Just a bit of a rant really, I've been applying for jobs left, right and centre and got an interview for one I wasn't particularly interested in with London Marketing Services. Their advert wasn't very transparent but it offered a grad scheme, so I thought I could get some clarity around the position and gain some interview experience.
I get there and there is a table in a big empty room where the secretary is and a few other candidates sitting around (one in jeans despite the email saying come smartly dressed). At this point I was thinking of leaving but then was told to fill a form in. Anyway, it's my turn to be interviewed, shake the guys hand, some pleasantries and then sit down.
He rushes through the role, like it's all been scripted in his head, speaking very fast. He mentioned he was from Spain or something so not that easy to understand and he's also only 24 a year older than me. As soon as he starts talking I can see he's not interested at all and he asks me what my career aspirations are. I tell him that I'm interested in strategic development and that's where I would like to be some day. He laughs and says that's a 10-15 year goal... I say OK. He says everyone works from the floor up (this is what I wanted to know) and then talks a bit more about the business.
I'm starting to get a bit bored of his sales pitch but put on an interested face. In an attempt to show interest I ask who this company primarily deal with and is it B2B. He says yes but they have a load of clients and then he draws 3 squares and says there are 3 ways to gather information, do you know them? I don't quite understand his question so I say 'no'. At which point he says 'you did go to uni didn't you?' I didn't know how to reply to that.
I then asked what their clients expect from LMS, how do they operate as a business, and I could see he didn't know how to answer and just kept saying 'client acquisition' with a condescending look on his face. THEN comes the killer, he says 'I don't think you will be right for this job'. Me puzzled (thinking they tell you this after the interview) says 'can you please tell me why?' He says 'I don't think you will work hard enough' I asked him how he came to that conclusion about me after 10mins and he says I can just tell. Bearing in mind he is 24 and has worked there a year and he's earning 40k, and nearing corporate strategy management level which he said would take 10-15 years.
I was puzzled. THEN he starts talking about himself. He says the difference between us is that I want to work for myself and you want to work for someone else... errr ok. He says that he has a business and will soon be earning 100k, wow. The interview had gone so far off the topic it was a bit uncomfortable sitting there and listening to him. Then I say 'what do you expect of your candidates, what about the guy before me, would he have been acceptable (the guy with the jeans)?' He says **** no (he had said swear words previously too) and says 'but just because you have a nice suit, a nice shirt and hairstyle doesn't mean you get a job'. I couldn't believe the crap I was hearing, so I quickly ended the interview and on leaving said good luck with the business and earning 100k p/a.. He then challenged to in 12months to see who would be more successful..
Has anyone had an experience like this? I've had interviews in the past and interviewers seemed enthusiastic and willing to answer questions, they exercised a lot of professionalism and ensured I understood the company goals, objectives and structure. This guy though was outrageous, and I'm not sure why he was in a position of such power... challenging his candidates, swearing and telling me I'm not suitable mid-interview. He thought he was big time and everyone was obviously beneath him, how else could I have handled that? I like to think I have a good attitude but when I'm confronted with such amateurishness I let it slip.
I get there and there is a table in a big empty room where the secretary is and a few other candidates sitting around (one in jeans despite the email saying come smartly dressed). At this point I was thinking of leaving but then was told to fill a form in. Anyway, it's my turn to be interviewed, shake the guys hand, some pleasantries and then sit down.
He rushes through the role, like it's all been scripted in his head, speaking very fast. He mentioned he was from Spain or something so not that easy to understand and he's also only 24 a year older than me. As soon as he starts talking I can see he's not interested at all and he asks me what my career aspirations are. I tell him that I'm interested in strategic development and that's where I would like to be some day. He laughs and says that's a 10-15 year goal... I say OK. He says everyone works from the floor up (this is what I wanted to know) and then talks a bit more about the business.
I'm starting to get a bit bored of his sales pitch but put on an interested face. In an attempt to show interest I ask who this company primarily deal with and is it B2B. He says yes but they have a load of clients and then he draws 3 squares and says there are 3 ways to gather information, do you know them? I don't quite understand his question so I say 'no'. At which point he says 'you did go to uni didn't you?' I didn't know how to reply to that.
I then asked what their clients expect from LMS, how do they operate as a business, and I could see he didn't know how to answer and just kept saying 'client acquisition' with a condescending look on his face. THEN comes the killer, he says 'I don't think you will be right for this job'. Me puzzled (thinking they tell you this after the interview) says 'can you please tell me why?' He says 'I don't think you will work hard enough' I asked him how he came to that conclusion about me after 10mins and he says I can just tell. Bearing in mind he is 24 and has worked there a year and he's earning 40k, and nearing corporate strategy management level which he said would take 10-15 years.
I was puzzled. THEN he starts talking about himself. He says the difference between us is that I want to work for myself and you want to work for someone else... errr ok. He says that he has a business and will soon be earning 100k, wow. The interview had gone so far off the topic it was a bit uncomfortable sitting there and listening to him. Then I say 'what do you expect of your candidates, what about the guy before me, would he have been acceptable (the guy with the jeans)?' He says **** no (he had said swear words previously too) and says 'but just because you have a nice suit, a nice shirt and hairstyle doesn't mean you get a job'. I couldn't believe the crap I was hearing, so I quickly ended the interview and on leaving said good luck with the business and earning 100k p/a.. He then challenged to in 12months to see who would be more successful..
Has anyone had an experience like this? I've had interviews in the past and interviewers seemed enthusiastic and willing to answer questions, they exercised a lot of professionalism and ensured I understood the company goals, objectives and structure. This guy though was outrageous, and I'm not sure why he was in a position of such power... challenging his candidates, swearing and telling me I'm not suitable mid-interview. He thought he was big time and everyone was obviously beneath him, how else could I have handled that? I like to think I have a good attitude but when I'm confronted with such amateurishness I let it slip.
Tell them all about it, get him in some trouble for being such a douche
