Horrific interview stories that will keep you up at night
The great thing about Halloween is the costumes, pumpkin carving and the spooky stories.
We all love a good horror story but when it becomes less of a story and something from everyday life, that’s when we have to put our foot down. We know people usually provide top tips on what to do in an interview, but what about what not to do? And we don’t mean the basics like neglecting to skim through the company’s website or forgetting to give your shirt a quick iron beforehand…
We’ve heard more than our fair share of scary interviewing stories and we wouldn’t usually even share around the late-night campfire. But, as it’s Halloween, anything ghosts…sorry, goes.
So, if you’re brave enough, here are our top job interview horror stories that’ll give you bigger second-hand embarrassment than when watching the dance scene in Spider-Man 3 (we know you know exactly which bit).
From the interviewer
In the family business
I was interviewing a 22- or 23-year-old student for an internship. He not only showed up with his mother but also wanted to be accompanied by her during the interview.
The runaway
I was interviewing a candidate when she told me she had forgotten to lock her car and asked for permission to go check on it. I said yes. She left and never came back or answered my calls.
Hands-on job
The interview was coming to a close and we were saying our fair wells. The candidate came round the back of my chair and massaged my shoulders three times before saying he looks forward to hearing back from us. Needless to say, he did not get the job.
Ball aboard
I was interviewing for a receptionist role at a tattoo shop. I showed up in a full suit and was made to sit on a big inflatable exercise ball throughout the whole interview. This all wrapped up with interview questions like, ‘what’s the weirdest thing you’ve bought on’ and ‘tell me the dirtiest joke you know’. I left and never looked back.
Bake a leg
It got to the classic question where we asked the candidate where they saw themselves in 5 years’ time, to see their ambitions and what their future would look like at our company. Their response? ‘I’m planning on quitting work in a few months to become a full-time baker’ and then followed up by a long monologue about their baking ambitions. They had applied for a software developer role.
A foot above the rest
The candidate was slightly late, so we waited patiently. Once they arrived, they had a slight limp and told us they had recently had a football injury that has caused them to hurt their toe, hence their delay. Without further prompt, they then took to removing their shoe and sock, put their foot on the desk and ask whether it looked infected or not.
From the interviewee
The best of friends
After waiting for 30 minutes at the reception lobby the interviewer finally arrived. We went into the interview and after 3 minutes of talking they admitted ‘We don’t hire people we don’t get along with’, followed shortly by ‘I can tell we wouldn’t get along’. I was simply speechless so the interviewer concluded with, ‘you can’t have everyone like you!’. No, I guess you can’t.
Along for the ride
A role I had applied for was a junior level entrance role, within five minutes of the interview, the interviewer openly admits, ‘I’ll be honest the role is actually an unpaid internship, but we can offer you a bus pass!’
A Cornish surprise
I was running a little late on the way to my interview so didn’t have time to eat any breakfast at home. I nipped into a nearby bakery to grab something and quickly ate it on the way. The mixture of nerves and recently finished pasty got the better of me and I threw up all over the reception entrance floor and then had to go do the interview (with no mints to hand). I got the job, but don’t think I’ve looked at a pasty the same again
A shocking request
I was once asked to sign an agreement that I wouldn’t have any children for at least three years. I had to agree as a condition to get hired. I didn’t, of course.
Urine for a treat
After a long day of group interview activities and written assessments, I was almost ready to leave when the interviewer brought in her puppy. Of course, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to hold a puppy, but unfortunately, the puppy got so excited it urinated in my lap. Not only did I not get the job but then I had to travel home with a wet skirt.
A grate day
When walking up to the front of the building I got my heel caught in the floor grate. I fell forward right into the floor-length window of the building reception. I’m sure they got a great visual of my face pressed up against it. I did however get the job (and a small bruise!)
It appears both interviewers and interviewee alike have their own fair share of horror stories that just make us shudder to think. Find our top interview tips here and find out how best to smash your interview (hopefully puppy-pee free!)
Looking for the perfect role? Search our exciting roles here (we promise not to make you sit on an exercise ball on day 1!)
