Sham Interviews

[MSI1104]

Ever been to one of those? Where they have a preferred candidate and had to go through the motions?

Had one about 2 weeks ago.

1. All the parties that were supposed to attend the interview were not there.

2. The HR lady was dressed in Jeans and T Shirt.

3. The Skype interviewer had the video off so audio only.

4. None of them had read my CV before hand.

5. Online reviews of company be previous employees say similar things.

They sent me a email earlier asking if I want my details kept on file. Told them the above and to delete my details.

 

[Hobo Joe]

Ever been to one of those? Where they have a preferred candidate and had to go through the motions?

Had one about 2 weeks ago.

1. All the parties that were supposed to attend the interview were not there.

2. The HR lady was dressed in Jeans and T Shirt.

3. The Skype interviewer had the video off so audio only.

4. None of them had read my CV before hand.

5. Online reviews of company be previous employees say similar things.

They sent me a email earlier asking if I want my details kept on file. Told them the above and to delete my details.

If i've ever been to one, it was definitely not as obvious as your experience

 

[MSI1104]

If i've ever been to one, it was definitely not as obvious as your experience

Yeah which is what confused the crap out of me initially.. Thats why I went to look at the company reviews.

 

[AntonG]

What is the point of a scam interview?

(As in what do they gain from it?)

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[jaxx]

What is the point of a scam interview?

(As in what do they gain from it?)

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

To tick a box that says HR process has been followed.

 

[Dirtdiver]

To tick a box that says HR process has been followed.

Exactly.

 

[moedeez]

Yeah which is what confused the crap out of me initially.. Thats why I went to look at the company reviews.

Are you allowed to name the company?

 

[el3venth]

I've had similar. I have a very common coloured surname. I am caucasian.
The second I walked through the door the interviewer asked me if this is really my name and that they expected someone darker.
Then offered me coffee and asked if I wanted a tour of the factory since I was there anyway.

 

[WiZard]

Had a recruiting agency call me once to find out if I was "available". Asked them to send me the job spec beforehand.
When I got the spec, called them back and cancelled, because it was not a job spec but rather a description of a very specific person...
(There could realistically be only one person in the world that match the description, that specific!)

 

[Valheru]

My run-in was also with a recruitment agency (DAV).

First they phoned me to offer me the job I was working in at the time (I was not aware we had vacancies, so I was pissed).
Few months after that got another call from them inquiring around my availability (due to above, I was). Politely asked the person phoning if they really have something "this time" or if they are just updating their shopping list. The person swore / shouted at me for what must have been like 20s before slamming down the phone. For some reason they have never phoned me again.

 

[Reavs]

My wife was one of those preselected candidates a couple of years back. They told her to hold on for about 2 weeks so they could rush through a couple of interviews before making it official.

 

[TurboLlew]

This happens often... and in reverse... more so in tech than other industries I have worked in. HR also performs "benchmarking" exercises. If your company has ever shared benchmarking to say they "pay fairly" or specifics vs other companies it is not just because someone was surveyed and kindly gave salaries and skills... they have gone through one of these exercises.

We have had people "fetched" from outside the company and the recruitment process is just followed to tick a box. The JD is also tailored to unicorn levels... literally one person in SA that will meet it all. I've been the internal candidate where the JD seems to be for a role 2 levels higher in terms of scope... or eg with consulting background or specific "alternative industry" experience (eg banking skills in fmcg). convinced it is to deter internal candidates from applying. However in this day and age where people take jobs they can get it is possible they will have internal guys applying as they somehow have the improbable collection of experience... I am one of these that has done eg Project management and sales and marketing in personal care, home care, confectionary and ICT...
It is ALWAYS better to talk to the hiring manager before putting yourself through this kind of thing... it might be unfair but it will save you frustration.

 

[MSI1104]

Are you allowed to name the company?

I would rather not. But I did send them an email about how to make sham interviews better.

@TurboLlew
Lol I had one of those before... Honestly it was like reading my CV except I had 20 vs the 10 years experience they were looking for..

UNCOMFORTABLE for them is all I could say..

 

[Byakugan]

I wouldn't say I have been to a sham interview but I have been to one where their description of the job vs what their posting said where different.

Also had an interview for a team leader position that focused primarily on my tech skills and never once discussed the achievements I highlighted that show leadership skill.

Most recruiters dont seem to do their homework either, they will call Michael Schumacher and ask him if he knows how to start a car.

 

[ahcii]

they will call Michael Schumacher and ask him if he knows how to start a car.

In their defense, in his current condition I don't think he's able to...

 

[el3venth]

Michael Schumacher and ask him if he knows how to start a car.

Well, does he? Because it takes the entire team pretty much.

F1 Technique: How to start a Formula 1 engine (Part 1)

F1 Technique: How to start a Formula 1 engine (Part 1) on Auto123.com

www.auto123.com

 

[ahcii]

Well, does he? Because it takes the entire team pretty much.

F1 Technique: How to start a Formula 1 engine (Part 1)

F1 Technique: How to start a Formula 1 engine (Part 1) on Auto123.com

www.auto123.com

He's been borderline a vegetable since his accident is what I was alluding to. Apparently much better though and on the road to recovery.

 

[Sunshine]

Most recruiters dont seem to do their homework either, they will call Michael Schumacher and ask him if he knows how to start a car.

This.

I am fairly young (24) but somewhat qualified and I have some major projects behind me as well as my current position as an IT manger, so I generally fall in the senior category when it comes to jobs.

I have gotten calls from recruitment agencies. Offering entry level, contract based, part time, hourly rates etc etc. At least three a month

I've taken my CV off most places.

 

[MSI1104]

He's been borderline a vegetable since his accident is what I was alluding to. Apparently much better though and on the road to recovery.

Bad analogy, should have said call up Lewis Hamilton and ask if he knows how to rev a Pussycat Doll..

 

[CRE4MPIE]

Ever been to one of those? Where they have a preferred candidate and had to go through the motions?

Had one about 2 weeks ago.

1. All the parties that were supposed to attend the interview were not there.

2. The HR lady was dressed in Jeans and T Shirt.

3. The Skype interviewer had the video off so audio only.

4. None of them had read my CV before hand.

5. Online reviews of company be previous employees say similar things.

They sent me a email earlier asking if I want my details kept on file. Told them the above and to delete my details.

Why weren't YOU the preferred candidate ?

 

[MSI1104]

Why weren't YOU the preferred candidate ?

Basically the online reviews say something to this effect.... At this company its not what you know but who you know. Friends and family members are hired all the time.

 

[TheWaywie]

Basically the online reviews say something to this effect.... At this company its not what you know but who you know. Friends and family members are hired all the time.

Name and shame bruh, i was a SME in every aspect except for the title and pay for a big green bank and they repeated did this to me till i eventually told them to shove it because of these reasons.

 

[MSI1104]

Well its the SA branch of a company that 9is on the WEB to HELP. Seems they have a theft problem.