And I thought I had some bad interview experiences.

http://citizensourpuss.wordpress.com/


a little interesting tidbit

"We were all locked out of the building, and there was a sign on the door that read “Testing at 2 PM in the Parkade.”"

I went through that fairly recently (two years ago). I was interviewed FIVE times. Headhunter. Twice. On the phone once and in person once. Corporate HR type on the phone. TWICE. Corporate HR VP in person, for more than an hour. Finally they flew me to Edmonton for a role playing exercise. This over a period of several weeks.

I did not get the job.

I've hired many, many people in my career. Ranging from entry level to senior managers. I always rely on my gut feel (assumes CV met my needs). Never would I put a candidate through that crap.

Ah. The famous Worst fricking Interview Ever experience. It really was something else. Thanks DotCom era hiring insanity!

I just came home from the forth part of a five part interview process, and I'm exhausted. STILL one more part to go, and even then may not get the offer.

Wow...
Every job I've ever interviewed for, I was offered the position (that's not to say every job I've applied for).

I've been through those "psycho" tests a few times (first time was applying for a Home Depot job which I found hilarious).

And to answer your blog-question sourpuss...YES, I have applied (and been accepted) into a military officer program (Warrant Officer actually, but the process is the same).

What I find the most amusing, is the entire process created, and then the "candidate" for a job is still "on probation" for a period (usually 30-90 days), and then they are still "ify" for the first year.

I know the RCMP has a similar process.
Test, interview, test, interview, train, probation.
And yet...some of the oddest nutjobs STILL get through and are given jobs, and they are STILL desperately trying to fill positions.
You'd think after all the processing, they'd find someone who actually wants to work for more than a couple years.

I have been through many employer tests, never once in a parking lot though.

heh. I like the one that "tested" our typing speed. you had to get "at least" 20 words per minute.

LOL

I can see why the interview process for police would be vigorous. Gotta weed out the nutbars. But I guess no process is foolproof.

The onerous process I described was for a more senior position, and maybe there should be an thorough process, but I hear more and more junior positions are going through that level of due process...

I have TWICE been interviewed for a job at a Tim Hortons and a third time for a political volunteer position.

Bizarre hiring process.

The free market will decide on what the processes should and should not be. Eventually, people will bad-mouth companies with crappy hiring procedures and the best and brightest won't apply there anymore.

heh.. interviewed for this one sales job one time. The entire time the guy was rocking back and forth in his chair. not just a little bit.. but full on rocking back and forth like grannie would do on the beverly hill billies. I got the job.. and promptly walked out to never ever return.

This is the third place I've interviewed with since moving here. All three places were using a multi-phase hiring process. The first one was three steps, and I went through to round two, and they determined that I was over qualified. Which appears to be code for "you cost too much money, and will get bored and leave." The second place was a three parter too, and same thing. "Over-qualified." Fine. This time, I decided that I'd shoot higher, since I was "over-qualified" for things I thought I was qualified for, and was surprised to get the interview, much less be in the final phases where I'm past the psych, the credit checks, medical, the initial interview, the HR interview, observing for a day. 280 applicants, and they're down to me and one other person. I'm going to be PISSED if I don't nail this.

I've spent much of the last three years freelancing and subcontracting. Being back on the employment hunt is really odd.

have they done the anal probe yet?

Oh that came first. God knows you shouldn't even consider someone without at least one anal probe...

CitizenSourpuss wrote:Oh that came first. God knows you shouldn't even consider someone without at least one anal probe...

...not even going to ask how you met your husband...

It's a really good story, actually. I'll spare you the details though. I may still want a career in politics one day.

Well, that's over. I lept through the fire-y hoops of what became a 6 phase interview and was given an offer of employment last night. So, I'm off to work in January. I win at Survivor: Sales Manager.

congrats!

maybe...

unless its walmart or zellers.

Sales manager in January? Being from the car business, try and keep your EI benefits till March

Way to go, CS!

and thanks for the tip about pickled radishes!

I know what to get my dad for christmas now!

Awesome News CS!

Good for you.

Congratulations! did they mention that your post is in Plum Coulee??

whats wrong with plum coulee?

Congrats CS. Good luck in your new job.

Congrats! May your taxes be spent under a fiscally responsible government.