Rude interviewers
Discussion
Allegro_Snapon said:
Clockwork Cupcake said:
jm8403 said:
promoting people for their gender rather than ability?
This is a tired debate that has been done to death already.Skin colour, sexuality, gender, it's all the same debate.
Allegro Strapon edit....The only people who can't see why anything needs to change are white (for me AS, tick) male (again an AS tick) heterosexuals (ah, AS fail on that one as I'm trysexual), in my experience.
Fortunately even though our 18% female is as it would seem low, it is three times higher than the male:female ratio (6%) coming out of the relevant Engineering Institutes. So the problem is much lower down the chain, it is getting equality of all identities into the specialised industry we are from day one.
Despite HR, we do have a slight strategy for increasing the ratio male:female without diluting the regulatory / technical production quality as we put the "quota fillers" into general, functional or project management rather than day to day delivery roles. Though we are getting a bit management fat these days so whom knows where the next axe falls!
Another poor interview
Company doing CNC pick and place machines– contract position.
They said they wanted me for design automation talents.
I was interviewed by a young engineer who asked, “do you have any experience designing remote control CNC pick and place machines?”
“No, I don’t, but I have experience of remote-control CNC intelligent studio light assemblies.” The tech was exactly the same….
He replied with “I don’t see how that is relevant to what we do here….” I was getting annoyed now.
I don’t think my response of “well, you may wish to consider it a little more deeply then” adhered me to him.
I then asked, “aren’t I here to advise/initiate work on the design automation side?”
“Oh yes, but we don’t think that’s important anymore”
“So why am I sitting here?”
Silence…………. I was shown around the workshop as to what they do by his manager, also in the interview, apologising for his young engineer’s attitude. I had to sit in reception for 10 minutes on the way out as I had to go through a right palaver in signing out.
The manager sat with me all the time. So, I took my phone out and rang the agent and told him I wasn’t interested in this lot at all. The manager looked at me sternly, so I asked him “why did you waste my time bringing me all the way down here?
He was going beetroot
Andy and Michael – this story involves you….
Company doing CNC pick and place machines– contract position.
They said they wanted me for design automation talents.
I was interviewed by a young engineer who asked, “do you have any experience designing remote control CNC pick and place machines?”
“No, I don’t, but I have experience of remote-control CNC intelligent studio light assemblies.” The tech was exactly the same….
He replied with “I don’t see how that is relevant to what we do here….” I was getting annoyed now.
I don’t think my response of “well, you may wish to consider it a little more deeply then” adhered me to him.
I then asked, “aren’t I here to advise/initiate work on the design automation side?”
“Oh yes, but we don’t think that’s important anymore”
“So why am I sitting here?”
Silence…………. I was shown around the workshop as to what they do by his manager, also in the interview, apologising for his young engineer’s attitude. I had to sit in reception for 10 minutes on the way out as I had to go through a right palaver in signing out.
The manager sat with me all the time. So, I took my phone out and rang the agent and told him I wasn’t interested in this lot at all. The manager looked at me sternly, so I asked him “why did you waste my time bringing me all the way down here?
He was going beetroot
Andy and Michael – this story involves you….
bucksmanuk said:
I don’t think my response of “well, you may wish to consider it a little more deeply then” adhered me to him.
it’s fair to say that the interviewer wasn’t exactly stuck on you, then?(I’m sorry it was a bad/frustrating experience.)
Is it possible that it was an indirect question from the interviewer about how your experience was relevant?
Edited by NotDMike on Thursday 4th August 11:32
going O/T here
I think lying on a CV is far more common than people realise.
I’ve seen CVs of work colleagues, when I have been asked to critique them, and the works-experience/position-held stated has been nowhere near what reality was. I can’t believe they thought it was a good idea to let me see their CV with that "experience" stated on it. I’ve seen a CV where the company concerned where I met the person G for the first time - wasn’t even on the CV!
G said any company which is no longer in existence, as far as he was concerned, it was fair game to write whatever experience you wanted on the CV. After 30+ years in engineering, the capability to do this is rather large….
Most stated experience on LinkedIn is a work of fiction.
’89, A work colleague was offered £500 by another guy in the office, to bring in his degree certificate so he could get a “copy” of it. The colleague told him where he could stick his £500. Apparently, this is common.
’88 - a new-ish lad in an office downstairs- I hadn’t met him - said he had the same qualifications as me, from the same uni as me, at the same time as me. Work colleague friend (same chap as above) said “do you remember Mr. X the lecturer in subject Y?”. No, he didn’t. A few more he mentioned, no he didn’t know them either. I got my qualification at the same place as the work colleague, so he asked me “you remember these lecturers, don’t you?” and of course I did. Next day at work, just before lunch, he mentioned to him “Bucksmanuk went to the same uni, at the same time, and got the same qualifications as you – he doesn’t remember you at all”. We never saw him again after lunch.
If he had chosen a uni 50 miles away for his experience, no-one would have known – but 6 miles away – it was always going to be a possibility.
I’ve had doubts about a number of people I’ve worked with since….
I've only been asked for a copy of my B.Sc and M.Sc. once in 36 years....
I think lying on a CV is far more common than people realise.
I’ve seen CVs of work colleagues, when I have been asked to critique them, and the works-experience/position-held stated has been nowhere near what reality was. I can’t believe they thought it was a good idea to let me see their CV with that "experience" stated on it. I’ve seen a CV where the company concerned where I met the person G for the first time - wasn’t even on the CV!
G said any company which is no longer in existence, as far as he was concerned, it was fair game to write whatever experience you wanted on the CV. After 30+ years in engineering, the capability to do this is rather large….
Most stated experience on LinkedIn is a work of fiction.
’89, A work colleague was offered £500 by another guy in the office, to bring in his degree certificate so he could get a “copy” of it. The colleague told him where he could stick his £500. Apparently, this is common.
’88 - a new-ish lad in an office downstairs- I hadn’t met him - said he had the same qualifications as me, from the same uni as me, at the same time as me. Work colleague friend (same chap as above) said “do you remember Mr. X the lecturer in subject Y?”. No, he didn’t. A few more he mentioned, no he didn’t know them either. I got my qualification at the same place as the work colleague, so he asked me “you remember these lecturers, don’t you?” and of course I did. Next day at work, just before lunch, he mentioned to him “Bucksmanuk went to the same uni, at the same time, and got the same qualifications as you – he doesn’t remember you at all”. We never saw him again after lunch.
If he had chosen a uni 50 miles away for his experience, no-one would have known – but 6 miles away – it was always going to be a possibility.
I’ve had doubts about a number of people I’ve worked with since….
I've only been asked for a copy of my B.Sc and M.Sc. once in 36 years....
NotDMike said:
bucksmanuk said:
I don’t think my response of “well, you may wish to consider it a little more deeply then” adhered me to him.
it’s fair to say that the interviewer wasn’t exactly stuck on you, then?(I’m sorry it was a bad/frustrating experience.)
I’d already made my mind up by then, so it was all academic…
Oilchange said:
It seem that interviewers don't appear to understand that it's a two way thing and get a bit of a shock when they're challenged.
It's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.If an applicant has put in the time and effort to apply for a job, presumably there is something that attracts them to that role/company? If that's the case there isn't much point acting like the proverbial PBPHD, making passive-aggressive remarks, trying to embarrass people, and just generally giving it the "Big I Am".
If you're reached the interview stage and it's not working out (for whatever reason) the sensible decent thing would be to say "Thanks, i don't think this is what I'm looking for but I appreciate you offering me the interview. All the best". (And let's be honest, that's what happens in the real world. Only on PH do we have "the Interviewers apologising profusely and feeling embarrassed and pleading with the applicant to reconsider".
Perhaps it's different depending on the Industry and Finance doesn't have the same willy-waving contests.....
bucksmanuk said:
going O/T here
I think lying on a CV is far more common than people realise.
Most stated experience on LinkedIn is a work of fiction.
The first has always been true. Everybody but everybody exaggerates their CV (either consciously or subconsciously). One of the points of interviews is to find out exactly how much is BS.I think lying on a CV is far more common than people realise.
Most stated experience on LinkedIn is a work of fiction.
In terms of LinkedIn I'm not so sure - everybody can see what you've out down (including your current and former bosses) so IMHO people are less likely to lie.
There is a balance in CVs between exaggeration and lying.
Lying that you have a particular qualification is an obvious no.
Rounding up numbers (e.g. Achieved $9.5m of savings - becomes - Achieved c.$10m of savings) is common and part of the cv as a sales pitch.
Ditto the use of “power words” - “managed” can become “successfully led”, etc with no lies.
CVs can be a lot of “spin” with no lies.
Lying that you have a particular qualification is an obvious no.
Rounding up numbers (e.g. Achieved $9.5m of savings - becomes - Achieved c.$10m of savings) is common and part of the cv as a sales pitch.
Ditto the use of “power words” - “managed” can become “successfully led”, etc with no lies.
CVs can be a lot of “spin” with no lies.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
I feel very naive then, because every word of my CV is true.
It isn't mutually exclusive."Rounding up numbers (e.g. Achieved $9.5m of savings - becomes - Achieved c.$10m of savings) is common and part of the cv as a sales pitch. Ditto the use of “power words” - “managed” can become “successfully led”, etc with no lies."
All can be true.
9.5 is c.10.
management is a form of leadership
Countdown said:
It's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.
If an applicant has put in the time and effort to apply for a job, presumably there is something that attracts them to that role/company? If that's the case there isn't much point acting like the proverbial PBPHD, making passive-aggressive remarks, trying to embarrass people, and just generally giving it the "Big I Am".
If you're reached the interview stage and it's not working out (for whatever reason) the sensible decent thing would be to say "Thanks, i don't think this is what I'm looking for but I appreciate you offering me the interview. All the best". (And let's be honest, that's what happens in the real world. Only on PH do we have "the Interviewers apologising profusely and feeling embarrassed and pleading with the applicant to reconsider".
Perhaps it's different depending on the Industry and Finance doesn't have the same willy-waving contests.....
I work in finance and trust me, I have had a couple of Willy-Wavers (great description!) interview me!If an applicant has put in the time and effort to apply for a job, presumably there is something that attracts them to that role/company? If that's the case there isn't much point acting like the proverbial PBPHD, making passive-aggressive remarks, trying to embarrass people, and just generally giving it the "Big I Am".
If you're reached the interview stage and it's not working out (for whatever reason) the sensible decent thing would be to say "Thanks, i don't think this is what I'm looking for but I appreciate you offering me the interview. All the best". (And let's be honest, that's what happens in the real world. Only on PH do we have "the Interviewers apologising profusely and feeling embarrassed and pleading with the applicant to reconsider".
Perhaps it's different depending on the Industry and Finance doesn't have the same willy-waving contests.....
Also, how come all financial services companies’ interviewers “work hard and play hard”? Turned down two jobs in the last 5 years because they come out with this crap.
hepy said:
Also, how come all financial services companies’ interviewers “work hard and play hard”? Turned down two jobs in the last 5 years because they come out with this crap.
Because it sounds better than "you will live at work, we will grind you down and spit you out like the raw meat you are. The only pleasure you will have is the bitter taste of chemically-induced oblivion that you will be forced to endure in the short hours we allow you to leave the office. I hate my life and I want you to hate yours as well".I went for and got a job but ignored all the red flags from the interviewers and the i was blatantly lied too.
1 the boss made me uncomfortable (creepy mannerisms)
2 lots of weird questions and overselling the job
3 lots of stages and jumping through hoops and then a final grilling.
In hindsight I learned lots from the ordeal, always trust your gut instincts. I left the interview thinking never again and when I was offered the role I made excuses for them thinking it was me at fault. I left after 6 months.
1 the boss made me uncomfortable (creepy mannerisms)
2 lots of weird questions and overselling the job
3 lots of stages and jumping through hoops and then a final grilling.
In hindsight I learned lots from the ordeal, always trust your gut instincts. I left the interview thinking never again and when I was offered the role I made excuses for them thinking it was me at fault. I left after 6 months.
hepy said:
I work in finance and trust me, I have had a couple of Willy-Wavers (great description!) interview me!
Also, how come all financial services companies’ interviewers “work hard and play hard”? Turned down two jobs in the last 5 years because they come out with this crap.
Almost as bad as when they tell you earlier in the interview that they have a collaborative work culture, everyone is professional, the teams are all highly functioning etc etc and then the questions are all about “how do you handle difficult people? How do you handle someone who doesn’t listen to what you’re saying? How do you handle getting your point across to people who are actively against what it is you’re trying to do?”Also, how come all financial services companies’ interviewers “work hard and play hard”? Turned down two jobs in the last 5 years because they come out with this crap.
In isolation they are fair questions and a good answer will undoubtedly put you in a better light; but asking this just after saying your company was a dream to work for? Pretty jarring.
I almost brought it up once during the interview but bit my tongue as it was a good job; didn’t get it mind.
Once applied for a job at a Tier 1 investment bank and on interview day i had been working on my car a bit so was dressed in dungarees and a greasy tshirt walked in and got the evil eye manager grilled me and said we will be in touch but with negative smile next day i had an interview with a private equities company and they hired me and i walked past the office of the investment banks manager and waved my employment contract with the private equities companie's logo on it and he made a sad face and was probably sacked later.
Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
Exoticlover said:
Once applied for a job at a Tier 1 investment bank and on interview day i had been working on my car a bit so was dressed in dungarees and a greasy tshirt walked in and got the evil eye manager grilled me and said we will be in touch but with negative smile next day i had an interview with a private equities company and they hired me and i walked past the office of the investment banks manager and waved my employment contract with the private equities companie's logo on it and he made a sad face and was probably sacked later.
Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
This belongs on LinkedIn and needs a few hashtags at the end.Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
captain.scarlet said:
Exoticlover said:
Once applied for a job at a Tier 1 investment bank and on interview day i had been working on my car a bit so was dressed in dungarees and a greasy tshirt walked in and got the evil eye manager grilled me and said we will be in touch but with negative smile next day i had an interview with a private equities company and they hired me and i walked past the office of the investment banks manager and waved my employment contract with the private equities companie's logo on it and he made a sad face and was probably sacked later.
Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
This belongs on LinkedIn and needs a few hashtags at the end.Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
Gimme my check, put some respek on my check
rudeboy
"Small girl, you don't know the thing
I am teaching you the thing
You are playing with the thing"
("The Thing" by underrepresented minority artist Atumpan)
Edited by Exoticlover on Monday 8th August 06:54
Edited by Exoticlover on Monday 8th August 06:55
Exoticlover said:
Once applied for a job at a Tier 1 investment bank and on interview day i had been working on my car a bit so was dressed in dungarees and a greasy tshirt walked in and got the evil eye manager grilled me and said we will be in touch but with negative smile next day i had an interview with a private equities company and they hired me and i walked past the office of the investment banks manager and waved my employment contract with the private equities companie's logo on it and he made a sad face and was probably sacked later.
Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
What were you wearing for the interview for the private equities company?Never judge people by the way they are dressed !
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff