I just endured a freaky interview experience.

[Writer]

I went to an interview today for a part-time job. I won't say what industry, although I'll give you a hint: WHOLISTIC MEDICINE (clears throat.)

So I enter the office with my resume in hand, and I come to find two rows of chairs on which sit people with name tags.

I paused for a moment. I wondered whether I had answered an ad that actually was a trap. Amway? Scientologists? I felt I was going to be indoctrinated. Shave my head, that sort of thing.

Wrong. It was a GROUP INTERVIEW. So I took a seat and filled out a brief personality test. I have strong personal beliefs about doing this, which should have been my first indication that this wasn't such a great situation.

Turns out that the job, which I thought would have been a typical marketing job, was actually more of a sales advocate for this industry. Each of the candidates had to stand up and give an impromptu dog and pony show about why they wanted the job, etc. At this point, I truly did not want this job. I stood up, gave my .02, then sat down.

I could not leave the office fast enough. I am so creeped out now about the experience.

I think this was one of the worst interview experiences I have endured.

Writer.

[SoDesuKa]

1. If They Offer You the Job . . .

Will you take it?

[Writer]

4. Hell, no!

Luckily I'm not desperate. Mr. Writer makes a good salary. I can afford to be a bit choosy.

I wish I could describe just how absolutely creepy the whole experience was. I'm glad I escaped without brainwashing!

[Droopy]

2. Fuck it

Drive trucks for a living like me. If you've got a CDL, a good driving record, and no felonies then you're in. Very few trucking companies even have interview processes. Just verification.

[orleans]

3. it does sound a bit odd

next time--if there is something about the job/interview/office/whatever you don't like here's my recommendation: get up and walk away. excuse yourself and leave. what difference would it make other than you wouldn't get the job?

i've been in situations where, when i look back on it, i hated it and was angry at myself for keeping myself in the situation longer than i would have liked to have been.

so when i embark on something new i keep in mind two things:
1. try to keep an open mind
2. if i don't like it i an always leave

(and every once in awhile--i do leave)

[Writer]

7. I agree. I almost did walk out.

But I was stuck in the middle of the row of seats and couldn't find a polite time to do so.

[enigmatic]

5. Ugh

That sounds horrible; I would have belted out "Tomorrow" in my best Tom Waits voice and walked out of the room!

[Writer]

8. I was about 5 seconds away from doing that.

I was thinking more like:

I don't know why I'm heeere!
But here is my hap-py faaaace.
This whole thing is queeeer
But here is my hap-py faaaaace!

:O

[enigmatic]

10. LOL!

[Maddy McCall]

6. The worst interview experience I ever endured...

was when I started my period in the middle of a typing test for a bank job. I, um, left my mark on the typing chair. Like you, I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

I'm really wondering about the job for which you applied. Group interviews? I hope you won't go to work for them, even if they offer the job to you. I'd stay away from a company that is like that.

[Writer]

9. Group interviews...

Is that something odd? I thought it indicated a small company who takes themselves way too seriously.

[Maddy McCall]

11. In all of my interview experiences, I have never been interviewed...

with other people who were applying for the same job. Not for a job with a big company or a small business.

It's the weirdest thing I've ever heard of, as far as applying for a job.

You should have the 1-on-1 time with the personnel director, in which he can ask you questions, and you can ask him questions.

If I were you, I wouldn't say an outright no to them, if they offer you the job--I'd interview again if they ask you to, so that I could ask them several WTF questions.

[Skittles]

12. I once hired someone simply because the interview I gave SUCKED

I was frazzled, arrived late, was interrupted several times ..... I felt so bad I hired the guy - luckily it turned out to be a good decision.

[Writer]

13. OMG - these freaks called me back for a second interview!

Okay, I know what I SHOULD tell them, ("Thank you, but I don't think it's a good fit.")

But what should I REALLY tell these people ;)

Writer.

[auntAgonist]

14. see Maddy's #11 reply ..

I agree with her.

[livetohike]

16. I would be honest with them

say "I don't think it's a good fit." and if they ask you why, tell them.

There is nothing worse than going into a situation when your gut is screaming "No". I learned the hard way. :-(

[kick-ass-bob]

15. Yeah - If that were me...

well, lets just say they all would have gotten an earful.

[leftofthedial]

17. Wow! You got an interview?

Must be nice.