RE: Recent unusual interview experiences

["Sharon Burton-Hardin" <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com>]

I once sat thru a gang interview where people argued about projects and
occasionally asked me a question. As I took off my dress coat to put on the
back of the chair, someone asked if I was going to completely undress. Since
I had my back to the table, I don't know who asked. Not that it mattered,
but it would have been nice to have a face to associate with it.

After that fun part was over, the lone tech writer and I were left alone. He
told me he was completely burned out and wanted out. Then he asked if I
noticed his ring. I said no. He pushed his hand across the table so I could
more closely see it. It was 2 people having sex. I looked at him and he
smiled. I fumbled my way thru until I could easily get out of that room.
Needless to say, when they called 10 days later with an offer, I was no
longer available. I really was not but I would not have been available under
any circumstances. If I want that, I could go back to cocktailing in dark
clubs in a stupid uniform.

Today, some 8 years later, I would end the interview with the first undress
comment then and there by picking up my dress jacket, thanking everyone for
being there, explaining that a mistake had been made. and walking out. I
also never meet a potential client with a closed door. Never. I explain I
would like the air and open it. If needed, I tell them this is for their
legal safety.

Then there was the client last year who played flippy tie and rubbed the
front of his pants while my writer and I were in a meeting with him and his
boss. I didn't see it because he was sort of behind me but my writer got a
full, unwanted view. We now have a rule that says "If the client starts
playing Mr Flippy Tie or the functional equiv, the first person who notices
MUST stand up and ask that the Anthrobytes people step outside for a
moment."

sharon

Sharon Burton-Hardin
CEO, Anthrobytes Consulting
909-369-8590
www.anthrobytes.com

-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-71429 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-71429 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com]On Behalf Of Bruce Wolf
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 7:31 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Recent unusual interview experiences




>
> I wouldn't leave during the interview process. Alot can be learned about
the market, about the company, and about hiring and interviewing tactics by
going through something like that. It's hard enough to get accurate salary
details are these days, so being around long enough to ask what the range
is, what the bennies are, etc, can be educational.
>
> IMO, you go through the trouble of putting on a clean suit and put
together some kick-ass writing samples, you might as well stick it out; you
might even get a free lunch out of the deal.
>
> If a call for 2nd interviews or an offer came, I would decline and respond
with specific reasons why.
>



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