Job interviews are consequence-free zones.

[Ryika]

So, I had a job interview today. Showed up too late, which wasn't quite my fault, as there was a car crash on an intersection and my bus was stuck in traffic for almost 40 minutes, but of course employers don't care about that. I was also... well, let's say dressed inappropriately, because I had misjudged the climate of the company.

So needless to say, during the actual job interview, it was obvious very early that I wouldn't get the job. Not a big issue, as my friend works full-time and I do earn some extra money by doing commission art every now and then, so while having that extra, guaranteed income would be nice, strictly speaking, I don't need to have a job.

But I'm ranting, so back to topic. It became clear very early that that job interview is a waste of time, especially given that my résumé isn't much to be proud of either. I was already pissed because all of the preparation was for nothing, so when he asked me why I dropped out of school so early, and why I haven't done anything in the 2 years since then, instead of giving my usual talk, I just answered that I was more interested in sex and drugs at that time. So 10 minutes later, we were having sex and now I have a job LOL.

...no, that's obviously not how the story ended, but his face when I said that was delicious. I wanted to give more of those type of answers, but couldn't really think of anything in the moment.

The thing is. Minutes later, the job interview was back to normal, as if I hadn't said anything outlandish, and then in the end, he told me that he'd contact me if I get the job. Obviously, I still won't get the job, but here's the thing I realized on the way back: The moment I left that room, everything I did in there, has basically never happened. The employer might tell the story about what I said in some other place, but my name won't be attached to it. It's basically like that saying - "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".

This may sound really childish and stupid, but I'm seriously considering sending out some applications for jobs in fields that I really don't want to get into, just to see how far I can push things, have some fun and gather experience and confidence for actual interviews while also battling my shyness in the process.

 

[Arent11]

So, I had a job interview today. Showed up too late, which wasn't quite my fault, as there was a car crash on an intersection and my bus was stuck in traffic for almost 40 minutes, but of course employers don't care about that. I was also... well, let's say dressed inappropriately, because I had misjudged the climate of the company.

So needless to say, during the actual job interview, it was obvious very early that I wouldn't get the job. Not a big issue, as my friend works full-time and I do earn some extra money by doing commission art every now and then, so while having that extra, guaranteed income would be nice, strictly speaking, I don't need to have a job.

But I'm ranting, so back to topic. It became clear very early that that job interview is a waste of time, especially given that my résumé isn't much to be proud of either. I was already pissed because all of the preparation was for nothing, so when he asked me why I dropped out of school so early, and why I haven't done anything in the 2 years since then, instead of giving my usual talk, I just answered that I was more interested in sex and drugs at that time. So 10 minutes later, we were having sex and now I have a job LOL.

...no, that's obviously not how the story ended, but his face when I said that was delicious. I wanted to give more of those type of answers, but couldn't really think of anything in the moment.

The thing is. Minutes later, the job interview was back to normal, as if I hadn't said anything outlandish, and then in the end, he told me that he'd contact me if I get the job. Obviously, I still won't get the job, but here's the thing I realized on the way back: The moment I left that room, everything I did in there, has basically never happened. The employer might tell the story about what I said in some other place, but my name won't be attached to it. It's basically like that saying - "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".

This may sound really childish and stupid, but I'm seriously considering sending out some applications for jobs in fields that I really don't want to get into, just to see how far I can push things, have some fun and gather experience and confidence for actual interviews while also battling my shyness in the process.

I think I "unconsciously" did something similar sometimes when it became apparent that a certain job would imply conditions I didn't like. I would, of course, never say something that outlandish, but I did, mostly unconsciously, resort to provocating counter questions or answers.

I mean, sometimes I already was on the other side of the table, deciding about master or bachelor students whether they got a job. And that made me understand the process a little & also limited my patience for job interviews & questions that are obviously absurd or aimed at psychology instead of my actual qualification.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Really this depends on the industry you're working in. I'm sure many of them are large enough that word won't really spread. In other industries, the same people show up all over the place and are interconnected. Word does get around at the speed of gossip. Probably not the case for you in this instance but it would be for me if I did something like this in an interview.

 

[The_J]

I'd also expect that whoever I was interviewing with will call my current boss to hell him about it.
And my field is definitely small enough that this would be a considerable issue.

 

[Perfection]

There's no such thing as a consequence free zone

 

[Broken_Erika]

There's no such thing as a consequence free zone

What about the inside of El Trumpo's head?

 

[hobbsyoyo]

I'd also expect that whoever I was interviewing with will call my current boss to hell him about it.
And my field is definitely small enough that this would be a considerable issue.

As I understand it, old/current bosses can't say anything to prospective boss except confirm that you worked there. Though as I also understand it, that law is basically worthless

 

[Birdjaguar]

So, I had a job interview today. Showed up too late, which wasn't quite my fault, as there was a car crash on an intersection and my bus was stuck in traffic for almost 40 minutes, but of course employers don't care about that. I was also... well, let's say dressed inappropriately, because I had misjudged the climate of the company.

So needless to say, during the actual job interview, it was obvious very early that I wouldn't get the job. Not a big issue, as my friend works full-time and I do earn some extra money by doing commission art every now and then, so while having that extra, guaranteed income would be nice, strictly speaking, I don't need to have a job.

But I'm ranting, so back to topic. It became clear very early that that job interview is a waste of time, especially given that my résumé isn't much to be proud of either. I was already pissed because all of the preparation was for nothing, so when he asked me why I dropped out of school so early, and why I haven't done anything in the 2 years since then, instead of giving my usual talk, I just answered that I was more interested in sex and drugs at that time. So 10 minutes later, we were having sex and now I have a job LOL.

...no, that's obviously not how the story ended, but his face when I said that was delicious. I wanted to give more of those type of answers, but couldn't really think of anything in the moment.

The thing is. Minutes later, the job interview was back to normal, as if I hadn't said anything outlandish, and then in the end, he told me that he'd contact me if I get the job. Obviously, I still won't get the job, but here's the thing I realized on the way back: The moment I left that room, everything I did in there, has basically never happened. The employer might tell the story about what I said in some other place, but my name won't be attached to it. It's basically like that saying - "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".

This may sound really childish and stupid, but I'm seriously considering sending out some applications for jobs in fields that I really don't want to get into, just to see how far I can push things, have some fun and gather experience and confidence for actual interviews while also battling my shyness in the process.

Yes it does sound childish and stupid. Clearly you don't take getting a job seriously. And the consequences of what you said in the interview are already manifest: you are thinking about continuing the behavior to have some fun. You want to waste other's peoples time just so you can have a bit of fun. Classic immaturity. You seem to view consequences as things that others willdo that willaffect you. some consequences work that way. Others are more subtle and can involve how what you do changes you for the better or for the worse.

The interview failed because you didn't prepare or care enough to make sure it went well. You were interviewed in good faith by a company looking to hire a person and pay them money. It is OK to go to an interview to get practice and explore different opportunities. But you shouldn't be pissed when the fail is entirely yours.

 

[Ryika]

Yes it does sound childish and stupid. Clearly you don't take getting a job seriously.

Well like I said, I don't necessarily need a job right now, so... yeah, not 100% serious at least, that's certainly true. Which is not to say that I did not try to do my best to prepare and get the job, I just didn't feel the need to hang on to that last bit of hope when realistically that job was already out of reach.

And the consequences of what you said in the interview are already manifest: you are thinking about continuing the behavior to have some fun. You want to waste other's peoples time just so you can have a bit of fun. Classic immaturity. You seem to view consequences as things that others willdo that willaffect you. some consequences work that way. Others are more subtle and can involve how what you do changes you for the better or for the worse.

Oh, certainly. What I mean when I say that it has no consequences, is that what I did will never be known to the world. Well, would not be known to the world, had I not told the world about it.

The more subtle consequences are of course that I now have realized that people in job interviews can serve their real purpose in life, which is to entertain me, without me having to fear for consequences from other people. That may have negative consequences on my character if we want to go that far down the rabbit hole, but then again, I'm not on a journey to become a beacon of righteousness. We only live once, might at least embrace my more destructive tendencies when I have the chance to do so.

The interview failed because you didn't prepare or care enough to make sure it went well. You were interviewed in good faith by a company looking to hire a person and pay them money. It is OK to go to an interview to get practice and explore different opportunities. But you shouldn't be pissed when the fail is entirely yours.

I don't have that much practice with job interviews, so sure, part of it was certainly because I did not prepare properly. I should for example have saved the number of the company in my phone, that way I could have called to tell them what is going on. But while I planned in some extra time in case something goes wrong, that my journey towards the job would take almost 60 minutes longer than planned is not something that I could have reasonably expected - that's what I was pissed about, and I think reasonably so. It's not like I was rude to the person of anything, I just decided to leave the role that was expected of me and instead just said what came to my mind.

Overall, while I learned from this experience, I do not think I made any major mistakes that should have been obvious to me before going into that job interview, so I reject the notion that I did not "care" enough.

 

[Perfection]

What about the inside of El Trumpo's head?

I believe it's currently experiencing the consequences of his actions.

 

[sophie]

But while I planned in some extra time in case something goes wrong, that my journey towards the job would take almost 60 minutes longer than planned is not something that I could have reasonably expected - that's what I was pissed about, and I think reasonably so.

Did you at least call ahead to let them know you were going to be exceedingly late?

It's not like I was rude to the person of anything, I just decided to leave the role that was expected of me and instead just said what came to my mind.

Well except that you immediately proceeded to waste his time and bomb the interview as soon as you realized you weren’t going to get what you wanted and now you’re contemplating wasting other peoples’ time by pursuing interviews for jobs you have no interest in taking. That mentality - “well I’m not going to get what I want...well that’s fine I didn’t want this dumb thing anyway! Pewpewpew!” - is the immature behavior Birdjag is talking about.

The more subtle consequences are of course that I now have realized that people in job interviews can serve their real purpose in life, which is to entertain me, without me having to fear for consequences from other people. That may have negative consequences on my character if we want to go that far down the rabbit hole, but then again, I'm not on a journey to become a beacon of righteousness. We only live once, might at least embrace my more destructive tendencies when I have the chance to do so.

 

[rah]

I'm with Hobbs on this one. You never know. In a smaller community people do talk.
And the last person that gave me an excuse on why they were late did get the job because I later checked on their excuse and it was verified.
And yes, most companies are so worried about getting sued that you won't get anything out of them except verification of employment.
Feel free to use this to your advantage but realize that the interviewing person may personally know someone there that may answer off the record. (low probo, but it has happened)

Next time just look up and say, it looks like I've blown this one and I don't want to waste your time anymore. That type of consideration might get you a second chance. Especially if the person interviewing you has just finished a week of dozens of blowhards wasting their time. (especially on an entry level position where character is more important than experience) or if nothing else ends the torture.

But did get a chuckle out of the I got the job joke.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

My biggest issue with job interviews -and the reason I hate them so much- is that I don't have the self-confidence to shamelessly elevate myself with outrageous lies, but that's apparently what most people do which leaves me at a disadvantage.
For example, I can code a bit. I can't really code, so I wouldn't include it in a job application, but I can code better than someone I know who did bring it up and interview and got a job.

Now, for being deliberately silly as a means for self-amusement, I don't see the harm. Yes, people talk. But what do they talk about ? If you apply for a job they're going to check your former employers (sometimes not even that), but they won't check all the places where you have applied because they don't know where you applied (unless you tell them whicih would be foolish).

 

[red_elk]

My biggest issue with job interviews -and the reason I hate them so much- is that I don't have the self-confidence to shamelessly elevate myself with outrageous lies, but that's apparently what most people do which leaves me at a disadvantage.

That depends on interviewer a lot.
I have experience of interviewing people for a job and people who were clearly boasting about their skills gave rather negative impression.

 

[rah]

Yeah, claiming experience in an area of competence for your interviewer can be disastrous if you lack it.
Easiest way to get eliminated from the pool. Better saying you've dabbled in it. Those people are teachable.
I hired a person that had never written a line of code in the required language but decided that he could learn it.
He ended up becoming an expert in the language within a couple of months. Best hire ever. I found him from online gaming.

 

[Hygro]

This may sound really childish and stupid, but I'm seriously considering sending out some applications for jobs in fields that I really don't want to get into, just to see how far I can push things, have some fun and gather experience and confidence for actual interviews while also battling my shyness in the process.

heck yeah

 

[Ryika]

Yeah, claiming experience in an area of competence for your interviewer can be disastrous if you lack it.
Easiest way to get eliminated from the pool. Better saying you've dabbled in it. Those people are teachable.
I hired a person that had never written a line of code in the required language but decided that he could learn it.
He ended up becoming an expert in the language within a couple of months. Best hire ever. I found him from online gaming.

Then I'm at a natural advantage by having done tons of things without ever sticking to anything for any significant period of time!
I'm sure I can create a list with hundreds of things that I've dabbled into!

 

[BvBPL]

Having a hobby is great!

 

[red_elk]

Then I'm at a natural advantage by having done tons of things without ever sticking to anything for any significant period of time!
I'm sure I can create a list with hundreds of things that I've dabbled into!

Add them to your CV (just not hundreds of them, of course).
If you have wide range of interests, it gives good impression.

 

[rah]

Well in the age of electronic CVs it's easy to tailor it for a specific job. Just choose a few that seem to fit.
On hobbies, always best to look around the room for clues. Hobbies should never be on the CV wasting space, only used strategically.

As an interviewer I like to see people figure it out and bring it up. It shows they're observant and quick thinkers.