Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Halloween Job Search Horror Stories

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halloween 1In honor of Halloween, I thought I would re-post some job search horror stories I’ve collected over the years. 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.

I guess that I wasn’t too surprised to learn that some of these horror stories may have had different endings had the job seeker taken a different approach. NOT that this excused rude behavior on the part of the hiring manager, but it is important to learn something from these stories…

Todd shared this story:

So, this so-called executive recruiter sends me a questionnaire (10 pages BTW) and says complete it and schedule an “interview.” Well, in full disclosure, I only completed half, but went ahead and scheduled the meeting. After all, I was an executive and my resume was what I wanted to talk about. So, while waiting in the lobby of this firm, some guy walks out to greet me. He’s wearing some ridiculous looking suit with tennis shoes and showing off a shiny keychain that says “Hyundai” and acts like he’s doing me a favor by taking the time to meet with me.

The guy walks me to some conference room, throws the half-complete questionnaire on the table and begins to yell at me–literally. He proceeds to tell me that I’m a loser and have no future. I couldn’t believe it!

So, I stood up and said I made a mistake. Then–THEN–he calls me an “a-hole” as I walked out. All I said was, ” Back at ya!”

Following this, eh em…episode, I landed a job as an executive for an online brokerage firm in Texas. I always wanted to call the guy and rub it in, but why stoop to that level?

So, what can we learn here? Clearly, Todd wasn’t very interested in this job! The fact is, if he was not willing to fill out the application (no matter how long), he should not have bothered to apply! As a job seeker, it is your responsibility to follow directions regarding the application if you want the job!

On the other hand, if you see what seems like a ridiculous application process, consider it a red flag. Maybe this company has policies and proceedures that are not likely to mesh with your preferred way of doing things. Evaluate it and decide NOT to apply! Even if you are desperate for a job, you know, deep down, you are unlikely to be happy working for a place that sets up what you consider to be an absurd hiring process.

In this case, obviously, the hiring manager was a bit “off.” It’s never appropriate to yell and swear at an applicant, and you have to assume an employee would receive the same treatment. So, it was lucky for Todd that things worked out the way they did!

What do you think? Share your comments below.

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

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

Job search horror stories

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cracklymoon1797667874_0a714115a9_mIn honor of Halloween week, I thought it would be fun to commiserate and share some job search horror 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.

So, welcome to “Horror Story Week” on Keppie Careers! I appreciate my Twitter friends for helping to pass the word that I am looking for stories, and for passing along some ideas for my series. Thanks also to Peter Shankman for HARO – Help A Reporter Out, for help finding additional sources! (It’s not too late to share your story! Send it to me: miriam(at)keppiecareers(dot)com.)

I guess that I wasn’t too surprised to learn that some of these horror stories may have had different endings had the job seeker taken a different approach. NOT that this excused rude behavior on the part of the hiring manager, but it is important to learn something from these stories…

Todd shared this story:

So, this so-called executive recruiter sends me a questionnaire (10 pages BTW) and says complete it and schedule an “interview.” Well, in full disclosure, I only completed half, but went ahead and scheduled the meeting. After all, I was an executive and my resume was what I wanted to talk about. So, while waiting in the lobby of this firm, some guy walks out to greet me. He’s wearing some ridiculous looking suit with tennis shoes and showing off a shiny keychain that says “Hyundai” and acts like he’s doing me a favor by taking the time to meet with me.

The guy walks me to some conference room, throws the half-complete questionnaire on the table and begins to yell at me–literally. He proceeds to tell me that I’m a loser and have no future. I couldn’t believe it!

So, I stood up and said I made a mistake. Then–THEN–he calls me an “a-hole” as I walked out. All I said was, ” Back at ya!”

Following this, eh em…episode, I landed a job as an executive for an online brokerage firm in Texas. I always wanted to call the guy and rub it in, but why stoop to that level.

So, what can we learn here? Clearly, Todd wasn’t very interested in this job! The fact is, if he was not willing to fill out the application (no matter how long), he should not have bothered to apply! As a job seeker, it is your responsibility to follow directions regarding the application if you want the job!

On the other hand, if you see what seems like a ridiculous application process, consider it a red flag. Maybe this company has policies and proceedures that are not likely to mesh with your preferred way of doing things. Evaluate it and decide NOT to apply! Even if you are desperate for a job, you know, deep down, you are unlikely to be happy working for a place that sets up what you consider to be an absurd hiring process.

In this case, obviously, the hiring manager was a bit “off.” It’s never appropriate to yell and swear at an applicant, and you have to assume an employee would receive the same treatment. So, it was lucky for Todd that things worked out the way they did!

What do you think? Share your comments below!

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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 peasap