employer representatives. And I know he’s not the only one out there feeling this anger!
Why are job seekers so angry at interviewers & interviews?
I have a feeling each and every one of you has at least one answer to that question – and no doubt the list of answers would go on and on page after page after page! It’s unbelievably hard to have almost no control over something so critically important to our lives – something that can affect our entire future – as well as such basic stuff as paying rent and eating.
Matthew, the reader who wrote me, has been lucky since he’s actually getting interviews. (I think category one for our Anger List would have to be all the folks who never even get in the door to show how talented they are!) But Matthew does get interviews – and it’s not that he screws up or blows his interviews…instead, it’s the interviewers who are driving him nuts.
Here to start off our Anger List are some of his “I wish they would just listen to me and change their wicked ways” points for employers (with a bit of editing from me). I think you’ll get a kick out of his sense of humor and perspective – but remember, when he wrote this…well…grrrrr!
1. Our Time is Just as Valuable as Yours
“I finally landed a decent interview with a state employer who seemed eager to interview me. I arrived at the site 10 minutes early, and was ushered back into the “waiting room” to be left in peace to compose myself. I had a lot of composure time. Forty five minutes, to be exact.
I waited. And waited. Employers: don’t think that sending a harried staff member into what I now was calling the “Holding Pen” to note that “we need X here to interview you, and she is dealing with a crisis right now” is good enough. At least offer me a damn cup of coffee! Or better yet, use this as an opportunity to show me an interesting facet of the work. I don’t mind. If crisis intervention is part of the job, seeing some action along those lines would be more stimulating than figuring out how much of the peeling paint in the “Holding Pen” I would have to eat before I keeled over from lead poisoning and got some attention.
LESSON: We show up on time ready to roll. Is it too much to ask that you do the same?”
2. Please Don’t Bait and Switch
“Despite my urge to eat paint chips and claw out the eyes of the next person who approached me with any words other than “We’re ready now”, I made it through the interview. Two very similar jobs were posted, one with a lower salary that did not require a Master’s degree (which I have), and one which did. The job description I was handed was for the Master’s level position. I reiterated this during the interview, and yes, I was told I was interviewing for the latter position. We all smiled and went our separate ways.
Two days later I was offered a job – at the bottom of the pay scale for the non-Master’s position. I questioned the HR person, and she insisted that there was just ONE position, and the salary ranged over a $14,000 span. Hey nice lady…I have both job postings in front of me! $8,000.00 less than my last position, for doing much the same duties, and relocating 700 miles. FYI: I attempted to negotiate, but the offer was firm, and I ended up declining the offer.
LESSON: Employers, please don’t assume that potential workers will “take anything” to be employed. We can read, and know full well when you are going beyond “thrifty” and “reasonable”, and are marching stubbornly into “cheap” and “insulting”. STICK TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND ADVERTISED SALARY RANGE. AND PLEASE DON’T TRY TO BAIT AND SWITCH.
BONUS LESSON: I drove three hours to give a drug urine sample. If I have to pee in a cup for you, then I’d like to have a bit more respect and honesty.”
3. Do Keep a Scheduled Promise to Call
“We job seekers get very, VERY excited when we hear from you. But that excitement can quickly go sour if there is any unexplained broken “promise”. For example…
I scored a phone interview, and boy, was I excited. I was by the phone, ready to knock ‘em dead long distance. Cue crickets, chirping loudly in the silence that was not broken by the phone ringing. I waited two hours past the appointed time, and even sent a tactful email inquiring if I had “misunderstood” the date or time. (Hell no, I had it burned into my brain). No reply.
The next morning there was an email from the potential employer apologizing and wanting another interview that day. I promptly replied, thanked her, and gave her a four hour window of time when I was available during the day. Again, no reply…but I waited by the phone for, well… five hours. Another round of emails, and this time she was not so nice: “I will be out of the office for three days, and will contact you next week.” I ended the torture via e-mail by declining to be interviewed by them after all. If this is how they handle their business, then it’s not the place for me.
LESSON: Schedules were created for a reason, and the employer made the appointment. As job seekers, we know you HR folk are busy people. But here’s the scoop: SO ARE WE. You would be pissed as hell if you had arranged your day around a vital phone call that never came. Please show us you respect us as you expect us to respect you.”
4. Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry
“A certain well known human services agency was fairly persistent in wanting me to interview with them. I was called by one person, and told to call another person to set up an interview. I did so, and immediately was asked why I was calling her. I explained why, and gave the name of the referrer.
Well, I don’t care if you got yourselves a little feud going on, but don’t drag me into it, sister girl. She was fairly indignant that this other person had handled this the way he had, as she did not seem to know that she was the ultimate contact person for job seekers. Did I need to hear all this?
LESSON: The title of this section says it all.”
5. Have Some Idea of Who We Are and What We Applied For!
“Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more demeaning or frustrating than speaking with a representative of your organization who has no idea who we are. You contacted ME!! I fully expect that it might take a minute, but for god sakes, DON’T LET ON YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO WE ARE OR ANYTHING ABOUT OUR QUALIFICATIONS.
Upon returning a call from a potential employer, it was obvious she had no clue as to who I was. She said my name “sounded familiar”- oh…there I was…in her “pile”. (Thanks but no thanks.) She then proceeded to do an impromptu interview over the phone. OK. I started getting excited. We were back in my comfort zone, so I fired off bright answers to her questions. The questions began to stray from the job description I had and then asked for my “RN license number”.
Excuse me? I told her that might be a bit difficult, since I’m not a registered nurse; I’m a social worker. Her response? “Social worker? Oh, I didn’t know we were hiring for those. We may have a few positions, oh no, they’re filled. I guess we have nothing for you at the moment?”
Lady, you answered your own question. I applied for the SOCIAL WORK JOB YOUR COMPANY ADVERTISED. If you are only hiring RNs right now, I’ll just go spend another four-to-six years and get THAT degree.
LESSON: It’s OK to ask our names, and what position we applied for. It’s even better if you take a moment, put us on hold, and find us in your “pile”. Just scan the resume and job application if you need a refresher. But DON’T TRY AND STUMBLE YOUR WAY THROUGH. It only makes you and your organization look bad.”
I hadn’t intended to publish this much of Matthew’s e-mail, but it’s just so good. I think his words are something every employer should read. And I know it’s something a lot of you can relate to!
FINAL NOTE: On the other hand, it’s a buyer’s market and basically a job seeker has to brace himself or herself for unexpected emergencies – or even sheer incompetence – on the employer end. I’ve been on the other side as a phone screener, resume screener and interviewer, and although I really did try my best to consider the candidate’s needs, I’m sure there were times when candidates were not feeling the love.
I know the system is imperfect, but when I’m on the job seeker side, my attitude is I’m here for me and I’m not going to let their stuff keep me from getting what I need and want.
Then again, if it’s Bozo City over there, forewarned is forearmed! 
What are your thoughts? Do you have any job interview stories to add to the list? We’d love to hear them!
Some Work Coach Cafe interview posts:
Dealing with Interview Stress
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
What the Heck Goes On Behind the Scenes After a Job Interview?
Ideas for Handling Job Interview Questions and Answers
What’s Your Greatest Strength?
What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now?
Handling Some Tough Interview Questions
Explaining Why You Left the Last Job So Soon
How Do I Interview After Being Fired?
How Do I Explain Dropping Out of Law School?
Job Interview Tips
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace That Job Interview
The Single Most Important Thing in Any Job Interview
Please Help Me Ace My Phone Interview!
Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
i must first start out by saying fabulous article, the job market right is tough, but you cant give up hope! a miracle happened today, i had applied for a job i thought i wouldnt get and i did called in for an interview, and funny enough it was an application mixup! (they called the wrong person) but they were still nice enough to give me an interview and you know what? I GOT THE JOB!!! finally after being unemployed for a year! the manager was wonderful, and believe me i have met quite a few @$$hole recriuters over this past year. what im trying to say is yes, there is a lot of rude employers out there, but there is still good recruiters, and to Paul any company that is that inconsiderate of you is not one you want to work for, you deserve better. this website has really helped me not to give up hope and i hope it will continue to inspire people as it has inspired me
This blog is coming to me at just the right time……feeling pretty low after a 2nd interview that I strongly suspect is not going to result in an offer. I really like the supportive tone of the blog. It’s hard being your own cheerleader over and over.
My situation is that I’m in a dead-end job with a lot of other undesirable aspects which I won’t go into but suffice it to say I’ve been trying to find another job for 15 months.
During that time I’ve applied for about 15 positions and had one phone interview, two separate individual interviews, and this most recent experience of getting a 2nd interview for the job I’ve wanted the most out of all the ones for which I’ve applied. This was THE job, though I know I shouldn’t put that kind of pressure on one opportunity. But you know what I mean.
To get this job, I gave up 3 days of work, $150 for new interview clothes and makeup, probably 20 hours in addition to the days off work preparing, and put my family through the stress of it all.
Also, this particular employer has the most tedious, demanding application process, which I didn’t include in the above prep. It includes transcripts and 3 current letters of reference, just to apply.
Then, when you interview the first time, you have a “task”. In this case it was a 10 minute marketing presentation.
Here’s the kicker: 7 years ago, I got to the same point with this organization – did the “task” which was extremely time-consuming, knocked it out of the park, was extremely qualified and a good match for the position, 2 interviews….then I didn’t get the job. Here I am 7 years later, same scenario. AND, last time they used my ideas that I presented in the “task”!!!
I am sure my marketing ideas will be used this time, as well. I was very thorough in my presentation and had great ideas.
I guess I’m just venting a bit…..
I will know in a few days whether I’m offered the job, but I could tell at the 2nd interview that the interviewer was distant, removed, not giving credence to my background and experience, fairly dismissive.
Sigh.
It is hard not to give up searching, but the negative realities and stress of my current job force me to confront the need to keep applying.
Thanks for listening.
I would love to know everyone’s opinion on these “tasks” which cull great ideas from candidates you aren’t going to hire.
The organization in question is still the #1 place in my area for which I’d like to work. But I dread applying for more jobs there because of the above.
This is an excellent website! The information provided here I have not found elsewhere and has been really insightful as to the job interviewing process. Thank you so much!
Thanks, Al! Best of luck!!
This is hilarious but true. There are lots of rude, insensitive, arrogant interviewer scattered around the world. I had one yesterday, this [edited] bastard who thought he was god by asking me legal term that he even didn’t know..grrr.