Ok, so I go to my Interview for Werner's Meat and Jerky right? This is how it went this morning:
I get there, wait a couple minutes for the guy to get out of the processing area. Takes me to his office and we start the interview. Sounds good and normal right?
Well, first off, he apparently has lost my application. Makes me fill out another one. I don't say anything, but already this has me concerned and a bit annoyed. So it takes me about 5-10 minutes to fill another one out.
After I fill it out, he goes through it, asks unnecessary questions such as "You graduated from High School?, you aren't working," etc. Then tells me that he needs to interview a bunch more people and basically shoves me out the door. The only thing he told me about the job is that I would be slicing meat or some such thing. He leaves it very closed to any questions about the job and makes me feel like this really isn't the place I would want to work.
I plan on saying No when he calls me back as I'm already set-up to work at FredMeyer and I was using this interview as a possible alternative. However, I will not work for Werner due to this bad interview. Am I the perfect one? No, it would not be my best interview. However, this guy seems to be a lousy interviewer. He didn't even make me feel as if I would want to work for the company. I can't be choosy all the time, but in this instance, I am being choosy because it was a choice between FredMeyer and Werner.
FredMeyer won out because I could have benefits, I get employee discounts and vacation time and was very good at describing the job. Heck, the woman gave me a stack of papers describing the job fully, including pay and what I would get as a Check Stand Clerk. What did Werners do? A very vague description of the job and left me confused.
So to conclude, FredMeyer won. Case closed.
This to me though was one of the most poor interviews I've had, but is this a usual instances?
King
At my first developer job the company liked doing 'stress' interviews. Basically they were pretty sarcastic about my answers to their questions and made me feel kinda dumb.
They offered me the job and despite my better judgement I took it (having very little experience in the field I was taking what I could get). Based on this experience I can tell you that the interview tends to set the tone for what the workplace will be like. That job ended up being long hours, little recognition and very bad money. I leanred all I could and after 10 months I couldn;t take it anymore and quit. I'm now in my current position where we are treated quite well, have a lot of vacation time and amazing benefits.
I think you chose right King.
Did you get a job offer from both places already? You have to keep in mind most people that interview people for jobs are not trained in it. They just get kind of stuck with it. Some are good at it - most not so good.
Quote from: Rico on June 09, 2008, 10:44:51 AM
Did you get a job offer from both places already? You have to keep in mind most people that interview people for jobs are not trained in it. They just get kind of stuck with it. Some are good at it - most not so good.
Agreed there Rico, my wife works in Human Resources. She started off as a recruiter just interviewing all day. It takes time to get down a good style, now it's easy for her but at the start it was tough fr her to figure out how to approach different people to get the information you need out of them.
I did a lot of interviewing for several companies that I worked for. What I hated more than anything were the people that would say things that they thought I wanted to hear or that they thought was original.
You know what this guy who interviewed you quite clearly is lazy at his job. You know what happens when you are lazy you get walked over. I reckon you'd have his job within a year. I've seen it happen. Still you have to choose the job you feel you are going to be happy doing and comfortable with the people you are going to work with.
I once had a interview at land Rover. Three of these blokes sitting behind a desk attempting to make me feel small. Well it didn't work. I was 18 years old, unemployed and young but i knew know that i didn't want to work for them. They asked me what i felt about doing permanent nights, i said no, wouldn't do that. They seemed shocked and asked why. My answer back was "Well i'm young, i'm single how the hell am i going to meet anyone and spend my money if i'm sleeping in the day and working on the night". Only one of the three smiled and looked happy about my answer. Best answer to an interview i ever gave.
Quote from: Rico on June 09, 2008, 10:44:51 AM
Did you get a job offer from both places already? You have to keep in mind most people that interview people for jobs are not trained in it. They just get kind of stuck with it. Some are good at it - most not so good.
I had already been interviewed by FredMeyer a couple days previous. They called before I took the interview though. So I figured, why not? Turns out to be just a mistake and I shrug.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 09, 2008, 11:38:24 AM
You know what this guy who interviewed you quite clearly is lazy at his job. You know what happens when you are lazy you get walked over. I reckon you'd have his job within a year. I've seen it happen. Still you have to choose the job you feel you are going to be happy doing and comfortable with the people you are going to work with.
I once had a interview at land Rover. Three of these blokes sitting behind a desk attempting to make me feel small. Well it didn't work. I was 18 years old, unemployed and young but i knew know that i didn't want to work for them. They asked me what i felt about doing permanent nights, i said no, wouldn't do that. They seemed shocked and asked why. My answer back was "Well i'm young, i'm single how the hell am i going to meet anyone and spend my money if i'm sleeping in the day and working on the night". Only one of the three smiled and looked happy about my answer. Best answer to an interview i ever gave.
Nice. That pwns anything I've said to interviewers.
King
Just a tip for future interviews... you should research the company via the web if possible. Most interviewers want you to tell them about their place of business, what you know about it, what makes you the best man for the job and why you want to work there. Often, you'll be competing with a lot of individuals, so to separate yourself from them, you should go above and beyond to show your potential employer that you're interested enough to do a little homework before you come in. A lot of times an employer won't educate applicants on all the details of the position in the first interview. A person could be called back for several more interviews at the same place, for the same position. This is when applicants often learn more detailed information about the job. They like to quickly weed out the people who don't fit the in bill the first meeting...and getting bogged down in the particulars slows the process, especially when they have a bunch of potential employees to interview. The first meeting is usually just to gage the person's personality and glean information on their skill sets. Just a little info for you to file away for the future. :)
Jen, you are a wise Jedi.
I accept your wisdom Jen.
Just two things:
1. Already knew the company and what it did. Still, its hard to know what job your doing if the guy fails to tell you what your job title is. I mean cmon, "your cutting meat". GREAT! Only 75% of the entire company's employees do that.......
2. The guy didn't leave it open for me to observe "my personality"
But whatever. Thanks again!
King
Titles are over rated. ;)
Quote from: Jen on June 10, 2008, 11:52:53 AM
Titles are over rated. ;)
I find they're overrated when you're in a job, but for an interview it's nice to know rouglhy what your responsibilities will be. A title is usually a quick idea.
Today was the last day for my seniors in Sci-Fi, so we heard a final novel project (they had to read a Hugo or Nebula award winning author/novel), I presented a slide show celebrating our trip to the Sci-Fi Museum in Seattle, and then the kids played Guitar Hero...LOL! My sophomores are finishing up their I-Search presentations, so I'm doing a lot of sitting and listening today. Completely works for me!!!! Now I'm off to lunch. I hope everyone has a great day, and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the forum in early July. I feel a little lost without my Treks in Sci-Fi!
Quote from: Jen on June 10, 2008, 11:52:53 AM
Titles are over rated. ;)
You mean the fact that my title of Lord of the manor no longer has any kudo's, hawk is sad ;)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 11, 2008, 12:04:26 PM
Quote from: Jen on June 10, 2008, 11:52:53 AM
Titles are over rated. ;)
You mean the fact that my title of Lord of the manor no longer has any kudo's, hawk is sad ;)
ROFL :roflmao :roflmao :roflmao :roflmao :roflmao
King
Quote from: billybob476 on June 10, 2008, 12:10:16 PM
Quote from: Jen on June 10, 2008, 11:52:53 AM
Titles are over rated. ;)
I find they're overrated when you're in a job, but for an interview it's nice to know rouglhy what your responsibilities will be. A title is usually a quick idea.
Yea, this was my complaint. I don't care if I'm called King Dukem of the Lord's Chili maker, I just want to know what I would be doing. "Cutting meat" is about as specific as Geek is to what he likes.
Because of my unique resume I used to get employment agencies and people wanting me to come in for interviews because they were curious about my work experience, and then tell me I didn/t have enough work experience for the job, This get old when you have to travel all over the city.
So I finally started asking questions over the phone before I decided to go for an interview to avoid having my time and money waisted.
It was quite funny at times going for an interview, when you have a post graduate designation in human resources management and you and up doing the interview or knowing who a bad interviewer was because they asked you what your strengths and weaknesses were.
Like anyone will tell the person what their real weaknesses were.
Not always possible, but it sure helps to know someone who already works for the company.
By far the easiest job I ever got was just a lucky break.
I was next in line and I could hear the interview in process through the open door. This applicant was sharp, knew much more than I did about the position - maybe even over qualified. I didn't think I had a chance!
My turn came and after the same questions, I was shown around the building. I saw a casual friend that I didn't know was working there and said "hi". The manager stopped right there and asked " Do you guys get along ok?" I said "yeah" and was offered the job on the spot. :)
Quote from: davekill on June 11, 2008, 08:14:30 PM
Not always possible, but it sure helps to know someone who already works for the company.
By far the easiest job I ever got was just a lucky break.
I was next in line and I could hear the interview in process through the open door. This applicant was sharp, knew much more than I did about the position - maybe even over qualified. I didn't think I had a chance!
My turn came and after the same questions, I was shown around the building. I saw a casual friend that I didn't know was working there and said "hi". The manager stopped right there and asked " Do you guys get along ok?" I said "yeah" and was offered the job on the spot. :)
I think half the time Managers prefer that. It prevents conflict in the marketplace and I'll bet anything they have enough to do without employees wanting to kill each other. :)
King
Well, I just got informed via a Mailed letter that:
"We appreciated the opportunity to speak with you in an interview; unfortunately, we are unable to offer you a position at this time".....
All I can say is "Wow". Not brave enough apparently to call me. This kinda screws me. Never heard from Werners either so.....I only have a part time job....again......
King
A lot of places just send out rejection letters, it is normal practice. Sorry to hear that you did not get the position, keep your spirits up and something will land.
Hang in there Tim. You'll find something.
Quote from: jedijeff on June 13, 2008, 11:19:39 PM
A lot of places just send out rejection letters, it is normal practice. Sorry to hear that you did not get the position, keep your spirits up and something will land.
As true as that probably is, couldn't they just call the person? Saves time and $$ as far as I'm concerned......oh well.
Ty guys.
King
They Probably automate it, and print off form letters from all the applicants that did not get hired. If they called you, chances are it would not be the person who did the interview, so you probably would not get any useful information to use for the future. Everything is a lot less personal these days, and more streamlined to save on operating costs.
I guess you could look at it, that a better job is waiting for you, and the one you did not get was not the one. Keep plugging at it, and you will strike gold...or a better pay check :)
You know i went for a job once and i breezed the interview, i really wanted the job but they said no because i didn't have a fork lift truck license. I said "look I'll pay for a license". They said "no "and i was absolutely gutted. About two days later i received a letter from them inviting me for another interview and i was thrilled i phoned them to say thanks only for them to say "sorry we sent that to you by mistake, we meant to send you the rejection letter". Man that hurt.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 15, 2008, 01:59:33 PM
You know i went for a job once and i breezed the interview, i really wanted the job but they said no because i didn't have a fork lift truck license. I said "look I'll pay for a license". They said "no "and i was absolutely gutted. About two days later i received a letter from them inviting me for another interview and i was thrilled i phoned them to say thanks only for them to say "sorry we sent that to you by mistake, we meant to send you the rejection letter". Man that hurt.
Owwww....that sucks. Thank goodness that hasn't happened to me. Otherwise I'd have a rant about it. ;)
King
Oh man talk about rejected. It was at a ammunition supply warehouse. And i passed the test when they handed me the hand gun (bear in mind here in the UK it's illegal to carry guns) and i immediately put the safety catch on, unloaded the bullets and then checked the weapon out. the guy was so impressed and said I'd employ you straight away and then boom. Not happy, and i was 18 years old at the time so i felt really shit on. Still long time ago mate ha ha.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 15, 2008, 02:07:57 PM
(bear in mind here in the UK it's illegal to carry guns)
Really. Didn't know that, but then again, why would I? ;)
All I can hope for is that eventually I'll find another part-time job. Otherwise I'm going to bore myself to death this summer. Also, my parents are thinking of taking a trip to Southern California next summer for vacation so I'm working on $$$ for that. Might be my first vacation when I drive my own car and not "borrow" it. Who knows? We'll see.
King
Ah well keep saving mate, you'll get another part time job soon. It's all about the dollars mate ha ha. Yeah we can have guns but you need to be a member of a gun club. Of course people do have them but if you get caught out police will shoot you ha ha. I've a Co2 air hand gun which i really do like to hold when watching Lethal Weapon ha ha.
I'm actually impressed they bother to send out rjection letters. Any place I've ever interviewed at they don't bother.
Quote from: billybob476 on June 17, 2008, 05:58:58 AM
I'm actually impressed they bother to send out rjection letters. Any place I've ever interviewed at they don't bother.
That's what I was thinking also ....