“Can you tell me what I need to bring with me to the interview?”
This question came to me in an email from a candidate after I had sent out interview invites.
One might think is is a normal question, except that I sat staring at this email with a dumbfounded look.
Then I rolled my eyes and laughed a little.
I finally replied to the candidate, “Please click on the link HERE to return to SignUp Genius and read the instructions, which will tell you what to bring.”
You know, the instructions that you have to scroll past to sign up for an interview?
The ones you obviously did not read?
Ugh.
Let it be said that I am thorough in giving instruction, from the date of the interview, to the location of the interview, to how to prepare for the interview, to the part where I explicitly tell them to bring their resume with three supervisory references and also fill out the attached form, place it in a sealed envelope and bring that too. Underlined and bolded. It’s hard to miss.
Hard to miss unless you forget to READ.
Reading is important prior to an interview, as are a few other items of note:
- You might have a hard time putting that IKEA dresser together or knowing how many of those prescription pills you’re supposed to swallow today or being hired by a potential employer if you forget to read instructions.
- Also important is showing up at the appointed time that you selected for yourself. When you don’t show up, then don’t call or email with an explanation, you may need to look elsewhere for a job. Someone in HR recently stated the no-shows are a result of the economy (low unemployment), but I don’t accept that as truth. I think it’s simply inconsiderate and rude.
- No, I am not going to change your appointment to next week Tuesday so that you don’t have to take time off from your current job. The interviews are this week Tuesday. Come or don’t come, it’s up to you.
- If you show up for an interview looking like you need a brush, a shower and an iron, you may be confused by the term “professional appearance.” Go home and try harder next time, but leave your over-powering cologne/perfume at home.
- Supervisory references, please. Not your neighbor, co-worker or hairdresser.
- Back to reading – I asked you to come 35 minutes prior to your interview. You must have missed that part. I guess the interview panel will have to suck it up and be 35 minutes behind for the rest of the day.
- Great. You came dressed professionally and on time. It looks like you brought your resume, a list of appropriate references, and the form I asked you to place in a sealed envelope. You are smiling, respectfully social and seem confident. It appears you have prepared for this interview. I hope you do well because we can always use qualified people who can read and write.
You CAN write…right?
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Mary J Melange 
I take your point in a serious way, but I am laughing at what you have to put up with. Honestly, the ways in which people can annoy you are endless. Just read what you’re told to read and do what it says. 🙄
It’s been so frustrating, Ally. We had a day and a half of interviews last week with six people that didn’t show or call. More yesterday that weren’t as bad except for the person that signed up for 9:00 am, came late and thought her interview was at 9:30. It just blows my mind.
I know exactly how you feel. These types of things seem to be happening more and more, and those that do them do not see anything wrong with their behavior. Good luck.
I struggle to understand the thought process of, “Oh, I’ll sign up for this interview and if I don’t go and then don’t call, that’s okay. No problem!” Well, there is a problem when other people who are serious about interviewing can’t get the time slot that they really want because you’re in it…not to mention the time wasted by three panel members and a proctor waiting for someone to show up.
I manage a non-profit blog as well as my own and had a post submission from a teacher this week that I had to edit before publishing. It had already been returned once by another person to be edited prior to me receiving it. Now, there is something majorly wrong with that. 🙂 Last night I went to a meeting with a large number of women present and the smell from several varieties of perfume was overwhelming. Really? Give us a break and leave the perfume home for your dinner date.
Oh yes, the writing thing. We’ve had to add a written portion to the interview process as we’ve had issues with our professionals being able to formulate a complete sentence and spell…after graduating from college?
I am very sensitive to perfume/cologne smells, so when they overuse, it makes me want to gag. I think people are okay if they take a shower and use the smelly stuff sparingly.
Show up? What’s that? Major eye roll here as I totally get it. Sad situation, Mary.
We do have a system where people are removed from the register if they don’t show and don’t call after three times. But I don’t know how well that system is working. I’d like to send them an email that basically says, “Thanks for nothing. Your belief that not showing up for an interview you scheduled yourself is appropriate means that you will not be working for us any time soon.”
Except I doubt they would read it.
Oh.my.word. I’m LOVING that you sent a link back with instructions TO READ because bless it all, do they want you to pack their portfolio and wipe their nose, too?? Wish I had something uplifting to say here. Also wish it wasn’t quite so true when I tell my kids being early, following directions, good eye contact, and a firm handshake will already put them ahead of the game. Sheesh.
Yeah, sheesh, Laura. I had another one email me about the location of our next interviews. I didn’t even send her a link, just told her to go back to SignUp Genius and review. Thanks for giving your kids those instructions, it will save a potential employer from rolling their eyes. You’re an awesome mom.
I see it’s no better in Wisconsin. Be assured, I am laughing WITH you, Mary. You would think that for something as important as a job interview, people would read the instructions. As for the on-time/clean/professionally dressed, I just don’t get it. I want to ask, “just how far does the world have to go to accommodate you?”
And, the no-shows are just plain rude. I had an intern blow off an interview, and then apply for an internship the following year. He didn’t understand when I said we weren’t interested. I told the woman at the university who arranged intern interviews to remind/inform him that actions have consequences. She said, “I don’t think he’s ever heard that before.”
Good for you in trying to teach the potential intern a lesson. I wonder if he learned anything from you blowing him off. Tit for tat. I think that’s the issue here – there are little or no consequences for this behavior, although the candidates who are ill-prepared usually don’t do well in their interview. I’ve since added links to my invite that explain behavior based interviewing, how to interview and a web page with information on the WI DOC. I am not going to hold my breath that everyone will take note and read.
We don’t accommodate anyone in regard to dress, thinking, writing or reading. We will not.
When they reply to an email, asking questions that were in the email – ’nuff said.
I do not envy you having to interview. I’m glad those days are behind me. And I’m with you, a no show without explanation is plain rude.
Thanks for your support! I’m hoping I’ll be done with this in a year or so…before it drives me crazy.
I would say that you can probably eliminate anyone who writes you with that question.
I know, right? I wonder if they go back to the sign-up and think “oh duh” …if that enters their mind at all.
Hopefully among all the candidates there will be one person who sparkles and restores your faith ;o) xxx
Yes, we have had some good ones this go-around, so all is not lost. 🙂
Do you think we were that ignorant 30 years ago? I remember always wanting to wear a suit to my interviews!
I can speak for myself when I say “no.” My mom and dad set good examples and I often wore nice dresses to interviews and work. Plus, I think the ethics for interviewing were taken a lot more serious then.
I’m rolling my eyes as I read this and shaking my head. Everything you said can also apply to setting up appointments with doctors, dentists, hairdressers, etc. Being late or simply blowing off the appointment with no explanation is simply rude.
I agree, Joanne. No manners!
Are we in the land of the millennials, M-J ? [gtin]
I find it hard to credit that even one of them would go to a job interview demonstrating any of the failings you list; but my, how times have changed since I was at that age !
(I always went determined to make ’em laugh, and it usually worked.)
The funny thing, M-R is that they are not all millennials. We have people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s applying and age doesn’t seem to matter.
Keep smiling – at least YOU’re doing OK. 😀
😁😁😁
I learned to read instructions all the way through early in my schooling. A teacher who was a stickler for that gave us a very hard test, and the last bit of the instructions told us to not fill in any of the questions, but just keep the test on the desk until she asked us to turn it in.
That was certainly a good way to teach the value of reading instructions. Your teacher was a wise woman.
I SO understand this. So much. I cannot believe, really, truly, cannot believe how people will turn up for interviews. And no, they can’t write, as evidenced by their resumes.
One time I read, “Attention to detale” SRSLY.
I believe you’re thorough. I believe people do not know how to job. No actual interest in jobbing. Only interested in payday.
Attention to detale. OMG, that made me laugh. This is why we had to add a written portion to the job interview. Too many people hired that couldn’t write a decent report. It’s a wonder how some of these people made it through high school and college.
I feel ya. We have internet intake for the general public. The writing is frightening.