Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Horror stories from the employer's perspective

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wool3525465303_1c93b7cb66_mHave you been keeping up with horror story week at Keppie Careers? Where job seekers and hiring managers have a chance to share their tales of woe, in hopes that we can all learn something?

Today, we have two stories from the hiring side!

This story from Chuck Smith:

On the verge of offering the candidate a job, our client checked one last reference. Unable to reach the named “previous manager,” our client called the candidate. In turn, the candidate produced the reference in minutes.

Only problem was that the caller ID for the manager was the SAME one the candidate had called from! You got it… the boyfriend impersonated the manager.

When our client asked about the name on the caller ID, the boyfriend stammered, stalled and hung up.

Needless to say, when our client called the candidate to offer some “good news,” the candidate never called back, ever.

Lesson: check references and be wary!

This from Orit:

We received many resumes, sorted through them and interviewed people.

One young woman seemed to be the perfect fit. She was very willing to learn (we knew we would have to train) and could answer our questions well. She seemed to have the right attitude.

After 2 hours of working we realized that she did not know anything technical. She could not even use email or understood any of the terms we talked to her about in our training. Being that we also needed a part-time receptionist, we asked her if she was interested. It was clear to both us and her that there was no way she could perform any of the tasks of a tech support person.

She gladly agreed and told us how much she needed a job.

3 days later we fired her in total frustration. The woman could not answer the phone, could not file (she did not seem to know the ABC order.)

It was such a waste of time, money and energy. It may not sound like a bad story, but for a small company it was horrifying.

The lesson here seems clear – integrity is key in a job hunt. Impersonating a reference is not only wrong, it is, for lack of a better word, stupid. While there is even a company that will fake references FOR you, and certainly it is not the first time a candidate has tried to pull the wool over a hiring manager’s eyes, it is such a bad idea and likely to derail your chances for the job. After all, if you had been on the up-and-up all along and were at the point of having references checked, lying probably resulted in handing the job off on a silver platter.

As for the inept hire…It is incredible that someone so incompitent  would have been able to land that job. However, it does point out how important it is to apply for jobs that you are qualified to do! Sometimes, a smooth talker may be able to slide into a totally inappropriate position, but it is more likely for an overqualified person to take a job that does not suit him or her.

Even in a tough market, resist the urge to set your sights on something that is not appropriate just because you “really need a job.” In the long run, it probably won’t work out.

Don’t miss Part I, II and III, IV,  V,  VI and VII.

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by grantmac

An interview story to remember, Part VII

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comedy-of-errors2This is a post from last year. I think it is worth re-telling, as it fits our theme of “horror job search stories,” with a funny twist!

Sometimes, even the best laid plans don’t go as planned…

Case in point, a new client of mine whose job search is in full swing. His resume is top-notch, cover letters targeted and linkedin profile updated. He has started being invited for a lot of interviews, which is very exciting (for him and for me!)

Having worked in one place for his entire (lengthy) career, the interview is a stress point, and we have discussed and prepared to face this very important bridge between the opportunity for a job and actually getting a job!

He knows what to do to prepare. Sometimes it just doesn’t go as planned. For example, a recent interview:

  • The shirt he was planning to wear didn’t fit. Luckily, he had an extra one handy.
  • His well-thought out portfolio was waiting on the kitchen table. Unfortunately, he forgot it there and only realized it when he reached his interview destination.
  • His GPS didn’t have the company’s address in its system, so locating the interview spot was a bit tricky.
  • Sitting down for the interview, his phone rang. Forgetting the cardinal rule about not answering your phone during an interview, he answered it. Who was calling? A very high-profile recruiting firm asking him to schedule an interview!

There are several lessons to be learned from this story, but the most important lesson is the one I haven’t shared with you – this client’s reaction to the whole mess:

I was not angry with myself…Have a giggle with me not at me, all I can see is the funny side of what happened today.

You can’t buy a great attitude like that! Next time, he’ll triple-check that he has his portfolio and he’ll NEVER answer his phone in an interview. All of these are lessons that are easily learned. The ability to see the humor in a comedy of errors isn’t something you can teach. It’s a “soft” skill that will serve him well in his job hunt and as an employee for the lucky employer who hires him!

Further proving this client is a true math guy – he estimates the statistical probablility of all of these things happening at once: 10 trillion to one. So, don’t worry too much that your interview experience will be similar!

Don’t miss Part I, II and III, IV,  V and VI.

What is your story? Tell it in the comments section!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by GotMeAMuse


Vet your prospective boss – dig up some dirt, pt VI

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digupdirt3875775536_dc0be3a2d6_mHave you been keeping up with horror story week at Keppie Careers? Where job seekers and hiring managers have a chance to share their tales of woe, in hopes
that we can all learn something?

This is a story originally left as a comment on a previous post. I thought it was too good not to share!

I was invited into an interview in a major city and I when I saw the agenda, I could not believe the schedule. It was an all-day interview, which lead me to believe they were just using that time to find things wrong with candidates and to be overly critical. Nonetheless, I went to the interview and was appalled to discover that another candidate for the same role had been invited there for the same time – a big red flag and inappropriate.

I went through the all-day job interview without being offered lunch and was dying to get home. The potential boss seemed amiable, but I believe he went overboard for this easy position. His name was very distinctive and he told me where he used to live. When I returned home from the job interview, I Googled this boss and this is the headline that I found of an article about him from a major newspaper: “Candidate charged with indecent exposure in ‘97”

Anyway, I never heard back from that company, and it was probably a blessing in disguise.

The writer reminded us in his comment how important it is to Google the names of our prospective employers. Doing research in advance is excellent, both for gathering information that builds rapport (Oh, you went to Florida State? So did I! Where did you live your first year?) AND to find out if there is any information that might make you think twice before working for someone.

eBossWatch is a service that allows employees to rate their bosses and review other ratings. Its site notes:

If you are a job seeker or if you are thinking about making a career change, check with eBossWatch to make sure that you won’t be stuck working for an abusive or bad boss. Search for the boss or company that you are interviewing with or considering working for and see how other employees have rated that boss.

Another site that might be helpful is GreatPlaceJobs.com, a job board that was developed to help people find jobs at the best employers, because everyone deserves a great and satisfying career.  GreatPlaceJobs is the largest site that features jobs exclusively at companies across the U.S. that have been certified as great workplaces.

While there is no guarantee that an award-winning organization would not have a dismal boss working for them, these businesses tend to have mechanisms in place that may have a tendency to prevent the very worst boss behavior. (Disclosure: I am a partner in GreatPlaceJobs and my business partner owns eBossWatch.)

A theme in these stories – (don’t miss Part I, II and III, IV and V) -  job seekers had a good sense that the opportunity might not be what they had hoped. I hope job seekers reading these stories will remember this the next time a red flag goes up at an interview!

So, what do you think? What’s YOUR story? Add it to the comments!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.
photo by mdavidford

Horror (and funny) job search stories, Part V

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halloweencollage1780738281_391e68f59b_mIn honor of Halloween week, I am continuing my job search horror story series. Today, some horribly funny stories! The goal is to share tales from job seekers (so you know you’re not alone) AND from hiring managers, so job seekers can learn what things might NOT work.

Revi Goldwasser shared some horror stories through the candidates with whom she works, coaches and places. She notes, “These stories are funny to me now – but when it happened – I wanted to shrink in my chair!!”

* Candidate shows up for an interview wearing her sunglasses. Turns out she forgot her regular glasses at home, and was using her prescription sunglasses so she could see.

* Candidate arrives to the interview, is greeted by the HR Manager and says, “Where can I throw out my gum?”

* Candidate is asked the following question during an interview, “Describe one of your weaknesses?” – His answer: “My current job starts at 8am, and I am always around 30 minutes late! But don’t worry – your job starts at 9am, so for your job, I’ll arrive 30 minutes early!”

* Candidate is being interviewed for an accountant position. When asked what he doesn’t like about his current job, his answer: “I really don’t like working with numbers.”

* A candidate arrives for an interview for a marketing coordinator opening. When the HR Manager arrives to begin the interview, the candidate tells the HR Manager that she really doesn’t want marketing, she wants Research – do they have any openings for that instead?

* During an interview, a candidate is asked a lot of math questions that he has to figure out in his head and give the answer verbally. The position is for a Trader with an Investment Firm, thus requiring a strong knowledge base in math and numbers. He did not do well. He then asks the HR Manager, “Don’t you guys use calculators?”

Another story that was horrible at the time, but that the teller laughs about now, from Alejandra Ramos, who now writes a food blog:

When I was just out of college, I interviewed for a communications position with a conservative non-profit in Washington, DC. Given the industry (and the city) I chose to wear a very staid and elegant designer skirt suit that I’d purchased at deep discount at Filene’s Basement. I arrived at the interview site 20 minutes early and was motioned to the lobby where I should wait for the hiring manager. As I was sitting down, some papers slid out of my portfolio and onto the ground. As I bent over to pick them up, I heard a very distinct tearing sound. I anxiously reached behind me and realized that the seam of my skirt had ripped nearly all the way up the back. Thinking quickly, I twisted the skirt so that the long rip was now going up my thigh instead of revealing my entire behind. When the hiring manager came out to greet me, her eyes immediately fell on the absurdly risque “slit” in my skirt. Needless to say, I did not get the job.

Don’t miss Part I, II,  III and IV to learn how to manage some of what you may encounter on the hunt!

What stories do you have? Funny? Absurd? Share them in the comments!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by pipnstuff

Horror job search stories, Part IV

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Have you been keeping up with horror story week at Keppie Careers? Where job seekers and hiring managers have a chance to share their tales of woe, in hopes that we can all learn something?

Today, thanks to Susan P. for some tidbits from her job searches:

Where do I start? I have had so many weird job interviews. I have had two that both lasted 8 hours where I was interviewed by everyone in the department and students too. Both of these were at universities. I can’t say that I was scared but it was intimidating. For one position, I started at the University, was driven to another location, then over to another place and back to the original place. And they did not even give me lunch or ask if I wanted a break for lunch. The questions I was asked were pretty typical. I did not get the job.

The other 8-hour interview had me speaking with professors, admin. assistants, students, and staff. I was given lunch, but was interviewed during the meal. I got this job but walked out (not my finest moment) after 4 months due to an extremely abusive supervisor.

But probably the strangest interview was for a temporary admin. assistant position at yet another university. The job involved being the admin. support for 11 student organizations and the entire programs department, plus filling in as front desk receptionist and answering the phone. The first interview took place in a conference room with 6 people asking me questions. One guy asked me what I had made in my last several jobs. I was also given a written problem to solve during the interview. I was called back in a week later for another interview with 4 more people in the department.

One asked what I thought one of my references would say about me in a recommendation. Another question was if the department head was told by someone in the department that I was overqualified for the job (which I was), how should she respond to this type of question. And on and on it went. All this for a $16/hour temporary position. The next day I called them to withdraw my name.

Horror story or par for the course? Having worked at a University myself, I am not surprised by the, ummm “in depth” nature of the interviews, even for a very entry-level type of job.

One good point to remember – if you are scheduling an interview – be sure to ask what to expect. Will it be an all-day affair? A half-hour meeting? Do you need to (literally) pack a lunch – or at least a snack – in your briefcase or purse? Asking what to expect makes you look like a planner and a detail-driven candidate.

If you are in an extremely long (all-day) interview process, it is important to request breaks as you need them, even if it means a long restroom break. If you need a drink of water, for example, be sure to ask for one. It’s also a good idea to use the breaks to jot down some notes you may use when you write thank you notes. It may be difficult to keep track of everyone’s name and what you discussed, so having some reminders is helpful.

How about the question about salary? Best to start out by avoiding stating a figure. “I am looking for a career opportunity, and salary is not my primary consideration.” If pushed, “I am sure you have a budget in mind for this position that would suitably compensate me for my skills and what I will contribute.” You get the picture! Click here for more about negotiating in a recession.

A theme in these stories – (don’t miss Part I, II and III), job seekers had a good sense that the opportunity might not be what they had hoped. I hope job seekers reading these stories will remember this the next time a red flag goes up at an interview!

So, what do you think? Is this a horror story? What’s YOUR story? Add it to the comments!

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.
photo by tonyapoole