interview "faux pas" and how to say what the emplo

Page 1 of 1 [ 13 posts ] 

diablo77
Sea Gull
Sea Gull

User avatar

Joined: 11 Jul 2013
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Posts: 219
Location: Atlanta, GA

22 Apr 2014, 2:31 pm

I was talking to a potential employer about an interview over the last week or so, and communication sort of dropped off. Now, personally I think it's rude to end an interaction with someone whether it's business or personal by just ignoring them, so I'm not one to just let it go if someone stops talking to me. I sent an email that was very polite and asked if the employer was still interested in meeting me, and she wrote back "Thanks for the reminder, will (X time) work?" Because I didn't know for sure since I'm training at a job I already have and the schedule isn't set yet, I wrote back that at this point I am available and I would let her know if something came up, but hopefully it would remain open. I have heard nothing from her since, not even a simple "Ok," so I don't know if she is still interested and just distracted like before, or maybe was offended by me asking to be penciled in and not saying that I would drop everything to meet her no matter what. It sort of reminds me of a time when I was offered a job a few years back, told them I would think about it and call back to let them know, and then when I did, they told me they gave it to someone else. It seems employers want you to jump at their word and take an offer the minute they give it to you or you're out. How are you supposed to consider your own interests and still keep them happy without outright lying?



MissDorkness
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Age: 47
Gender: Female
Posts: 903
Location: Missouri

22 Apr 2014, 4:12 pm

diablo77 wrote:
I was talking to a potential employer about an interview over the last week or so, and communication sort of dropped off. Now, personally I think it's rude to end an interaction with someone whether it's business or personal by just ignoring them, so I'm not one to just let it go if someone stops talking to me. I sent an email that was very polite and asked if the employer was still interested in meeting me, and she wrote back "Thanks for the reminder, will (X time) work?" Because I didn't know for sure since I'm training at a job I already have and the schedule isn't set yet, I wrote back that at this point I am available and I would let her know if something came up, but hopefully it would remain open. I have heard nothing from her since, not even a simple "Ok," so I don't know if she is still interested and just distracted like before, or maybe was offended by me asking to be penciled in and not saying that I would drop everything to meet her no matter what. It sort of reminds me of a time when I was offered a job a few years back, told them I would think about it and call back to let them know, and then when I did, they told me they gave it to someone else. It seems employers want you to jump at their word and take an offer the minute they give it to you or you're out. How are you supposed to consider your own interests and still keep them happy without outright lying?

That's unprofessional, honestly.

When I was offered my last job, I accepted on the spot and started a couple days later.
My current job, when they made the offer, I wasn't sure, and I asked for a few days to think about it. I ultimately decided to accept and called them back, done and done.
I can't believe they wouldn't at least call you back and go 'we made an offer, but, we're in a hurry and have another candidate, give us your answer now'... ~smh~ As I said, unprofessional.



Claradoon
Supporting Member
Supporting Member

User avatar

Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Gender: Female
Posts: 4,964
Location: Canada

22 Apr 2014, 5:57 pm

I think it sounds like she's waiting to hear from you that you are available. It might be worth a shot to call her again. But this time say Yes.



yellowtamarin
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Sep 2010
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,763
Location: Australia

22 Apr 2014, 6:29 pm

You are wanting to organise an interview. She offers you a time. You are vague about it. The ball is in your court to confirm the time. She's just waiting for you.



VAGraduateStudent
Deinonychus
Deinonychus

User avatar

Joined: 13 Apr 2012
Age: 47
Gender: Female
Posts: 340
Location: Virginia, USA

23 Apr 2014, 3:01 pm

You're supposed to act as if you've been waiting your entire life to work at that place in that particular job. Even if it's cleaning up vomit all day long and you intend to quit the next day.

When I was working I was a hiring manager.


_________________
I am a NT sociologist. I am studying the sociology of autism: Identity in ASD/AS, "passing" as NT, and causal effects of NT society on people with ASD/AS.


GreyMatter
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 13 Dec 2013
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Posts: 67

28 Apr 2014, 7:39 pm

VAGraduateStudent wrote:
You're supposed to act as if you've been waiting your entire life to work at that place in that particular job. Even if it's cleaning up vomit all day long and you intend to quit the next day.

When I was working I was a hiring manager.


Why?



screen_name
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 1 Oct 2013
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,315

28 Apr 2014, 7:46 pm

yellowtamarin wrote:
You are wanting to organise an interview. She offers you a time. You are vague about it. The ball is in your court to confirm the time. She's just waiting for you.



This.

She is waiting on you.


_________________
So you know who just said that:
I am female, I am married
I have two children (one AS and one NT)
I have been diagnosed with Aspergers and MERLD
I have significant chronic medical conditions as well


Rocket123
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 15 Dec 2012
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,188
Location: Lost in Space

28 Apr 2014, 9:52 pm

GreyMatter wrote:
VAGraduateStudent wrote:
You're supposed to act as if you've been waiting your entire life to work at that place in that particular job. Even if it's cleaning up vomit all day long and you intend to quit the next day.


Why?


Because, when interviewing, you are competing against others. And hiring managers would (generally) prefer to hire someone who genuinely wants the job they are trying to fill.

This, of course, leads to the next problem. Which is, in a competitive situation, certain people are willing to do and/or say anything to “win” (i.e. get the job). This, of course, includes lying (or simply "stretching" the truth). This puts people who are unwilling to so, at a significant competitive disadvantage. My understanding is that most employers expect people to do this (lie/stretch the truth). Which means, if you do not, you are doubly-screwed.



GreyMatter
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 13 Dec 2013
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Posts: 67

29 Apr 2014, 10:56 am

Rocket123 wrote:
GreyMatter wrote:
VAGraduateStudent wrote:
You're supposed to act as if you've been waiting your entire life to work at that place in that particular job. Even if it's cleaning up vomit all day long and you intend to quit the next day.


Why?


Because, when interviewing, you are competing against others. And hiring managers would (generally) prefer to hire someone who genuinely wants the job they are trying to fill.

This, of course, leads to the next problem. Which is, in a competitive situation, certain people are willing to do and/or say anything to “win” (i.e. get the job). This, of course, includes lying (or simply "stretching" the truth). This puts people who are unwilling to so, at a significant competitive disadvantage. My understanding is that most employers expect people to do this (lie/stretch the truth). Which means, if you do not, you are doubly-screwed.


I know :P

I just wanted to check what logic people used to explain this implied rule.

It is a silly practice. This is off topic, but I think it's a big problem that a lot of hiring is done by HR people and junior staff who will choose the candidate they want to work with (as in the one that will 'fit in' socially and not pose a threat to their own career) over the candidate with the best record and ability. Of course, there are some jobs where social ability is crucial, particularly representative functions, but the same social standards are applied to positions which do not require them.



Rocket123
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 15 Dec 2012
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,188
Location: Lost in Space

29 Apr 2014, 11:10 am

GreyMatter wrote:
This is off topic, but I think it's a big problem that a lot of hiring is done by HR people and junior staff who will choose the candidate they want to work with (as in the one that will 'fit in' socially and not pose a threat to their own career) over the candidate with the best record and ability. Of course, there are some jobs where social ability is crucial, particularly representative functions, but the same social standards are applied to positions which do not require them.


Nowadays, I believe that most organizations will choose the candidate they want to work with over the candidate with the best record and ability.

There's a good article on likability here <click>



GreyMatter
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 13 Dec 2013
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Posts: 67

29 Apr 2014, 11:21 am

Rocket123 wrote:
GreyMatter wrote:
This is off topic, but I think it's a big problem that a lot of hiring is done by HR people and junior staff who will choose the candidate they want to work with (as in the one that will 'fit in' socially and not pose a threat to their own career) over the candidate with the best record and ability. Of course, there are some jobs where social ability is crucial, particularly representative functions, but the same social standards are applied to positions which do not require them.


Nowadays, I believe that most organizations will choose the candidate they want to work with over the candidate with the best record and ability.

There's a good article on likability here <click>


Gosh that was a depressing read, but yeah, it is my experience as well. Also, looks are very important, at least where I am from. I am not in bad shape, but I am not a conventionally handsome guy. It makes me very self-conscious and depressed when I observe in real life situations how charisma and looks wield such influence.



Rocket123
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 15 Dec 2012
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,188
Location: Lost in Space

29 Apr 2014, 11:29 am

GreyMatter wrote:
Gosh that was a depressing read,


My sentiments as well...



MissDorkness
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 15 Aug 2011
Age: 47
Gender: Female
Posts: 903
Location: Missouri

29 Apr 2014, 12:43 pm

GreyMatter wrote:
Rocket123 wrote:
GreyMatter wrote:
This is off topic, but I think it's a big problem that a lot of hiring is done by HR people and junior staff who will choose the candidate they want to work with (as in the one that will 'fit in' socially and not pose a threat to their own career) over the candidate with the best record and ability. Of course, there are some jobs where social ability is crucial, particularly representative functions, but the same social standards are applied to positions which do not require them.


Nowadays, I believe that most organizations will choose the candidate they want to work with over the candidate with the best record and ability.

There's a good article on likability here <click>


Gosh that was a depressing read, but yeah, it is my experience as well. Also, looks are very important, at least where I am from. I am not in bad shape, but I am not a conventionally handsome guy. It makes me very self-conscious and depressed when I observe in real life situations how charisma and looks wield such influence.


Yeah, I first realized that in an Interpersonal Relations class. We watched undercover videos of how identical candidates (two men, two women, one of each was extremely attractive)... they all had the same education and experience on their resumes, they all left feeling good, but, only the two attractive people were called back, and the man was offered more money than the woman, but, that's neither here nor there to this convo.
We got statistics on traits that got people more callbacks and more raises and more promotions.
When my friends were helping me with advice on my job search, I mentioned that I also had to budget for more expensive clothes, salon visits and some makeup. They're all like, wtf are you talking about? You don't wear makeup, etc.
I explained that it's a fact that women who wear makeup get more callbacks and more promotions than those who don't. It has nothing to do with my programming skills, but, if it has an impact, I'm darned well gonna do it.
Also, the clothes and haircuts... just trying to hedge my bets... I'm overweight, and people equate that to being lazy or not taking care of oneself, so... expensive clothes can offset vibe about not caring about one's physical self.

It's all a bunch of hooey to me, quality-wise, but, if it means something to impress hr... I'll do it.
(My stubborn husband, on the other hand, wouldn't even pull his long hair back in a ponytail during interviews... don't get me started. "It's a matter of principle" to be oneself, but, principles don't pay the bills... I do.)