Job hunting is so bizzare now!

[HotelMinion]

So in my job hunt I've noticed some things that just drive me up the wall that prospective employers do...
Such as...

1. Write "no experience needed" in the ad and then say experience is needed.
2. Write "part time" and then try to push me to do full time.
3. Make a negative comment at everything I answer.
4. Make bizarre faces to throw me off...just weird.
5. Ask me one question that is totally not related to job, like "what's your favorite color?" and "what's your favorite animal?" and that's it. Ummm...
6. Ask me if I speak Spanish for a non translator position.

I sometimes feel like a joke is being played on me and I'm none the wiser. I really do. Have any of you had these things happen to you? I don't remember these types of stuff happening when I was job hunting a decade ago...

[XCashier]

It's the economy. Employers have all the cards and darn well know it. I haven't been on very many interviews lately, but yes, they do state one thing in the ad and say the opposite in the interview, and they can insist that you need a doctorate for a file clerk job.

I don't think they've gotten to this level yet, but time will tell.

[KellyHabersham]

My employer does something which goes along with the first thing on your list - a position will be listed as "entry-level", but in the job description, experience and knowledge which is NOT "entry-level" is required.

[bhskittykatt]

I can understand the language thing, as being multilingual can be valuable even if it's not a translator position and isn't required -- it's a skill that adds value to the candidate. I also understand the weird questions -- the interviewer wants to understand how you think, and throwing you a curve like that and watching how you formulate an answer can be insightful.

As for the others...yeah, that's pretty BS. The ad should reflect the job and job requirements. I think some do it in an attempt to bring in more candidates, but that's the wrong way to do it because it brings in the wrong people not suited/qualified for the position.

[vikingchyk]

I read this blog for assorted managerial insights, both good and bad. http://www.askamanager.org/category/...iewer-behavior

[mjr]

I want to address one of these, based on what I've read over the years...

5. Ask me one question that is totally not related to job, like "what's your favorite color?" and "what's your favorite animal?" and that's it. Ummm...

This was a fad in the late 1990's and in the early part of the 2000's. I think it came about because there were studies or something that said your favorite animal or favorite color could give the interviewer an indicator of your personality.

It's actually ineffective, and I have to wonder why people still do it, other than just not knowing better.

I wish there were a polite way of saying "My color preference/favorite animal is not relevant to the position, and would have no impact on how I would perform my duties."

I have a co worker who had something similar happen to him. He's Christian, and he went to a job interview and the interviewer actually asked him if he was Christian. That is a HUGE no-no in U.S. employment law. To avoid fratching, I'll leave that one there.

My co-worker also told me that his team lead said once that he (the team lead) wouldn't hire someone if they liked music he didn't like, or if they didn't like the same kinds of music.

I've also seen some where you get "logic problems" to solve during your interview. The problems are sometimes in the vein of "How would you weigh a Boeing 747?"

Of course, most employers (at least in my field) have stopped asking those questions, because they know the answers are easily and readily available on the Internet.

[AccountingDrone]

I've also seen some where you get "logic problems" to solve during your interview. The problems are sometimes in the vein of "How would you weigh a Boeing 747?"
t.

I suppose they wouldn't know how to answer if I responded 'I would get out my copy of Janes all World Aircraft and look it up. [with a subscription and if the specific aircraft is military such as a specific C19 in the Civil Reserve Aircraft Fleet I could even get their hull number and particular modifications.]

[sms001]

2. Write "part time" and then try to push me to do full time.

I've run into the opposite a LOT more. In that instance I think they want to pull people who are available enough for full time, but not give them the hours.

3. Make a negative comment at everything I answer.

Beeline for the door, unless that person has nothing to do with DtD - even then, kinda a red flag.

4. Make bizarre faces to throw me off...just weird.

5. Ask me one question that is totally not related to job, like "what's your favorite .

Had one ask fairly early in the interview where I was was born, and his face lit up on my response; it was somewhere he was fascinated with, but had never been. So we talked about it for forty-five minutes! Got the job, and I believe he and his wife finally went a few years later. Hope you had a good time Dr. Name - and thanks for the job.

I suppose they wouldn't know how to answer if I responded 'I would get out my copy of Janes ...

Why not? Seems as good an answer as any, although you would be finding the weight, not weighing. Downside is it wouldn't account for any cargo etc.

Personally, I'd draw an outline of the tires on the ground, roll it away, get the area of the footprint and multiply that by the tire pressure. I assume it would work as well for a plane as it does a car. Not incredibly accurate though.

[April]

With the weighing question, I would just say "with a really big scale?" and leave it at that lol

The most off putting one I've seen, is a company that advertised they were hiring for a position at the Colorado Springs location, in Colorado Springs job markets. My husband applied, was interviewed, was hired and then after he was hired, he was notified that they were not hiring for the Springs, but it was Denver that they needed people. the OTHER side of Denver. A 2.5-3 hour commute during rush hour. (a not too bad drive during normal hours LOL)

[AyreBiskits]

i was laid off from one job because they suddenly decided everyone must have at least a college degree to work there, including the receptionist.

didn't matter that i had worked there for 15+ years, some had worked there longer and were let go.

[PastryGal]

"How would you weigh a Boeing 747?"

Very carefully

[xxscooterxx]

I've had to take a multitude of personality type quizzes recently. Please tell me how not liking the color blue has anything to do with how well I can sling truck parts.

[rageaholic]

It's the economy. Employers have all the cards and darn well know it. I haven't been on very many interviews lately, but yes, they do state one thing in the ad and say the opposite in the interview, and they can insist that you need a doctorate for a file clerk job.

I don't think they've gotten to this level yet, but time will tell.

Yeah, when someone is desperate enough for a job, employers can ask them anything. I resent employers so much because of this.

[fireheart]

I reckon it'd be the larger companies that do this. I went for a job interview recently for a smaller company (who had a much better reputation). The questions were fairly straightforward.

[XCashier]

I had a job interview a couple of weeks ago. It was a small company, and it didn't go too badly...until I had an allergic sneezing fit in the middle of it. Very embarrassing. And no, I didn't get the job.