Job hunting: Did this just happen?!

[Signa]

So I got myself a pretty nice IT job. The problem with it is that it's a really long commute for me, and I feel like there isn't much chance of learning and improving my skills. As nice as everyone is, I'm bored out of my mind because we fixed all the shit, and I probably only get maybe 2 good hours of actual work done every day. I need to find something closer and with more growth opportunities.

I've been checking Craigslist every day, and applying pretty haphazardly to anything within a good commuting range that has requirements similar to what I do. I've had two callbacks this week, and while the first didn't pan out (seemed like a good place, but was a poor match for me) I still had a second one to look forward to. The problem is, their communication broke down so badly that it was a huge red flag for me. I decided to go for broke, because with the way the conversation was going, I wasn't going to be giving up my stable and nice job for this one.

So here's the transcript. Keep in mind every prospective employer I've had has always called me at some point to set up and interview. I got this email at 8:48pm last night and never talked to anyone from this company:

Hello [Signa],

Thank you for applying for our IT Help Desk Specialist I position.

I am seeing if you are able to come in for an interview. Are you able to come in next Monday (1/19/15) at 2PM?


Best regards,


[Employer]

Great! I had responded to the ad only a day or two ago. It felt great seeing my resume pull so many instant responses. They did this weird thing were they said in no uncertain terms that if I didn't state my expected wage in the application, they wouldn't even consider me. So my expected wage was right in line with what they are hoping to pay.

Hy [Employer],

I might be able to make that work. What is your address? I am expecting to be on shift at that time, but I think I might be able to arrange something.

I did a quick Google search for an address, and couldn't find one. I kinda needed to know that to proceed. I also managed to combine part of his name into "hi." Oops, that was an unfortunate typo.

Hi [Signa],

Let me know if you cannot make it ? we'll reschedule.

Best regards,

[Employer]

I just said I was going to make it. Still no address either.

I'm planning on making it at 2pm on Monday. What is your address?

At this point, I will have had to call in sick on Friday for the Friday interview, and since my shift would directly conflict with the 2pm interview on Monday, I'd probably have to tell my work I'm still sick. Still plausible, though I'm sure frustrating for my current employer. It's OK, I'll manage to smooth it over later.

Hi [Signa],
We need a definitive answer ? are you going to be able to make it on 1/19/15 at 2PM?
Best regards,
[Employer]

MAJOR red flag here. He's dodged the address question twice, and still thinks I'm not coming in. Time for a Hail Mary to see if this is even worth another sickday. As much as I'm hating my job, there is nothing unpleasant about it. This seems like a prelude to someone unpleasant if they can't communicate.

For the sake of honesty and transparency, you're kinda scaring me away from this interview. I already gave you an affirmative response twice, and I still don't know where you are. I'm trying to plan how to get out of work for the day, and the trip from Seattle to anywhere in Bellevue may be difficult if I'm trying to do both. My plan is to take the day off for your interview if I can't manage both at once. I'm doing my best to be flexible for you because I understand you're pressed for help and time right now. So, if you're willing to let me know where I'm going on Monday, I'll be happy to put this text-based communication glitch behind us. Deal?

Took him hours to respond this time. It was as I expected, but I wasn't about to shed any tears about it. His loss, not mine

[Signa],

After consideration we have decided that other candidates more closely meet our needs so we will not be interviewing you for the position.

I wish you the best of luck in your job search.

Best regards,
[Employer]

No "hi" this time? Well, time to be the bigger man.

Alright, thank you for your time and I apologize for wasting it. Have a good weekend!

Obviously, if I was out of work, this would have gone down quite differently as I would have given him the direct "yes" he was looking for during that time frame. Hell, I would not have had a reason to use wishy-washy language about it at all, since I wouldn't have had a job to be calling in sick at. I wish I could be honest with my work and tell them that I need some changes, but they have me as a temporary contractor, and while there is no end-date for my term, they could get rid of me at a moment's notice if they thought I should leave.

So, I'm feeling pretty incredulous about the whole thing, and that's why I'm sharing it. I'm amazed that a business can run with communication like this.

For discussion, anyone have any similar situations, or just hilariously bad communication with someone else for anything?

 

[Queen Michael]

Well, if it's a matter of weird employers saying strange things, I worked as an ad deliver guy once. [footnote]Don't judge me. I needed the money.[/footnote] The job was what you'd expect. I walked around the neighborhood on weekends. Every mailbox got a bundle of ad brochures.

Now here's the funny part. The higher-ups said that they made phone calls every week to check if people had received their ads. As in, called random people up and asked. I'v never received such a call. Nor has any of my friends or relatives. At least as far as I know. So I'm prepared to wage money it's a story the bosses made up to keep us workers on our toes.

First of all, not everybody checks their mailbox on weekends. And if the calls are made on Monday evenings, it'll be impossible to check if the ads people have gotten are the ones I was paid to deliver or some other ads that arrived on Monday afternoon. And besides, by then the ads might be thrown away. And maybe somebody else than the person answering the phone call was the only one who saw them before they went in the trash can.

Besides, since I never put ads in the mailboxes with stickers saying NO ADS PLEASE, and my bosses' register of who had those were updated once a year at most, it'd be impossible for them to know who actually got ads.

So yeah, I'm calling baloney.

 

[Signa]

I already gave you an affirmative response twice,

Not quite. Your first correspondence was "I might". "Might" is not quite the same as a definite "yes".
Your second response was definitely much clearer, however.

Anyway, do they not have a website? or an entry in the phonebook? Normally a place of decent repute will have their address listed on their website or in the phonebook.

For discussion, anyone have any similar situations,

Well, for a while I wasn't getting any responses to any job applications. Nothing. Nada. Not a dicky-bird.

It then became known to me that one of my references on my CV was giving me a bad reputation, behind my back. They were effectively sabotaging my job applications.

As soon as I took them off my CV, en voilà, I suddenly started getting responses again.

I dunno what that guy's problem was, he seemed friendly enough to my face. But I guess it's always the people you least expect who backstab you.

That's so shitty. I'm pretty careful what I put on my resume if I can help it. I've only had 2 IT jobs, so I'm thankful that I'm on such good terms with everyone.

As for the company website, I found it, but I couldn't find an address. I shouldn't be looking there for information for a job interview anyway. They could be offsite somewhere with multiple locations.

 

[Signa]

As for the company website, I found it, but I couldn't find an address. I shouldn't be looking there for information for a job interview anyway. They could be offsite somewhere with multiple locations.

Fair point.

That's so shitty. I'm pretty careful what I put on my resume if I can help it. I've only had 2 IT jobs, so I'm thankful that I'm on such good terms with everyone.

Yeah, I was eventually able to suss out the rat by getting a family member to pose as a potential employer phoning around my CV references.

That really makes me question the tradition of giving references. I mean, obviously, you're going to stack the deck in your favor, so if a reference actually gives a candidate a bad review, it's probably the reference that is the asshole and not the candidate.

I think it's great you got your family member to help you. That reminds me of my time after my first job where it seemed like I was getting no response for no reason while hunting for my next job. I had my mom call my old job and do the same. Turns out, they weren't telling anyone anything, other than confirming that I worked there. I eventually got a job and back on my feet. Woo hoo!

 

[sky14kemea]

That does sound suspicious as heckers.

I once replied to an online application that was way too cheerful and upbeat, but I was kind of desperate for work at that point. It was all:
"ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXCITING NEW WORK DYNAMIC? DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR? CAN YOU KEEP UP IN A FAST PACED ENVIRONMENT? WE HAVE EXACTLY THE KIND OF JOB FOR YOU!"

Yes, it was actually in all caps too.

The application said it was for an Admin/IT role. So I got a reply telling me to turn up to an interview at 9am. When I got there it seemed okay, if kind of small for a company. They were renting out an office inside a bigger building. I think there were about 5 other people sat down waiting for an interview.

I went in, and the only questions they asked me were if I could start right away, and how much experience I had in sales. I told them that I thought it was for an admin/IT role, since that's definitely what the advert said. He said the actual job was door to door sales, and that if I agreed to an on-the-job interview then I could possibly be hired by the end of the day.

I was young and naive so I said yes, because I mean what's the worst that can happen? (Kids, don't do this, the worst that can happen is probably murder or sex trafficking. Seriously don't ever do this)

The guys I went around with doing sales were friendly, thank god. They did all the talking and all I had to do was hold the leaflets and stuff. We were trying to sign people up for regular charity donations. It lasted all freakin' day, and I was still out at around 5pm. Eventually my mum got worried sick and kept phoning, and it's probably good that she did. She ordered me home and they got me on the train back safely. Didn't get home til 9pm. :/

I was very, very lucky it was just a lightweight scam to get door to door sales people. It could've ended so much worse. -_-


Still unemployed, btw. I've become a lot more careful going to interviews now. It's probably made me too paranoid....

 

[Diablo2000]

My first job interview (was for a fast food chain I will not name) went like this:

"How would you describe yourself?"
"Oh, I am usually quiet, I just like to keep to myself and..."
*The interviewer cuts me off*
"Ok, you can go."
I am all like "What?"
"If you like you like to keep to yourself why you want to work here?"
At this moment I try my best to correct myself, saying that like to keep to yourself ins't the same as being an anti-social asshole (not in these words) and that I was perfectly capable of communicating with other people.
"Ok, we will consider." She was clearly annoyed by the fact I didn't just leave as she requested and I don't think she considered either.
The whole thing was over before in about a minute.

That's when I learned that a job interview is about saying what they want to hear and not the truth.

I gonna look for a job in IT, since my current one shows no sign of a future (Is a office job doing paperwork, it's easy so I don't complain much) . Wish me the best hopes...

 

[RJ 17]

'I'd ask them why.'
'What if they won't tell you?'
'I'd ask someone else.'
'What if they're the only person who can do it?'
'I'd ask their manager to intervene.'
'Their manager isn't in that day.'
'I'd find out how to do it myself.'
'They won't tell you.'

I gotta say, that sounds absolutely hilarious. If I were in your position, I'd be getting a very surreal feeling about the whole situation...as though I had just gotten sucked into a text-based puzzle adventure and I'm now trying all the possible options I can think of to get out of a room with no doors, only to get feedback from the game saying "Fuck off, try again."

That's when I learned that a job interview is about saying what they want to hear and not the truth.

Yep, that's pretty much the secret of the interview process. You tell the truth on your resume (perhaps garnished with a little bit of embellishment...I mean I can type fast but I never won an award for being the fastest typist in my class in high school like it says on my resume :3) since you don't want to get into a position where you're doomed to failure because in actuality you have no idea what you're doing. As for the interview, though, you tell them anything BUT the truth.
"When do you feel someone should be considered late?"
"10 minutes before it's time to clock in."
"Do you feel managers should be lenient if someone makes a small infraction on workplace policies?"
"No! The managers should invoke the wrath of the Seven Demons of Netheras to drag the immortal souls of those who break company policy into the Nether Realm where they'll be tortured for all of eternity!"
Those are the answers they're looking for in an interview.

I have to say, though, it's pretty rude of the interviewer to just want to throw you out after a single question. Even if they already know they're not going to hire you, it's still common courtesy for them to at least complete the interview process, shake your hand with a smile, and say "We'll finish the interview process with the other candidates and let you know one way or another" while fully intending on never contacting you again.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

'I'd ask them why.'
'What if they won't tell you?'
'I'd ask someone else.'
'What if they're the only person who can do it?'
'I'd ask their manager to intervene.'
'Their manager isn't in that day.'
'I'd find out how to do it myself.'
'They won't tell you.'

I gotta say, that sounds absolutely hilarious. If I were in your position, I'd be getting a very surreal feeling about the whole situation...as though I had just gotten sucked into a text-based puzzle adventure and I'm now trying all the possible options I can think of to get out of a room with no doors, only to get feedback from the game saying "Fuck off, try again."

"I equip my jacket of +2 Charisma and roll for persuasion"

I wonder what response that would have got?

 

[Kyber]

Going to interviews is the best, because I don't actually want a job so I always go in flip flops and socks.

 

[Grumman]

"If you like you like to keep to yourself why you want to work here?"

"...because I don't want to starve to death?"

Or if you prefer, this comic [http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?id=3454].

 

[Kotaro]

That sounds shady as all hell, OP.

I'm currently working part-time at a small computer repair shop. Fairly low pay, since the place is seriously tiny (just the owner and two employees). Been there for a few years now, and while I love the work, I could use a bit more cash.
About half a year ago I applied for a position in sales at Best Buy. Yes, they actually pay more than my current job. I was called in for an interview, and at the end of it, the interviewer outright said "I feel you'd be a better fit for the Geek Squad. If a position opens up there, I'll make sure you get an interview."
About a week later, I got a call from the same guy, telling me that a position just opened up and he wanted me to fill out their online application. I did, and was called in for an interview a few days later. They offered me the job, and said I'd receive an e-mail with some information to fill out for their standard background check.
I got the e-mail the next day, filled out the info, and sent it back.
Weeks passed, and I did not hear back. I repeatedly tried to call to follow-up, was told each time that the hiring manager was either not on-duty or too busy to talk to me, and that my message would be passed along. Apparently it never was, because I finally got hold of him...
He said that they send me a second e-mail with further information to fill out. And since they never got that back from me, they assumed I was no longer interested in the position and they gave it to someone else. Of course I checked, and I never actually received a second e-mail from them (yes, I checked my spam filter, and nada).
I still have no idea what the hell happened there. The only explanation I can come up with is that whichever employee sends out these e-mails either typed my address incorrectly or forgot to hit the Send button or something.

 

[Cooperblack]

that can happen.

 

[laggyteabag]

I had this IT technician interview at a school, and one of the questions went something like -

"One of the staff asks you to fix something, but you are unable to fix it for them, what would you do in that situation?"
I then sit there thinking to myself, if I cant fix something, then that would make me kind of useless as a technician. "I would apologise to them, take their equipment for further repairs, and then offer them a replacement."
"They don't want to part with it because it has something on it that they need, and we dont have any replacements."
Oh, I think. Well then there is nothing that I can really do in that situation then, is there? "Well, in that case, I would try to make it up to them in the future?"
The interviewer lets out a slight laugh, "how would you make it up to them?"
What? I don't know. At this point, I didn't even know if they knew what answer they wanted. "Uh... I don't know, can we move on to another question?"

Safe to say, I didn't get that job.

I had another job at a laser tag site, and the interview went something along the lines of -

"Do you want this job?"
Yes.
"How old are you?"
17.
"You will be earning £6.10 an hour, because the minimum wage for a 17 year old is dreadful."
Oh, sweet! Thanks!
"How soon can you start?"
As soon as possible!
"I'll see you on Monday then!"

That was pretty much it.

 

[Signa]

Ok, so while I didn't think the interview I posted in the OP was shady, I did feel that there was little chance of it being better than my current job.

On the other hand, this posting looks fucking shady.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tch/4850151182.html

Did they just seriously upload a cartoon fixit PC clipart into their job posting? Exactly who are they wanting to fix PCs? Soccer moms?

 

[Just Ebola]

The first job I ever had was a seasonal position at a clothing store, and some time after it ended, I learned that the woman who interviewed me was arrested for stealing from the company. Interviews can be funny.

The strangest one I can remember was when I was being interviewed for a position as a waiter at a nice restaurant. Formal dress and such. The manager asked me which I thought was more important as far as customers, the food or the atmosphere.

I told him I thought the atmosphere was more important because it has a more lasting impression than the food. He seemed displeased, and I didn't get that one. It's not like I was applying to be a chef!

OP, sounds to me like you dodged a shady-ass bullet. Hopefully they won't contact you in the future.

 

[cathou]

the strangest question i've ever saw was in the online preinterview at Best buy. one of the question was : you want to buy a candy bar from a vending machine. you put one dollar Inside the machine, but two candy bar fall. what do you do ?

A)keep the extra candy bar B)put another dollar Inside the machine to pay for the extra candy bar C)you put the candy bar on the top of the machine.

What the hell are you suppose to respond. it's a damn machine. if you put an extra dollars in it, it will only sell you another candy bar, and if you put the bar on the top of the machine, somebody else will just take it, and if you keep it, you're a thief...



for bad communication, a big insurance company in canada keep sending me mail to offer me a job as a sale rep. The first time, i reply that i was please that they want to hire me, but i wasnt looking for a job as a sale rep. 2 days later, another time i had the same exact email. i reply to deny it again. then twice per week they were sending me those messages. i stop replying to them, but they kept sending them. i try to reply by insulting them, telling them that they were the worst company i've ever saw, that i would ran over the guy if i ever saw him crossing the street. but they kept sending me recruiting emails. they stop after roughly 55 emails.

 

[Spirolli]

the strangest question i've ever saw was in the online preinterview at Best buy. one of the question was : you want to buy a candy bar from a vending machine. you put one dollar Inside the machine, but two candy bar fall. what do you do ?

A)keep the extra candy bar B)put another dollar Inside the machine to pay for the extra candy bar C)you put the candy bar on the top of the machine.

How about D) Look and ask around to see if someone ordered a candy bar before you. If no one speaks up or no one comes around before you leave this area. Take home and enjoy or give to someone you know. I mean by that point he or she has probably given up on the candy bar. The other possibility is that the vending machine loader improperly put the candy bar in the machine and you've just won an unintended lottery.

B) Just pays for the next person who's equally undeserving as you to receive an extra candy bar.

C) Can be seen as bad in two ways. If you leave it on top of the machine, just like B), someone who's just as equally undeserving as you will take it. Or people will just will wander past the machine thinking what possessed someone to place a candy bar on top of the machine. They'll think something's wrong with that candy bar and no one will take it. Then over the course of days and weeks, that chocolate has melted into some horribly melty and nearly inedible mess. Finally, someone will just throw the candy bar to spare the machine from getting any more dirty and in the end

 

[Elfgore]

I remember back in my last year of high school, my Mom was really getting on me to get a job before I went for school. For logical reasons of course. So, after multiple applications to various places, two called back. A regional super-market chain and a small family owned store/drive-in. I went to the interview at the family owned business, within twenty minutes I had gotten a call from the manager. As I was driving, I missed the call. I called him back and he never answered. Turns out I had gotten the job within twenty minutes of my interview, turns out having your Mom's boyfriend know the manager helped. Never hearing anything back from them, I ended up taking a job at the super-market. Only for the day I started there I got a call from the family owned place asking where I was. Turned out I was hired and they decided to never tell me that. I ended up choosing the super-market over them. Probably for the best as well. The manager was also a cop, who I heard would withhold paychecks and intimidate employees.