What NOT to Say When Interviewing with Grandy

Grandy has been going through the interview process, on the other side. Since moving up in my company, we have been on the hunt for looking for my replacement. During this time, I've been doing the full-time job of 2 people (as usual) while trying to make things happen in the new position.


There's something interesting about interviewing people for the position you've put so much into. The people participating in the interviews with me are interesting because I keep hearing, "But they're not Mary!"


Well yeah!! Hello!! I'm MARY!!


With the economy being what it is, and the fact that we had over 50 candidates apply for the position, one would think that we would have a plentiful supply of qualified folks. What I've learned, however, is there are a lot of wierd people out there...(and of course I'm irritated to no end that I don't get to do the initial screening process, or the wierdos wouldn't even make it through the door).


So, here are some "gems" that were shared with Grandy over the last couple months:

Me: So you've read the job description?
Candidate: Yes I have.
Me: So what was it about the description that interested you most when you applied?
Candidate: Well, you know.
Me: I do?
Candidate: Yeah, pretty much all of it.
Me: Could you be a bit more specific?
Candidate: Ummmm...yeah...I didn't read it. I just need a job.

::blink blink::


Me: So, you mentioned you left your last job 5 years ago because there were "issues"?
Candidate: Yes I did. I was horrible to work with, got too big for my britches and ended up leaving because I thought they weren't being very nice to me.
Me: So how was the job you went to after that?
Candidate: They were worse.
Me: And what's different now?
Candidate: I learned the problem was all me, after going through a great 12 step program. I'm much better now!


::blink blink::


Me: Your resume says you were still with **** company. But your recently filled out applications says you left in October?
Candidate: Yes.... Ok... I might as well tell you, you're going to find out anyway. I got fired.
Me: Oh?
Candidate: I was the manager, and I gave an employee permission to fudge something on a report because she was struggling to make her quota, and I got fired. I was trying to help... and IIIIII GOT FIRED.


::blink blink::

Oh yeah...Grandy could have eliminated at least 3 of the candidates from the 15 interviews we actually had to SIT through. Really? We couldn't narrow it down more than that?

Oh that's right. I wasn't part of that screening process.

Alas...I just work here.