I sent in my resume last night, got a call the very next morning to go in for an interview the next day.
When I arrived at the interview, I was asked to filled out their employment application. While doing that, the interviewer came passed me three different times in which I looked up at her, but was not greeted.
When I completed the form, after about a few minutes the interviewer welcomed me with a strong hand crushing handshake. I said it was very nice to meet her, but she did not respond nor smiled not a word.
We went into her office and I was asked to take a seat. I noticed she had my resume printed on her desk ready to discussed. The minute she looked at my resume, she rolled her eyes, sighed, and threw her chin to her hand and said, "I didn't realized you haven't work for so long." Keep in mind, that everything she was saying to me was in a very rude demeaning attitude way. So....this is exactly what was said and how it went...
Interview with Emily Perkins (Part 1 of 5)::
I graduated with a major in psychology and was just one course short of a major There were definitely directors who would be too critical or too rough.
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Cosmic Variance | Discover Magazine::
It was probably rude for me to have said anything, I know, but everyone got a For my E+M midterm today, it was just right, and as a bonus I think they learned
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With that statement that she made, I quickly explained that that was because I was schooling full time, then I took some time off to be with my newborn. Now that my newborn is bigger, I'm trying to get back into the workforce.
She looked at my education section and stated, "You went to school for four years and did not get your degree!" I felted so insulted because she didn't even give me the chance to explain why that was so. With that said, again I quickly jumped in to say that I only have a year left upon graduation, but right now my child is my top priority.
Friday Free-for-All -- 19 Years Wasted - On Balance::
type of answer could work here too, or in any interview/situation where The comment was rude but I would just answer the question by listing what skills
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Lawyers are equally sensitive if you dare question or criticise anything they arriving in Provence have I been told: Why dont you just go back to your
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She gave me a disgusting look, and asked me, "What makes you think you're qualified for this job!?" I remained my composure, and said that I only got a very brief description of the job and if she would help tell me more about the position. She laughed at me and said, "Whatever you read on the ad is what it is!" Note: this was only a facilitator position. They were looking for someone who is bilangual in hmong/english.
So I explained my qualifications to be interrupted with, "So you only applied for this position only because you can speak hmong/english!" I'm like, no that is not the reason why. I explained that I went to school in hope that I could step foot into the non-profit industry, which they were. I wanted to learn more about how non-profit sectors work and how they run. I wanted to learn about their services, so I can let others know there is resources, and that was why I was there. She replied, "Oh! So you want to become an investigator!" Mocking me...
Then she said, "Why are you telling me textbook stuff, don't tell me textbook stuff. I've been doing this for years, I know!" Like everything I said was wrong. She follows up with, "Tell me from the bottom of your heart why you think you're the best fit for this position?" I was dumbfounded because everything I would say was shoved back in my face.
She askes, "Who would I contact as references, since you've never worked a full-time job before!" I responded that she can call all of my previous employers and I wouldn't have a problem, not only that but my advisors from school. She laughed at me again, and said, "You want me to call your previous employers when you've only worked for them for a short time???" Of course this was more of a rhetorical question.
She cuts it off short and told me what to expect next week. She also emphasized to me that she received several applications. (yeah right...that's why they called me in for the interview so quickly, right?) She asked if I had any questions for her.
I asked what she thought is the most challenging aspect of the position, and she said that the african americans and hispanic population are very rude. Then said that asians on the other hand don't like to make noise, and even if they got pounded on, they still wouldn't do anything.
That was enough for me, so I just thanked her. She got up, open the door and lead me out. Again, bone crushing handshake without a thank you, but a "Goodbye."
So, what do you guys think? Am I just too sensitive about it or she was really rude and inconsiderate? It's not my fault that she didn't look at my resume carefully before the interview. Wasted my time, so she can mock me, laugh at me, insult me, and discourage me. Not to mention that I am more than qualified for that position. She gave me attitude right off the bat. I feel that I didn't get a chance at all. I feel hurt, and would like to do something about it. Please let me know what steps to take and some of your insights. Thank you so much for reading!
She was definitely in the wrong. I've had similar interviews, with unprofessional types as well. It's unacceptable behavior, nobody should make excuses for her.
She was rude, no question. That could be her style, it could be that she was having a bad day, it could be an interviewing tactic to see how you handle it, especially because it sounds like many of the clients may act that way. The fact that you kept your temper and finished the interview is very much in your favor.
Give it a week to see if you get offered the job. If you do, her whole attitude may change. You wouldn't be working directly under her, unless the job is in HR, so even if she continues to be rude, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
If you don't, then you can always write to the president or CEO of the company about her behavior at the interview.
You might be sensitive but i am sure she was also in a rude way.
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I think she was testing you. Don't forget to write that thank you note, emphasize your strong points, and thank her for your time.
Wow.......you need to take a pill.........that's life.........sorry..........suck it up and move on.........
It does sound like she was mean. She did not even smile or wish you initially after u wished her. I have never had that happen. That is quite an insult. Even if she was extremely distracted, or having a really stressful day, that's not the way to act. And what if she is this way most of the time?
I am a sensitive person and I finely pick up on these things from other people. I also do get offended if the tone isn't right. Maybe we are the same kind of people, but it certainly looks like she was not respectful.
I really liked how you handled the questions. Good for u for keeping ur composure and answering respectfully. Think of it as great training! In a way this experience is a gem because it has exposed u to a different kind of interviewer and put u in a stressful situation. Any interview isn't a waste...becauuse you are getting practice along the way. Just keep doing your best.
Have u written a thank u note yet? Maybe you can reiterate some points there and explains some point u might have missed earlier. keep it short though.
U know if it were me, I would really hesitate working at this place with this lady. I doubt it that this was a "test". But imagine working with or even under her. Oh my. Are u willing to do it?
I say keep looking....keep interviewing...this way you can have the likelihood of choosing which job to take the more interviews u go for. The more jobs u interview for, better it is. So don't wait...and continue with ur job search.
I have never gone thru an interviewer who was this rude. Maybe they might ask similar questions like "why such a long gap" or "how come I have not finished the degree earlier"...but they'd be very polite. But if I were the go thru this, I would feel really bad, but also chalk it up as a learning experience.
U have very valid reasons for the gap and the degree.
Different things are imp. to different employers. Some might be flexible and some won't be regarding certain things. Just keep doing your best and cover all bases well. Practice your answers to eevry kind of question. Goodluck, I am sure you will have a job soon at a nice place.
Get the name of the company president. Point out that she's making blatantly racist remarks to prospective employees, which is unprofessional. She could have just said "There's a lot of rude people that you'd have to speak to if you get this job" and left race/ethnicity out of it all together.
She also sounds like a real jerk and a bully. Obviously you wouldn't have gotten an interview if you weren't remotely qualified for the position. It sounds like she's got some kind of obsession with proving that she's "tough" and "doesn't take any sh**" or whatever. She wants to be the person that nobody messes with, and in turn, becomes the person that nobody wants to bother dealing with because she's so horribly unpleasant.
You aren't being too sensitive about this at all. If this is the image the company is projecting to potential applicants, they're likely going to scare a lot of people off.
Yikes! She is a VP in HR! That's laughable. You were not being sensitive and just by reading your question I found her rude and condescending. What was up with the racial comments about blacks, hispanics, and asians?
I am not going to write a book but will say this......our economy is so bad right now that it seems that potential employers feel that they can treat prospective employees any kind of way and offer them any old salary.
I also think she might have helped you out........would you really want to be a part of this organization. Seems to me there is an employer out there who will respect your person and your skills.
If you are sure you don't want to work for this company, I would follow up with an email to her boss possibly explaining your story above.
The steps to take? That's easy. No way in hell would I want to work with a company who treats their propective employees this way. Imagine how she treats her current employees! Move on...
Add: After reading some answers I have to agree about it being an interview tactic. Although it's rare that employers use this tactic but you did state: "she said that the african americans and hispanic population are very rude." She could have been acting rude to see how you would handle the situation because it seems like their clients can be rude also. However, do you want to even work with people like that? It just makes for a very high stress job.
Very good answers here. IMO she was rude and overstepped her line with the "african american/hispanic population" statement. As someone previously pointed out, send her a "thank you for your time" follow up letter anyway. Your composure's to be applauded-keep up the good work. Let no one try to shake your composure. It's their loss and your gain. Good luck.
I would send her a book on business ethics. and social ethics as well. Sorry about your experience. If I were you, I wouldnt want to work for a company (profit or non-profit) represented by someone with that awful demeanor. As for what else to do, I would just try to let others know the situation to inform them. Other than that i would just walk away. wash your hands clean of it. good luck in finding a job!
Being an HR professional I commend you for being so patient and not for walking out during the interview. Her actions are not only rude but could get her and the company she works for in a lot of trouble (ethnic remarks). I would not tolerate that type of behavior from my recruiters.
Even if this was a test and you are offered the position, you have to think about if this type of behavior is tolerated do you really want to work for this organization?
I would be tempted to write a letter to the CEO and explain what happened during the interview and how this individual represented his company.
Good luck.
You need to get thicker skin. She already has a job and didn't need to impress you with her smile or pleasant attitude. Frankly, most of the questions and comments you listed sounded like a pretty normal initial interview.
It sounds like you haven't been thru very many interviews in the past. Most initial interviews are for the sole purpose of screening out the chaff. I'm surprised you got a face to face interview instead of just a phone interview.
She was definitely rude, however, this may have been an interview tactic of hers - a way of weeding people out. If not, and this is her "normal" behavior, then I don't think you would be happy working for a company this woman representatives. Would you? After all, who knows how the rest of the employees/supervisors behave - they could act just like her!
And as someone else pointed out, unless you work in HR, you probably wouldn't be dealing with/seeing her much if you did get the job. But this is something you will have to weigh in your own mind.
 Where was the last debate on wednesday with Mccain and Obama?
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Rude interviewer or Was I Just Too Sensitive?