This post is a bit of a departure from the norm round here, but last week I had the most bizarre, rude and down right unpleasant interview for a job I hadn't even applied for and I think it's good to share...you know being an over the hill tired out mum an all...
Last week, a week into a new job which I'm actually really enjoying, despite it being based on a rock in the middle of the sea with just a co-op for all my lunch needs... (Camden Town and Pret sandwiches this is not...) I was summoned to what can only be described as a tin box in a field, to be interviewed by a guy and his wife for a job I didn't apply for, didn't really know about or had prepared for...why did I go? I ask myself the same question, but truefully I have never been personally requested for an interview and I was intrigued.
It was 6pm, my husband had to drive me to the middle of nowhere, kids in the car an all.
I was escorted through an empty building, I made sure I had my phone on me just incase this was some weird situation I'd have to leg it from, and I was sat down and interrogated.
'Explain your A'level choices and what grades you got'
*I'm 33 and have NEVER explained my degree let alone subjects I studied 17 years ago*
'Why did your business fail'
*it didn't, I still own it*
'Explain why you are so passionate about social media and why your fit for the role'
*I'm not fit for the role, I don't know what the role is, you've stalked my social media and know what I can do, your also offering minimum wage and absolutely no incentives*
I was also asked to explain how I've juggled my kids, my husband working and running a business, I was asked to explain why did I move to Dorset, my 10 year plans, how secure my husbands job might be and any plans I have to move.....The luxury I have is that I have experience of terrible bosses and awful work environments, I also know the law and most of the questions were illegal to ask, and more importantly not relevant to the role.
I left with a handful of jelly beans (because they are desperately trying to be hip and cool and not terrible to work for) and a rage and confusion that this had been essentially a tear down of my work choices, I was annoyed with myself for not saying more in the interview and when a day later the feed back was that I just 'wasn't ambitious enough' I was pissed off. I am ambitious, I am more than my A'level choices and a decision to become a mum in my 20's, nothing has held me back except my own doubts and lack of confidence, I have never been someone who holds onto bad experiences, it's to much effort feeling sad and depressed for me to keep it up, but this has got under my skin and the lesson I have learnt from this is that there are still people who will criticise you and try to diminish your decisions and experience into a neat package of 'your not what we're looking for'
Rejection is part and parcel of life, but rejection based on bullshit isn't worth the worry.
No comments:
Post a Comment